Got his start with Music Video's and Commercials

[BrettLee]

I hear this a lot when reading bio's and interviews and stuff with a lot of the Directors right now. But one thing that confuses me, is anybody know how they even do that? lol. Seems like that in its own is hard to do. Its not like directing music video's is something you can just go out and do. Its not like doing script coverage where basically anybody can pick up a script and sum it up for $75 lol. So anybody know how directors like Mr.Bay and the vast amount of other directors that got their start like that actually get hooked up with these jobs? I personally would love to direct music video's. Combines two of my top 3 loves in this world (and sometimes all 3! lol)

1. Women
2. Film
3. Music

(no particular order..lol)

[Trigger Mike]

Put together a reel of spec work that shows your directing ability.

[Devastator]

Yup and try to go to a film school.

At least I would. There is so much to learn it can get overwhelming at times without a good structure. imho

[BrettLee]

after that? What do you do with it? Send it to agents, or do you send it to marketing companies for commercial work, or are their specific companies that do music videos that hire directors? Or is it all handles much like film work where its video by video, basically "freelance" type of hiring method? Would it be good to do local like, no budget music video's as far as for demonstration purposes, or do you think the low quality of the picture and special effects would actually have a negative effect with zero budget? (obviously that method would be good for practice and have planned on doing that anyway, but would people see a low budget and think..he has potential? Or would they only be thinking "wow that picture looks like shit" and not really pay attention to the "direction" of it. Thx again for dealing with my questions, this is something iv been wondering about for a long time now..lol. Its kind of strange, even though its harder to break into, I have a better idea of how to go about breaking into film than breaking into music video's / commercials.

(also as far as film school goes, I think that’s not an option for me at this point. I went to school for computer animation, and I’m in debt up to my ears from that already..lol. But to be honest, I think I have a good solid film base. Animation actually teaches you A LOT about film, which is one of the reasons I did it. Teaches you a lot about staging, cinematography, acting and creating character and believable emotions, editing and other story telling elements. Now basically I’m just building on that as much as I can.)

Thank you for your info and time guys^^ appreciate it!

[Devastator]

Where did you go for computer animation? Since you went to school for it, they didn't teach you how to put yourself out there? How/where to send your reel's?

[BrettLee]

Well, i know how / where to send my animation reels in the event i decide to go that field eventually. But do animation studio's work the same way as music video's? Are their set companies that hire directors? If i was to apply for an animation spot i would get together a demo reel, and a resume and send it to Pixar, ILM, Blur, digital domain, weta (cring at idea of having to move out of USA ; ;..lol), blue sky, DreamWorks animation, etc etc. But as far as music video's are, i don’t know if there are set companies like that or not. When i look at music video's i never notice a company listed in the ones i watch. Its always the artist, the name of the label and the director. Is there a way to get a list of companies that do certain music video's? Or is all that done through an agent? Because as far as i know, animatores dont have agents. Its all self promotion..

[Devastator]

Ask Michael Bay

lol

So where did you go for computer animation? I am looking to get into SCAD currently.

[BrettLee]

I went to Full Sail in florida. It was ok school. I think the training was good though for the type of film making i someday hope to do. I love action movies and action and special effects basicly go hand in hand now adays. So knowing how it all works hopeuflly will help me..lol. Watchign the special features of transformers and other Bay movies, its clear he HAD to have some sort of special effects training. Was he a compositor or something? He talks like one when he talks about lighting the cars..lol

and yeah, i dont want to post in the ask michael bay section..i feel bad. The dude is so busy, last thing he needs is another stupid question..lol. So i bother you guys instead :P..lol

[elemental fantasy]

You have to do everything independantly at first. Do whatever you can, your talent will shine through and thats what people will see. REGARDLESS OF BUDGET!!!

It is better as a director to know EVERYTHING about what you are doing from lighting to make up to production design, or else somebody else will do it for you and not give you what you want because you cant communicate to them in there language.

Also, there is a thing called NEPITISM!!!! (spelled wrong)
Thats how 99% of big directers get big, because of who the know. For christ sakes, when M Bay was 14 years old he was working on The Empire Strikes Back, he was born in the industry!!!

Others like robert rodriguez started all on there own and went about putting there work in festivals and trying distribution, if your good, people will pick you up.

Also, there are agency's. You have to have an agent or you wont get anywhere for the most part. You cant just send in your work, they wont even look at it. You have to build up a reel of work and then submit it to an agency. There are different agency's for films, commercials and music videos. I suggest you put together a reel of commercials / or music videos or short films, just to get your foot in the door. It is much harder to tell a short story then a feature and most pros will see that if you do it well. It also makes them wanna see more and most agents wont sit through a feature independant film.

One thing I am doing is building up a reel of commercials like coca cola and such, without permission of course, I dont need it, I'm not selling it, but rather selling myself to the agency, nothing more I am not even showing the commercials to anyone but the agency's and fellow film makers. So I am in the process of writing many short cool commercials I can shoot on super 35mm for cheaper then a short film. Once all is said and done, I will submit my breath of work to agency's and just keep pushing my shit.
But thats how I think to do it, correct me if I am wrong, I can use all the advice and help I can get : )

[BrettLee]

wow great reply Elemental, thank you so much for the info that answered a lot of my questions and confusion on where to go for music videos and commercials. I wasn’t aware that there where agents specifically for music videos or commercials, so that’s nice to know to research that specifically. One thing I’m still a little confused on is what do they like to see on demo reels? Should I post full versions back to back of commercials and short films and music video's? Or short montage of shots I like from all the above set to music (which is basically what we do with animation so that’s what I think of when i think demo reel..lol). My guess is that I would just provide the full music video's short films and commercials unaltered back to back. is that right? Or is it a montage of favorite clips taken from them?

[elemental fantasy]

I think your correct on both accounts. Animation is different. As for music videos and commercials, I would send the entire thing. I have seen far too many demo reels for directors just with great shots, but it doesnt tell me how the whole of the project turned out. Just because one shot is good, doesnt mean the rest are, send em the whole thing as long as there short and good.

I would advise to send them maybe 10 minutes of work, at least 3 projects that can be viewed in that time, and also, look into the agency's before sending them in, if any agent ask for money up front tell em your gonna keep looking as any pro wouldnt do that upon bringing you aboard.

Keep your submission statement very short and to the point. Call the agency ahead of time to ask what format to send your reel to them in on.

If you dont here from them within a week, call the agency and simply ask if they received your package. Let them end the conversation, dont sound desperate as they get that all the time. Just let them know you sent in your reel for review and would love for them to represent you in the field of motion picture videos, commercials, films, or whatever you choose, but make it sound pro, sweet, and to the point.

My best advise, and as I am trying to do the same, I advise anybody to please add there two sence as it can help greatly : )

P.S. Also, if your a DP, the best advice I can give is not the entire movie on a reel, that can come later if there interested, but rather a montage of scenes, not images.

NOTE: If your a director, they will look at EVERYTHING and blame or credit you for it. From lighting to set design to acting and editing, they look at the director for the cause or responsibility. Just look at your work and compare it to whats on TV or movies, if you think, hmmm, if my movie was playing the same time as this big blockbuster in theaters would people choose mine over theres? It's all in artistic taste.

As far as animation, single shot montage is preferred cause so many artists work on a project unless it's all yours, but for directing short stuff, send it all as long as you think it would compete with whats out there in the field today. I.E. Compositing, particle playgrounds, cc particles, thats all effects, directing..... how good is the final product, so send it whole short and sweet imho!!!

[BrettLee]

very nice, thanks for the advise, i really apreciate the time taken to help out .

[elemental fantasy]

Ahh, one thing I forgot is range. Could prove usefull to have it. I.E. I am making a comedy commercial a sad one and an action one just to show range.

[OmarB]

Brett, call up your friends from college and see what they are up to. Some of my best career moves and oppertunities (holds true for most of my friends too) is staying close to college friends. There's always someone who makes it and who's willing to take some of his buds with him, or at least use him as a contact in the business.

I live in a house with my sister and one of my college buds and we always hook each other up as well as our buds. Somebody wants some programming done I send them in the way of my roommate, somebody wants something to do with journalism/writing/editing he sends them my way. Believe me man, start calling up some buds, see what they are up to, go out for a few drinks and catch up, there's nothing greater than working with your buds and that's what you gotta do, be a bud.

[xAgonyxScenex]

Ask Michael Bay

lol

So where did you go for computer animation? I am looking to get into SCAD currently.

that 'ask michael bay' is the most pointless section, and imho should be deleted....the man barely has time to come to these forums, let alone anwser questions

[BrettLee]

Brett, call up your friends from college and see what they are up to. Some of my best career moves and oppertunities (holds true for most of my friends too) is staying close to college friends. There's always someone who makes it and who's willing to take some of his buds with him, or at least use him as a contact in the business.

I live in a house with my sister and one of my college buds and we always hook each other up as well as our buds. Somebody wants some programming done I send them in the way of my roommate, somebody wants something to do with journalism/writing/editing he sends them my way. Believe me man, start calling up some buds, see what they are up to, go out for a few drinks and catch up, there's nothing greater than working with your buds and that's what you gotta do, be a bud.

This is good advice, except that almost all my buds are computer animators because that’s what i went to school for..lol. But I want to get into directing/writing. Although, I DID write a short CG animated script that I’m going to try and pitch to a studio that my friend works at. So I guess you’re right, maybe some of my other friends have a link I might not see right now. Anyway, thx for the advise everybody and please, anybody has something to add please keep it coming . I really appreciate it^^.