Director or Cinematographer: The Better Career Choice?

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[benediktvolkmer]

It is funny because for the last 6 months I've been asking myself this question. Thank you for making this video Danny, really appreciate the love you put into your channel!

[occulusrexmedia]

Man when you finally called yourself a director, I could hear in your voice how much that choice you made means to you.

That’s awesome.

[OfTwoLands]

Tough call for sure! Been struggling for a few years between trying to focus more on cinematography and camera operating or still trying to direct / shoot complete projects.
Now I am also adding being a dad and a Youtuber haha !! Great video mate :)

[britaineriksen]

I mean I feel like the beautiful thing is that we live in a world where Indy Film makers are able to put stuff out that can get millions of views without going the traditional production route. To me you are one of the greatest examples of this. Anyways, love your work man.

[luucamNY]

thank you for this ... also to everyone out there if you want to be a director and know a cinematographer or vise versa the more yall work together the more you create that chemistry and yall help each other out more and grow at a faster pace good luck

[philippscheithauer]

Just love listening to you speaking from the heart. I also started out as a cinematographer but lately switched into being a colorist. I realized that what I loved most about all the images I shot was not the shooting process or the editing but rather grading the footage and make stories come to life though colors. I basically shot and edited just to get to the grading process. Glad I made that realization :) being honest to yourself is something I always took away from your videos. Love your channel, so stoked for your movie!

[krosfyah]

I’m 46 and trust me - nothing’s different. I started out later, only 10 years ago, as I had a corporate job before but I’m asking these same questions. I think this sort of questioning and discussion is great food for thought and helping weigh strategic opportunities / creative directions of travel.

Good content man

[alemendonca]

Here in Brazil we r seeing a lot of directors whos also the cinematographer, but back in the day not touching the camera was something we thought so "superior"... And we were all wrong, because it's such an amazing feeling to hold a camera and craft every shot that sooner or later you'll hold one! Really nice video Dan, well done!

[JacobEttinger]

I've been doing both simply because my projects range from low to mid/high range prices. So most of the time I wear multiple hats. Even when I have a crew, I still become the Director, DP, Editor for the project. I love directing and storytelling, but I am also in love with light and lenses. So its always a struggle to choose my main title. Dope video man!

[jesuismt]

What a perfect timing man, I've been stuck with the same question too. Thank you so much for this video, all the best. (watching your videos from Burma)

[buknar]

Danny thank you for even acknowledging the job title Director…in my experience 0.01% of YouTubers who have channels on Filmmaking talk about Directing at all. As you know, there’s no job title on a call sheet labelled “filmmaker”. We all start out wearing multiple hats but once you enter the industry, you don’t find a lot of generalists, everyone seems to be a specialist. A producer doesn’t want a gaffer who wants to DP, and also cam ops, and ACs…he/she wants the best gaffer who’s available…and the best ones are often booked. But it’s a catch 22 since in order to make it above the line one usually has to do everything themselves in order to make a film.

[Citizen_one]

If you want to influence storytelling, culture, and what winds up on the screen (ads, tv, docs, film) become an exec. You’ll have more power, more security, and a most likely healthier lifestyle. If you’re a creative and want to put your input in feel, texture, and emotion - becoming a director understanding that your client (the executive) will have say over you and as you will have to fulfill the job handed to you using your creativity and you’ll only really cut lose on your projects and projects you secure funding for (where executives will also have say over the work). And if you want to elevate the vision of a director and a production become a dp. Knowing full well that you will have to adhere to a collaborative process. Having a healthy understanding of all departments and roles on both the business and creative sides will make you better at your job. Moreover, focus on your audience and why you are doing what you do. Stop obsesssing with gear. Everyone can shoot pretty images and pay for views (or earn them over time) but very few will make an impression on an audience that will truly contribute to their life journey.

Lastly, don’t rule out producing. You will learn heaps more than all of the above and figure your path with way more understanding. And while I know most of you reading are YouTube focused creators, this would mean helping on someone’s channel rather than doing your own. I know we all want to be rulers and leaders but storytelling is a team sport and while it can be played individually you’ll go a lot further and grow more in collaboration.

Godspeed creatives. You are the gatekeepers and caretakers of our greatest man made resource - stories.

[remmelz]

Your journey with cinematography is so similar to mine with editing. Working on bigger and bigger projects at a young age. Making money. And basically falling out of love with editing. Starting the transition to directing now, but it's like you said: you start doing everything on small projects. Loving the change of pace and the challenge :)

[jimmystewartuk]

Thanks for sharing Danny, another tip I think for anyone starting out, it definitely makes more sense to become a cinematographer first then later a director, comparing to first director and then cinematography. So if you are someone who has2 interest in the technical side of filmmaking, definitely start as a cinematographer. This way would also give you much more confidence leading the production as a director later down the line.

[BodhiTOuellette]

I really loved the insight you've given detailing your upbringing and your transition into directing. I definitely wanted to start off, wanting to direct through college, but honestly, the work ethic for directing is extremely difficult a lot of times, especially if you're starting off. My last project I did, as a director, was a music video for my friend back in 2019. I haven't directed since, but I've done a lot of shooting as a DP, and doing a lot of work as a 2nd or 1st AC, occasionally G&E crew, and being able to hop onto those sets has REALLY helped me understand the overall needs of a production, as an observer. It's helped me with my shooting, and, coming this summer, when I end up directing my next short film. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've gained working on these sets and getting these connections, and I'm really excited to be getting this short with my friends wanting to make it for over three years now (pandemic delays), finally happen.

[IMG_MVR]

Anyone else in their mid 30's just starting on filmmaking? It's daunting, but boy am I hungry for it. I feel so fulfilled when I'm shooting, editing, or doing anything film related. I can only hope I'll be able to leave my office job sometime this year.

[themikericciofficial]

Thanks for the insight and inspiration Danny. This is something I grapple with every day. You’re gonna crush the feature!

[PavelSupanenka]

This feeling when you are awesome in everything and cannot decide what to choose, gold or diamonds :D

[rprbeck]

Great video! Been struggeling with that decision as well and I'm kinda comming to the same outcome. I think the last argument you brought is propably the best. As a Director, knowing a lot about cinematography or basically any other department will help massively in communicating your vision to your team and create a better film overall.

[JDTechTV]

It's been such a genuine joy to watch the journey. Appreciate you making time to give us a window to that part of your life. Big help for the rest of us trying to figure it out too. Excited to see the next big projects coming dude.