To carry a film from concept to final cut, a director must balance creative vision with practical execution. The role of the director is one of the most fulfilling and challenging in the screen industry. It encompasses everything from translating the script into screen, and communicating the vision with all heads of departments during pre-production, to empowering brilliant performances of actors and crew while making thousands of creative decisions on set. It also involves making the most out of the footage captured in the editing room, with the perfect touch of rhythm, music and sound to make the performances sing and connect with the audience, and ultimately delivering the film to distribution and channel specifications.
We chatted with director Elissa Down about her journey to becoming a full-time director; the fundamental steps she took to finesse the craft and learn the tools. Elissa is the tutor of our upcoming 10-week online short course, The Director’s Journey Bootcamp, and will share the knowledge she has gained over her career, which spans nearly two decades of work, including award-winning features, international streaming hits and short films.
Elissa’s debut feature, The Black Balloon, won the Crystal Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2008 and multiple AACTA Awards, including Best Film and Best Direction. Since then, her credits include The Honor List and Feel the Beat. From her earliest short films to her current lineup of feature projects, Elissa has established herself as a director with a bold and creative voice, known for her emotionally powerful storytelling and unique visual style.
In The Director’s Journey Bootcamp, she will walk you through the essential skills every director should have, unpacking a script, communicating effectively with cast and crew, and discovering your voice as a filmmaker.
Get inspired! Here’s a sneak peek of the advice Elissa has for aspiring directors:
Your first feature film, The Black Balloon, premiered and was awarded a Crystal Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival. What role did your short films play in the lead-up to The Black Balloon?
“My short films were so integral in confidence. Confidence in speaking to actors, heads and department and crew. Confidence because I made mistakes and learned from them. Confidence because I managed to pull something together when it all went pear shaped. Confidence because I figured out what I wanted to say.”
What would you say if you could advise yourself when starting your creative journey in filmmaking?
“It’s actually the same advice I followed at the time, which is do what you can with the tools you have available. I read it somewhere in a book (I wish I remembered which one, but it was an inspirational type of book).”
How do you ensure communication and collaboration with producers and your head of departments stays true to your vision and create space for creative collaboration to expand and bring richness to the production?
“A comprehensive look book can really bring everyone on the same page on what you’re all making and at the same time allow for your other collaborators to add their ideas and thoughts.”
What advice have you received from a fellow filmmaker that you keep close to you on your journey?
“I was very fortunate to have Jane Campion provide some pertinent advice when I was working on The Black Balloon and it was “Who cares what people think?”! That gave me the courage to be bold in my storytelling and not worry what I think other people will think of my choices.”
What is the one thing students can expect to take away from The Director’s Journey Bootcamp course?
“Some real nuts-and-bolts advice that can apply to whatever stage they are at in their directing careers.”
Learn from Elissa directly over the The Director’s Journey Bootcamp 10-week online course, where you will gain practical insider knowledge into the director’s role, including screenplay structure, scene analysis and effective collaboration, and how to build a sustainable career.
