The Art Of

Film
Directi n
By Jason O’ Neil Hudson
JASON O’ NEIL HUDSON
(Writer and Director )
CREEKWATER FILMS

The art of film direction is often

thought of as a collaborative effort

between the director and the

other members of the filmmaking

team. However, the director is the

one who is ultimately responsible

for the final product. In this book

, we'll explore the art of film

direction, about my latest movie

Rawfootage and how the director

is the one who ultimately

determines the story that is told

on screen.
What is the Art of film Direction?

Directing is an art form that is one of the foundations for telling

stories. The portrayal of the director can be phrased by the formula:
Cinematography + Setting + Blocking + Acting + Editing = Directing.

Cinematography - Cinematography is the art of photography

and visual storytelling in a motion picture or television show.
Cinematography comprises all on-screen visual elements,
including lighting, framing, composition, camera motion,
camera angles, film selection, lens choices, depth of field, zoom,
focus, color, exposure, and filtration.

Setting - Setting is the time and place (or when and where) of the
story. It’s a literary element of literature used in novels, short
stories, plays, films, etc., and usually introduced during the
exposition (beginning) of the story, along with the characters.
The setting may also include the environment of the story, which
can be made up of the physical location, climate, weather, or
social and cultural surroundings

Acting - Acting is about finding the spontaneity that makes a

character and the play come to life front of the audience.

Editing - Editing is the process of putting a film together–the

selection and arrangement of shots and scenes. Editing can
condense space and time, emphasize separate elements and bring
them together, and organize material in such a way that patterns
of meaning become apparent.
What are the qualities and
skills required to be a film
director?

A film director interprets a

book or script, and then
translates that interpretation
into a film. This mission
means the director must
manage all creative aspects of
a production while also
working with producers, who
tackle the business end of
films. Actor, editor, camera
operator, sound engineer — a
director must speak the
language of each to
successfully accomplish a
film.

Great is pretty vague and subjective. That's why greatest lists

generally say much more about the people who make them up
than about the list items themselves. Still, and for what it's worth,
here are some criteria for judging greatness in film direction. The
following criteria are not exhaustive But a really terrific director
should have certain qualities to ensure production goes smoothly.

Open Minded - A director should be open-minded to changes in

their ideas. They should be ready to accept input and consider
others point of view without being judgmental.

Communication - A director must have excellent communication

skills. They must be able to clearly articulate what their production
goals are and be able to work with all team members to accomplish
that goal.

Problem Solving - Great directors can quickly address problems

that arise during production. They are able to identify problems
and figure out the best way to fix them.

Decisiveness –A director must be able to make firm decisions and

stick to them to help ensure production stays on track.
Thinks Outside the Box - doesn’t feel constrained by other’s
thoughts/ideas, but uses them to his/her advantage. Is willing to try
new things and take some risks to get great results instead of only
okay results.

Motivates and Inspires -A director inspires people to give their best

effort, even when they aren’t feeling energetic or particularly
invested. Their passion is contagious.

What is the contribution of a film director in making films?

Even though a Director may not appear in front of the camera, but
he is the most important person on a film set. They do more than
shout “action” and “cut” behind the scenes—they're the person who
determines the creative vision and makes all of the film's biggest
decisions. A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic
aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the
film crew and actors in the fulfillment of that vision. The director
has a key role in choosing the cast members, production design and
all the creative aspects of filmmaking.
What is creative direction?

A creative director determines the

creative vision of a brand or project and
manifests that vision through digital,
print and film installations. The job is to
maintain a cohesive look and feel of a
project—be it an advertising campaign,
fashion line, video game or magazine—by
ensuring the visuals, messaging and/or
interactive and motion designs are on
point. A creative director also establishes
budgets and timelines and manages client
relationships. Creative Direction is the
medium where art direction, design, and
strategy all intersect. Its purpose is to
connect the various aspects of a project
while ensuring the bottom line is never
out of site. Creative Direction is a key
factor in the success of every great
project. The creative director in the film
industry is referred to as the "production
designer". A production designer carries a
large responsibility of designing the look
of a movie.
What is a role of a film Producer?

A film producer is responsible for finding

and launching projects, arranging finance,
hiring writers, and a creative team, and
supervising all pre-production, production,
and post-production events until film
release. Film Producers are the first to get
involved in spotting the creative and
commercial opportunities of production and
continuing as a driving force till distribution.
What is the difference between a Film
Director and Producer?

Producers — are basically (but not

exclusively) what most other sectors would
consider ‘management’. Like management
they also come with a variety of different
levels of authority and responsibility. Roles
of film producers can include budgeting,
scheduling, hiring and firing (above the line),
legal liaisons, logistics, and site management.
I sometimes refer to producers as ‘paper-
pushers’ — meaning the bureaucratic/non-
creative side of the film-industry — though
this isn’t strictly accurate.
 Directors — Are management as
well — but only for a particular
segment of the crew at a specific
time. Generally speaking
Directors may/may not be in-
charge of the actors, extras, art
department, and sound
department and could
additionally have input on music,
post-production and special
effects.

Directors are subordinates of the most senior producers and are

generally considered to be in their employ. Depending on the
production, directors can have a very limited scope (simply
focusing on directing actors and extras — this is how most TV is
shot) or they can have broad and sweeping authority over most
creative departments .

Every production defines the role of a director differently and

most find a happy medium in the scope of responsibilities of a
director. Producer’s roles are generally the same from
production to production — though the scope of some of the
most senior producers could potentially be very broad.
 ABOUT CREEK WATER

CREEK WATER is an independent film production company pursuing quality

diverse storytelling through the lens of the human condition. The culture of
the company derives from a story’s first approach, so that the story can be
served to the utmost, from the very writing and developing of scripts to the
final picture lock in the Post Production Process. And through this Creek
Water hope to create a cinematic art that has reached its imperfect perfection
from every individual who pursue the process from a selfless platform.

MORE ABOUT THE DIRECTOR (Jason O’Neil Hudson)

A graduate of USC’s Dramatic Arts, Jason has been a professional in the

industry for over a decade. With the launch of Creek Water Films in 2016 he
has been able to impart the ideals selflessness and work ethic to others. He
ushers a new era of quality and diverse art of storytelling, through the fantastic
lens of human conditions.
 LATEST VENTURE

RAW FOOTAGE

LOGLINE:
A young and struggling dad finally gets lucky and is hired for a job. The
unlucky part, it’s for a sinister TV Show that blurs the line between reality and
fiction.

SYNOPSIS:
Zach is in bed with Kayla a beautiful young actress. The wine flows and they
have a cute chat. Pure infatuation, but this woman is not Zach’s wife. In fact, he
has to cut their romantic afternoon short to go get his son from daycare. He
picks up his son and arrives home at the same time as his wife Leah. Zach’s a
good father, but poor husband as he bathes and puts his son to bed. Afterwards
he faces Leah who grills him about his job search. Zach is a reality television
footage logger and has been out of work and his affair probably isn’t helping
him find a new gig either.
Seeming coincidentally, Zach gets a call about a footage logging job that night.
The rate is high and Zach thinks it will get Leah off his back and so he accepts
the gig without much thought. He arrives at a shady office building in a
rundown part of town and meets Jude. A shady dude who sets him up at his
station, a computer with several monitors. Jude gives him several discs to be
reviewed and Zach immediately gets to work. Randomly, a sweaty shoeless and
very scared guy Chip runs past Zach’s station with dried blood on his fingers.
Chip begs Zach for help but Zach has no idea what is going on.

Chip sees that Zach is of no help and bolts away. Jude shows up moments later
and explains the strangeness away that Chip is just another employee who likes
to haze the new guys. Zach is a bit rattled but hoping for the best gets back to
work. The footage is for a hidden camera game show “Invisi-dating” and at first
the footage is standard prank show fare, but soon the crew begins doing creepy
things. A kidnapping is documented. Then a MURDER all by a tragedy masked
psycho with delusions of grandeur.

Zach stands to get the hell out of there but the monitor changes from
previously shot footage to a real time security feed of cameras in the building
and the guy with bloody fingers is headed Zach’s way. Zach is chased through
the office building where he quickly finds he’s locked in. He hears Kayla’s voice
which leads him to a basement room. Something pushes him into the room
and locks the door. Zach is reunited with Kayla in some sort of KILL ROOM

The Greek Tragedy mask enters with a video camera because the story needs a
good ending. The death scene the ultimate climax. Zach and Kayla work
together to evade the masked maniac. Zach sends Kayla for help. Kayla leaves
and Zach thinks it’s all over until he hears a voice. LEAH’S VOICE. Leah’s been
watching the events play out disguised as a Greek Comedy mask and she knows
about the affair. And she’s pissed.

Zach’s antic disposition while playing along with her mind games buys him the
needed time to seize an opportunity. In a turn of events and a last ditch effort
to be there for his son he does the unthinkable stabbing Leah rendering her no
longer responsive. Kayla soon returns with help and they escape the Kill Room.
Days later Zach is at the park with his son as things somewhat return to mild
normalcy as they stop for ice cream on the way back home. Arriving home and
tired from the recent days Zach falls asleep at the kitchen table. He wakes to
Leah staring at him in the Kill Room.
 SHELDON SMITH as ZACH:

CAST Athletic and smart Zach is stuck on the scales

between loyalty and unhappiness. Being a
married man he is quite taken with a new fling
Kayla although he deeply cares for his child and
wife. The burden of being a man out of work
doesn’t add to this careless behavior either and
at this point he is willing to take on any gig.

DIANA LU as KAYLA:
She is a pretty Model and a spritely working
actress just on the verge of her big break. Kayla
is dating someone who has a child, but that
doesn’t matter because they are happy and it is
easy being around each other. Although he isn’t
employed at the moment she understands and
is willing to take care of everything when her
career takes off.

KRISTEN HORDE as LEAH:

Striking and still in her prime but the toll of

working a full-time job and being the main
caretaker of her child weighs heavy on her
features. She is married to a husband who takes
care of the child, but nowhere near a fair and
mutual capacity. This has built up little by little
inside, however, there is a new gig to begin
working on and maybe what is needed to take
her mind off of things.

CONNOR WEIL as CHIP:

Good looking enough to be hard stuck in the
quasi fame world of celebrity. Given the current
climate of “making it” which requires winning
the popularity contest he is willing to do what it
takes in order to get his image out there even
more. Bring on Reality TV
 CHRIS MOSS as JUDE:

CAST Hardened producer whose been pushed to

the edge by the failed promise to his
dreams. Tired of the rudimentary standard
of the industry he takes it upon himself to
pave a new path towards notoriety. With a
small crew in tow he sets out to create the
ultimate Reality Show that will blur the
line between reality and entertainment

Peter Harmon - WRITER:

Based in Los Angeles he is a screenwriter,
producer, and a bestselling author. He is
also the publisher of Horror from the High
Dive: Volume 1, a collection of horror short
stories.

JASON O’ NEIL HUDSON

(Writer and Director )
 The art of film direction
is a complex and
demanding discipline. It
requires a highly creative
mind, as well as a deep
understanding of the
filmmaking process.
Great directors are able
to bring their vision to
life on the big screen,
and to move and inspire
audiences around the
world.

Thank you for reading

this book during your
precious free time .If you
have anyfurther
questions get in touch
with us -

johudson@creekwaterfilms.us

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