The weird thing about directing as a career is that most of the time, you're not actually directing.

This is especially true when you're just starting out.

The days you spend prepping, on set, and in the edit are few compared to the days you spend developing new stories, pitching on jobs, meeting new people, and expanding your creative horizons.

So this week, we'll talk about three habits you should keep, no matter where you are in your directing career, for when you're not directing:

• Habit #1: Networking
• Habit #2: Developing
• Habit #3: Studying

We all know making a film is crazy, and we can easily lose ourselves in the projects we make. But when we're not deeply engaged, it's easy to get lost and lose momentum. These three habits will help you maintain your creativity, craft, and relationships. Even if you go months between directing gigs.

Let's roll.

Habit #1: Networking

Networking is kind of a dirty word.

It feels needy and selfish, and yes, gross. But a mindset shift can help snap you out of that. Don't network out of a need to get something from someone else. Think of it as reconnecting with friends and making new friends.

Our industry is heavily influenced by relationships, and if you don’t make them and nurture them, you’re at a huge disadvantage.

The first thing to do when you escape the bubble that is making your film is to rekindle relationships.

Keep your outreach strategy simple:

• start with people you know and like and want to talk to
• then find people you like and want to get to know

Recently I’ve been sharing my directing knowledge on LinkedIn, and with that comes a lot of cold outreach from complete strangers.

I almost never reply.

Not to be a jerk, but because what they’re asking for is either a huge time-suck or extremely unclear.

The number one mistake I see people make in their outreach messages is that it’s all about them.

It’s all me, me, me, me, me, me, help me/give me money.

Don’t do this if you’re reaching out to someone you don’t know (or know for that matter).

Instead, focus on giving the other person something of value (can be as simple as a genuine compliment) and try to make a genuine connection. If you want to ask for something, make it stupid-easy for them to say yes. Don't ask them to marry you on the first date!

If you want to dive deeper on this topic I highly recommend checking out Cobra Kai editor, Zack Arnold’s blog: https://optimizeyourself.me/networking-with-industry-experts/

By consistently nurturing and expanding your network, you are opening yourself up to new work, from new people.

Better yet, you might be able to present some of your own dream projects.

Developing

"So what's next?" is the first question you get whenever you're done with a film.

The second habit any director out of work needs to implement is developing new stories, new scripts, and new movies. Unless you're in this business solely to do client work, please skip this section.

I got into directing because I wanted to tell my own stories, but I've noticed how easy it is to always be working on other people's stories. It takes a conscious and consistent effort to carve out time and space for your own passion projects.

Ideally, you're always working on them, even if it's just 10 minutes a day. But the times when you're not directing are a great time to dedicate your energy to these projects.

Whether that means writing, finding producing and writing partners who can help bring the project to life, or creating pitch decks, it doesn't matter. This is the kind of long-term project that might not pay off right away, but could be a game changer in the long run.

Here's a good framework for the kinds of projects you should be developing:

• The dream project: Dream big, dream small if that's your thing. Don't let anything hold you back.
• The next dream project: Introduce a little more realism; what would be the next dream project that could one day lead you to that big dream project? If you just finished a successful short, maybe it's a first feature? Or maybe you go from a $100K feature to a $1M feature? Maybe you go from a small, one-location shoot to something a bit more complex?
• The one you know you can make: A lot of times, we get stuck trying to do bigger and more complex things with every new film. This can stall or even kill your directing career. Making another film you know you have the skills and resources to pull off is way better than waiting years to make your next thing.

Depending on what kind of director you are, the path is a bit different. I like to write my own stuff, but also work with writers to come up with new ideas and concepts. If you're not sure how you like to work yet, use these projects to try different modes of collaboration.

You are still learning and building your craft, so use your development time to challenge yourself as a director.

Studying

And finally, the last habit that every director should have when not directing is studying.

I don't mean burying yourself in books, although that can certainly work.

I mean studying in a broader sense. Watch movies and study what makes them work and not work. Study art, books, culture, and cultures.

Immerse yourself in experiences that enrich your storytelling vocabulary. And also experiment. Grab a camera, or your phone, and go for a cinematic walk.

Take photos or videos as you go. Tell a story.

This practice takes more intentionality than plopping down on the couch to watch Netflix. Replace your phone with a notebook and take notes as you watch.

I watched a film in French last night, and caught myself unconsciously pulling out my phone. As my attention slipped, I had to go back and rewatch parts I'd missed. I finally put my phone away and actually enjoyed the film a lot more.

The moral of the story is to pay attention. Watch to learn, not to consume.

Be a collector of notes, experiences, and stories.

They will serve you well in your directing career.

And cut!

That does it for this week. Here are the key takeaways I want you to bring with you into your directing career from today:

• Build a strong network of mutually beneficial relationships.
• Spend time working on your next thing when you're not working on your current thing.
• Be a student of the craft, of cinema, and of life.

As always, thanks for reading.

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