The Director's Idea

Chapter 3

The Competent Director

• The competent director has a straightforward interpretation of the text. Character and narrative fall under that interpretation. There is no subtext. Directing the actors and camera choices support that interpretation. Competent directors often have a vigorous camera style, but that style does not deepen meaning.

Here comes that loaded term again, the competent director. In these next three chapters I will chart the roadmap from competence in directing to value (the good director) to transformation (the great director). I know the term competent implies “not good enough,” and I am willing to let that implication stand, even though it is not intended. What is intended is for readers to use this chapter as a baseline ...