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tinoynk t1_j1kfscz wrote

TV directing is a little more just about the pure technical production than film directing, where the director has more or less all the control over the whole product.

In TV the showrunner is the person closest to the film director, and then a rotating staff of directors handle the nitty-gritty of on-set production.

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Cowstein t1_j1l2mwd wrote

I can assure you tv directors are not purely technical production members. In fact as television more and more mimics cinema tv directors have a lot more creative license than they once did.

As a showrunner, one of your main jobs is to hire directors who will serve as creative collaborators and enhance your vision not just execute it.

Source: am showrunner.

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Spacemanscottt t1_j1l4sqm wrote

David why are you lurking on reddit answering industry questions and do you accept unsolicited pitches at 1130 at night on christmas eve? Asking for a large bovine friend.

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Cowstein t1_j1l5dnd wrote

I’m exhausted and experiencing severe brain/hand disconnect. Not sure what I’m even typing.

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ItsChappyUT t1_j1l9zdg wrote

Can you have Judy Greer work in the line, “Say goodbye to these, Michael?”

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bolonomadic t1_j1l4qdf wrote

Well then is changing directors throughout a series run a training/mentoring/exposure thing or..?

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Cowstein t1_j1l5be9 wrote

It certainly can be. But it’s more that you need one director to prep while the other shoots or else you hit a logjam. Obviously exceptions to the rule but that’s the norm. On shows with 20 episode seasons you’ll see more slots for new and emerging directors/more chances to spread the wealth. On niche shows you’ll see fewer. Especially with covid protocols trying to keep exposure low.

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carefreeguru t1_j1me1dt wrote

Your Reddit profile is full of interesting behind the scenes clips that I love. So cool.

I've never heard of Kidding but now I want to watch it.

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Cowstein t1_j1mp0lh wrote

We are what some call a cult classic.

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im_thatoneguy t1_j1l1ffj wrote

Also on TV the cinematographers have a larger responsibility for maintaining a consistent look and shooting style between episodes. So camera direction will fall more on the cinematographers than in film or commercial work.

TV direction has a lot in common with a theater/stage director that spends more time rehearsing actors and working performance than dealing with blocking and camera work.

Obviously this varies from film to film and show to show. Especially with so many single camera shows in streaming where you have one director who is essentially shooting an 8 hour long film.

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Impressive-Potato t1_j1limkx wrote

Even with series with 8 episodes, the load is shared between at least 2 directors and ADs.

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Mattyzooks t1_j1mmavl wrote

With some recent exceptions like Flannagan directing all of Hill House and Midnight Mass, Lynch directing all 18 episodes of Twin Peaks: The Return, Sam Esmail with all episodes after season 1 of Mr. Robot, Mike White with White Lotus, etc.

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Impressive-Potato t1_j1n2zwt wrote

Traditionally, British shows are 6 episodes and have one writer/director for all of them and don't have a writer's room. The one director for all episodes is something you find in prestige television, as someone mentioned above.

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Gastroid t1_j1kytxn wrote

And behind the showrunner is the production manager keeping the set alive and functioning. If a director listens to what they have to say after they get the crew well oiled, probably not going to have any issues.

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1cecream4breakfast t1_j1lcgnf wrote

And directors are involved with an episode from beginning to end. It’s just just the week it’s shooting. It’s weeks before scouting locations, etc., and editing afterward. It’s an exhausting job and you are crazy busy that whole time which could be a month or more.

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