There are two types of writers in the industry. There are the pure writers who write and sell their screenplay and stories, which then film director’s Direct. Often they don’t write alone, but write in collaboration with a filmmaker who has similar aesthetics, sensibilities. Then there are the writers who write because they want to direct and no one will write for them because they are new or untested. I fall into this category. I quickly found that I would never get  an opportunity to direct unless I generated my own stories. Luckily, I also love to write. For a writer-director the journey is twice as difficult because not only do you have to get the film story approved, you also have to convince the producer  to let you direct what you have written. That is you need two green lights not one.

If you’re just starting out, you’ll find out very early on about how serious the studio is about allowing you to direct. Sometimes the studios will straight up express their doubts. Other times this will come shining through in the contracts you receive.