Film Directors

Film directors, an informative, fun look at their biographies and the movies they've brought to life for your enjoyment.

Picture This

The scene has been rehearsed, the actors are in place, the director is beside the camera and everyone on the set is focused as the director says these famous words-

"Quiet on the set - lights, camera - and action."

You've read or heard the phrase above so many times. It's a moment of magic on any movie set.

Now imagine the director and the director's team going over the movie script line-by-line, page-by-page as they prepare to bring the writer's screenplay to life.

Film Directors: The Long Journey From Script To Screen

Their stories are fascinating, their struggles to bring the vision of their movie to life is sometimes the very stuff that movies are made of - drama and struggles, twists and turns. From sometimes endless script re-writes, to casting problems and dealing with the studios.

Then One Day

Your favorite director finds themselves standing beside the camera, ready to shoot the first scene of their movie - the movie they've struggled to make - the movie they've dreamed of making.

You'll Love This

Who are your favorites?

Now you can enjoy reading their story - how they got started making movies, behind-the-scenes stories, and much more.

Just click on the links below and you'll be transported into the world of the film directors.

Frank Capra
Frank Capra made movies with a heart and great characters you could love, care about and even hate because his films were just great film making.

He didn't start out to be a film maker, but he went on to make some of the best and most loved movies of all time.

If You Love Movies - You Love Capra

Sometimes called "Capracorn" his feel-good movies often had a great message, but always gave us a story and characters we could really enjoy.

It all started in the prop department during the silent era - but his talent took him from props to writing and directing comedy movies... Read More

Howard Hawks
Howard Hawks film career spanned from the silent era to talkies and past the collapse of the studio system in the 1970's. He was a director, producer and screenwriter who could make films in a variety of genres.

The Silent Era

Hawks started working in silent film in the 1910's. He started out in the prop department and rose through the ranks. He worked as a casting director, editor, producer, script supervisor and an assistant director. Eventually he was hired by Paramount in 1922 as a screenwriter and worked on scripts for roughly 60 films (mostly uncredited).

Fox was the first studio to give him a shot at directing. He wrote and directed The Road To Glory in 1926. He went on to make eight silent films... Read More

Orson Welles
"Aliens have invaded! We heard the news broadcast! Didn't you?!?" October 30th, 1938. Orson Welles managed to create a panic of sorts to the radio listening audience.

His production of H.G. Welles' story of alien conquerors, War of the Worlds was unique to say the least. He had to apologize publicly for causing fear and terror among the population... Read More

John Huston
"There is nothing more fascinating -- and more fun -- than making movies. Besides, I think I'm finally getting the hang of it." -John Huston, 1984.

In 1933 John Huston began a journey into the world of cinema. His films would influence and entertain the world over.

Around this time John began a relationship with Warner Bros. Working with other writers his collaborative efforts were noticed and Warners appointed him screenwriter and director of the Maltese Falcon... Read More

Charlie Chaplin
"I don't mind coincidence- Life is a coincidence- But I hate convenience." -Charlie Chaplin on the set of A Woman Of Paris

Charlie Chaplin And The Birth Of The Tramp

Charlie Chaplin's big break came from Keystone. Mack Sennett one of the biggest filmmakers around sent Chaplin off to wardrobe to get his comedy make-up on.

Once there he looked through the crepe hairstyles and tried several under his nose. Using spirit gum he applied the mustache he selected and went to find some costume pieces.

Choosing a hat, pants, morning coat and cane he dressed and the tramp was born... Read More

Cecil B. Demille
Cecil B. Demille gifted us with over 80 movies. These films have made audiences the world over laugh, cry and think.

On August 12th 1881 a baby named Cecil B. De Mille was born who would change and refine the entertainment industry forever. His father Henry Churchill de Mille who taught at Columbia University was an aspiring actor.

He eventually found work in New York as a play reader and even wrote plays and worked with David Belasco. In February 1883 Henry de Mille passed away.

His son Cecil following in his fathers footsteps was schooled in dramatic arts and had his stage debut in the play “Hearts Are Trumps.”

When 1913 came around his theatrical work was dwindling. Turning towards motion pictures he formed Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company with his good friend Jesse L. Lasky and brother in law Samuel Goldfish. They made feature films out of plays...Read More

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