Advertising film director

The role and mission of the advertising film director

Advertising film directors work closely with the artistic director of the brand/product they are to sell. They may also work directly with the advertiser or, for larger projects, with a production company/executive production company. It is by working alongside them, and in constant contact with these multiple players, that the advertising film director can think about a coherent image for the project.

It is the director’s job to establish the conditions under which the project will be carried out. He chooses the technical staff who will be involved at each stage of the production, selects the actors, and defines the sets, costumes, etc. On the set, he closely coordinates the work of the camera operator, the assistant cameramen, the lighting technicians, the grips, and also the actors, so that each one perfectly conveys his intentions. He is also very present during post-production, to ensure that the editing corresponds to his project. It’s a real conductor’s role that he assumes, supervising the work of everyone involved throughout the production chain.

How do I become an advertising film director? Training and qualifications

To consider a career as an advertising film director, it is strongly recommended that you take a cinema course – such as the one offered by the CinéCréatis school – in order to acquire a complete and exhaustive vision of the audiovisual professions. Working as an assistant director,camera operator or even short film director are all necessary experiences that will give future advertising film directors solid, recognised skills.

Advertising film director: qualities required

The advertising film director is at the heart of the audiovisual project entrusted to him/her, and in constant contact with the many people involved in its smooth running. It is above all a contact job, requiring the ability to listen, manage, organise and communicate. Their ability to maintain an overview of the project makes them the guarantors of its success.

This creative person also has a sharp artistic eye, which he puts to good use in his project, enabling him to stand out from his competitors. They are capable of moving from one world to another, telling unique and striking stories, adapting each time to the advertiser and to the specific demands of each project.

The advertising film director is a highly flexible and versatile professional, capable of managing administrative tasks, ensuring the proper coordination of the various departments and directing the actors’ performances on the set.

Average salary for advertising film directors

The salary of an advertising film director varies according to the scale of the projects entrusted to him/her and the budgets allocated to them. As a result, pay can vary widely, from one to four times (or more) depending on the type of project. However, the average salary is around €500 gross per day.