Production Jobs Deep Dive: Director Highlight

One of the most recognizable and oftentimes glamorized roles on set is the role of director. The director is responsible for taking a script and visualizing an overarching cinematic universe, guiding the actors and technical crew to bring their artistic vision to life. The role of director

Talking with some of Missouri’s celebrated directors, they speak to what it means to take on the role.  

” I like this quote I heard somewhere that the director is ‘protector/keeper of the story,’ so they do whatever they can to keep the story first and foremost in every step of production. Usually that role keeps them involved in every piece of the process, but hopefully they are hiring people better than themselves to elevate each piece of the project.”

Dan Parris, award-winning filmmaker and founder of Speak Up Productions and co-founder of Speak Up Studios, explains what the role of director entails.

Understanding the role of director is vital to setting the tone for any project. While there continue to be a myriad of roles that are responsible for bringing a project to life, it is solely entrusted to the director to see its artistic vision through.

Jackie Kelly, St. Louis actress and director celebrated her directorial debut during Hysteria Fest 2026 in St. Louis, MO, with her debut film, Hag. The feature film earned her a best director award during the festival.

Speaking on a panel about her experience of filmmaking in Missouri, Kelly understands the experience of being on both sides of the camera, and the ability to channel all of that when it comes to wearing the director’s hat.

“It’s a role where you wear a million different hats and I don’t know an indie director that doesn’t. I also think that’s the beauty of what makes an indie film feel like an indie film. They have a very personal feeling, and I think that’s because the director has their hand in so many different departments.”

The importance of entrusting your crew as a director is essential to fostering a communicative set. Patrick Rea, award winning film director whose projects have won him Best Heartland Narrative Feature at the Kansas City Filmfest understands the need of encouraging collaborative energy on set.

 “I like to keep transparent communication between departments and really make all the crew members feel like they are an important part of the process.”

Rea continues, “Directing requires enormous patience, organizational skills and the ability to keep morale high on set. Someone working closely with the actors, planning the blocking of the scene with the DP and always being a good listener is also paramount in being a successful director.”

When the time comes for a project to bring a director on board, their ability to take a script and visualize what stands out the most, is often predicated on a very stressed budget. Catherine Dudley-Rose, an award-winning writer/director, actress, and musician speaks to creative challenges that may arise for first time directors, particularly related to financing.

“The challenge of being a director in the independent film world, unless you are wealthy or have substantial backers, is most of the time you are seeking funds. Overcoming this requires acceptance, patience, and bringing large visions into a smaller activation.

Dudley- Rose continues, “With my first feature film, Parallel Chords, the script had been optioned for a few times and had gotten a lot of traction. But years could go by in negotiations. Taking it over and making it myself meant having to cut the script significantly (from 120 to 87 pages) and accepting that we would need to split the major shoots in St. Louis and New York while more fundraising would occur.”

So, what really makes a director? Someone who has a story to tell. “If you have a story to tell and the drive to get out there and get the film made, that makes you a director.  I always tell first time directors to just get out there with a camera or phone and make it happen,” Rae said.

If you are interested in learning more about directing, email mofilm@ded.mo.gov. If you are interested in connecting with more filmmakers in Missouri, make a listing for yourself in the Production Services Directory.