What Should You Study to Become a Film Director?

Becoming a film director is not just about talent—it's a journey of learning, practice, and constant discovery. If you're looking to shape your calling and turn it into a profession, at ECPV – Basque Country Film School, we provide you with the tools, experience, and creative environment you need to get started on the right foot.

Is Studying Film Necessary to Direct?

While film history is full of self-taught directors, today, access to specialized training makes a real difference. Studying film at a school like ECPV not only gives you a solid foundation, but accelerates your growth, expands your opportunities, and connects you with the audiovisual industry from day one.

In an environment where preparation is increasingly valued, having practical, real-world training that’s close to the industry becomes a strategic advantage.

What’s the Best Way to Train as a Director?

There are many paths, but some will take you further. These are the main ways to begin your career:

Diploma Programs at Film Schools

At schools like ECPV, our Diploma in Film Directing lets you train for three years with a practical, technical, and creative approach. From the very first year, you're directing, filming, collaborating, and facing real production challenges.

Because to learn how to direct… you have to direct.

Master’s Degrees and Postgraduate Studies

Ideal if you already have prior studies in communication or fine arts and are looking to specialize. However, they tend to be more theoretical and less immersive than a diploma focused entirely on film.

Short or Specialized Courses

Perfect as a complement, but they don't replace comprehensive training if your goal is to build a professional career as a director.

What Will You Learn at ECPV?

Our diploma is designed for you to learn by doing. It's not just about theory—it's about living cinema from the inside, with workshops, film shoots, script analysis, directing actors, and technical planning from the very first year.

You will master:

• Cinematographic language and visual storytelling.
• Directing actors and staging.
• Coordinating technical and artistic teams.
• Script analysis and dramaturgy.
• Film history and audiovisual culture.
• Collaborative shoots with other departments.

And by the end of the program, you'll have more than knowledge: you’ll have films directed by you, a network of contacts, and the confidence to work on a real film set.

5 Steps to Start Your Career as a Director

1. Watch Films with New Eyes
   Learn from the work of great directors. Constant film analysis will become part of your creative routine.
2. Enrich Your Artistic Vision
   Art history, theater, and literature are essential allies for those who want to tell powerful visual stories.
3. Write and Read as Much as You Can
   Every shot starts with an idea, and that idea needs structure. Reading and writing scripts will give you narrative command and creativity.
4. Surround Yourself with Professionals
   Learn the language of every department. A good director knows how to communicate with the camera, art, sound, and production teams.
5. Practice, Make Mistakes, and Shoot Again
   At ECPV, you'll have the chance to shoot from the beginning. Because the most valuable learning happens among lights, clapperboards, and last-minute decisions.

And After Studying Directing?

Finishing your studies isn't the end—it's the beginning. At ECPV, we support you in building your career with vision and guidance:

• Develop your first professional short film
• Take part in festivals that showcase your talent
• Connect with other film professionals from your first year
• Use your time at the school to leave a mark

Can I Become a Film Director Without Studying?

Yes, it’s possible. But those who combine natural talent with well-structured training and real-world experience progress with greater confidence and clarity. At ECPV, we don't just teach you how to direct: we help you build your own voice, discover your style, and carve out your path in the industry.

Turn Your Calling into Your Profession

Film directing is more than a technique—it’s a way of seeing, telling, and transforming the world. If you feel it's your path, ECPV is the place to truly begin walking it.

See the full program of the Diploma in Film Directing