Role Expectations - Director

Scope

Applies to all Directors on narrative, branded, commercial, and documentary projects produced by F7 Studios.

Core Responsibilities

Interpret and realize the creative vision of the script/story.
Lead the cast and creative departments to unify visual, tonal, and performance elements.
Collaborate with producers and department heads to maintain schedule, budget awareness, and studio brand alignment.
Make key creative decisions throughout pre-production, production, and post.

Phase 1: Development & Pre-Production

Creative Responsibilities

Participate in story development meetings with the producer and writer.
Finalize script revisions and lock shooting script.
Create and deliver the Director’s Vision Deck including tone, themes, shot inspiration, color palette, and visual references.

Casting

Collaborate with casting director and producer to review talent options.
Attend auditions, callbacks, and chemistry reads.
Finalize principal and supporting cast in alignment with producer approval.

Department Collaboration

Meet with department heads (DP, Production Designer, Costume, Hair & Makeup, Art Director, etc.) to define the creative direction.
Approve mood boards, set concepts, costume tests, and preliminary blocking.
Work with the DP on storyboards, shot lists, and lens tests.

Logistical Prep

Participate in tech scouts and location scouting to align creative vision with logistical feasibility.
Attend production meetings and table reads.
Approve rehearsal plans and direct blocking/staging in advance when possible.

Deliverables (Pre-Production)

Director’s Vision Deck
Final Shot List & Storyboards
Casting Approvals
Tech Scout Notes
Director’s Breakdown (Scene-by-scene objectives, tone, and notes)

Phase 2: Production

Set Leadership

Lead rehearsals, blocking, and on-set performance direction.
Review all camera setups with the DP before shooting each scene.
Maintain performance consistency, emotional continuity, and scene objectives.
Collaborate with the 1st AD to ensure time efficiency while maintaining creative integrity.

Communication

Maintain strong communication with all department heads.
Provide clear, constructive feedback to actors and crew.
Attend and review dailies with the DP and Producer (daily or weekly depending on schedule).

Creative Control

Approve final takes.
Communicate adjustments to performance, tone, or shot framing in real time.
Ensure consistency with the director’s stated vision and the studio's standards.

Studio Alignment

Report major creative or logistical concerns to the Producer.
Collaborate with Studio EPs if script, tone, or performance deviates from expectations.

Deliverables (Production)

Daily Director’s Log / Shot Completion Checklist
Notes for each scene (sent to editor if cutting in parallel)
Review notes on dailies and flagged pickups

Phase 3: Post-Production

Editorial Oversight

Collaborate with the Lead Editor to deliver the Director’s Cut within the contracted timeframe.
Review selects, structure, pacing, and scene transitions.
Integrate notes from producers and supervising editor.

Sound & Music

Attend or approve spotting sessions for sound design, ADR, and music.
Work with Composer and Sound Designer on emotional arcs and transitions.
Provide approval notes on final mix, score, and sound effects.

Visual Finishing

Review and approve VFX shots with the VFX Supervisor.
Oversee color grading sessions with the Colorist and DP.
Ensure visual tone and final output matches the intended look.

Final Delivery

Complete Director’s Cut
Review and finalize Picture Lock
Approve final color and sound
Provide postmortem feedback on creative execution

Deliverables (Post-Production)

Director’s Cut
Notes Log on Editor Cuts
VFX Review Notes
Final Mix & Color Approval Sign-offs

Key Collaborative Relationships

As the creative lead on any film project, the Director’s success relies heavily on strong, respectful, and transparent collaboration with key team members. The following outlines the Director’s responsibilities in working with core leadership roles at F7 Studios:

1. Studio Head

Objective: Maintain alignment between the creative execution and the studio’s overall brand, standards, and slate goals.

Director Responsibilities:

Clearly communicate the creative vision of the project through a Director’s Vision Deck and script breakdown.
Provide updates on tone, casting, and potential risks that may affect studio alignment.
Be receptive to studio feedback on tone, performance, or market alignment.
Represent the studio professionally in any public-facing interviews or content (in coordination with studio PR).
Ensure final film reflects F7 Studios’ quality, tone, and brand identity.

2. Producer

Objective: Operate in constant alignment with the Producer to ensure creative decisions are feasible, timely, and within budget/schedule.

Director Responsibilities:

Collaborate with the Producer during development and pre-production to lock the script and creative vision.
Attend all production meetings, casting sessions, and location scouts alongside the Producer.
Communicate all major changes to script, performance, or scene execution with the Producer before implementation.
Respect time, schedule, and budget boundaries while advocating for essential creative needs.
Participate in post-production reviews, editorial sessions, and distribution planning in coordination with the Producer.

3. Director of Photography (DP)

Objective: Translate the Director’s visual language into camera and lighting execution with consistency and cinematic quality.

Director Responsibilities:

Clearly communicate the desired visual tone, camera style, lens choices, and movement strategy with the DP.
Collaborate on storyboards, shot lists, mood boards, and reference films during pre-production.
Align with the DP on shot coverage, lighting setups, and time allocations for each scene.
Maintain open dialogue on set to adjust framing, blocking, or composition as needed.
Join the DP and Colorist in post for final color grading reviews to ensure visual intent is maintained.

4. Editors (Lead Editor & Editorial Team)

Objective: Work closely with the editorial team to shape the film’s rhythm, structure, and emotional arc from rough cut to final delivery.

Director Responsibilities:

Deliver clear and constructive notes to the Lead Editor during each phase of editorial (assembly, rough, fine, picture lock).
Ensure the editorial vision reflects performance nuances, tone, and story beats as filmed.
Provide scene objectives and emotional intent (from pre-production breakdowns) to assist editing decisions.
Approve pacing, transitions, and final storytelling structure in the Director’s Cut.
Collaborate with the editorial team during integration of VFX, sound design, and music cues.
Attend or virtually review editor milestones with timely and actionable feedback.

General Expectations & Studio Protocols

Uphold F7 Studios’ values of creative integrity, inclusivity, and professional conduct.
Ensure all communication, especially on-set, is respectful and inclusive.
Represent the studio professionally in any external interviews or press engagements (media requests must go through PR).
Communicate any changes to script, tone, or performance to the Producer before execution.
Remain available through final delivery for pickups, revisions, or press materials as needed.

Success Metrics

Completion of production within schedule and creative scope
Studio, producer, and editor alignment on director’s vision
On-time delivery of Director’s Cut and approvals
Positive cast and crew feedback on creative leadership
Minimal reshoots due to misalignment or coverage gaps