About the Book:

We are living through a new golden era of television. TV now attracts the sort of talent and money traditionally reserved for Hollywood. Move over, movies: the freshest storytelling today is on television, where the multi-episodic format is used for rich character development and innovative story arcs. Directors Tell the Story offers rare insight and advice straight from two top female directors, who between them have directed hundreds of episodes of TV shows, as well as several made-for-TV features.

Master the technical aspects, hone your aesthetic, and find the leader inside of you to become an excellent director, not merely a good one. Covering everything through prep to shoot, and post, Bethany Rooney and Mary Lou Belli offer practical instruction on how aspiring directors can develop a creative vision, translate a script into a visual story, establish and maintain the look and feel of a television show or film, lead the cast and crew, keep a complex operation running on time and on budget, and effectively oversee editing and post-production. Directors Tell the Story provides behind-the-scenes access to the secrets of successful directors, as well as exercises that use original scripted material.

Directors Tell the Story: Master the Craft of Television and Film Directing focuses largely on television directing, but its most valuable lessons – on blocking and visual design, working with actors, and organizing the shoot – are equally applicable to feature work. It is being utilized at multiple studio and network directing programs, and in directing classes on many university campuses. Hands-on and practical, this book lets you not only read about the secrets of directors, it also includes exercises using original scripted material and scenes from the authors' own TV shows, along with shot descriptions, and other materials that made the scenes possible. And if that isn't enough, you'll read about how 15 constantly working directors got their first job!

What people say:

"The success of the directors coming out of the Warner Bros. Directors' Workshop has been undeniable. A huge reason for that is because we use this book as its main teaching tool. In my opinion, if you are serious about being a television director, buying this book should be the first thing you do." — Christopher Mack, Vice President, Warner Bros. Television Workshop

"This is one of the most specific and detailed books about directing television I've ever read. As experts in directing both comedy and drama, and hundreds of television shows between them, the authors have deftly translated their years of practical knowledge and acquired skills to the page, giving insightful instructions that will benefit a television director on any level." — Jennifer Warren, Associate Professor, teaching directing on both the graduate and undergraduate level, USC School of Cinematic Arts

"As a new director, you are constantly feeling like you want a refresher course on things you've previously learned. The thing I love about Bethany and Mary Lou's book is that it's so accessible. It's packed with so many jewels that you employ throughout every stage of the director's process. I keep the book nearby whenever I'm starting a new project. From an actor's perspective, chapter 10 is invaluable. I wish it was mandatory for every director to read that chapter before their first day on the set." — Regina King, Actress, Director

"Its comprehensiveness is breathtaking, as the authors analyze in depth every stage of the process, from breaking down the script for story and character to casting, production design, blocking, and creating shot lists. There are sections on directing actors, relations with camera operators and writers, commanding the set with conviction and respect, and the myriad duties in post-production. All of this is presented on a human scale, and in approachable, largely nontechnical language that renders an intimidating and demanding job in terms that are easy to comprehend and absorb – and most important, backed up by experience." — DGA Magazine

About the Authors:

Mary Lou Belli is a two-time Emmy Award-winning American director, producer, and writer. She has been directing television for over 30 years in many genres from sitcoms to procedurals to documentaries. She was on the directing faculty of USC's School of Cinematic Arts for a decade.

Bethany Rooney is an American television producer and director. She has directed more than two hundred fifty episodes of prime-time network television. She has taught the Warner Brothers Directing Workshop and serves on numerous committees at the Directors Guild of America.