9. Always Be Confident, Even When You Are Not
Confidence is one of the most important aspects of any director. Confidence in your crew, confidence in your actors, confidence in your ability and confidence in your ideas is of the utmost importance. You are going to have to inspire many with your vision along the way and if you show a sign that you have doubt about your abilities, you will find it a struggle to get them have confidence in your film. Of course, you are a director wanting to do your first short film. You have no idea what you are doing. Having directed two myself, I don't either. You will undoubtedly be a little aprehensive about your abilities and some of your ideas as every artist does. But the trick is not to show it. Inspire people to want to work with you, make them think that their time is going to be worth giving to the film. Many of them will be working for free on your first short so let them know that this is an opportunity that they really shouldn't miss. I have always found the answer to a lack of confidence or nervousness is just to do it. Jump into the deep end. Be realistic but aspire to big things. You will be surprised how much you can figure out on the job as long as you go in prepared and the belief that you can. If the people you have hired to be around you believe in your abilities, your job will be made incredibly easy.