Career Spotlight: Independent Director

Being a movie director is one of the most stressful but coveted jobs in the entertainment industry. Some successful directors, like David Fincher, began in visual effects. Other directors, like Ben Affleck, got their start in acting. Here is an interview with Stimson Snead, an independent director who resides in Burbank, California. He is currently a finalist for a new TV show called The Reel Deal. 

How long have you been doing independent directing?

Since 2002, my junior year of high school.

At what age did you consider trying out directing?

I would say freshman year of high school. In terms of writing and creating stories, I would say that started when I was much younger, when I was about four. But in terms of directing, I would say early high school.

How did your parents initially react when you told them you wanted to become a freelance filmmaker? 

Well. it wasn't much of a choice. If you want to go into film, you have to freelance. Unless you are lucky or have the contacts, it's your only option once you start out. Both my parents are artists. Both of them grew up in that lifestyle. My father is an actor and my mother is a published song-writer. It was kind of a given that I would go into the arts. They were actually a little surprised that I didn't want to be an actor like them.

Who are your favorite directors?

Sam Raimi is one of them. I am really getting into Darren Aronofsky's work. I'm starting to find his stuff more than just great. I find his work to be ahead of its time.

What is your favorite thing about directing?

Getting to be in a room and telling twenty to thirty people what to do all the time is awesome. 

A lot of the projects you have directed are based on scripts that you have written. Tell me about a time you directed something that was written by someone else. 

I directed a short movie that a friend wrote. Being divorced from the story allowed me to focus on creating something that was lovely. I knew what it was that I liked about the script and I got to focus on building that up. When you write something yourself, you love or hate every single thing about it, and you end up trying to compartmentalize and focus on everything. Whereas directing a script someone else wrote, you focus on the reason you liked it in the first place. 

What kind of projects have you directed?

I have directed shorts and a webseries called 'The Adventures of Chadwick Periwinkle.' I directed 36 episodes, and they are each about ten to thirteen minutes long. I have also directed a music video and two theater sketches.

What has been the most challenging thing about being an independent director?

Money. That's an easy question. I fund all my projects myself.

Let's talk about Reel Deal. This is a reality show that you are auditioning to be a part of. How did you find out about this opportunity?

An email from a friend. I applied to be on the program about three months ago. Seven teams of filmmakers will make a short film in one week. Each team will feature one celebrity. 

You made a video asking people to vote for you. What has been some of the funniest reactions that you have gotten from those who have watched it?

Mostly the number of actors, whom I have never worked with, who want to be killed by me on screen. I'm amazed by the number of actors who have watched the video and then sought me out. I am amazed and pleased.

Now, do you even watch reality television?

While I fully acknowledge and respect it, I have never been much of a fan. I never imagined that this would be a way of introducing myself to the world. This will be a new endeavor for me, but it could pay off. My goal is to appear on the show and to gain lots of work opportunities because of it.

In addition to directing, you have also worked as a freelance cinematographer. Do you think that will give you an advantage if you get selected for this competition?

Extremely so. I have done cinematography work since junior high. When I am directing I require the cinematographer to be at least as good as I am, and that is setting the bar pretty high. There has got to be a more humble way of saying that! [laughs]

Do you aspire to join the DGA?

Absolutely. I've been working in independent film my entire adult life. I want to get to the point where directing is my bread and butter. Being in that union makes it your job, and I want it to be my job.

If the directing thing doesn't work out, what could you see yourself doing?

I am also an artist. I have been doing some storyboard work for about a year now. I love it a lot.

What advice can you give to those you are interested in entering the world of independent directing?

Set yourself up for heartbreak. Also, connections are really important. The Reel Deal wouldn't even be on my radar if it weren't for that person I had worked with who told me about it. 

If you are interested in voting for Stimson to become a contestant on The Reel Deal, watch his how-to-vote video here: