1) Keep shooting no matter how big or small. Create your own projects. Write your own projects. Cut your own projects. Never sit back & wait. Directing is a discipline that needs constant practice.
2) Get as much practical experience as you can. Try every position on a film crew. Go make your own short films, spec spots, music videos. Read every trade magazine you can. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Find a mentor to guide you.
3) Technology can be overwhelming for anyone. I will never forget one of my first interactive projects when running Acne US. It was Yahoo Games out of Goodby SF. An Interactive / Gaming Bus Stop Billboard. The games were magically playing themselves after they went live . After 48 hrs and much drama, in the end we worked out it was the wind on the touch screens. Major relief.
4) The project I am most proud of is Nike Move. Probably the most amazing career experience. From getting the brief from Vic Palumbo to Jake Scott drawing the most beautiful storyboards to win the job, working with Hal Curtis and Mike Byrne to winning AICP, then an Emmy…
Then there was HBO Voyeur too!