Scriptnotes Podcast 721 - Preparing to Direct (with Eva Victor)
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Jan 20, 2026 In this discussion with Eva Victor, an actor, writer, and director of the indie film 'Sorry, Baby', we dive into her journey preparing to direct. Eva shares her year-long bootcamp experience, from reverse shot-listing to shadowing established directors. She talks about making tough editing choices to maintain her protagonist's perspective and the importance of communication styles when working with actors. Eva also reflects on how her early career in short-form video shaped her skills for directing, emphasizing collaboration and respect on set.
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Persistence Beats Waiting For Someone Else
- Your career won't be made by someone else; sustained effort matters more than innate genius.
- Control what you can: write more, study, and build the life that allows creative hours.
Watch Films Like A Director
- Watch films actively: time setups, count returns to setups, and note how long shots linger.
- Use reverse analysis to discover the economy of staying wide or moving to coverage.
Storyboard Every Frame First
- Draw full-frame storyboards of every shot so the film plays before you shoot.
- Use the storyboard as the working blueprint while remaining open to DP collaboration.
