How does one person direct an entire TV episode?

October 26, 2019 1:55 AM

I'm coming up to the end of Season 1 of Succession and each episode is listed as being directed by a different person. Does this mean that this person was present for the filming of every scene in that episode or is it more that they are in charge of an overall feel once the scenes have been shot? (No spoilers inside)

For example multiple episodes have scenes set in the company offices or the Dad's flat. Will they only film scenes for episode 1 with director X for a few days and then switch to the scenes from episode 2 with director Y? What about the other scenes for director X's episode? What happens if a director has to include a scene shot by somebody else that they don't like?

I guess I'm interested in the logistics of organising such a complex operation to make the best use of sets and people's time.

posted by jontyjago to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

Best answer: The job of the director in TV productions is typically just that of responsibility for filming the episodes they are contracted for, in contrast to movie directors who have much more say over all aspects of the production. That broader oversight is the responsibility of the showrunner in modern TV productions.

Most TV shows that have locations which will reoccur throughout the series leave those locations/sets standing at ready for each episode's filming. There may be an occasional "flashback" or something to an earlier episode, but the vast majority of each episode will be filmed by the person named as director for the episode, while the supporting crew will likely largely remain the same for the show's run. Each show will usually have its own "book" of visual detail and look they want to maintain, but the director is the one who will plan out how each scene will be filmed and work it out with the cast and crew and put it on film with the showrunners providing oversight to make sure it fits the series as a whole.

The power or artistic input TV directors have can vary a great deal depending on what kind of show it is, who the showrunners are, and how much time they have to film the episodes, but that power is almost always less than it would be in a movie, which is why TV is still largely considered a writers/showrunners medium as opposed to movies which are often considered more a director's medium.
posted by gusottertrout at 3:11 AM on October 26, 2019 [4 favorites]

Best answer: Unless explicitly written as a multi-episodic script, episodes are shot independent of each other. As gusottertrout has already noted, cast and crew are signed for the season. The director is not “a person (who) was present for the filming of every scene in that episode or is it more that they are in charge of an overall feel once the scenes have been shot.” The director’s role is not passive, and is yet a mixture of both points.

Here are some of the director’s general responsibilities: after going through the script, they run table reading and rehearsals (if lucky), works with DP to figure out coverage as drama is single camera, blocking, costumes and make-up, defining the sequences to be covered by Second ADs, liaising with VFX producer, show runner, and VFX studio(s) on shot and/or sequence work.

Some shots are recycled, like the lead driving away from their office or home. If there’s a flashback, perhaps a scene will be grabbed from previous episode.
posted by lemon_icing at 4:28 AM on October 26, 2019 [3 favorites]

Mod note: One deleted. Sorry, we don't do piggyback questions in Ask Metafilter, but it's totally fine to post yours as a regular Ask post and say you were inspired to ask by this question!
posted by taz (staff) at 5:49 AM on October 26, 2019

There may be a second-unit director who picks up cover shots: the city skyline, the front of an office building, etc.
posted by tmdonahue at 10:42 AM on October 26, 2019 [1 favorite]

Also, you mention repeat sequences in the same location "company offices or Dad's flat." Those will usually be sets built on a sound stage. Hence the notion that some other director returns to those sets with the actors is not strange. The sets are available whenever the production needs them.

A strange comparison: some scenes in "Downton Abbey" are actually shot in Highclere but scenes in upstage character's rooms or the downstairs scenes in the kitchen, etc. are sets on a sound stage.
posted by tmdonahue at 10:55 AM on October 26, 2019