How to Bet on Directorial Debuts: Picking Successful First-Time Directors

Taking a chance on a first-time director when betting on movies can be risky, but also highly rewarding if you pick the right debut. Here are some tips for identifying directorial debuts likely to succeed both critically and commercially.

First-Time Directors Who Found Success

• Some directors manage to achieve remarkable success right out of the gate with their first films.
• Orson Welles made history with Citizen Kane, considered one of the greatest movies ever made.
• Frank Darabont earned Oscar nominations for The Shawshank Redemption.
• Jordan Peele burst onto the scene with the horror satire, Get Out.
• Steven Spielberg’s early TV movie Duel displayed his talent for taut thrills.
• Sam Mendes took home Best Director for his first feature American Beauty.
• With Reservoir Dogs, Quentin Tarantino reinvented indie cinema.

Other acclaimed directorial debuts like Night of the Living Dead, Clerks, and Boyz n the Hood made their directors famous and influenced generations of filmmakers.

Look at Their Background

What experience does the first-time director bring to the table? Have they worked extensively as a writer, producer, actor, editor or cinematographer on other acclaimed films?

That hands-on experience and time spent on sets learning the craft can pay off big when they finally step behind the camera. For example, Brad Bird had a strong animation background before nailing his live-action debut with Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

Research Their Influences

Find out what films, directors and styles have influenced them. Often a debut will pay homage to, or even blaze a new trail from, their favorite works. Quentin Tarantino had a clear passion for grindhouse films which showed in his instant classic debut Reservoir Dogs. Edgar Wright’s love of pop culture and quick cutting shaped his first feature Shaun of the Dead. Knowing their inspirations gives you insight into the vision of a new director.

Note Their Collaborators

Look at the creative team assembled around the first-time director. Are they working with a talented cinematographer or editor that has worked on great films before? What about the cast? Having seasoned professionals in key roles can help a debut director immensely. For instance, Jordan Peele co-wrote Get Out with Josh Campbell, brought in talented actor Daniel Kaluuya, and collaborated with seasoned cinematographer Toby Oliver.

Genre Pedigree

Some genres like horror and comedy have a track record for breakout debut directors, often creating highly profitable first films on modest budgets. Sam Raimi invented his kinetic evil dead style in The Evil Dead. The Duplass brothers modernized mumblecore with The Puffy Chair. Pay attention if a debut director shows a strong grasp of what audiences respond to in their chosen genre.

Passion Project

Directorial debuts that are deeply personal tend to feature strong, clear visions. Richard Linklater essentially filmed his own life experience with Dazed and Confused. Similarly, Spike Lee brought electric authenticity to She’s Gotta Have It. When it’s a passion project, the director will pour all their creative energy and lived experience into realizing their personal vision.

Festival Buzz

Has the director’s first film been gaining buzz on the festival circuit, winning awards or getting picked up for distribution? Critical praise and notoriety from festivals like Sundance and Cannes indicate a debut that could cross over to mainstream success. Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies & Videotape took Sundance by storm, while Darren Aronofsky won the Director’s Award at Sundance for his debut Pi.

Trailer Style

Even a first trailer can provide tells on whether a debut director has promise or not. Do they have a strong handle on tone, pacing, visuals and conveying what makes their film unique? The trailer for Jordan Peele’s Us indicated he built upon the talents shown in Get Out’s first trailer. In contrast, Max Barbakow’s Palm Springs trailer showed far more flair and personality than his actual debut film delivered on.

Trust Gut Instincts

After considering all the factors, sometimes you can just feel a first-time director is primed for a breakout debut. Trust those instincts, especially after watching any available early footage. The sense of discovery is part of the fun in speculating on which newcomer could release the next Reservoir Dogs or Lady Bird. Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men), Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) and Sam Mendes (American Beauty) all showed tremendous directorial promise right from the start.

While placing bets on untested directors is inherently risky, the rewards can be massive if they deliver both a critical and commercial smash. Do your research, trust your instincts, and remember that some of the greatest films of all time have come from fresh directorial voices announcing their presence with authority right from the start.