Scriptnotes Podcast 721 - Preparing to Direct (with Eva Victor)
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.
Learn Directing By Reverse Shotlisting
- Reverse-shotlist and storyboard films you admire to learn visual vocabulary and shot economy.
- Study coverage choices so you can design coherent, intentional setups for your own film.
