The primary responsibility of a film director is to elicit strong performances from the actors starring in the film. Directors must be flexible when speaking to performers after each take. Some actors need encouragement and coddling, while others prefer blunt critique. It may take some actors multiple takes before a director gets the emotion he wants from the scene, whereas other actors can nail it in one take.
A director often works with the scriptwriter to make changes that conform to the vision she has for the film. This usually entails poring over each page of the script and discussing revisions and deletions, some of which are based on budgetary constraints. The director's relationship with a writer can be volatile, and directors may consult with the studio financing the film to request that a new writer be hired to replace the original writer.
Casting a film is a key responsibility of a film director. Finding actors to bring characters to life can elevate the film or ensure its failure. A director often has contacts with casting agents or with actors whom he has worked with in the past. Though studios hire casting agents for supporting roles, the director usually has significant influence in who gets cast in the lead roles of a film.
A key responsibility of a director is to scout locations for a film. Using a team of location scouts who find the actual location, a director visits these places to ensure that it matches the vision she has for the film. Locations can be tricky because it is always more expensive to film away from a studio set. Directors must not only secure these locations, but create a shooting schedule that stays within the film's budget. Directors are often accompanied by cinematographers who devise camera angles and compositions. Directors and cinematographers work closely to develop the look of the film, the unique visual stamp that acts as a director's calling card.
After a film has completed principal photography, a director works with all aspects of postproduction, including editing, visual and sound effects and music. A director sits with the editor and goes over every scene, deciding what to cut, which takes to use and how to assemble the film into a clear narrative. Directors also supervise visual and sound effects, especially in science-fiction and action films, which require special effects.