ABSTRACT
Critics and students of films often say, "Movies are a director's medium." That is hardly an arguable conclusion, but what ex actly is it that makes the statement true?
The making of a motion picture can be roughly divided into four categories-story, interpretation (acting), editing, and shoot ing techniques. The director has a good deal of input in all of these areas, but his control over the last category is total. Unless he has a thorough knowledge of film staging and setups, his films will always be found wanting, regardless of the quality of the other three basic elements.
