Six Routes to Breaking In As a Director.

There are six routes to consider when launching your career as a director. Before you decide which route to take, research the careers of directors you admire and see if you can see which route they followed. Remember that there is no such thing as a route – only a route that is good for you: one that allows you to maximise your abilities and talent.
1. The Independent Route.
Learn how to identify or create a low budget, 60-page script which you feel has something controversial to say. Scrape together some money but you must achieve a high production quality-superb sound and picture quality. Sale to independent marketers and VOD platforms and make a profit for your investors. Repeat this process until you are discovered, or are considered a worthy risk for big money investors.

2. Student/Festival Route.
Make a short film or ultra low budget feature and enter festivals, demonstrating your talent, gaining exposure to future clients and producers on the lookout for emerging talent. Hire a publicist to promote yourself, even if it is at the expense of your film. You are aiming to achieve notoriety or celebrity status.

3. Establish yourself in commercials
By offering to direct test commercials or pop promos for unknown brands. Demonstrate your talent and original ideas and convince a producer to hire you to direct. If possible develop an advert concept for a particular product and approach their marketing department, shoot and present to them at your expense and risk.

4. Become a master of the short form.
Write and/or direct short films which demonstrate your talent. Enter festivals and competitions. When you have gained confidence, select several of your short films and approach either a production company or producer and convince them to let you direct a long form film (feature).

5. Start as a production crew member.
This has been the classic route to directing used by many directors in Hollywood. Offer your services for free or token by working as Script supervisor, production manager or assistant editor, Log shots, sync sound. When you have impressed with your knowledge of shots, blocking and script interpretation, get hired to direct a feature.

6. Become a successful stage director
Most stage directors do not realise how well equipped they are to direct film. Blocking, timing, storytelling and working with actors are all essential directing skills that many film directors lack. Why not start a theatre group with a few close friends and build a reputation for exciting stage shows. Invite reviewers and producers, and wait to be discovered by a producer, executive producer or turn a stage show into a movie yourself.

"Pick up a camera. Shoot something. No matter how small, no matter how cheesy, no matter whether your friends and your sister star in it. Put your name on it as director. Now you're a director. Everything after that you're just negotiating your budget and your fee"
James Cameron.

I would like to know other routes to becoming a director if you have other suggestions.