director
Calls the shots
A director is someone who guides, manages, or controls.
In film and theater, the director shapes the creative vision—choosing how scenes are staged, how actors perform: The director called for another take.
In business, a director sits on a board overseeing company policy.
A director of an organization heads a department or division: director of marketing, museum director.
The word implies authority over some enterprise or activity.
Person capturing screen visuals
- screenwriterAuthor of film scripts
- producerOne who makes things
- actorOne who portrays characters
- screenplayFilm's written blueprint
cinematography · shooting · editing · casting · script · scene · take · cut
Senior organizational leader
- administratorPerson who manages operations
- supervisorOne who directs workers
- managerOne who directs others
- chiefTop-ranking leader
head · authority · oversight · decision-making · strategy · vision · guidance · delegation
Ability to see
- auteurDirector with total control
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
- aestheticConcerning beauty or art
- interpretationAssigned meaning
concept · style · collaboration · artistic · perspective · signature · sensibility · voice
Author of stage dramas
- stageRaised performance platform
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
- auditionTrial performance for selection
- blockingImpeding forward progress
cast · ensemble · costumes · lighting · set · props · backstage · curtain
Flat rigid panel
- CEOTop corporate officer
- shareholderEquity owner in corporation
- governanceHow authority is exercised
- fiduciaryAgent bound by loyalty
chairman · trustee · stakeholder · oversight · audit · bylaw · quorum · proxy
One who directs musicians
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- symphonyExtended composition for orchestra
- batonSlender rod for leading
- maestroDistinguished musical leader
podium · ensemble · score · tempo · dynamics · cue · downbeat · rehearsal
cinematographer
Person capturing screen visuals
- screenwriterAuthor of film scripts
- producerOne who makes things
- actorOne who portrays characters
screenplay · cinematography · shooting · editing · casting · script · scene · take · cut · soundtrack
executive
Senior organizational leader
- administratorPerson who manages operations
- supervisorOne who directs workers
- managerOne who directs others
chief · head · authority · oversight · decision-making · strategy · vision · guidance · delegation · accountability
vision
Ability to see
- auteurDirector with total control
- storytellingRecounting events aloud
- aestheticConcerning beauty or art
interpretation · concept · style · collaboration · artistic · perspective · signature · sensibility · voice · tone
playwright
Author of stage dramas
- stageRaised performance platform
- rehearsalPre-performance practice session
- auditionTrial performance for selection
blocking · cast · ensemble · costumes · lighting · set · props · backstage · curtain · monologue
board
Flat rigid panel
- CEOTop corporate officer
- shareholderEquity owner in corporation
- governanceHow authority is exercised
fiduciary · chairman · trustee · stakeholder · oversight · audit · bylaw · quorum · proxy · dividend
conductor
One who directs musicians
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- symphonyExtended composition for orchestra
- batonSlender rod for leading
maestro · podium · ensemble · score · tempo · dynamics · cue · downbeat · rehearsal · concertmaster
showrunner
TV series creative head
teleplay · network · streaming · broadcast · season · syndication · ratings · sitcom · miniseries · rerun
- celebritiesmovie stars, A-lister, pop stars, superstar, celebrity
- Film and TVactor, actress, camera, cast, crew
- jobsdoctor, administrator, lawyer, teacher, nurse
- Film Productionproducer, editor, cameraman, crew, stunt double
- Filmmakingcamera, camcorder, script, editing, shot list
- leadershipleadership styles, leader, leadership skills, boss, leading
directorsubordinate
One lower in rank
employee · underling · worker · rank and file · aide
directorfollower
One who supports another
disciple · subordinate · yes-man · lackey · puppet
directorextra
Additional, beyond necessary
actor · performer · bit player · technician · stagehand
- funeral directorsThose who arrange burials
- sense of directionSpatial navigation instinct
- giving directionsExplaining how to arrive
- direct sunlightUnobstructed solar rays
- direct hitStrike exactly on target
- director generalHighest-ranking organizational leader
direct, direction, directions, directing, directory, directors, directness, directs, directorate