future director....?

I am a 15 year old girl from Australia (where I live). I am in yr 10 and am really starting to think about what i want to do for a career. I am caught up between law (my realistic choice) and directing films (my wish). I know a lot about what grades I would need and where I would go for my undergrad, then postgrad etc if I pursured law but I don't really know about directing. My question is: Could anyone tell me about where to go and what to do for directing? I want to do the directing course at NIDA but that can noly be taken by people 22 years and above. So basically from when I amd 18 till when i am 22 I will need to be doign somethign which will add to my experience and help me get into NIDA etc. Does this mean i do a film course at some film school or what...? Please help me out lol Thanks

Directing is tough to get into straight after school; most directors start off as actors or playwrights - or even techies. It is unusual to get into directing (professionally) straight away because you need a lot of experience in a range of areas of theatre/film, before being able to fully take on the task of directing. This doesn't mean that you won't be able to direct at all for a while, but just that you won't get into it immediately. My advice is to take on a range of roles that will help you experience different perspectives of how a production is run. Work as an actor; work as a designer or techie; write; produce them. Do as much as you can within amateur groups (theatre is the place to begin if you haven't done much of either film or theatre) or with some friends. Do voluntary work. Some larger companies may actually offer a work experience or mentorship placement with a local director. (A good tip: find out the name of a director local to you that you admire. Try contacting them, and seeing if they would be willing to let you tag around for a day or two on a show. Alternatively, there are lots of indie films done that need help) There are also many short courses available in other areas of film, if you want to take them. You're only 15, and a lot can happen by the time you graduate. Plan as much as you can to get as much experience as you can; but don't forget that getting to be a director is a longer journey, and you might not get to do the higher-up roles for a while. Sticky Apple Legs www.thepromptcopy.com/sal Puppets in Melbourne www.puppetsinmelbourne.com.au My puppets www.collectzing.com/collection/137/