TSPDT - Director Rating Guide


	TSPDT's Director-Rating Guide



	The TSPDT director-rating takes into account quantity of work as well as quality, and is based only on films we have seen. Please note, that our love of film - and our lack of any protruding artistic talent - precludes us from being overly ruthless.
	Our lack of ruthlessness, shows up in our ratings. 81.5% of the directors listed on TSPDT, are considered to be good filmmakers or better (a rating greater than or equal to 6-). Only approximately 18.5% are considered below average (a rating less than 6-).

	10	Masterful Filmmaker Generally speaking, their films have encompassed a masterful control of acting, direction, writing, photography or some other aspect of technique. These prolific and unique filmmakers consistently produced work of stunning quality and with a strong personal vision. (approximately 0.5% of all directors listed)

	9	Outstanding Filmmaker Generally speaking, these great filmmakers have produced extremely memorable cinematic fare with flair, verve, polish, sheen and panache. Their body of work should be considered flawless or nearly so. They fall just short of the “Masterful” class. (approximately 3% of all directors listed)

	8	High Quality Filmmaker Generally speaking, these filmmakers have produced work encompassing a very high standard of professional excellence. Their films have normally featured very good stories, fine acting, decent entertainment and a well-above-average cinematic expression. (approximately 8.5% of all directors listed)

	7	Above Average Filmmaker Generally speaking, these filmmakers have produced work encompassing a reasonably high standard of professional excellence. Their cinematic vision, though flawed in some way, is by and large fairly impressive, and often inspirational. (approximately 24.5% of all directors listed)

	6	Good Filmmaker Generally speaking, these filmmakers have attained a reasonable level of competence. They are solid craftspeople with a decent grasp of cinematic technique who have directed some fine films, but are prone to producing uninspiring cinema. (approximately 44% of all directors listed)

	5	Average Filmmaker Generally speaking, these filmmakers more often than not, have produced run-of-the-mill, spasmodically passable fare with little or no cinematic flair. They may have shown glimpses of something better at times, but have been mostly disappointing. (approximately 16% of all directors listed)

	4	Below Average Filmmaker Generally speaking, these filmmakers have produced an unsatisfactory body of work often lacking in standard cinematic devices, like plot and performances. Their work ranges from mediocre to fair, and is mostly very disappointing. (approximately 3% of all directors listed)

	3	Poor Filmmaker Generally speaking, these filmmakers have produced an extremely unsatisfactory body of work. Their films lurch towards the unwatchable, and often encompass well-below-average or completely overblown use of camera, sets, script and actors. Their films are bereft of virtually any redeeming features. (approximately 0.5% of all directors listed)

		The plus (+) and minus (-) symbols alongside some of the director-ratings denotes a leaning towards the rating above (+) or below (-). For example, a rating of 8+ classifies a director as primarily High Quality, with a leaning towards Outstanding. Whereas, a rating of 8- classifies a director as primarily High Quality, with a leaning towards Above Average.