codirector

Codirector, also written co-director, is a person who shares directing duties for a project, typically in film, television, theater, or other organized productions. The arrangement usually involves a formal or agreed framework in which two individuals exercise directing authority, either jointly or divided by function, toward a common creative vision.

Responsibilities commonly include shaping the project's artistic direction, guiding performances, planning scenes, and coordinating with department heads. In practice, codirectors may split tasks so that one handles artistic decisions and creative pacing while the other oversees production, scheduling, and logistics. Effective codirection depends on clear communication, aligned goals, and a defined decision-making process to avoid conflicts.

Codirectors differ from roles such as executive producer, producer, director, or assistant director, and credits reflect joint leadership rather than a hierarchical command. The model is often formalized in contracts or guild guidelines, or simply noted in credits as "co-director" or "codirector."

Advantages include broader skill sets, built-in continuity, and the ability to balance different perspectives. Potential drawbacks are disagreements over creative control, unequal workload, and complexities in budgeting and scheduling.

Legal and credit considerations vary by country and industry. Rights and compensation may be governed by contracts, guild rules, and union agreements, and credits should clearly designate each director’s role and responsibilities.

Codirector arrangements are used in film and television, theater, nonprofit programs, and research projects, among other contexts, where collaborative leadership supports shared stewardship of a project’s direction and outcomes.