This was not always so When the studios ruled filmmakers were expected to take time to mature They worked behind the scenes as editors writers or cinematographers They learnt the job directing lowbudget Westerns or supporting short films John Huston was 35 when he made his first film The Maltese Falcon Fred Zinnemann the director of High Noon only got into his stride in his forties But nowadays without the support system of studios or television aspiring filmmakers are forced to be mavericks