Director Mode is a gameplay mode introduced in the PC version of Grand Theft Auto V alongside the Rockstar Editor. It was later added to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions with the Freemode Events Update on 15 September 2015. The mode is also available for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions, provided the player owns Grand Theft Auto V Story Mode. Director Mode allows players to create and direct videos using the game's engine, offering greater control over video recording and editing compared to previous versions of GTA. It enables the use of a video recording feed with several characters, making it possible to make, edit, and save videos from the game.
The feature is designed to help players get the best video content for later viewing or editing, with detailed playback features that enhance the experience. It is only available on PS4, Xbox One, and PCs; earlier versions such as PS3 do not have this feature.
Accessing Director Mode
Director Mode can be accessed through several methods, depending on the platform. It is available via the Rockstar Editor menu and the Interaction Menu. Players can also access the mode by contacting a specific entry in their protagonist's mobile phone.
Initially, the contact was named "Los Santos Talent." After the Freemode Events Update, this contact was changed to "Acting Up." Dialling this contact's number immediately launches the player into Director Mode, functioning similarly to using a cheat code.
For PC players using Steam or Social Club, the cheat code "JR TALENT" can be entered. On a PC keyboard, after hitting the diacritic key, enter "JR TALENT". For cell phone use on any platform, the code is 1-999-57-825368.
On PlayStation 3 and 4, there is currently no cheat code for activating Director Mode; players are advised to use the cell phone method instead. On Xbox One and 360, cheat codes for Director Mode must be entered through the character’s cell phone.
Restrictions and Accessibility
Director Mode is not available under certain gameplay conditions. It cannot be accessed if the player is currently in a vehicle, wanted by the police, actively participating in a mission, swimming in water, or during a cutscene. It is also inaccessible while in an online lobby. If these conditions are met, the game will display a message stating that "Director Mode is currently inaccessible."
Actors and Customisation
In Director Mode, players can select a single actor from 17 different categories to control in a customised free mode map. The categories are: - Animals - Beach Bums - Costumes - Downtown - Emergency Services - Gangs - Heist Characters - Laborers - Military - Online Characters - Professionals - Special Characters - Sports - Story Characters - Transport - Uptown - Vagrants
Some actors are only available after being unlocked during Story Mode gameplay. When a character is unlocked, the player receives a HUD message indicating this. When selecting an actor, there is an option to cycle through various outfits for most characters. Some NPC models can also be changed in this menu.
Online Protagonists can be used in Director Mode on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, even if the player's PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold membership has lapsed and they cannot access Online itself. However, Online Protagonists have limitations: they can only access the same assortment of vehicles as "regular" characters, and certain customisation options such as mood, walk style, and some actions are not available.
Interaction Menu Options
While on foot in the map, the Interaction Menu provides access to several options within Director Mode: - Settings: Access the full settings menu, including additional fine-tuning controls. - Location: Place the actor in a pre-defined area of the map. - Action: Provides access to a subset of the GTA Online Character Actions. - Dialogue: Allows spoken dialogue, with each category having up to four different phrases. This is unavailable for some actors, such as the Online Protagonist and animals. - Switch Actor: Access any of the recently used actors or actors shortlisted. - Garage: Spawn a selected vehicle from the Story Mode garages. - Scene Creator: Place and edit props from the Content Creator in up to four scenes. - Rockstar Editor: Launch the Video Editor.
Specific Gameplay Notes and Limitations
There are several specific gameplay mechanics and limitations within Director Mode:
Law Enforcement Interaction If a player chooses any "Highway Patrol" actor with a blue tie, law enforcement generally will not attack the player unless the player bumps into them or reaches a 3-star or higher wanted level involving NOOSE. At all wanted levels, neither the Los Santos County Sheriff nor the Los Santos Police Department will attack the player, although NOOSE will.
Voice and Dialogue Director Mode is one of the only places where the voice of the GTA Online Protagonist can be heard, specifically when they scream while falling from a great height (parachutes are not available). Reaction options involving speaking usually do not work for this character; instead, the protagonist character will shake their head.
Weapon Availability Melee weapons such as the Baseball Bat, Golf Club, and Crowbar do not always appear in the inventory, regardless of whether they have been collected in story mode. This makes these weapons technically unobtainable in Director Mode, with the exception of the golf club, which can still be taken from golfers.
Map Navigation With careful planning and an access point into "Blue Hell" (areas under the map), static objects can be placed under the map, allowing the player to loosely navigate around these areas.
Environment Details Despite being inaccessible to the player, the Vanilla Unicorn strip club will still be populated by patrons and strippers within Director Mode.
Conclusion
Director Mode offers a robust set of tools for video creation within GTA 5, accessible across current-generation consoles and PC via the Rockstar Editor, Interaction Menu, or mobile contact. It allows for the selection of a wide variety of actors, provided they are unlocked in Story Mode, and offers customisation options for outfits and locations. However, it operates under specific restrictions regarding vehicle use, wanted levels, and active missions. Players should be aware of limitations regarding weapon availability, dialogue options for specific characters, and environmental accessibility.