Many of the best filmmakers of this generation once started off as actors. Robert Redford, Leonard Nimoy, Clint Eastwood, and Greta Gerwig among others were all movie stars before they became better known as directors. It’s not surprising that so many actors decide to step behind the camera after a career in front of it. While playing a great character may be enough for some, getting involved in a story’s inception and the physical production of a film offers a different type of reward. While movie stars have a limited amount of time when they can remain at the center of the cultural conversation, a filmmaker has the ability to continue pushing the boundaries of the medium well into the later stages of their career.