James Duff's DIrecting for Film Workshop

The workshop is fast, intensive and absorbing. Our key goal is to give students the tools, the mindset and the support they need to work in the real world. By the end of the workshop, students will have evolved professionally, worked with an industry leader, and have professional directing experience.

A graduate of the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, MFA Directing, James has created a practical, hands-on workshop where directors have the opportunity to audition, rehearse and shoot scenes with actors, under his guidance. Prior to the beginning of the workshop, directors and students will receive copies of the scenes to be worked on, so they may prepare fully. Each member of the workshop will receive a copy of the material they shoot, for use in their showreel.

What will you get out of it?

The Director’s / Actor’s Script Breakdown. Strategically read the script to unlock access to the interior of your characters.
Advanced auditioning techniques that will land you the actor right for the role. Actors will discover what directors are looking for in an audition.
Create a Scene Strategy that will best prepare both actors and directors for rehearsal.
Rehearsal techniques which will help you develop a vocabulary that actors understand and get the best performance in a limited time. Actors will develop an understanding of how to best translate directors’ notes into playable action.
Blocking techniques that create truthful and dramatic scenes, where to best place the camera to capture the action beat by beat, using coverage to heighten the drama. Actors will gain a better understanding of blocking specifically for the camera.
Get inside the head of the actor by acting in scenes with fellow students; learn what the actor needs from the director to develop character and performance. Actors will be directed by fellow classmates in scenes which will be recorded (which may be used for their showreel).

Psión por el cine y la interpretación

Certificación Privada acreditando conocimientos y experiencia adquirida.

What will you be doing?

Class 1: Casting and Script Breakdown (4 hours)

Introduce course/student objectives
Warm up exercises / The Five Agreements
Discussion of different directing styles & acting styles
Script reading strategy
The Director’s Script Breakdown
Casting – the whole process, students will conduct mock auditions

Homework: Each student will find a two-page scene with two characters from a produced feature length screenplay, and break it down. The scene must have the potential for actor movement; no car, table or desk scenes.

Class 2: Rehearsal (4 hours)

Rehearsal techniques
Developing trust with the actors
Communicate using language that actors understand
How to get a performance quickly
How to get a fresh performance out of actors every take
Empathy vs. Sympathy

Te enviaremos más información sobre el curso, ademas de la Solicitud.

Class 3: Camera and Blocking (4 hours)

Blocking techniques/getting the scene up on its feet.
Camera placement
Coverage
Camera movement

Each student will block their chosen scene using the same students as actors, and experiment with camera placement, coverage and movement.

Homework: Students must be “off-book” for their scenes the next day.

Class 4: Shooting a Scene in One Setup Exercise (4 hours)

Each student will shoot their scene in one camera setup. They will block the scene and move the camera to capture the action at the most appropriate angles without making a cut. We will review the scenes on tape, and discuss how the scenes would play differently if shot with traditional coverage as well as analyzing each performance. Students may keep the scenes for their showreels.