STENODAC’S –
DIRECTOR’S CRAFT – DIRECTING MOVIES
A perfect practical training Foundation for an EXCITING Career!
HOW TO DIRECT MOVIES
WHY THESE WORKSHOPS?
GOA becomes the venue for the International Film Festival of India. After two IFFI events, the film culture is slowly and gradually beginning to develop in this State. With this in mind, Goa’s premier –
STENODAC ACADEMY OF PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND CINEMATOGRAPHY – is conducting three special Summer Workshops related to the Film Industry.
The Workshops are:
(1) DIRECTOR’S CRAFT – DIRECTING FILMS
(2) SCRIPT / SCREENPLAY WRITING
(3) FILM / TV ACTING
Among the first of its kind, these workshops will have just 10-15 participants, aspiring to get a BASIC FOUNDATION in the various aspects of these respective avenues in the film industry. The workshops are held in PANJIM and MARGAO and conducted by expert Faculty from the Film Industry with over 20 years in the field.
WHAT IS THE WORK OF THE DIRECTOR?
Directors have overall responsibility for the way films or television programs are made. They use their creative vision, organizational skills, and technical knowledge to manage the whole production process.
They could lead a small team or a large cast and crew, to direct:
* full-length feature films or short films (known as ‘shorts’)
* television programs including drama, light entertainment, news, and live broadcasts
* documentaries
* commercials
* music videos
* corporate videos.
Directors make the creative decisions that guide the rest of the crew.
Their work can include:
* meeting producers
* commissioning a script or an idea for a documentary
* interpreting the script and developing storyboards
* deciding on the look, design, and locations
* planning the shooting schedule and logistics
* hiring the cast and crew
* directing the technical crew
* directing the actors or the contributors to a documentary
* selecting shots and supervising editing in the final ‘cut’.
If the production and budget are small, directors might also operate a camera or sound equipment (particularly on documentaries). Some directors also write their own scripts and raise finance for projects.
SKILLS AND INTEREST
To be a director you should be:
* creative and imaginative
* able to think on the spot and stay calm under pressure
* good at planning and organizing
* confident, assertive, and decisive
* able to lead and motivate a team of people
* Able to work to deadlines
* self-motivated and determined
ENTRY AS A DIRECTOR
There are various routes you can take to become a director. Qualifications are less important than having some practical experience in TV or film, an in-depth understanding of the production process, and a network of contacts in the industry.
Many successful directors start as runners and work their way up into other jobs like 3rd and 2nd assistant director or floor manager. Others move into directing after experience in a technical or creative role like camera work.
You could also take an intensive course in directing or filmmaking at a film school.
MAKE YOUR OWN FILM
Another way of breaking into film directing can be to make your own independent short films, which you can enter into film festivals and competitions. To do this, you will need access to equipment and actors, and you may need financial support. Of course, you can use today’s professional home video equipment, and produce your own low-budget family & friends based movies, to start with. This will not cost much. You may be aware that the super-success film ‘BLAIR WITCH ‘ was made on a home video camera, on a low-budget.
WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
To provide key information and practical know-how of directing drama for the screen. Students will gain an understanding of screen grammar and techniques for directing actors in the time frame of a shoot.
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
Everyone wants to be a director. If you can create a ‘look’ for your film, your career will rocket.
This intensive workshop teaches you the secrets of maximizing performance from the cast while realizing the importance of the ultimate audience – the camera. Learn how to direct on-time and on-budget, get the results you want, and keep the producers happy.
You will be given practical points throughout with examples from Film and Television.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS NOT A CAMERAMAN’S WORKSHOP. IT IS LEARNING THE CRAFT OF DIRECTING MOVIES.
LEARNING
Learn the Art and Technique of Visual Storytelling
Survey of Cinema studies with a focus on Craft, Genre, and Storytelling Structure
Director’s Craft
Directing Actors
Director’s Vision
Camera Placement
Camera Angle
Camera Movement
Visually realizing the moment and the story
Point of View
Shot Planning
Storyboards
Shot lists
Floor plans
Moving shots
Shooting order
CONTINUITY
Narrative continuity
Character continuity
Set-up
Effect
Temporal continuity
Matching action
Entrances and Exits
Overlapping action
Pace and rhythm
Set, hair, and wardrobe
DIRECTING
Director’s preparation
Research
Dramatic breakdown
Director as the decision-maker
Prioritizing
Director’s Point of View
Mood
Style
Theme
Film Narration
Suspense
Comedy
Working within a budget/schedule
Career opportunities