DIR 5131, 5142 and 5143: Story and Storytelling for the Director – An Exploration Through Cycle Film Analysis

FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
4 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL

Through critical analysis of in-progress Director’s cuts of cycle films, Directing Fellows examine all elements of directing craft and visual language as they relate to storytelling. The Director’s incorporation of the following is explored: narrative design and structure, performance, visual storytelling, mise-en-scene, narrative point of view, editing and collaboration, with a view to developing a working sense of the Director’s skill set.

DIR 533: Directing Techniques Workshop

FIRST TERM
2 CREDIT HOURS

This course is focused on the craft of Directing. Through a series of lectures – and by completing three filmed homework assignments – directors will learn how to translate the text (and, more importantly, the subtext) of a screenplay into an emotionally engaging cinematic experience. With each exercise, we will investigate the rationale for each of the shots, movements and edits the director has chosen. No decision should be arbitrary. Ultimately, each director will leave this course with a much firmer grasp on their strengths and areas in which they need to grow as cinematic storytellers.

DIR 535: Directing Actors I
FIRST TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR

A hands-on course in which Directors learn different acting techniques and how to prep and workshop scenes as actors. Using their own instruments (body and voice) as actors, Directors learn to differentiate between the preparation of an actor and a director, gain knowledge of how an actor rehearses and works on set, and become intimate with how an actor approaches material, inhabits characters and shares in the communication of theme. As the course progresses, Directors advance their craft by moving back into a directorial role – applying the class exercises and their experience of acting fundamentals to create and put up dynamic and character-rich scenes.

DIR 545: Principles of Feature Development
FIRST TERM
2 CREDIT HOURS

This course is designed to provide Directors and Producers with a comprehensive understanding of feature film story and the associated aspects of the craft. Over the course of the first semester, each Fellow will progress from story idea, through outline, to First Act and revision; and the Fellows, as a group, will continually critique each other’s works in progress.

DIR 546: Principles of Feature Development, Part 2
SECOND TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR

A follow-up to DIR 545, this course is designed to continue to provide the Fellow with a comprehensive understanding of feature film development. Over the course of the semester, each Fellow will continue the development of the screenplay from the Fall, writing up to the midpoint by year’s end. As in DIR 545, Fellows will continually critique each other’s work.

DIR 557 and 558: Director’s Prep
FIRST AND SECOND TERMS
2 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL

This course offers one-on-one mentorship designed to give each Fellow an opportunity to receive project specific mentorship and feedback on their cycle films. There are two mentor meetings per cycle film. The first mentorship meeting will focus on script analysis and story as it is the foundation for the rest of the choices that the director will make. The second meeting considers the full range of the director’s creative choice-making, culminating an in-depth critique of their Director’s Book.

DIR 630: Advanced Casting Workshop

SECOND TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR
ELECTIVE

An examination of the process of choosing a casting director, analyzing roles to create a breakdown, searching for the talent, auditioning and attracting actors to a project.

DIR 622: Advanced Art and Craft of Directing— Soundstage

SECOND TERM
2 CREDIT HOURS

This seminar, in which each director will create a scene analysis from their thesis and direct a scene with actors and the camera on the sound stage, engages a comprehensive conversation relating to specialized aspects of directing. These aspects will include: a rigorous consideration of character, theme and plot and the interplay of these within a unified story; an investigation of the innermost needs that drive character behavior and goals; the translation of subtext through priority treatment of performance, staging and shot design; collaboration methods; and other advanced techniques and tools of the art and craft of directing.

DIR 623: Improvisation as a Tool of Directing Craft

FIRST TERM
2 CREDIT HOURS

Improvisation is not just for comedy! In DIR 623: Improvisation as a Tool of Directing Craft, Fellows will learn and apply the basics of improvisation, which they can then apply to their directing and writing. The techniques explored will help bring scenes alive, and improve communication skills when dealing with actors, crew and collaborators. Fellows will also participate in exercises focusing on improving existing scripts as well as writing new material.

DIR 627: Advanced Pitching
FIRST TERM
1 CREDIT HOUR
ELECTIVE

This course is designed to prepare Fellows for the process of developing and selling a project. The class covers identifying material for potential projects and identifying a potential market/buyer. Fellows also practice using that information to present to actual industry professionals – learning the keys to successful pitching.

DIR 656: The First Feature
SECOND TERM
2 CREDIT HOURS

This course will teach Fellows how to create the specific elements they need to embark upon the production of their first feature film. The method of instruction will include a series of comprehensive lectures, case studies and workshops. Fellows also learn how to pitch their project as director to agents, managers, producers, executives and the principal team at the moment of hiring.

DIR 664: Playing the Long Game: Career Strategies for Directors
SECOND TERM
1 CREDIT
ELECTIVE

The Fellow will design and implement a practical and fully functional five-year business plan to assist in navigating the transition from student filmmaker to working professional as well as develop the tools necessary (such as the personal pitch and elevator pitch) to actively engage with industry professionals via cold calls and social media.

DIR 644.0: Understanding Story For TV
SECOND TERM
1 CREDIT
ELECTIVE

This course is designed to help directors understand a television series as a continuing story. Fellows will analyze existing pilots, with an eye toward understanding how a pilot functions both as a stand-alone piece and the opening act of a long story arc. Story arcs will be analyzed from concept through development of a series Bible. Fellows will pitch shows they’d like to create, describing the pilot, on-going characters, and the way the story will grow throughout the course of a season or more.

DIR 690: Thesis Portfolio — Directing

8 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL

Through the pre-production presentation of thesis projects by the individual Director together with their team, and through the subsequent screening of the Director’s cut, the Fellows examine the criteria for understanding a screenplay and every aspect of the Director’s craft. Topics covered include genre, tone, premise, theme and the Director’s creative and personal connections to story material, as well as the dynamics of narrative within scenes and sequences and across the canvas of the story. These topics are related to the crafts of production design, cinematography and editing in serving a complete and successful realization of the specific project.