Â鶹ÊÓƵ

CONSERVATORY
FESTIVALS
AWARDS
PRESERVATION
Â鶹ÊÓƵ
header logo

DIRECTING: First Year

FALL SEMESTER

DIR 5131: Story and Storytelling for the Director – An Exploration Through Cycle Film Analysis
FALL SEMESTER
1 CREDIT HOUR TOTAL
REQUIRED

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 535: Directing Actors I
FALL SEMESTER
1 CREDIT HOURS
REQUIRED

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.

DIR537: Director’s Craft I: Visual Storytelling and Blocking
FALL SEMESTER
1 CREDIT HOUR
REQUIRED

This course is focused on the craft of cinematic storytelling. Through a series of lectures – and by completing three directing exercises – 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 you have chosen. No decision should be arbitrary. Ultimately, each director will leave this course with a much firmer grasp on their strengths – and weaknesses – as a cinematic storyteller.

DIR 545: Principles of Feature Development
FALL SEMESTER
2 CREDIT HOURS
REQUIRED

This course is designed to provide Directors with a comprehensive understanding of writing for film and the associated aspects of the craft. Over the course of the first semester, each Fellow will develop and write a full short film screenplay; and the Fellows, as a group, will continually critique each other’s works in progress.

DIR 5571: Director’s Prep
FALL SEMESTER
3 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL (Final credits earned in DIR5583 in spring semester)
REQUIRED

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.

SPRING SEMESTER

DIR 516: Director’s Craft II: Voice Through Genre
SPRING SEMESTER
1 CREDIT HOUR
REQUIRED

This course centers on the cinematic storytelling techniques of genre and comedy film and television. Through lectures that analyze compelling scene work, discussion of craft, guest presentations and a directing filmed homework assignment, directors learn to advance the what, how and the thematic why of genre and comedy directing.

Each director will leave this course with a much firmer understanding and grasp of genre conventions, cinematic techniques and a comfort with directing outside of the genres and styles that they most often work in.

DIR 534: Directing Actors II
SPRING SEMESTER
2 CREDIT HOURS
REQUIRED

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 546: Principles of Feature Development
SPRING SEMESTER
3 CREDIT HOURS
ELECTIVE

This course is designed to provide Directors with a comprehensive understanding of writing for film and the associated aspects of the craft. Over the course of the first semester, each Fellow will develop and write a full short film screenplay; and the Fellows, as a group, will continually critique each other’s works in progress. DIR 546 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 5582 and 5583: Director’s Prep
SPRING SEMESTER
3 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL (Final credits earned in DIR5583)
REQUIRED

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.

First-Year Fellow Comprehensive Review

In Directing portfolio review, Directing Fellows present their cycle projects, cycle project workbooks and a self-analysis statement. The portfolio review is conducted by the Directing Faculty through a formal interview with each Directing Fellow, which concludes with an assessment of the Fellow’s progress in the program.

DIRECTING: Second Year

FALL SEMESTER

DIR 603: The Technology of Directing
FALL SEMESTER
1 CREDIT HOUR
ELECTIVE

The core craft of directing is rooted in dramaturgy, the origins of which began thousands of years ago with Aristotle’s Poetics, but the tools of directing are changing at a lightning fast rate. Previs software, scriptation, smart phone apps, and of course AI are in a constant state of evolution.

These new tools can save time, boost creativity and foster collaboration. Through a series of lectures and practical exercises, this class brings Directors the technological tools to streamline, organize and enhance their directing craft.

DIR 617: Director’s Craft III: Advanced Visual Storytelling and Blocking
FALL SEMESTER
2 CREDIT HOURS
REQUIRED

In this workshop, which is an extension of DIR537 and DIR516 taught in the first year, 2nd year directing fellows further build upon the directing fellow’s ability to analyze a scripted scene or sequence and then develop a unique visual design derived from the text analysis. Directors will learn to communicate their vision effectively to an audience through carefully designed and motivated camera movement and choreographed actor blocking as explored through a combination of filmed exercises, culminating in a final, filmed homework assignment

DIR 621: Advanced Art and Craft of Directing— Soundstage
FALL SEMESTER
3.5 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL2
REQUIRED

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.

2 Depending upon thesis shoot dates, Fellows may earn credits in DIR 621 or in DIR 622 in the spring semester.

DIR 623: Improvisation as a Tool of Directing Craft
FALL SEMESTER
1 CREDIT HOUR
REQUIRED

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 637: Second Year Development Workshop
FALL SEMESTER
2 CREDIT HOURS
ELECTIVE for DIRECTING AND PRODUCING

In a combination of individual and group sessions which strengthen storytelling and writing skills, Producers and Directors initiate and develop a compelling and viable story that they control.

PRO 627: Advanced Pitching
FALL SEMESTER
1 CREDIT HOUR
ELECTIVE for DIRECTING AND PRODUCING

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 690: Thesis Portfolio — Directing
FALL SEMESTER
3.5 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL (Final credits earned may be in DIR 690 in spring or DIR 691 in summer if Thesis has not been delivered)
REQUIRED

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.

CIN 6903: Thesis Consultation DIR/CIN
FALL SEMESTER
0 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL (Final credits earned may be in CIN 690 in spring or CIN 691 in summer if Thesis has not been delivered)
REQUIRED

Cinematography Fellows will plan, produce and shoot their thesis project that will demonstrate creative and technical competencies. In this seminar, shared jointly with Directing Fellows, each Fellow will formally present their thesis plans and will review their dailies and edits. At the presentation of dailies, each Fellow will review the production experience. In addition, completed portfolio reels will be evaluated by the Discipline Head during a final exit interview and review.

The Discipline Head approves the thesis work as appropriate for graduation.

SPRING SEMESTER

DIR 622: Advanced Art and Craft of Directing— Soundstage
SPRING SEMESTER
3 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL (Please see footnote 3 from DIR 621 on prior page)
REQUIRED

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 638: Second Year Development Workshop

SPRING SEMESTER
3 CREDIT HOURS
ELECTIVE for DIRECTING AND PRODUCING
3 Fellows will be enrolled into CIN 691 in summer term if thesis has not been delivered by end of spring semester.

In a combination of individual and group sessions which strengthen storytelling and writing skills, Producers and Directors initiate and develop a compelling and viable story that they control.

DIR 644: Understanding Story For TV
SPRING SEMESTER
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 656: The First Feature
SPRING SEMESTER
1.5 CREDIT HOURS
REQUIRED

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
SPRING SEMESTER
1 CREDIT REQUIRED

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 690 and 691: Thesis Portfolio — Directing
SPRING SEMESTER and, if applicable, SUMMER TERM
3.5 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL (Final credits earned may be in DIR 691 if Thesis has not been delivered)
REQUIRED

Continuation of DIR 690 from fall, 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.

CIN 690 and 6914: Thesis Consultation DIR/CIN
SPRING SEMESTER and, if applicable, SUMMER TERM
0 CREDIT HOURS TOTAL (Final credits earned may be in CIN 691 if Thesis has not been delivered)
REQUIRED

A continuation from CIN690 from fall, Cinematography Fellows will plan, produce and shoot their thesis project that will demonstrate creative and technical competencies. In this seminar, shared jointly with Directing Fellows, each Fellow will formally present their thesis plans and will review their dailies and edits. At the presentation of dailies, each Fellow will review the production experience. In addition, completed portfolio reels will be evaluated by the Discipline Head during a final exit interview and review. The Discipline Head approves the thesis work as appropriate for graduation.

4 Fellows will be enrolled into CIN 691 in summer term if thesis has not been delivered by end of spring semester.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Â鶹ÊÓƵ CONSERVATORY
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.