Directing Episodic TV


Gain hands-on experience and learn the necessary skills for directing high-quality television programming

Nicole FullerIn the last few years, there has been an explosion in the development of high-quality episodic programming by cable networks such as AMC, FX, and Sci Fi, as well as the major networks. Programs such as Mad Men, Breaking Bad, 24, and Battlestar Galactica have raised television programming to a new standard and are extremely lucrative due to the worldwide demand for this programming.

Directing for television requires the same skills needed for feature productions and, additionally, the ability to step into an existing production structure and quickly absorb and direct to the tone and style of the show while working efficiently to shoot an entire hour series in just seven or eight days.

This workshop walks students through the experience of directing a TV series by taking a recent network show and breaking down all of the stages from pre-production through shooting and into post-production. Using actual scripts, students discuss scheduling and scouting, recreate casting sessions, look at the director’s role in making production boards, discuss shot breakdowns, and choose locations.
Students work on different scenes and learn how to rehearse and work with the director of photography to find the best way to shoot a scene, keeping in mind the other 8 pages of script they must shoot in the same day. Throughout the course, students direct actors and set shots. The student's work is compared and contrasted to the real life dailies from a specific episode, giving them a first-hand look at the numerous choices a director must constantly be making to both advance the story and find a visual language appropriate for the scene.

Students work with editors to edit scenes, compare dailies, cut scenes, and create a final cut from the actual episode. The instructor brings a script and dailies from a complete show and uses it as the template for exploring what the director does in television. Students break down the script, define how they would rehearse and shoot it, and then have the opportunity to see what was done with the actual episode. Students discuss all of the conceptual thought processes that led to the decisions that were made for that particular episode.

Testimonials:

"I can't wait to come back."
- Mario Vaz, Pawtucket, RI

"The teacher allowed us to work hands on immediately."
- Jack Klein, Boca Raton, FL

Instructors

Peter Markle

Peter Markle has worked extensively in features and television.  His television credits include FLIGHT 93 which gave A & E network the largest audience in its history (over 35 million have watched it since its debut).  It was nominated for 6 Emmys including Best Director.  It was also nominated by the Director, Producer and Writing Guilds winning the writing award.  He was the writer/director for FAITH OF MY FATHERS (A and E) starring Shawn Hatosy and Scott Glenn based on the book by John McCain about his capture and incarceration during the Vietnam war.  It was nominated for 4 Emmys.  NIGHTBREAKER (TNT) starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez about nuclear testing in the 1950s and it’s consequences to the soldiers was nominated for 5 ACE awards including best director.  Markle has also directed numerous episodes for hit shows including the X-FILES, CSI, NYPD BLUE, RESCUE ME, ER AND HOMICIDE.  Many of these episodes were viewed by over 20 million on their prime time premiers.  

His feature credits include THE PERSONALS (writer/director) for New World Pictures, a romantic comedy which was selected Best First Feature at the Houston Film Festival.  It debuted at the Deauville Film Festival in France.  It was made for $250,000 and grossed $1.5 million.  His second feature, HOT DOG, THE MOVIE, was made for $1.8 million and grossed over $22 million domestically for United Artists.  It was a broad comedy that has become a cult classic.  It was distributed by MGM. His third film, YOUNGBLOOD, starring Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze, was made for $4.1 million and grossed $15.5 million domestically.  He directed Gene Hackman and Danny Glover in BAT 21 for Tri-Star which made several top ten films of the year lists.  He was the writer/director for VIRGINIA’S RUN which won the Crystal Heart at the Heartland International Film Festival.  It debuted at the Berlin International Film Festival and also won the Children’s Jury prize as best film at India’s International Film Festival, the largest children’s festival in the world.  He directed THE LAST DAYS OF FRANKIE THE FLY which premiered on HBO and starred Dennis Hopper, Kiefer Sutherland, Daryl Hannah and Michael Madsen.     

See IMDB for complete credits