Workshops
Go deep into the art of directing in this four-week intensive, guided by directors whose credits include The Sopranos, House of Cards, Boardwalk Empire, Sons of Anarchy, Grey’s Anatomy, and Empire.
There are no available registration dates at this time.
To realize their vision, a director must intimately understand not only the key creative and practical dynamics of their job – but also the roles of their closest collaborators. This extraordinary intensive offers a package of classes to equip the complete director. Each workshop is led by an accomplished working professional who will provide a uniquely qualified real-world perspective on the realities of the craft, the art and business of filmmaking, and the dynamics of working in collaboration.
Please note: Each of these workshops can also be taken individually if you are looking to take a specific class. Please contact Registration for information on room & board fees for intensives at [email protected].
The 4-Week Directing Intensive (Jul 24-Aug 18, 2023)
Week 1: The Director’s Craft | Geary McLeod
In the first week of the intensive students are introduced to the primary responsibilities of the film director. With the guidance of director Geary McLeod (EMPIRE, GREY’S ANATOMY) students explore and develop effective ways to lead, inspire, manage and direct the cast and crew’s creative energies in order to realize the directorial vision. You will explore and practice casting, and rehearsal techniques, as well as script and scene analysis. Discover how to constructively communicate with your collaborators and break through the obstacles that keep you from being the most effective director and visual storyteller that you can be.
Week 2: Directing Actors for the Camera | John Coles
In week two, learn the language that leads to effective performances. Guided by John Coles (HOUSE OF CARDS, THE WEST WING, HOMELAND) this workshop will focus on scene analysis, exercises, and techniques to take directors deeply into the dynamics of directing actors. What does an actor need from a director in order to deliver the best performance? How do directors and actors embrace the freedom to risk that can lead to breakthroughs? Preparation sets the stage for compelling and inspired work. Throughout the week, students explore and rehearse scenes with a team of professional actors.
Week 3 & 4: Directing Master Class | Allen Coulter
Spend two weeks with one of today’s most accomplished directors. In weeks three and four of the intensive, get an intimate view into the process of master director Allen Coulter whose credits include THE SOPRANOS, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, SEX AND THE CITY, HOUSE OF CARDS, and NURSE JACKIE. The class will examine the planning, casting, shooting, and editing of scenes and sequences from the instructor’s acclaimed body of work, learning how to think outside of the box and identify the elements that can amplify a scene’s power in bold and unexpected ways. Then you will observe as this director prepares to shoot a scene, collaborates with his cinematographer, and rehearses with professional actors. You’ll watch the production of the scene and then his approach to editing it. In the second week, students will have the opportunity to direct their own scenes with the instructor’s guidance. A professional cinematographer and a team of professional actors will support the class. Students will explore the dynamics and nuances of scene coverage and point-of-view, the motivation behind camera moves, and be guided by Allen on how to communicate with cast and crew to get the most out of each. These two weeks will transform your understanding of the director’s art and craft.
PLEASE NOTE: An hour-long training session on Set Etiquette and Safety will be required of anyone registered for a workshop that involves production. Students only need to participate in this session once during their time on campus.
Faculty
Instructor: Geary McLeod, ASC, DGA
Geary McLeod’s directing credits include Empire, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS: New Orleans, The Mentalist, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists, Light as a Feather, The Bold Type, Dynasty, and Famous in Love. Previously a cinematographer, he brings a unique perspective to the dynamics of directing actors for the camera. His cinematography credits include Barbershop, The Mentalist, Carmen: A Hip Hopera, Dirt, City of Angels, and Mad Men. Earlier in his career he was a camera operator on films like The Deep End of the Ocean, Malcolm X, He Got Game, Money Train, Clockers, and Holes. He is a member of both the Director’s Guild of America (DGA) as well as the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC).
Instructor: Allen Coulter
Allen Coulter is an American television and film director, winner of a Golden Globe and nominated for 7 Primetime Emmys and 5 DGA Awards. He is celebrated for his work on several series central to the “Golden Age of Television,” including THE SOPRANOS, SEX AND THE CITY, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, DAMAGES, NURSE JACKIE, SONS OF ANARCHY, RAY DONOVAN, HOUSE OF CARDS, and VINYL. Other credits include GET SHORTY, LAW AND ORDER, SIX FEET UNDER, THE X-FILES, RUBICON, EXTANT, and FOR ALL MANKIND. Recently he directed the pilots for SUPER PUMPED and TULSA KING. In his television work, he has collaborated with filmmakers such as David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Michael Mann.
His feature films include HOLLYWOODLAND starring Adrien Brody and Ben Affleck and REMEMBER ME starring Robert Pattinson.
Coulter was raised in College Station, Texas, and after studying theatre direction at the University of Texas at Austin, moved to New York City to pursue his career in film.
Instructor: Karen Moncrieff
An award-winning filmmaker based in Los Angeles, Karen Moncrieff’s directorial credits include episodes of the Netflix series 13 REASONS WHY and the iconic Emmy-winning show SIX FEET UNDER. While still in the midst of a successful acting career, Moncrieff transitioned to writing and directing upon winning the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting for her coming-of-age drama BLUE CAR, which became her directorial debut. BLUE CAR, starring David Strathairn and Agnes Bruckner, premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival where it was acquired by Miramax Films. Screening at major festivals around the world, BLUE CAR opened to widespread critical acclaim and garnered two Independent Spirit Award nominations, including Best Screenplay. Soon after, Moncrieff was chosen as one of Variety’s “10 Screenwriters to Watch.” Moncrieff’s second feature, THE DEAD GIRL, starring Toni Collette, Josh Brolin, Marcia Gay Harden, Brittany Murphy, Kerry Washington, Giovanni Ribisi, and Rose Byrne, was nominated for three Spirit Awards including Best Feature, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress. It premiered at the AFI film festival in 2006 and went on to win the Grand Prix at Deauville in 2007. Other directing credits include THE KEEPING HOURS starring Lee Pace and Carrie Coon, for Blumhouse, THE TRIALS OF CATE MCCALL starring Kate Beckinsale, Nick Nolte, and James Cromwell, ESCAPING THE MADHOUSE: THE NELLIE BLY STORY starring Christina Ricci and Judith Light, and Lifetime’s highly rated movie adaptation of V.C. Andrews beloved novel PETALS ON THE WIND with Heather Graham and Ellen Burstyn. Moncrieff is currently writing an eight-episode limited series based on Ann Fessler’s oral history of the baby scoop era, THE GIRLS WHO WENT AWAY.