DIR 130 | FUNDAMENTALS OF SHORT FILM (FORMERLY FILM 130) | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Students will study approximately 100 well-crafted and landmark short films from throughout film history. Through screenings, analysis, analysis and discussion, students will explore these short films' story structure, cinematic design and historical importance. Additionally, students will examine how the short film format can be used as an illustration of a filmmaker's skills in order to navigate the film industry. Short films will include: narrative, experimental, documentary, and animation from different parts of the world. PREREQUISITE(S): None.
DIR 232 | CREATIVE METHODOLOGIES FOR FILM AND TELEVISION (FORMERLY FILM 232) | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This class focuses on creative methods and processes useful for a variety of roles in film and television, including: ideation, divergent thinking, the role of environment/community, and how to avoid creative blocks. The class encourages students to embrace self-directed learning, explore who they are as creative individuals, and unlock the themes and forms at the core of their artistic visions.
DIR 280 | INTRODUCTION TO DIRECTING (FORMERLY FILM 280) | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is an introduction to directing for the screen. Topics include casting, script analysis, working with actors, and pre-visualization. Each student will direct and produce a short scene study. This course in NOT intended for students majoring in the BFA Film and Television Directing Concentration.
DIR 282 | ACTING FOR FILMMAKERS (FORMERLY FILM 282) | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is designed to provide students who plan to work with actors in any aspect of film or television with a foundation in the actor's craft. This will be a hands-on, practical class in which all students will be required to participate fully in the exercises and scene work. Topics to be covered include: relaxation, concentration, trust, listening, sensory work, physical actions, improvisation, imagination, needs, circumstances, objectives, obstacles, scene analysis and scene work. The course will culminate in a staged scene to be presented in class.
DIR 283 | DIRECTING I: SCRIPT ANALYSIS FOR DIRECTORS (FORMERLY FILM 283) | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Script analysis informs a director's creative decision making. Through a series of practical exercises, students will learn the process of analyzing a script based on the film's narrative elements. In doing so they will uncover their unique vision for the story that will aid in collaboration with actors and crew.
DIR 284 | DIRECTING II: CASTING AND REHEARSING (FORMERLY FILM 284) | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Each film project requires a customized approach to casting and rehearsing. Students will learn to create individualized plans for any size cast (individuals, pairs, ensembles) and strategies that will take them from casting room to table read to set.
DIR 285 | DIRECTING III: BLOCKING FOR CAMERA (FORMERLY FILM 285) | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
In this course students implement knowledge learned in casting and rehearsing to direct actors in micro-scenes increasing in complexity. Students will explore how staging changes from two to three-person scenes and be introduced to ensemble work. The class culminates in exploring the relationship between camera and performance.
DIR 284 or FILM 284 is a prerequisite for this class.
DIR 381 | ACTING FOR FILMMAKERS II (FORMERLY FILM 381) | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
This course is designed to build upon a foundation of a filmmaker's knowledge of the actor's craft. This will be a hands-on, practical class in which all students will be required to participate fully in the exercises and scene work. Topics to be covered include: substitutions, relaxation, concentration, trust, listening, sensory work, physical actions, improvisation, imagination, needs, circumstances, objectives, obstacles, scene analysis and scene work.
DIR 282 or FILM 282 is a prerequisite for this class.
DIR 384 | DIRECTING FOR TELEVISION (FORMERLY FILM 384) | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
In this class students will learn about the director's role in creating different genres of episodic television and web series. The class will explore how the TV director's role diverges from feature film direction in collaborating with the showrunner to incorporate the existing tone, tenor and style of the series into their creative decisions. Through a series of practical assignments, students will learn the intricacies of multiple-camera blocking, single-camera production, and the post-production processes of an episodic program.
FILM 115 is a prerequiste for this class.
DIR 385 | DIRECTING IV: PRE-PRODUCTION FOR SHORT FILM (FORMERLY FILM 385) | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
In this course, students will learn and practice the stages of pre-production for a film that they will direct over the course of two quarters. This includes: choosing/writing/analyzing a script, script breakdowns, casting, rehearsing, crewing, and the creation of pre-production materials such as a storyboard, shot list, equipment list, and schedule. The film may be in production at the very end of the quarter, between quarters or during the first 2 weeks of Directing V: Directing the Short Film.
DIR 285 or FILM 285 is a prerequisite for this class.
DIR 386 | REHEARSAL WORKSHOP FOR DIRECTORS (FORMERLY FILM 386) | 2-2.25 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
The rehearsal workshop deepens a director's understanding of effective rehearsal techniques. Students learn tools to work with any size cast (individuals, pairs and ensembles) at every stage of the process from table read to set.
DIR 285 or FILM 285 is a prerequisite for this class.
DIR 387 | DIRECTING V: DIRECTING THE SHORT FILM (FORMERLY FILM 387) | 4 quarter hours
(Undergraduate)
Through managing the technical, theoretical and creative responsibilities of the director, students produce a narrative fiction short film. Students must enter with a finished, producible short film script with major principal pre-production elements in place. Advanced pre-production skills and topics to be covered include: script break down, schedule and budget, pre-visualization, creative collaboration and management, set procedures, and directing post-production and delivery. Instructor consent required.
DIR 385 or FILM 385 is a prerequisite for this class.
DIR 430 | FUNDAMENTALS OF SHORT FILM (FORMERLY FILM 430) | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
Students will study approximately 100 well-crafted and landmark short films from throughout film history. Through these screenings, students will learn film vernacular, the roles these short films served their respective filmmakers and the concept of how "calling card" shorts can be used to illustrate a filmmaker's voice. Short film genres and styles that will be explored will include: narrative, experimental, documentary and animation, ranging from early silent films to contemporary films being screened at festivals today. PREREQUISITE(S): None.
DIR 481 | ACTING FOR FILMMAKERS (FORMERLY FILM 481) | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
This course is designed to provide students who plan to work with actors in any aspect of cinema or interactive media, with a foundation in the actor's craft. This will be a hands-on, practical class in which all students will be required to participate fully in the exercises and scene work. Topics to be covered include: relaxation, concentration, trust, listening, sensory work, physical actions, improvisation, imagination, needs, circumstances, objectives, obstacles, scene analysis and scene work. The course will culminate in a staged scene to be presented in class. PREREQUISITE(S): None.
DIR 482 | DIRECTING I: SCRIPT ANALYSIS (FORMERLY FILM 482) | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
Collaboration with actors and crew requires a director to prepare for casting, rehearsing, and pre-production. Script analysis demystifies directors' creative decision-making and enables them to determine how the story will be shown through film techniques. Through a series of practical exercises, students will learn the process of analyzing a script to uncover their unique vision for the story. In doing so they will uncover their unique vision for the story that will aid in collaboration with actors and crew.
DIR 483 | DIRECTING II: CASTING AND REHEARSING (FORMERLY FILM 483) | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
Each film requires a customized approach to casting and rehearsing. Students will learn to create individualized plans for any size cast (individuals, pairs, ensembles) and strategies that will take them from casting through rehearsals and to set. Additionally, students will identify how to create an equitable and safe working environment by collaborating with with intimacy coordinators, stunt coordinators or fight choreographers.
DIR 482 or FILM 482 is a prerequisite for this class.
DIR 484 | DIRECTING III: SCENE STUDY (FORMERLY FILM 484) | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
In this course students apply knowledge learned in the first two directing courses to direct actors in micro-scenes increasing in complexity. Students will explore how staging changes from two to three-person scenes and they will be introduced to ensemble work. The class culminates in exploring the relationship between camera and performance that will be deepened in subsequent courses.
DIR 483 or FILM 483 is a prerequisite for this class.
DIR 485 | DIRECTING IV: BLOCKING FOR CAMERA (FORMERLY FILM 485) | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
This course builds on the skills developed in scene study and deepens the director's experience in staging actors and blocking for the camera. Through a series of visualization tools and practical exercises, students will explore the intersection between the camera, lighting, acting and movement in creating an onscreen performance.
DIR 484 or FILM 484 is a prerequisite for this class.
DIR 486 | REHEARSAL WORKSHOP FOR DIRECTORS (FORMERLY FILM 486) | 2-2.25 quarter hours
(Graduate)
The rehearsal workshop deepens a director's understanding of effective rehearsal techniques. Students learn tools to work with any size cast (individual, pairs and ensemble) at every stage of the process from table read to set.
DIR 484 or FILM 484 is a prerequisite for this class.
DIR 487 | DIRECTING THE SHORT MOTION PICTURE (FORMERLY FILM 487) | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
Through managing the technical, theoretical and creative responsibilities of the director, students produce a narrative fiction short film. Students must enter with a finished and previously workshopped, producible short film script with major principal pre-production elements in place. Advanced pre-production skills and topics to be covered include: script breakdown, schedule and budget, pre-visualization, creative collaboration and management, set procedures, and directing post-production and delivery.
DIR 488 | DIRECTING ACTORS FOR THE CAMERA (FORMERLY FILM 488) | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
MFA Directors from SCA and acting students from TTS explore unique challenges and opportunities of collaboration between film directors, cinematographers, and theater actors. As preparation for their thesis film, emphasis will be placed on collaboration, with the director facilitating the relationship between camera and performer along with visual storytelling, blocking, and onset logistical considerations. Through a series of in-class exercises students will rehearse and film scenes for 2 - 3 actors.
DIR 489 | DIRECTING THE WEB SERIES (FORMERLY FILM 489) | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
This course is an introduction to directing narrative content for the Internet. Students will learn how to direct a production in an episodic or serialized environment where the primary goal is to maintain a tone and tenor consistent with the show-runner's vision. The course also covers the basic principles of budgeting, financing, casting, hiring talent, scheduling, securing locations, shooting and gathering social media artifacts for a series. Students will shepherd the project from idea execution through production, and finish the course with a five-episode web series.
DIR 487 or FILM 487 is a prerequisite for this class.
DIR 501 | ADVANCED PRE-PRODUCTION FOR THESIS (FORMERLY 501) | 4 quarter hours
(Graduate)
Advanced concepts and techniques in pre-production for directors, such as: supervising fundraising, budgeting, and scheduling, crew assembly, casting and pre-visualization are taught in lecture and workshop. These concepts and techniques will be applied to the pre-production of MFA thesis films, laying the foundation necessary to begin principal photography. PREREQUISITE(S): None.