Advanced Directing Class: How to Plan and Execute Your Shoot
Other education that may be of interest to you:
Making Your Day: How to Complete your Project On Time and On Budget Without Sacrificing Your Art
Time is money. And in the world of indie film, this is undeniably true. The number one expense filmmakers face today isn’t equipment rentals or crew wages. Nor is it crafty or actor day rates. It’s a DAY. And once a day is lost, it’s extremely difficult to get back. Often referred to as “the single biggest budget multiplier,” loss of days while shooting can sink your film if not kept under control. Falling behind just one day quickly leads to losing another and then another, and before you know it you have a runaway production. If you’re contemplating pre-production and production for your independent film or project, carefully managing your days is a priority. Many filmmakers avoid too much pre-planning for fear of losing the creativity and spontaneity that can make their project special, but it doesn’t need to be one or the other. There’s a proven method to keep you on track, while still allowing for inspiration and experimentation on set. It also happens to be the industry standard, and applies to any level of filmmaking - from student short to studio feature. You don’t have to toss the creative baby out with the budgetary bathwater. It comes down to identifying what to plan and what to improvise. The truth is the more you plan, the more you’re free to experiment while filming - provided you optimize your time and focus on the right elements. Clay Liford is an award winning independent filmmaker and director of photography whose projects have premiered at Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, Munich, AFI Film fest and more. As a director of photography, Clay has shot over twenty-five features, including the SXSW award-winning films ST. NICK and GAYBY. His film credits also include WUSS, EARTHLING, SLASH, and MY MOM SMOKES WEED, a Sundance Film Festival favorite. As an indie filmmaker, editor, and writer, Clay has mastered the art of pre-production and production so that his projects move like clockwork. And as a film production instructor at the University of Texas, Clay has become proficient at teaching his methods for efficiency and artistic self-sufficiency. Now he’s sharing what he knows with the Stage 32 community. Clay will lay out how you can save time and money as a filmmaker by employing strategies and practices to make your day and keep your project moving. Not only will Clay address where to place emphasis in your pre-production process, but he’ll also lay out a specific method for planning shots and scenes, which includes shot lists and top-down lighting plots. These methods are optimized so that you make your day without losing a beat or turning it into a budgetary bean-counter. He’ll then round out the webinar with a “trouble-shooting” guide that’s easy to understand, and applicable to the vast majority of scheduling issues that often arise on set. Clay's guide will give you confidence when it comes to time management so you can focus on what really matters in putting together a project you can be proud of.
The Fundamentals of Directing: Pre-Production, Production, & Post-Production
Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details 4-PART IN-DEPTH CLASS (OVER 8 HOURS OF EDUCATION) Learn from a director who's worked with Paramount+, Syfy, Vice, and more. Includes Exclusive Handouts Only Available For Those In Clay's Class! There are countless views on the “correct” way to direct, however there are universal fundamentals that all directors can use, whether it’s your first film or your 20th. Learn these fundamentals of directing in this class! In this exclusive Stage 32 class, you’ll learn the fundamental pillars of directing and techniques you need to do the job at a professional level. This includes how to analyze the script and bring in your unique vision, how to build your cast and crew, what technical elements from lensing to lighting you need to know, how to use pre-production for a successful production and, ultimately, your role in the editor’s room. You’ll cover how to collaborate with your cinematographer to define your style, how best work with your actors, and how to strengthen your visual awareness, all while participating in readings, exercises, screenings, and other assignments to sharpen your skills. Guiding you is award-winning director Clay Liford. Clay has written and directed four feature films that have screened at major festivals like SXSW, AFI, and Sundance, and his short film, MY MOM SMOKES WEED, has played at over 40 festivals. He’s also worked with major entertainment studios, networks, and production companies, including Syfy, Paramount+, Vice, and Troma Film. Clay is also sharing with you these exclusive handouts: Example diagrams Director “cheat sheets” for acting and lensing Phrasing for communicating with actors and crew And more By the end of the four intensive sessions with Clay, you will have developed the ability and self-confidence to communicate your vision and translate it from the page to the screen as a director. Don’t miss out on the chance to learn these universal techniques every director needs while shaping your own unique style and vision.
How To Write A Short Film That Gets You Noticed
You may be surprised by JUST how many successful filmmakers today began their career by writing short films. Everyone from Christopher Nolan to Ryan Coogler to Chloe Zhao to Justin Lin have short film writing credits to their name and used those projects to springboard their career. This is how new and untested creatives can prove their mettle, get their name out there and actually get their foot in the door. And you can do this as well. Whether you’re building up your filmmaking career, itching to write the next festival darling or award-worthy short film, or just love the short form format, you too, can master the art of short film writing. There are many reasons and inspirations for writing a short, but shorter doesn’t mean easier to write. One of the great challenges is that many people go into writing a short with the mindset of creating a proof of concept for a feature. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with this, this mindset tends to encourage a few logical fallacies, and in a strange way actually devalues the work. Short films require a fine balance of elegance and story economy. They require an innovative storytelling technique that usually takes years of practice and feedback to master. With the right guidance though, you’ll be able to master this in no time. Clay Liford is an award-winning independent filmmaker and director of photography whose many shorts include the Sundance hit MY MOM SMOKES WEED. His projects have premiered at Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, Munich, AFI Film fest and more. As a director of photography, Clay has shot over twenty-five features, including the SXSW award-winning films ST. NICK and GAYBY. His film credits also include WUSS, EARTHLING, SLASH, and MY MOM SMOKES WEED, a Sundance Film Festival favorite. As an indie filmmaker, editor, and writer, Clay has mastered the art of writing and making both feature length and short films. He is also a film production instructor at the University of Texas, who has become proficient at teaching his methods for efficiency and artistic self-sufficiency. Now he’s sharing what he knows with the Stage 32 community. Clay will take you through his proven and effective approach to writing an effective short films that get you noticed and advance your career. He’ll go over the REAL differences between shorts and features, what every short film needs to succeed, how to think like a director (even if you’re not one), and how to maximize your festival strategy. Most importantly, he’s going to introduce you to the concept of Iconography. You’ll have the opportunity to ask him questions, and by the end of this webinar, you’ll fall in love with this format and walk away with a new perspective and appreciation for the short film format. Clay's guidance will give you confidence to develop your short film and help you succeed in the short film market. PLUS! Clay provides you with the following handouts: Overview of How to Write a Short Film - Things to Consider & What to Watch Out For Story Structure Diagram Breakdown of Film Roles on a Set Elements of a Lookbook Duties of a Director Suggested Reading List Testimonials for Clay's Webinar: "Clay had great energy and pace. He was able to explain things in different ways and with excellent examples." -Magi A. "Clay didn't sugar coat anything - keeping the short within a tight budget and length is smart strategy & practical. I appreciated his honesty." - Shaan D.
How To Produce Your Action Film For Under $2MM
Find out how the pros make big action stories happen on a limited budget from Chris Smith, a producer and production executive who has produced 10 indie films and built hundreds of budgets for films, TV, shorts, and more. Just one look at this year’s box office wins and it’s easy to see that action films are bigger than ever. But you don’t have to wait for $100 million and a green light to make your own action movie. HARDCORE HENRY, MAD MAX, and GONE IN 60 SECONDS are just a few successful action films produced under $2 million. With the right script and some creativity, you can produce your own action film for the big screen and audiences worldwide. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll learn how to budget and produce a low-budget action film from Chris Smith, a producer and former production executive who knows how to make big movies happen without the big price tag. Do you want to have a mercenary team show up armed to the teeth to gun down a hero? Did your badass heroine end up in a warehouse with the big bad henchman? Does the techy sidekick need to chase down a boat to stop a bomb? There’s a way to budget that and Chris will show you how. Chris has been making film and television for over a decade, producing 10 indie films and working as the Executive in Charge of Production with networks including MTV, NatGeo, and many more. He’s built over a hundred budgets for films, television series, commercials, shorts, and music videos. By the end of this webinar, you’ll know: What you must make space in your budget for How to make room for your budget What departments you need for action elements, including stunts How to hire the best people for your action film’s crew Safety and permits you must have And most importantly, how to pull off the biggest elements on your low budget If you’re ready to see your action movie thrilling audiences on the big screen, take the first step in learning how the pros do it by learning from an industry veteran today.
Development Producing Lab: Get Your Feature Film Project Ready to Go to Market (Feb 2023)
One of Stage 32's most popular programs - Get one-on-one mentoring and guidance from an accomplished producer on getting your own project made! Payment plans available - contact edu@stage32.com for details Plus! Receive exclusive handouts, including an up-to-date list of in-demand writers and directors to reach out to, pitch deck examples, and outreach email templates. Limited Class Size - Get In Now Every year, thousands of films are successfully developed, produced, and released that did not go through the studio system, and your film could be one of them. If you have a project you’re passionate about, it’s never been a better time to produce independently, and we want to show you how to make it happen. Whether you’re a filmmaker, producer, writer, or actor, you can shepherd a feature. You just need to know the right steps. In this exclusive Stage 32 lab, you’ll work in an intimate setting with a small team of fellow creatives, guided by an industry veteran, to learn how the pros get a project market-ready and attractive to co-producers, financiers, talent, distributors, and more. Returning to host one of Stage 32’s most sought-after labs is Aimee Schoof, the co-founder of Intrinsic Films. She has produced over 35 movies, with many premiering at Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, Toronto, Venice, and more. Intrinsic Films develops, produces, and sells independent films for worldwide distribution, and Aimee is here to show you how they get it done. In this four-session lab, Aimee will work directly with you to cover: Getting your script ready for the market Understanding how to market your story Finding the right partners to mobilize your project Utilizing resources to find new contacts, companies, and opportunities Assembling a successful film pitch deck How much material you should send, depending on who you’re sending it to Anatomy of successful outreach, with examples and a practice session And more Plus, Aimee will provide helpful and confidential resources exclusively for you and other attendees that you can download and use for your projects, including: An up-to-date list of in-demand writers and directors to reach out to Pitch deck examples Outreach email templates You’ll complete this lab knowing how to make your script marketable with a plan of attack to find the right team to produce it. Join today to grab one of these limited spots to work directly with Aimee and get your film moving toward the finish line. PRAISE FOR AIMEE'S PREVIOUS STAGE 32 EDUCATION: "I really loved Aimee’s lab. She’s such a delight and so full of useful information that pertains to everyone’s individual projects, and she's so encouraging! I highly recommend this class and/or working with Aimee in general. I came out with loads of actionable steps to take my project further." -- Patricia S.
Pitch Like a Pro: Tools for Any Scenario
You’re a writer. Your work is entertaining, informative, thought provoking — heck, it’s even clever. You dream of tapping away on your lap-top in a cabin, sending off your material to a publisher or a producer, and collecting your check from the mail-box in the evening before pouring yourself a glass of Malbec red wine and walking your dog by a river. It’s a beautiful dream. But the reality is, no matter how good your writing is, no matter how brilliant your ideas are — if you’re ever going to have that cabin, not to mention enough cash to cover dog food every month, you have to know how to pitch well. In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, TV Writer/Producer Charlie Charbonneau (CW shows: The Secret Circle, The Vampire Diaries, and its spin-off The Originals) will teach you how to successfully pitch your ideas as a writer. You’ll learn about the many different scenarios where you’ll have to translate that spectacular idea in your brain to someone who’s never heard it before. This webinar will lay out the rudimentary yet vital skills used by the pros to win over the show-runners, buyers, and agents. You’ll hear about the nitty gritty do’s and don’ts of pitching in places like the TV Writers Room, a studio or network executive’s office, and at lunch with the agent or manager you’ve been dying to meet with. Also, Charlie will be giving you tips on how to nail your 8-minute pitch so you can take advantage of the Stage 32 Script Services pitch sessions offered every week. He'll guide you through how to start, cultivate interest and leave the executives wanting more. He'll not only cover live pitching but how to deliver a superb written pitch! You will get to examine the biggest enemies to a great pitch — fear and anxiety — and strategies to neutralize them so you can keep your cool. And, of course, those who tune in will get to catch some horrific pitch fails from the trenches of TV staff writing. Writers in any medium and at every experience level will benefit from this webinar — from novices to experts. And anyone else looking to hone their sales tactics in the entertainment industry or elsewhere will walk away with strategies to bring their pitch games to the next level. "The pitching webinar was fantastic. Every I was dotted every T crossed. It helped me to really understand the process than to be afraid of it. I still have lots more work and practicing to do, but it was great. Thank you." - Mindy G "Great real life examples - much appreciated!" - Paul B.
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