4-Part Private, Interactive Zoom Class - 100% Satisfaction Rating!

Learn from an accomplished director who's worked for Hulu, FX, Comedy Central, and more!

Includes downloadable handouts packed with information on shot lists and camera levels, pre-production guides, and more!

Who doesn’t want to be a director? It’s the dream job of many, and it’s easy to see why. As director you get to helm a project, command a creative army, and bring your vision to life. Yet directing is by no means an easy job; it goes way beyond just sitting in a canvas chair and yelling “action!” Whether you’re directing a big budget blockbuster, an episode of TV, or your first micro-budget independent feature, you can’t go into it blind. Being an effective director requires preparation, strategy, discipline, and an overall understanding of your responsibilities and how best to perform them.

Perhaps the biggest challenge of being an effective director is the need to understand and master every step of a project’s journey. This includes developing a visual style/point of view, collaboration, text analysis, pre-production planning, working with actors, camera and actor blocking, and overseeing the post-production process. No element here is less important than the next, and if you want your project to be successful, it’s up to you as the director to make sure you can navigate each step as well as the last. While there is no one “right” way to direct a film or episode of television, there are a number of techniques and skills that make for a smoother, more creatively fulfilling process. With the right techniques and the right guidance, finding success as a director is not only possible, but entirely within your grasp.

Heath Cullens is an accomplished director best known for directing IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, GREAT MINDS WITH DAN HARMON, and FX’s YOU’RE THE WORST. Heath’s other notable credits include IDIOTSITTER for Comedy Central, DEADBEAT for Hulu, and BLACK JESUS for Adult Swim. In addition to directing, Heath also produced the Lionsgate feature ARMED RESPONSE, starring Cary Elwes, Ethan Embry, and Alan Arkin. A recipient of a Drama League Directing Fellowship and a member of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, Heath is well-versed at every step of directing and will now share what he knows exclusively with Stage 32.

In this four session class, Heath will walk you through every step of directing a film or television episode, and delve into the skills and techniques you need to know to successfully helm your own project. In session one, he will go over the overall role of the director, how to develop your own visual style and point of view, basic terminology and how to be an effective collaborator. In session 2, Heath will teach you pre-production, including text analysis, building a shot list, camera basics, and how to effectively schedule. Session 3 will focus on production, including working with actors, making your day, knowing when you “got the shot” and how to manage your crew. Finally, Heath will spend the last session going over post-production, including working with the editor and and dealing with notes from producers, investors and the editor. You’ll leave this class with a clear idea of how to tackle every step of a director must take and the confidence to bring these skills with you to your own project.

Plus! Heath will provide you with a series of exclusive and helpful handouts to take with you and use when directing your next project. Downloads include:

• Camera Level & Shot Size
• Shot lists
• Ground plans – hand drawings
• Pre-production guide
• Mood board
• Camera Bible & Camera techniques

This interactive Stage 32 class is held on Zoom and goes substantially more in depth than a Stage 32 webinar. Best of all? As soon as you sign up you will be linked on email with your Stage 32 Educator and given a questionnaire to fill out and send back to them. You will have access to your Educator for the duration of your class by email to ask them any questions you have about your craft or career - it’s like having a mentor on demand! And, if you can't make a live session, don't worry! All class recordings will be available 48 hours after each session and you will be able to view them in your Library on your Stage 32 profile. Finally, you can expand your network with like-minded creatives - you'll have a dedicated lounge for interactive support and discussions with your fellow classmates!

PRAISE FOR HEATH:

"Sometimes one signs up for a class not really knowing what to expect. This class I could never have anticipated! Heath went above and beyond any expectations I might have harbored. This was one of the best classes I have ever taken on Stage 32 or any other platform. I walked away with so much information, confidence and respect for the role of the director. My heartfelt thanks to Heath." -- Angela R.

"This was a phenomenal class. Thank you for providing a class of this caliber. Heath was informative and engaging." -- Angel M.

"Heath was extremely knowledgeable and a great teacher. He had a perfect combination of facts and passion. He invested a lot of energy into, not only, teaching the class, but he also went above and beyond to inspire the class. Very grateful." -- Rainy K.

Session 1: The Role of the Director

• How to develop a visual style.
• Point of View - honing yours and bringing it to the screen.
• How to be an effective collaborator.
• Basic terminology and camera knowledge.

Session 2: Pre-Production

• Text Analysis - What is the story you’re telling?
• Designing a shot list - Blocking the actor and the camera.
• Camera basics - lenses, aperture, ISO, and depth of field.
• Scheduling is a creative decision.

Session 3: Production

• Working with actors - blocking, giving notes, shaping performance.
• Making your day - how to speed up when you’re running behind.
• How to know when you’ve “got the shot”/shooting for the edit.
• Managing your crew.

Session 4: Post-Production

• What to do before meeting with editor.
• The ins and outs of the editing process - what to do in “the bay”.
• Managing different edits - how to deal with (sometimes opposing) notes from producers, investors, and the editor.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• This class is designed for beginner and intermediate students looking to learn the ins and outs of directing a film or television show. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed class with significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• This class will consist of four sessions, each roughly two hours in duration and spaced one week apart from one another.
• In addition to the presentation-style lessons, you will have the opportunity to ask Heath questions during each session.
• **Heath will be available on email during the 4 sessions to answer any questions you have about your project.**
• Can't make a live session? Don't worry! It will be recorded and you can watch it at your convenience on demand.
• Plus, to stay motivated and inspired, you will have access to a private, dedicated Stage 32 Lounge where you can communicate with your fellow classmates throughout the process.
• You will receive downloads from Heath including  a Camera style guide, Shot lists, Shot plan, Pre-production guide, Mood boards and more!

Beginner and intermediate students looking to learn the ins and outs of directing a film or television show

Wednesday March 5th 3pm-5pm PST

Wednesday March 12th 3pm-5pm PST

Wednesday March 19th 3pm-5pm PST

Wednesday March 26th 3pm-5pm PST

"Sometimes one signs up for a class not really knowing what to expect. This class I could never have anticipated! Heath went above and beyond any expectations I might have harbored. This was one of the best classes I have ever taken on Stage 32 or any other platform. I walked away with so much information, confidence and respect for the role of the director. My heartfelt thanks to Heath"

-Angela R.

"This was a phenomenal class. Thank you for providing a class of this caliber. Heath was informative and engaging."

-Angel M.

"Heath was extremely knowledgeable and a great teacher. He had a perfect combination of facts and passion. He invested a lot of energy into, not only, teaching the class, but he also went above and beyond to inspire the class. Very grateful."

-Rainy K.