Stage 32 Directing Lab: Introduction to Shooting & Editing

***All lab spots filled - Check our Next Level Class and Lab page for new opportunities as we continue to announce**

If you’re a writer, producer or other aspiring creative with hopes of one day actually getting behind the camera and directing your own project, taking the first step can be daunting. Where do you even start? And how can you be sure you know what you need to in order to take that plunge? Now you can under the guidance of Oscar-nominated director/producer Rick Rosenthal.

Over the course of 7 weeks, Rick will guide you through actually prepping, shooting and editing your first project as a director in a supportive and encouraging environment - best of all? You can do all of this in the comfort of your own home.

Even better? You don’t need any special equipment to participate. All you need is a cell phone that records video, a computer, and editing software that you will download for free. You will leave this lab with real world, valuable practice in putting a project together, and the knowledge and skills to direct the next project on your own.

Rick Rosenthal is an Oscar and Emmy nominated director/producer and the CEO of Whitewater Films, which is known for many feature film hits that have premiered at Sundance, Cannes, SXSW, and more. Through his film directing background, Rick has directed the likes of Joaquin Phoenix, Sean Penn, John Lithgow, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Along with his credits directing films, Rick has also worked as a producer on Amazon’s Emmy-winning series TRANSPARENT for the first three seasons, along with directing and producing credits on countless other shows. When Rick launched Whitewater Films as a production company, he committed to helping up-and-coming filmmakers and offering them the advice and assistance he never had. Furthering his drive to give back and educate burgeoning filmmakers, Rick also served as the chair of the Directing Program at the American Film Institute. Through his decades-long career Rick has become well versed in diverse genres of filmmaking and has specialized in educating and empowering new voices, which he is bringing directly to the Stage 32 community.

Through this lab, you will have the opportunity to prep, shoot, and edit two scenes from a script that Rick will provide you. You will learn camera placement, camera movement, blocking a scene, all from different points of view--single character, multiple character, and omniscient. Rick will bring in a special guest editor to teach you the basics of editing a scene through the free software DaVinci Resolve, which is quickly becoming an industry standard. Through Rick's mentorship, you will walk away confident to take these skills and apply them to your own directing project, whether that's a short film, feature film, or web series.

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 lab is limited to 10 students and will be booked on a first come, first served basis. The opportunity to work this closely and for this long with a practiced director and expert in the field is an incredibly unique and valuable opportunity. If you are interested, please book quickly. Once the spots are gone, they’re gone for good.

• Payment plans are available - please contact Amanda at edu@stage32.com for more information

WHAT TO EXPECT

• This lab is designed for writers, producers, or other aspiring creatives interested in becoming a director and looking for actionable skills, practice, and guidance to make this transition. This is an in-depth, practical, and detailed lab with one-on-one time with the instructor and significantly more content than a standard 90-minute webinar.
• ***Only 10 Spots Available***
• This class will consist of six weekly sessions. There will be an additional week where you will sign up for an extensive one-on-one mentoring session with Rick. In addition to the lessons where Rick teaches the class, you will have the opportunity to ask him questions during each session as well as multiple chances to speak with him directly about your specific project.
• 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 TV project development process.
• To see the full directing lab schedule, see below under "What You Will Learn".

Session 1 - WHAT IS POV?

• What Are the Different Points of View?
  • The director's POV
  • The story's POV
  • Examples of different POVs
    • Single character POV – LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, THE GRADUATE, BAD BOYS
    • Multiple character POV – THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS
    • Omniscient POV – THE BIG CHILL
  • How to achieve a POV
    • What are the filmmaker's tools for creating a POV?
    • Camera placement
    • Camera movement
    • Blocking the scene from a character’s POV
  • The Director’s Tool Kit
    • The Image Grid
    • NATO – Not Attached To Outcome
    • Etymology of Enthusiasm
    • Attitude

Session 2- FILMING YOUR FIRST SCENE

• Tell the story of a couple’s break-up during Covid 19 via Zoom from a pre-written script.
  • Tell that story from only one of the couple's POV.
• What does “Telling a story from a character’s POV” mean?
• Understanding a character’s POV and “emotional space”
• How to do a shot list and shot diagram
• Rehearsal
• How to Prep

Session 2 Homework: Film the script from one POV

Session 3– INTRODUCTION TO EDITING

• A professional editor will teach you the basics of film editing and teach you how to edit your project with the free software DaVinci Fesolve

Session 3 Homework: Edit your footage from the previous week

Session 4 - REVIEW OF YOUR FILM & FILMING YOUR SECOND SCENE

• Rick and the class will look at all of the edited films in the context of POV
• Further discussion about whether POV was achieved and what effect it had on the story being told.
• Discussion of what that POV shift will change and how to achieve it for the second go

Session 4 Homework: Film and edit the script from the other character's POV

Session 5 - REVIEW OF YOUR SECOND SCENE

• Rick and the class will look at all of the second  edits in the context of POV
• Further discussion about whether POV was achieved and what effect the opposite POV had on the story being told.
• Discuss how to combine the two films, how to shape the story by determining which character’s POV to tell the story at what point

Session 5 Homework: Edit together the two versions

CLASS 6 - REVIEW OF THE EDITED VERSIONS

• With further discussion of POV and its applications

CLASS 7 – ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING WITH RICK

• Sign up for scheduled one-on-one individual review and discussion

Week 1-What Is POV? - 9/10/20 -4pm-6pm PT

Week 2 -The Assignment - 9/17/20 - 4pm-6pm PT

Week 3 - Introduction to Editing - 9/24/20 - 4pm-6pm PT

Week 4 -Review of the Films - 10/1/20 - 4pm-6pm PT

Week 5 -Review of the Second Versions- 10/8/20 - 4pm-6pm PT

Week 6 -Review of the Combined Versions - 10/15/20 - 4pm-6pm PT

Week 7-One-on-One Review and Discussion with Rick (No Online Class)

Q: What is the format of a lab?
A: Stage 32 Next Level Classes are typically 90-minute broadcasts that take place online using a designated software program from Stage 32.

Q: Do I have to be located in a specific location?
A: No, you can participate from the comfort of your own home using your personal computer! If you attend a live online webinar, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class.

Q: What are the system requirements?
A: You will need to meet the following system requirements in order to run the webinar software: Windows 7 or later Mac OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) or later.
If you have Windows XP, Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion): The webinar software does not support these operating systems. If you are running one of those operating systems, please upgrade now in order to be able to view a live class. Upgrade your Windows computer / Upgrade your Mac computer

Q: What if I cannot attend the live lab class?
A: If you attend a live online class, you will be able to communicate directly with your instructor during the class. If you cannot attend a live class, you will have access to the entire recorded broadcast, including the Q&A. Plus, your instructor will be available via email throughout the lab.

Q: Will I have access to the lab afterward to rewatch?
A: Yes! After the purchase of the lab, you will have on-demand access to the video recording, which you can view as many times as you'd like!