Level 02 — going deeper

Intermediate.

A programme for directors who have already held a camera. Complex dialogue scenes, chases, pitching, and the financial side of the short film.

13 modules
17 lessons
4 tracks
$499 cohort up to 10 · 2 lessons/week

What's inside

Modules.

  1. 01

    Dialogue — “Eight” Coverage, Conflict, Resolution

    Directing 1 lesson Homework Video

    Mastering the technique of shooting dialogue scenes: camera positioning, working with the actor on camera, and exploring unconventional approaches to dialogue.

    Concepts: “Eight” coverage · conflict · resolution

  2. 02

    Chase — Dynamics, Action Editing

    Directing 1 lesson Homework Video

    An analysis of iconic chase scenes through the lens of rhythm, action editing, the role of music and obstacles — understanding the chase as a self-contained mini-story.

    Concepts: Chase · obstacles · pursuer and pursued · speed factors

  3. 03

    Short Film — Pitching

    Directing 2 lessons Homework

    Pitching practice for a short film: the ability to present an idea, defend it under questions, and constructively receive criticism.

    Concepts: Pitching · synopsis · idea · Q&A

  4. 04

    Working with the Actor — Casting, Read-Through, Shoot

    Directing 2 lessons Homework

    From casting to set. Types of actors and what to expect from them, how to conduct auditions, why read-throughs matter, and how to give direction that actually works.

    Concepts: Types of actors (professionals / students / non-professionals) · portfolio · casting

  5. 05

    Working on Yourself — Director’s Skills, Department Interaction

    Directing 1 lesson Homework

    A director’s psychology before and during a shoot. How to build authority, speak the right “language” with crew and actors, manage conflicts, and avoid burnout.

    Concepts: Director as manager · communication with departments · conflict management

  6. 06

    Directing as a Non-Creative Profession — Pre/Prod/Post

    Directing 1 lesson Homework

    The director as a manager. Realistic pre-production timing, what really happens on set, and why most first films fall apart specifically in post-production.

    Concepts: Pre-production · production · post-production

  7. 07

    Shooting Script — What It Is and Whom to Coordinate With

    Directing 1 lesson Homework

    What a shooting script is and why it is not the same as a screenplay.

    Concepts: Shooting script · shot type · camera movement · editing transition · technical notes for departments

  8. 08

    World-Building — Lore, Environment, Atmosphere

    Scriptwriting 1 lesson Homework

    Creating a convincing story world through lore and atmosphere using environment and visual surroundings.

    Concepts: Location · lighting · weather · color palette · ambient sounds

  9. 09

    Final Script — Structure and Final Version

    Scriptwriting 1 lesson Homework

    Final polishing and approval of the script with a check of its structure and production readiness.

    Concepts: Drafts (first to final) · finalization · revisions

  10. 10

    10 Principles of Editing

    Editing 3 lessons Homework Video

    A study of ten key principles of video editing based on Alexey Sokolov’s system.

    Concepts: Editing by shot size · spatial orientation · direction of movement · phase of moving objects · tempo · composition · light · color · axis shift

  11. 11

    Final Editing Exercise

    Editing 1 lesson Homework

    A practical consolidation of the ten editing principles.

    Concepts: Editing by shot size · spatial orientation · direction of movement · phase of moving objects · tempo · composition · light · color · axis shift

  12. 12

    How to Budget a Film

    Producing 1 lesson Homework

    When to start counting money, how to research the market, which expenses beginners always forget, why a 15% reserve matters, and how to pay people without losing their trust.

    Concepts: Maximum estimate · market research · hidden expenses · reserve

  13. 13

    Locations, Props, Payments

    Producing 1 lesson Homework

    The practical side of production. How to find and secure locations, work with props and costumes, and why financial disorder destroys a shoot faster than anything else.

    Concepts: Locations · shooting permits · props · costumes

Intermediate.

An advanced programme for directors who have the basics. 13 modules including actor direction, pitching, production scheduling, editing, and short-film budgeting.

Apply to Intermediate