Stage 32 4-Part Directing Class: How to Direct an Ultra Low Budget Horror Film

Learn from director, screenwriter, producer and actor Zack Ward who’s worked on over 100 films!

Get a sample budget, call sheet and 3 and 9 act structure handouts

PLEASE NOTE: This exclusive Stage 32 class is now available to watch on-demand; it is no longer live and the instructor is not available for personal questions, but we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

Right now, ultra low budget horror movies are incredibly popular because they thrive on creativity and innovation, often delivering fresh and unexpected scares - all at an affordable price tag to make!  Classic films like THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT and CUBE burst onto the scene and paved the way to make low budget horror a mainstay. More modern examples like V/H/S gained huge momentum and lead to the blockbuster careers for the Radio Silence filmmaking team who have gone on to direct two of the last SCREAM movies, as well as READY OR NOT for FOX Searchlight. These films were all made for under $250,000 and became massive hits, showing that you don’t need a big budget to captivate audiences. This trend provides a unique opportunity for you to break into the industry and kickstart your career with a low budget horror film.

Of course, directing an ultra low budget film comes with its own set of challenges. You'll face limited resources, small crews, and tight schedules. It's easy to make mistakes, like neglecting pre-production, over-relying on cheap scares, and not focusing enough on the story. Navigating these obstacles is key to creating a cohesive and impactful film.

Enter Zack Ward, your guide for this journey.  Zack is a producer, director and actor who started his career playing Scut Farkus on the classic film, A CHRISTMAS STORY. Zack has gone on to be involved in over 100 feature films and numerous horror films, including THE DEVIL’S REJECTS, ZOMBIE NIGHT and RESTORATION, which he directed and made for under $100,000. He knows how to balance limited resources with creative vision and is here to share his insights and practical advice with you.

In this 4-part Stage 32 class, you'll cover everything from script development to post-production. You'll start by breaking down your script and finding that pivotal moment. In pre-production, you'll learn about budgeting, storyboarding, and assembling your crew. During principal photography, you'll get tips on staying organized and maintaining your film's tone. Finally, in post-production, you'll explore editing, visual effects, sound design, and color correction. By the end, you'll have a comprehensive toolkit to take your ultra low budget horror film from concept to completion.

PLUS! You will receive:

• Sample budget
• Call sheet
• 3 act structure example
• 9 act structure example

PRAISE FOR ZACK:

"Zack was phenomenal. This was such rich information. He is the real deal." -Debra S.

"Best, most practically informative webinar I have taken on Stage 32. So good to have someone walk through the process giving so much valuable insights. Good to hear Zack talk about the importance of looking at a project from the business side. Thought this was most informative webinar yet. Zack was fantastic in detailing through various stages of film little things that had to be done." -Andy S.

"This was easily one of the most approachable How To sessions I've seen here. Advice given was rooted, did not include things only obtainable from within the system or resources that are unreasonable or unmanageable for starting/indie filmmakers." -Shane Wheeler