Stage 32 2-Part Directing Class: How to Plan and Execute Your Shoot

In-depth 2-part directing class with award-winning Sundance and SXSW and director Clay Liford

Learn how to handle shot coverage, scheduling, and time management on set!

PLEASE NOTE: Although this exclusive Stage 32 class is no longer live and the teacher is not available on email, we highly encourage you to do any assignments to get the most out of the educational experience.

Perhaps the biggest challenge for any director, new or experienced, big budget or small, film or TV, is making your day, and ensuring you are efficiently getting the footage and performances you need so you don't go over schedule and over budget. This is difficult, but 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. 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.

Let's go deep into how exactly to plan your day so you can do your job on set, stay in control, stay creative, and leave with the best possible film you can make.

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.  Now he’s sharing what he knows with the Stage 32 community.

In this intensive on-demand 2-part class, Clay will show you how you can save time and money as a filmmaker by employing strategies and practices to make your day and keep your project moving. Focusing on both pre-production and production, Clay will walk you through how exactly to plan your days on set, address where to place emphasis in your pre-production process, and lay out a specific method for planning shots and scenes, which includes shot lists and top-down lighting plots. You will walk away, not only with the practical knowledge of how to plan and execute your shoot, but with helpful documents to help you on your way! 

PLUS! You will receive these exclusive handouts:

• Director Checklist
• 18 Page Director's Workbook to Map Out Your Shoot
• Components of a Shot Breakdown
• A List of Helpful Directing Books to Read

Praise for Clay's Previous Stage 32 Education:

"Excellent - granular and practical, not just theoretical." --Peter C.

"Clay was amazing. Would love to take more classes from him" --Jacqueline A.

"I was impressed with Clay. He has what feels like a natural gift for teaching from a comfortable and personal level" --Maeve T.