Fundamentals of Directing: Working with Actors and the Camera

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.

A director has a huge list of responsibilities, but there are two main areas a director has to ultimately express their vision: the actors and the camera. It’s through these outlets—and largely only through these outlets—that the director can communicate what they ultimately want on the screen. For these reasons, it’s absolutely critical that the director has a great working relationship with both the actors and the camera department. Otherwise, in addition to having a harder time on set, your vision will be lost. Nurturing a productive and collaborative relationship with these members of your team is not always easy and requires a great deal of planning, communication and trust. Understanding this process and how to build on it starting at the pre-production phase and continuing through the end of production will make all the difference and allow you to create a product you can be proud of.

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 strategies and approaches to form great relationships with your cast and camera department and get the most out of their work for your projects. The four week course is divided into two parts, the first focusing on working with actors, both in rehearsal and during production. The second part of the course will focus on camera and the director’s relationship with the Director of Photography, again focusing on both the pre-production and principal photography phases of production. Whether you’re directing TV, film, or new media, screwball comedy, nail-biting suspense, or hard-hitting drama, this course will help you deepen your relationship with your cast, sharpen your ability to communicate your vision, and establish a fruitful working relationship with your Director of Photography.

• The collaborative relationship between actor and director.
• An overview of the main acting techniques employed by most actors.
• Rehearsal and staging techniques.
• Color Theory
• Compositional Techniques
• Lighting style and techniques
• Camera movement

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 him questions during each session and keep in touch with him via email.
• 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.
• To see the full class schedule, see below under "What You Will Learn".

Praise for Heath's Previous Stage 32 Directing Class

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.