Stage 32 4-Part Cinematography for Directors Class: Speak the Language of Your DP

Private, interactive class on Zoom with award-winning director James Kicklighter

Get 4 downloadable handouts, including a shot list and floor plan template and a "Say This, Not That" lighting vocabulary guide

Limited spots available — don't miss out!

Payment plans available at checkout or email edu@stage32.com for more info!

Every director works with a cinematographer, and the strength of that partnership shows up in every frame of your film. You know how you want a scene to feel, but if you haven't learned how to translate that feeling into the language of lenses, lighting, composition, movement, and exposure, it can be difficult to communicate your vision clearly. In this exclusive Stage 32 class, you'll build a practical visual vocabulary you can use with your DP, develop a repeatable process for shaping the look of your film, and learn how to make faster, more confident visual decisions from prep through post. You'll walk away knowing how to communicate what you see in your head, collaborate more effectively on set, protect your schedule, and make sure the finished film feels intentional and unmistakably like yours!

You can easily fall into one of two traps. You can hand the visual storytelling over to your DP entirely, only to discover in the edit that the finished film doesn't resemble the movie you imagined. Or you can arrive with strong visual instincts but without the technical vocabulary to communicate them clearly, leading to confusion, wasted time, and unnecessary tension on set. Saying "make it cinematic" or "make it moodier" leaves your team interpreting what you mean instead of executing a clear vision. That can mean inconsistent coverage, longer shooting days, and expensive fixes in post. You don't need to become a cinematographer. You need to communicate like a director who understands the craft, so your DP and crew can move faster, trust your decisions, and help you create a polished, purposeful film regardless of budget.

Leading you through it is James Kicklighter, an award-winning director and producer of narrative films, documentaries, and advertising. James is a p.g.a. producer and an active member of the Director's Branch of the Television Academy. His work has been recognized by The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline Hollywood, Politico, and The Los Angeles Times. His most recent documentary, The American Question, was the #1 new release on Apple TV and earned a perfect 100% critics' rating on Rotten Tomatoes. His previous film, The Sound of Identity, premiered on STARZ. He shot both films with Emmy-nominated cinematographer Jonathan Pope (The Social Dilemma), giving him firsthand experience with the kind of director/DP partnership you're working toward. He has also served as a panelist at the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival and taught filmmaking courses here on Stage 32, so he knows how to make the craft practical and immediately useful.

Over four sessions, you'll build that visual language step by step, starting with the grammar of the image: lenses, depth of field, format, and composition. You'll then learn how to translate emotion into clear direction through light, color, and mood, followed by how camera movement, blocking, and coverage work together to protect your edit. From there, you'll learn how to build a productive partnership with your DP from prep through set and post. Each session includes an assignment built around your own project and a practical handout you'll keep using. By the end of the class, you'll walk away with a working visual vocabulary, a repeatable process for developing your film's look, and the confidence to communicate your vision clearly at every stage of production, before you ever call "action."

PLUS! You will receive the following handouts to help you:

• Director's Lens & Format Reference Guide
• Lighting & Mood Vocabulary Guide ("Say This, Not That")
• Shot List & Floor Plan Template
• Director & Cinematographer Prep-to-Set Checklist

PRAISE FROM JAMES'S TEACHINGS:

“His experience and expertise as a writer and producer of film were greatly enhanced by his enthusiasm and energy as a speaker. He presented a series of workshops in the production of film, and also was the keynote speaker at our Young Writer's Conference. In both cases, he was able to inspire and connect to many different age groups including several professors in attendance.” - Gareth Jones, Brewton-Parker College

Insightful, informative, and entertaining! A must for the rookie and the pro alike. Hames hands you tools to utilize in today's viral distribution market. After the course, you'll feel empowered and prepared to shoot, distribute, and publicize your next project. -- Jaye Lowe

“James exceeds your expectations and helps turn your ideas into reality.” - Susan Woolf, Director of Operations, National Student Leadership Conference

“James is sharp as a razor, quick to grasp an idea, and like mercury when it comes to social media.” - Lilly Lee, Co-Founder, UNICEF Chinese Children’s Initiative

“James is an extraordinary individual. He represents to me, the best of what this business holds in the next few decades.” – Gemma Puglisi, Assistant Professor, American University

I have been recommending the Short Film Master Class to filmmakers since I completed it. It is entertaining and contains so much information. Not only does he cover "how" but includes the "why". James is phenomenal. --John Garrett