The Art of Preparation: Laying the Foundation for a Successful Shoot
Date & Time
Location
2441 University Avenue West,
Saint Paul, MN, 55114
Parking & Building Entrance Information
Description
A director’s work off set is as important as on set. 90% of the work happens weeks—even months—before walking onto a film set. Once there, a director can be bombarded with logistics, opinions, suggestions, and criticisms from all sides. Without a solid game plan, it’s easy to compromise the integrity of your film. Let’s avoid that shall we?
Most great shots/scenes don’t just magically happen on the day. They are workshopped, designed, and eventually modified to fit scheduling constraints. A film director is not tasked with just the vision of the film, but also having an understanding on time management and logistics. Furthermore, one of the most challenging aspects of directing is presenting your vision to a team of artists in hopes that you are all making the same movie.
This workshop takes the mystery out of film direction and presents a simple step-by-step checklist allowing directors to find the meaning behind every shot, communicate that vision to a team of artists, and create a logistical game plan that’s flexible and realistic.
Participants will learn and apply the skills and technical knowledge necessary for directing visually captivating scenes that enhance the film’s overall impact. Through collaborative exercises, attendees will practice conveying mood, character intentions, deeper themes, and narrative significance. There is a lunch break each day.
Note: you’ll need to download the free version of Shot Designer (or pro version for $19.99) and come to the workshop with it installed to your phone or laptop.
Workshop topics include:
- Director script breakdown
- Directing with intent
- Character development
- Blocking
- Camera placement/composition
- Lens choices
- Camera movement
- Lighting
- Shot lists
- Storyboards
- Mood boards
- Shooting for the edit
- Sound design
- Color correction
- Score
Tuition
Instructor
Andrew Hunt
Award winning writer/director Pittsburgh native Andrew Hunt began making films at the age of eleven with a borrowed video camera and an army of neighborhood friends. He went on to study filmmaking at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Soon after, he started working professionally as a writer/director on television commercials, documentaries, short films, and music videos.
Andrew was selected by Steven Spielberg to be a contestant on the Fox Reality series, On the Lot. He placed in the “Top 6” out of 12,000 filmmakers. He would later branch out into television as a show-runner/producer/director for a variety of NBC Sports documentaries.
Andrew released his second feature The Infernal Machine starring Guy Pearce for Paramount Pictures in the fall of 2022. He is currently in post-production of his latest film, String Theory, an in-depth documentary about the world of conspiracy theories.
Class Registration Guidelines & Cancellation Policy
- Space is assigned on a first-come basis. Registrations must include payment in full. Registrations are accepted after registration deadlines if space is available.
- If minimum enrollment has not been reached by 7 days prior to the start date of a class, FilmNorth may cancel it, in which case registrants will immediately be notified and receive a full refund within 2 business days. A check will be issued for registrations that were paid in cash. In lieu of a refund, students have the option of applying their tuition to another class scheduled in the same calendar year.
- For those needing to cancel a registration at least 7 days prior to the first class session, 100% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. For registration cancellations received less than 7 days prior to the first class session, 50% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. As of 5:00 pm the day prior to the first class session, no refunds or credits/exchanges will be given (Friday at 5:00 pm for Sunday classes).
- Tuition is not prorated for missed class sessions.
- By registering for this class you are agreeing to our Community Values Statement.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding this class, please send us an email or call (651) 644-1912 ext. 2.