Fundamentals of Directing

(1 customer review)

$59.00

LIVE ONLINE: Saturday 25 July, 9am – 11pm PST (5-7pm UK time)

Avail on: Live online, VOD

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So you want to direct? Learn the fundamental techniques to find success in directing with award-winning director/producer Julia Verdin.

What will you learn?

  • How to fine tune your script to set yourself up for success
  • If you’re hired to direct a film, how do you keep your relationship with producers harmonious?
  • If you are hiring a producer, how do you know it’s the right person and have them work effectively for you?
  • Types of support you need and how to find the best people to support you.
  • How to collaborate well with your Heads of Departments
  • Casting and how to attract good actors
  • Understand how to cultivate great relationships with your actors and get award-winning performances
  • How to create a shot list and prepare with your DP
  • How to create the right visual language to tell your story. Lens choice and which camera is best suited for your project.
  • Other key basics you need to know
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
  • What protections should you have in your directing contract?

Who should attend?

Filmmakers seeking to develop their directing skills and gain the confidence to lead a project. Producers who are interested in the director’s process in order to better collaborate. This class is also suitable to anyone wanting to gain more of an understanding about directing.

What They’re Saying

Julia broke down the fundamentals of directing in a clear and engaging manner. I really enjoyed the class! As a writer, I now feel much more confident moving forward with my first directing project. In particular, working with other departments to help bring my vision together. Thank you!

Faye Treacy
Director

Having directed feature docs but not feature dramas, I was nervous of not knowing all that was expected of me as a director. Now that I’ve done Julia’s course I am crystal clear on my responsibilities, and feel confident going forward that I am now prepared for whatever comes my way. The extent to which Julia offers up her expertise and knowledge is heart warming. 

Suzanne Gielgud
Director

This was a really inspiring class; many great insights and refreshers even having been in the industry for a long time my self already (albeit different role). in particular this was very useful for me in the decision making process of where to take my career going forward (directing or Producing). Julia verdin is a highly accomplished director as well as producer, which allows her to speak from two very important perspectives about this topic which i found extremely helpful and interesting. the vibe of the live online classroom was also great; Julia’s evocative drive and infectious enthusiasm made a very long format (2hrs) enjoyable and easy to follow. last but not least; the ability to direct your own questions at a highly experienced and successful industry player for direct and solid answers is simply invaluable.

Alexander Michaelis
Filmmaker

About Your Instructor:

Julia’s latest feature film, No Address, a feature she wrote and directed about a group of homeless people bonding together as a family, struggling to survive the streets while fending off a harassing gang, an unforgiving community, and the local authorities in hopes of finding their humanity again was released in theaters earlier this year and won best picture at the Florida film festival. It stars Billy Baldwin, Beverly d’Angelo, Ashanti, Xander Berkeley, Kristanna Loken, Lucas Zumann and more. Julia also co-directed an award winning documentary companion piece to this film entitled The Making of No Address which is being used by homeless organizations and church groups across America to highlight the possible solutions to the homeless crisis.
 
 Maya, which she wrote and directed staring Patricia Velasquez, Rumer Willis, Rena Owen, Gian Franco Rodriguez and newcomer Isabella Feliciana as Maya received rave reviews from it’s theatrical release and won many awards at festivals, including the social Impact award at Raindance.  It raises awareness on child trafficking, domestic violence, alcoholism and child abuse. It’s inspired by true events and will show how predators use social media to lure vulnerable teens into their lair. The film has also been broadcast as part of an educational program on sex trafficking of minors and has been screened by organizations and communities while being currently in distribution.
Previous films include Angie: Lost Girls  had a limited theatrical release in December 2020 at a drive-in due to Covid-19 and distributed by Freestyle in the U.S. and Jinga Films worldwide. Set around the world of child sex trafficking again, this time focusing on a victim’s difficulty re-integrating with her family, re-finding her self-worth whilst combating ongoing threats to herself and loved ones from traffickers. The film stars Olivia d’Abo, Dylan Sprayberry, Anthony Montgomery, Randall Batinkoff, Jane Widdop, M.C. Lyte and Amin Joseph. It was picked up by Lifetime in Spring 2022 and had a Saturday night premiere, engaging millions of viewers and was won of their top performers and also got great reviews and good festival play and a number of awards.   Her directorial debut, Lost Girls, starring Bar Paly, Marisol Nichols, and Jamie Harris did well on the festival circuit and won several awards including Best Social Impact Film at The Culver City Film festival.
Other directing work includes 5 short films in partnership with non-profit Kids in The Spotlight. Brown, The Inheritance, Scripted, To the Bridge and I was Silent Until… are stories Julia directed that were written by and acted in by foster youth. Brown screened at Paramount Studios in November 2019 and at several film festivals. The Inheritance premiered at the Orpheum Theater in November 2021. Scripted premiered November 2022 at the Regal LA Live.
As well as directing, Julia has also produced 40 feature films and has 3 screenwriting feature credits as well as helped many filmmakers get their films made. Julia knows how to get amazing production value on a small budget, has great talent relationships and a good eye for casting. As a director, her former acting background has given her the tools to support her actors and bring out amazing performances.

2 Ways to attend Fundamentals of Directing

1. LIVE ONLINE

This class will take place over Zoom video conferencing. Students will get to chat with the instructor and ask questions, LIVE!

2. VOD

Why lock yourself to a schedule when you can view this class at your leisure the following day of the course.

Booked Course

Fundamentals of Directing

Date

Saturday 25 July

Location

Los Angeles | Live Online | VOD

1 review for Fundamentals of Directing

  1. Alexander Michaelis

    this was a really inspiring class; many great insights and refreshers even having been in the industry for a long time my self already (albeit different role). in particular this was very useful for me in the decision making process of where to take my career going forward (directing or Producing). Julia verdin is a highly accomplished director as well as producer, which allows her to speak from two very important perspectives about this topic which i found extremely helpful and interesting. the vibe of the live online classroom was also great; Julia’s evocative drive and infectious enthusiasm made a very long format (2hrs) enjoyable and easy to follow. last but not least; the ability to direct your own questions at a highly experienced and successful industry player for direct and solid answers is simply invaluable.

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