Central Film School

Next course starts in September 2010

The world is full of aspiring film directors. Only the best make it. Those students selected for this course will be provided with a once in a lifetime opportunity to strengthen and increase their directing skills to the point where they stand out from the crowd.

This course teaches film directors how to work with actors from a wide range of acting backgrounds and how to get the very best out of them, both on-set and in rehearsals. The director should be the maestro.

Graduates from this Advanced course will be trained to be the screen directors that can be relied upon to get great screen performances from their casts.

Course Outline

This first six months of the intensive programme provides advanced training in film directing.  The course aims to train directors to communicate effectively with both their crews and actors, to work collaboratively towards the creation of memorable screen performances.

The course is aimed at aspiring screen directors who already have some experience in film, television or documentary production who wish to significantly develop their understanding of:

• Communicating effectively with actors from a wide range of backgrounds
• Getting the most out of castings and rehearsals
• Giving good direction under the pressured environment of a film set
• Creating dynamic, moment-by-moment performances
• Beginning with ‘7 things never to say when directing actors’, students enhance their directing skills through a series of masterclasses, seminars and visits to some of the UK’s finest acting institutions and theatres.

The Film Directing Advanced Diploma also includes a trip to New York City in which students visit leading American institutions to gain first-hand experience of how actors are trained for the stage and screen in the US.

The intensive training course includes:

• Identifying commonly used result-based directing, why it is used and what its limits are.  
• Working with a diverse range of acting methods and techniques 
• Advanced screen directing techniques for both the small and the big screen 
• Advanced techniques in visual storytelling through camera placement and lighting 
• Directing rehearsals using improvisation exercises 
• Developing an understanding of Character as being central to creating authentic performances 
• Directing sex scenes and other intimate material 
• Taking part in acting classes to enable students to experience receiving direction as well as giving it 
• Casting professionally and successfully 
• Performance-led blocking and camera placement 
• Working with children, animals and non-professionals 
• Q&A sessions with established actors and directors 

Teaching Styles 

The course involves an element of observation of professional practice but students primarily learn through doing: through staging scenes, through casting, through structuring and directing rehearsals, through blocking for camera, through working under time pressure and through dealing with a wide range of the problems commonly encountered by professional directors on set. 

On Completion

All students will have produced a showreel of scenes that showcase their cinematic vision and their ability to direct performance

All students will also be provided with practical support, through tutorials, over the next six months to help them put a short film idea of their choice into production

Entry Requirements 

MA/Diploma in Filmmaking or significant practical experience on film or television sets

Admissions 6-9 students per course

Candidates are selected based on their application materials, to include: showreel, CV, references and other supporting information

COURSE FEE: £12,500 (Inclusive of NEW YORK RESIDENTIAL TRIP)