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Stage 8: Filmmaking and post-productionIntermediate to professional

Directing and Filmmaking Craft

Learn directing and filmmaking: story structure, simple scripts, blocking, directing people on camera, interviews, coverage and making a short film.

10 lessons 50 minutes of reading Exam coming soon
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10 lessons

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Lessons in this course

  1. 1

    What a Director Does

    Learn what a video director does: shaping the vision, working with actors, the cinematographer and editor, decisions on set, and directing small videos.

     5 min
  2. 2

    Story Structure for Short Videos

    Learn story structure for short videos: three acts, character, goal and conflict, the inciting incident and climax, and brand and social video structures.

     5 min
  3. 3

    Writing a Simple Script

    Learn to write a simple video script: loglines, treatments, screenplay format, one page per minute, writing visually, natural dialogue, two-column scripts.

     5 min
  4. 4

    Blocking Actors and Camera

    Learn blocking for film and video: planning how actors move, staging in depth, motivated movement, placing marks, rehearsing and blocking the camera.

     5 min
  5. 5

    Directing People on Camera

    Learn to direct people on camera: playable direction with action verbs, avoiding result direction, one clear note, directing non-actors and a safe set.

     5 min
  6. 6

    Conducting Interviews on Camera

    Learn to conduct on-camera interviews: research, open questions, full-sentence answers, listening silently, follow-ups, sensitive topics and honest editing.

     5 min
  7. 7

    Coverage: Shooting a Scene for the Edit

    Learn film coverage: the master shot, singles, over-the-shoulders, inserts and reactions, shooting order, overlapping action and when to use a long take.

     5 min
  8. 8

    Working with a Small Crew

    Learn to work with a small film crew: essential roles, combining jobs, clear communication, set etiquette, safety, agreements, credits and respect.

     5 min
  9. 9

    Making a Short Film from Start to Finish

    Make a short film from start to finish: a small idea, script, budget, casting, locations, shoot plan, editing, sound, color, delivery and sharing it.

     5 min
  10. 10

    Reviewing and Improving Your Films

    Learn to review your films and improve: a self-review checklist for story, picture, sound and edit, test screenings, feedback, studying films and a plan.

     5 min