Art of Directing (Spring 2013)

Directors are the creative visionaries and driving force behind a film, translating script to screen. Directors craft the look and tone, then lead cast and crew while overseeing every creative aspect, such as set design and lighting. There are diverse methods and styles of directing, from the improvisation of Robert Altman and Spike Lee to the precise control of Stanley Kubrick and Alfred Hitchcock. Directors coordinate the actor's performance; determine camera position; and may be involved in the writing, financing, and editing of a project. The Coen Brothers, Quentin Tarantino, and Orson Welles are some of the directors best known for being involved in the entire filmmaking process. This course explores the concepts and aesthetics of directing, as well as the practical applications of the craft of directing.