APPLY NOW FOR COURSES STARTING 8 APRIL 2013

Click here to watch the video...

"Over the year I've made seven short films myself, participated in many others and am even working towards a funded feature length that we begin filming in the autumn. I cannot believe what a productive year it has been and so much of my achievement is down to Central and the great friends I made there."
Alexander Nally, Directing Graduate 2011

"Your mandate is wonderful and we only wish the greatest of success to you and your organisation. Our world seems to be in great need of talented, sensitive directors!"
Deborah Dixon, Executive Director, The Actors Studio


INTRODUCTION

This One Year intensive training programme is the ultimate course to prepare aspiring directors to work successfully in the screen industries.   Learning to direct films is at the heart of the course but the programme also responds to the realities of starting a career as a screen director and provides the very best opportunity to develop the skills you need to establish yourself in the industry.

 

Many successful film directors, including this year's Oscar Winning Best Director, Tom Hooper, began their careers in television, which provided the platform to progress through the industry.  To this end, students on the directing programme receive specialist tuition in the following areas:

 

          1. Directing Films

          2. Directing Commercials
 
          3. Directing Documentaries
 
          4. Directing Music Videos
 
          5. Directing Multi-Camera Soaps
 
          6. Directing Single Camera Television Drama

 

 

In addition to the modules outlined above, the programme teach directors how to work confidently with actors from a wide range of acting backgrounds and how to get the very best out of them in rehearsals and on-set, which is the skill many producers look for in upcoming directors.

 

This element of the course aims to train students to become screen directors who can be relied upon to get great screen performances from their casts and includes a residential visit to New York City where students receive exclusive access to some of the world's most prestigious actor training schools.

 

 

Tutors

 

The course is taught by directors with years of professional experience who are regarded as leading experts in their fields. Tutors include BAFTA winning directors such as Simon Shore, Richard Kweitniowski and Rachel Tillotson, as well as internationally acclaimed Master Tutor, Patrick Tucker.

 

Working with actors is taught by Course Leader, Katie Morgan, as well multi-award winning director Tom Hunsinger.  Master classes have have been provided by  internationally renowned tutors such as Patrick Quaglaino, Lola Cohen, Scott Zigler and Mrs. Anna Strasberg.

 

 

Course Outline

 

The course covers the 6 main areas outlined above in clear and practical modules that focus on the skills and techniques currently in use in the industry.

 

In addition to the above students receive training throughout the course in how to work with actors from a wide variety of backgrounds and how  to communicate effectively and work collaboratively towards the creation of memorable screen performances.

 

This art of the training is aimed at significantly developing an 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.

 

Specific areas covered here include:

 

• 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 
• 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
• Directing sex scenes and other intimate material

 

 

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 films, television drama scenes, multi-camera scenes, documentaries and music videos, 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

 

 

In addition to receiving practical tuition in all of the above areas of directing, students will  have the opportunity to select specialisms and produce a minimum of three of the following:

 

• A graduation quality short film

 

• A music video

 

• A test commercial

 

• A documentary promo or documentary short

 

• A multi-camera scene television scene

 

• A single camera television drama piece

 

 

 

WHEN TO APPLY

 

Apply now because at Central Film School we have a rolling application process, which means that once a course is full it is then closed for that year - there is no set deadline for applications.. This means that students who are organized and apply early are more likely to receive a place at the school. 

 

As with all full-time courses at Central Film School London, places on the Professional Directing Diploma are strictly limited to ensure students are taught in small groups and receive a high level of individual support.

 

We are essentially looking for raw talent and new voices with something to say and the potential to gain employment in the film industry.

 

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

1. DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION FORM

 

2. Write a 1-2 Page persoNAl statement

 

3. submit a CV (RESUME)

 

4. submit 4 passport photographs

 

5. submit any supporting material you think may be relevant

 

6. email or post the materials to the school

 

Please see the application process page for full details.

 

 

We are happy to conduct telephone interviews for international students.

 

Please note that applicants must be 18 or over at the time the course starts.

 

Applicants are advised to submit a 1-2 page personal statement outlining why they wish to take the course, along with any other supporting materials they may have, including films, scripts or other work that may be relevant.

For any further information please call the school on: 0044.(0).207.377.6060

 

08 APRIL 2013 COURSE FEE: £15,000

(Inclusive of NEW YORK RESIDENTIAL TRIP and all film budgets)

 

Latest updates on progress with our former Professional Directing students (Alumni) in the filmmaking industry. Click here