FreshDV Film School: Director’s Course Part 4 at FreshDV

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FreshDV Film School: Director’s Course Part 4

Published by Matthew Jeppsen August 17th, 2008 in Art, Featured Content, FreshDV, News, Tutorials

Recently FreshDV launched the first part in an exclusive multi-segment training series on directing. These intensive FreshDV Film School Director’s Course video tutorials delve deep into what is required of a director and assistant director, both on and off set, and what areas those on that career path can concentrate on to achieve their goals. The discussion is hosted by FreshDV’s Kendal Miller, and Chicago filmmaker Joe Martin brings his unique perspective in teaching the role of a director.

Part 1 was a 15-minute introductory video that discusses the basic qualifications, job description and overall tasks a director is responsible for in a production.

Part 2 deals with the script revision process, both in pre-production and on set. Whether a script change is sparked by a creative choice, a budgetary concern, or to fix a shooting problem, the Part 2 video segment covers the basic protocol and tangible essentials of how you can handle this in your next production.

Part 3 digs deep into the pre-production responsibilities of a Director and Assistant Director. Joe and Kendal discuss the process of breaking down a script by scenes and shots, assigning scene numbers, and building the day to day schedule. They show a sample script breakdown sheet and other necessary forms. Independent filmmakers by and large seem to have the attitude that planning doesn’t matter…but as Joe says in the video, pre-production should be 80% of a project. These tips and techniques will help you get a handle on the planning and pre-prod process, and help you come in under budget and make your shooting schedule.

Part 4 deals with daily production schedules, timesheets and the venerable callsheet…Joe’s “most beneficial information you can generate.” Joe and Kendal discuss planning, accountability, and working with the other members of a filmmaking crew to effectively reach the common goal…completing the project on time and budget.

Watch all four segments in the playlist below or at FreshTV, and please stay tuned for the next installment of this extensive series.

If you enjoyed this tutorial series, please tell a friend or post the link in your favorite forum. Thanks for watching.

4 Responses to “FreshDV Film School: Director’s Course Part 4”

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1 Gunz Aug 17th, 2008 at 5:26 pm

My GOD, Kendal Miller is so annoying. Great series, but Kendal is like a 6th grader, he gets so excited when he can contribute to the conversation and secretly applauds himself. We’re here to watch the director not Kendal Miller. Kendal needs to shuttup.
2 Kendall Fan Aug 17th, 2008 at 5:42 pm

Harsh words Gunz…I get what you are saying, but damn, those were some harsh words my friend. Sometimes how we criticize someone can affect the reception of the criticism.
3 Kendal Miller Aug 17th, 2008 at 6:56 pm

Hey Gunz,
Sorry your not a fan, no problem. Just don’t pretend to know me or psycho analyze me. I enjoy what I do in life, its not that I “applaud myself” I get passionate about things I enjoy, and filmmaking happens to be one of them. This series was designed to be an open dialog between a director and a DP. Sorry you were so annoyed :) Hopefully you can still take away somethings to make watching worth your time. Once again thanks for watching and being a part of the FreshDV community. Your feedback is valued.
4 Matthew Jeppsen Aug 17th, 2008 at 11:13 pm

Unbelievable. I’ve got a feeling that “Gunz” is trolling, but I’ll bite.

First let me say this; I know for a fact that Kendal can take constructive criticism, it’s something that he and I toss back and forth at each other all the time. We don’t always get it right, but we try damn hard to hit the target. And I know for a fact that Kendal is serious about filmmaking, that he is truly passionate about these topics (even to the point of geekiness, which I personally can associate with ;-).

Let me break it down for you, “Gunz.” This segment was prepped, lit, and shot over the course of a full day, give or take a few hours. It was funded entirely out of my own and Kendal’s pocketbook. Kendal worked with Joe to flesh out each topic covered, and he was an active participant in the discussion, some of which you cannot see because of the fact that this was nicely edited. Oh, the editing. About that…all told, Kendal probably has 50+ hours of editing time invested in this series. Essentially unpaid, on his own time, simply because he’s passionate about sharing information and helping educate those without access to this info.

So you can imagine how I’d react when I see that some commenter takes all of 45 seconds to thoughtlessly and rudely smart off about the very person who made this informative series possible. And doesn’t even have the common courtesy to use a real name. I’ll take criticism and feedback when it’s presented with a constructive attitude and from a valid source. Yours was not.

-Matt Jeppsen