LEARN THE ART OF FILMMAKING DURING A 24 WEEK ONLINE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. YOU WILL MAKE YOUR FIRST FEATURE LENGTH FILM AND BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTERN ON ONE OF MY FILMS.

Class Structure: One-on-One Online.

Final Output: A film directed by YOU.

You must have: Any camera (my preference is your smartphone), basic computer editing software (there are free ones), and lots of Courage.

Admission Process: Interview based selection.

Only Requirement: Talent, determination and commitment.

How to Apply: Email akr@darkframes.com

12 WEEK PREPARATION AND PRE-PRODUCTION

LAUNCH YOUR STORY: Genre, Story & Characters

Why this story and not that story? First, I will process with you to uncover the most important choice for a filmmaker: what stories you want to tell and why. I will guide you in how to ask the right questions to make that choice And once you have made that choice, you will bring your story to life on paper via screenwriting.

THE DIRECTOR’S CRAFT

You will learn about casting, rehearsal techniques, script, storyboarding, scene analysis, art direction and collaboration. You will discover and refine what it takes to realize a directorial vision.

DIRECTING ACTORS FOR CAMERA

Study the concepts of blocking, rehearsing, and directing a team of professional actors in a short dramatic scene, while exploring ways in which the camera can be used to most effectively help tell your story.

THE CAMERA AND PRODUCTION DESIGN: VISUAL STORYTELLING

You will design your production space to tell the story while learning the craft, language, and grammar of shot design, composition, camera placement and movement.

THE ART OF EDITING

Whether you want to be a director who edits your own films or prefer to hand them off to an expert who does it for a living, understanding and editing you own first film is a must to become a visual storyteller. Keep a clear vision of your final edit in mind, when approaching the way you design shots and guide performances on set.

THE ART OF SOUND: RECORDING AND DESIGN

You will practice and discuss sound recording and sound design basics: microphones, music, foley, sound effects, and sound editing.

By this time, you will be getting ready for a 4 week “intermittent” shoot. You will be given certain constraints under which you have to shoot. There will be rules that you will have to follow to make your first film.

4 WEEKS SHOOTING

You will be learning by doing. You will apply what you have learned to shooting the story you have written. For four weeks, we will solve shooting problems, and by the end of 16th week, you will complete shooting for a cinematic piece.

8 WEEKS POST-PRODUCTION AND MAKING IT HAPPEN

You will be editing, re-editing, reshooting and putting together your first film.

One of the most important things a director must learn is what it takes to produce a film, and the complicated dynamics of working with a producer. At the very end, I will get into the financial and logistical world of filmmaking and share my experiences and perspectives. You will learn the crucial development process, dynamics of pitching a project and preparing a presentation to talent, financiers, studios, networks, and distributors.