Directors Rehearsal IntensiveJune, 2013
Six class meetings, on the following dates:
Wednesday evening June 12, 7:00-11:30 pm
Saturday afternoon June 15, 2:00-6:30 pm
Sunday afternoon June 16, 2:00-6:30 pm
Wednesday evening June 19, 7:00-11:30 pm
Saturday afternoon June 22, 2:00-6:30 pm
Sunday afternoon June 23, 2:00-6:30 pm
(Note that some of the classes are evening; some are afternoon.)
July 2013
Six class meetings, on the following dates:
Wednesday evening July 17, 7:00-11:30 pm
Saturday afternoon July 20, 2:00-6:30 pm
Sunday afternoon July 21, 2:00-6:30 pm
Wednesday evening July 24, 7:00-11:30 pm
Saturday afternoon July July 27, 2:00-6:30 pm
Sunday afternoon July 28, 2:00-6:30 pm
(Note that some of the classes are evening; some are afternoon.)
This is an advanced workshop that has proven enormously valuable for the filmmakers who have taken it!
This workshop is limited to six directors. The cost is $950. A deposit of $300 is required to hold your place; the remainder is due at the first class meeting.
The Judith Weston Rehearsal Intensive offers directors the opportunity to learn and practice directing techniques that can be used in rehearsal with actors – or on the set when there is no time for formal rehearsal. Your skills and confidence when working with actors will expand dramatically.
In the Rehearsal Intensive workshop, directors work in front of Judith, for a one or two-hour period, for instant feedback on how they are communicating with the actors; they also get to observe each other working with actors. The directors make their own choice of a full-length script to work on. The directors cast their scenes themselves.
The Intensive offers:This is the schedule, based on 6 directors:
- How to communicate your vision to actors
- How to maintain your vision without shutting actors down
- Demonstration of rehearsal techniques, including improv and warm-up exercises
- Instruction and guidance in “scene-shaping”
- Guidance in blocking techniques (movement and activities)
- Issues of pace, tempo-rhythm, tone, and style
- Script analysis and preparation for rehearsal
Session One: I will do a demonstration of script analysis and a demonstration rehearsal from a script that I will pick and ask you to read before the class.
Sessions Two, Three and Four: Each director has two hours to rehearse with two actors, with me and the rest of the class observing. The director works uninterrupted for the first hour. Then the actors step out of the room while I speak with the director for 15-20 minutes. Then the actors return and the director again works uninterrupted. At about 10 minutes before the end of the session I step in and work with the director and the actors. (2 directors work in each 4.5-hour session.)
Sessions Five and Six: Each director has one hour to rehearse with two actors, with me and the rest of the class observing. The director works uninterrupted for the first half hour. Then the actors step out of the room while I speak with the director for 10 minutes. Then the actors return and the director again works uninterrupted. At about 10 minutes before the end of the session I step in and work with the director and the actors. (In each 4.5-hour session, 3 directors work, plus there is an hour at the end to discuss the spines of the characters.)
Each director will be working from a script of their choice. It can be any script. It can be feature-length, or short. It can be an original script that you are planning to direct, or it can be a produced script. I will ask you to provide me, by the first class meeting, the following:You do the casting, and make the arrangements for the actors for your scenes. You can choose any actors you wish – they can be the actors who are going to be in the film, or not. They do not have to be actors from my studio, but if you wish you can have me forward your casting notice to actors from my studio (see www.judithweston.com/casting.shtml for details).
- A full script
- A synopsis
- The two scenes you wish to workshop
- Copies of the synopsis and scenes for the rest of the class
There is no cost to the actors for participating in this workshop. It will be up to you to provide the actors with a script, and have them read the full script and learn the lines to their scene. You are not restricted to two-person scenes (although they are easier to set up). You can have the same actors for both of your scenes, or different actors, whatever you wish.
This course is a follow-up to Judith’s Acting for Directors course, which is a requirement. It is also a requirement to have read one of Judith’s books – Directing Actors, or The Film Director’s Intuition.
Visit Workshop Schedule and Directions to Los Angeles Studio for further information on scheduling and location. To reserve a space, give your deposit, or ask questions, call 310 392-2444, or e-mail john@judithweston.com
It is also possible to arrange with Judith a one-on-one version of this type of work. (see www.judithweston.com/PrivateRehearsal.shtml)
For more information, contact john@judithweston.com
Testimonials from directors who have taken this course:
“I wanted to tell you how much I loved and appreciated the class! It meant the world to me to be able to work through my fears and tentativeness. The format is so useful, like a master class for directors. I learned so much watching the other directors work too, lots of ideas came from that. I took a lot of notes! I am so excited to move forward again and I feel like I've got my enthusiasm back! The actors loved it and they loved you too.”
“Can't say enough about the Director's Intensive! Really loved it. Especially feel like it provided personal feedback about techniques I use that are working and where I get stuck or where I am not aware that I'm defocusing. It's hard to explain, but I definitely was receiving one on one instruction which is what I think any director would want. Thanks!”
For a description of the Script Analysis and Rehearsal Techniques Workshop click here.