Content Tabs
Directing a first feature is a challenging but rewarding endeavour.
This online evening course gives you a step-by-step breakdown to guide you through the process, from pre-production to post-production, including how to collaborate with department heads and prepare your script for production.
We will walk you through every step of your preparation to directing your first feature film.
From your creative preparation with the script, script breakdown, working with actors and
working creatively with each key department from Cinematography to Production Designer, Costume to Editor, Colourist and Sound design. We will give you the tools you need to be an effective creative collaborator.
You will learn from exercises and seeing real life examples of the director’s preparation including, putting together visual references and moodboards, storyboarding, shot listing, camera setup plans, blocking plans and mastering coverage of a scene.
You'll get practical tips on directing your actors and simple tools to equip you with effective working on set.
Directing your first feature is a journey of creativity, collaboration and problem solving. Embrace the process, stay true to your vision and remember that every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow as a filmmaker.
* Some sessions will include example clips and we’ll also break into interactive groups led by Joseph to do exercises and activities.
Tutor Joseph A. Adesunloye is an award-winning British/Nigerian writer-director-producer whose work crosses film and TV. He was selected for Locarno Film Festival’s - Locarno Pro First Look on UK Film 2023, for his new feature VANILLA starring Yann Gaël (1899, Saloum) and James Smith (The Favourite, The Thick of It).
Joseph was nominated for the BFI IWC Schaffhausen Filmmakers Bursary Award at the 60th BFI London Film Festival. In 2017 Joseph was longlisted ‘Best Debut Screenwriter’ at BIFA.
His second feature FACES premiered at the Durban International Film Festival in 2018, where it was nominated for ‘Best International Feature’, and won ‘Best Feature’ at the Durban LGBT Film Festival; the film stars Terry Pheto from Oscar winning Tsotsi.
He has written several commissioned TV scripts and currently has several TV projects in development.
Joseph guest lectures at the University of the Arts London and for the NYU Tisch School of the Arts at the National Film & Television School (NFTS).
He is a member of BAFTA and Directors UK and has been a trustee at the Film and TV Charity since 2019.
Delivered online over 10 weeks on a Wednesday evening
Key Areas Covered -
Script Breakdown / Script Analysis / Scene Breakdown
Pre-Production
Casting
Working with Actors / Rehearsals/ Blocking and Movement
Working with your Cinematographer: Including - Visual Style: Visual Language / Shot Planning / Shot lists and Storyboards / Technical: Camera and Lighting Tests
Location Recces
Collaborating with Heads of Departments
Including practical exercises to collaborate with:
1st AD
Editor
Production Designer
Costume Designer
Hair & Make Up
Sound Recordist
In Production (Your Daily Routines)
Working effectively on set
Post-Production
Colour Grading
VFX (Even in Drama)
Composer
ADR
Sound Design and Mixing
Bonus tips on navigating film festivals: Submissions and Attendance
Please fill in the application form, attaching your CV.
If you need any assistance please contact us at shortcourses@nfts.co.uk or call us on 01494 677 903