Directing Actors: A Hands-On Workshop in Culver City (6 Sessions)

At The Blue Door thearter in the heart of Culver City, this 6-session, hands-on workshop will focus exclusively on the director’s most essential responsibility: working with actors to uncover meaning, truth, and emotional connection in every scene.

Workshop begins Sunday, November 2nd and continues every Sunday until December 14th. NO WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 30TH (Thanksgiving Weekend).
Workshops will run from 6pm - 9pm (10pm if needed).
Your $450 ticket (on sale for $405 until Oct. 16) includes all six in-person sessions (3–4 hours each). Ryan also offers additional “office hours” via Zoom to help you prep for your workshop presentation.

• Session 1: Lecture on the language of directing (verbs, facts, images, events, physical tasks, subtext), script analysis, and rehearsal tools.
• Sessions 2–6: Directing Workshops: Each director (or actor)will bring in a 3-4 page scene and their actors. Under Ryan’s guidance, you’ll learn how to direct performances, spot and solve false notes, and make your scenes authentic and alive. Each workshop will be followed by a full class discussion/reflection with the presenting directors and actors.

No cameras. No distractions. Just you, your material, and your actors.
Tradecraft takes reps. Whether you are workshoping your scene, or observing your piers hone their skills, your craft muscles will grow with each workshop.

By the end, you’ll have practiced and strengthened your ability to bring meaning and impact to your work .
About Ryan Schwartz
Ryan is an award winning writer, director, producer (Summer of 8 for MGM/Orion Picutes) with 10+ years teaching directing to BFA and MFA students.
Student Testimonials:
Film is where I want to be, but I was nervous and second guessing my audacious desire to belong to that world. That all changed from the first second of your first class. You not only instilled me with knowledge and wisdom about film, you instilled in me the courage, the determination and the confidence I needed to be successful in life. You are the teacher people thank in their Oscar acceptance speeches. Thank you so much for inspiring me. Thank you so much for everything. I am forever grateful.
Sincerely, Nadya.
Your class, the discussions we all had, and the passions we shared have a very special place in my heart and will be firmly engrained in my memory for the rest of my life. I’m afraid my others teachers can't quite hold a candle to you, but even if it’s all down here from here, your class was worth it.”
Sincerely, Storm
Before this program I was about to give up on storytelling. You reminded me how important storytelling is to me and made me realize how much I love doing it. Every question you asked, every idea you gave and all those things you said made me push my limits, try harder and fight. I will keep trying because you give me the courage to do so.
Love, Ilay

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