Hands On Directing for Film and TV with Simon Hunter

Get behind the camera and shoot your own short dramatic scene under the close scrutiny of industry professional Simon Hunter

About this Event

Presenter Simon Hunter has directed 3 internationally released feature films, and over 100 commercials and short films. In this 2 day intensive masterclass, Additionally, Simon will share his learning about how to successfully mange and direct films with little budget, and multi-million dollar budgets

The director is ultimately responsible for every image and sound that appears on the screen. Learn the art and craft of film directing by getting behind the camera and shooting a scene yourself with Simon Hunter. That’s why this weekend masterclass is called Hands-on Film Directing.

This intensive weekend masterclass teaches students the techniques behind maximising the performance of the cast while realising the importance of the ultimate audience – the camera. Attendees will be given a number of practical exercises to undertake, including directing a short dramatic scene.

What will it cover?

Directing involves 3 important skill sets. A successful director needs to work with the script and find the most interesting and visually exciting moments. Then the director needs to organise the shoot and assemble the cast and crew able to deliver their vision

Lastly, on the actual set the director needs to communicate to the actors and the crew what they need to do in order to deliver the final product.

Day 1: The Grammar of Directing

View this day as a crash course on directing. It’s filled with clips and examples from tutor Simon Hunter’s vast array of work PLUS clips from classic movies.

• Shooting techniques
• Framing
• Roots and reasons for selecting a camera style
• The grammar of single camera placement
• Style – approaching the script in an individual way
• Shooting script – developing your visual shorthand
• Reading and analysing the script
• Storyboarding vs. the scene sheet
• Screen geometry
• The ‘line’ – what it is and how to avoid crossing it
• Lenses – eyelines, hitting the mark, blocking, the ‘look’
• Long, medium and close-up acting

Day 2: Working with the Camera

Please come in working clothes! Learn how to work with lights, cameras and actors on a set.

• Audience and camera movement
• Directing the actors – communicating your vision
• The edit – shooting coverage, thinking in advance
• Shooting tips – save money and creating a distinctive look
• Organising the shoot and actors professionally
• Crew – maximising human resources
• The showreel – a director’s resume
• Examples of good and bad directing
• Career opportunities for directors

What will you achieve?

On completion of Hands-On Film Directing you will have acquired the skills, knowledge and practical experience to enable you to then step behind the camera and direct your own projects.

How will you be taught?

A mix of lecture-style, demonstration and also practical instruction with tutor guidance. In addition, students will have the opportunity to direct a short dramatic scene.

Who should attend Hands-on Film Directing

Hands-On Film Directing is suitable for beginner directors, as well as those with a small amount of experience looking to improve their practical skills and develop their own directorial expression. It is also suitable for those with some theoretical knowledge of directing seeking practical experience.

About Simon Hunter

Simon is an international award winning director of feature films and commercials. He specialises in landscapes, nature and the outdoors coupled with strong and engaging performances.

He has directed 3 feature films with a fourth due to shoot next year. His first film, made aged seventeen years old, was a 16mm documentary set in the jungles of the Congo. Simon is renowned for eliciting outstanding performances from his actors. He has directed John Malkovich, Thomas Jane, John Hurt and Ron Perlman.

Simon’s feature Edie

His most recent star was the legendary British actress Sheila Hancock in his film EDIE which debuted at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. The indy feature sets in the highlands of Scotland. During the production Simon led an entire film crew on a week long hike through the wilderness to climb and finally reach the summit of the iconic Scottish mountain Suilven. EDIE played theatrically on four continents in seventeen countries including America in 2019. The film has garnered rave reviews and numerous awards including the for its breathtaking cinematography, musical score and gut-churning emotion.

Simon has also won many awards for his debut feature film LIGHTHOUSE and his visual effects heavy 2nd feature THE MUTANT CHRONICLES. Scenes from LIGHTHOUSE were featured in the New Directors advertising showcase in Cannes. His commercial work includes spots for British Airways, Royal Sun and Alliance and The British Heart Foundation. Simon is represented for commercials by leading London based commercials production company, 76 Ltd.

Simon has given lectures on a wide range of film industry topics for a wide variety of organisations including the BBC, Canon cameras, The How to Academy, EM Media and the British Council.

Simon’s next feature film, LET’S BE AWAY, a father daughter reconciliation story, is again set in a remote and evocative landscape, this time in the misty wilds of northern Scandinavia.

If you don’t find Simon on set you are most likely to find him hiking or climbing mountains somewhere in the world. His biggest personal achievement was crossing the whole length of New Zealand on a three thousand kilometre long distance trail in 2018.

Simon is repped for feature film work by in Los Angeles.

What they’re saying about Simon Hunter

"It was an amazing week-end, I’ve learned so many things even though I’ve been working for 17 years in TV!"

"I loved that Simon’s teaching is pragmatic and down-to-earth, coming from a long and varied directing career, rather than from a theoretical perspective. Excellent use of film clips to illustrate his teaching. The shooting exercise with tutor feedback was a great education. But really, the whole weekend was packed with little gems of technique. I have recommended the workshop to friends already."

'Simon’s deep experience, fierce intelligence and meticulous planning, combined with an obvious passion for his craft of directing, made for a compelling and highly worthwhile weekend of learning."

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