Past Workshop Descriptions

Art Direction for Film

Art Direction for Film is a comprehensive three-hour workshop for filmmakers, designers, and content creators, focusing on the creative and logistical foundations of art direction. The session starts with an overview of the art department roles (production designer, art director, etc.) and its collaboration with directing, cinematography, and VFX to establish a cohesive visual language. Participants will learn how the visual elements including sets, locations, props, and color support the story, character, and tone within production constraints. Core principles of visual storytelling, including mood, color psychology, and world-building, will be examined through case studies.

Covering budget-conscious strategies for low-budget productions, focusing on prioritization, problem-solving, and communication with the director and producer, will be examined. Professional workflows, including visual research and mood boards, breaking down a script to propose an art direction approach, prep timelines and on-set decision-making will also be discussed. By the end, participants will understand art direction's function in film production and how intentional design elevates storytelling and production value.

The Introduction to Independent Filmmaking workshop is strongly recommended as a prerequisite. This workshop is recommended as a companion to the Producing Dramatic Film, Directing Dramatic Film, Visual Metaphor and Expressive Directing Techniques and Creative Lighting Techniques workshops.

Category: Production
Maximum Capacity: 12
4 hours of instruction $75 /member$100 /nonmember

Wait List
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