Workshop Registration

Directing Dramatic Film

NOTE: This workshop is in person. It is recommended that participants wear a mask while on the premises.

This intensive workshop will introduce you to the process of directing a project on any scale. The workshop covers practical aspects of directing such as casting, locations, storyboards, rehearsals, telling a story with pictures, the psychology of composition, moving the camera, screen direction, eye-lines and the axis, shooting schedule, on set protocol, and other production concerns. Participants will break down a scene from a film script and compare it with how the film’s director actually shot it. Various film clips will also be shown to illustrate the key points of directing.

The Introduction to Independent Filmmaking and Camera Theory workshops are recommended as prerequisites. This course is recommended as a companion to the Directing Actors for Film, Intimacy Coordination, Short Film Writing, Advanced Script Studio, Producing Dramatic Film, Scipt Supervision and Dramatic Film Editing workshops.​

part 1: Tue 31 October 2023, 6 - 10 pm   
part 2: Thu 2 November 2023, 6 - 10 pm   
(Registration deadline is Tue 31 October 5:00 pm)

Instructor: Elizabeth Lazebnik

Elizabeth Lazebnik (she/they) is an award-winning, autistic filmmaker based in Toronto. Ever since immigrating to Canada over 20 years ago, they have been creating films that have screened worldwide, including numerous screenings at TIFF. Their feature film about the first surrealist photographer Hannah Maynard called Be Still, premiered at VIFF and was acquired for distribution by Game Theory Films. Set for release this fall, Be Still won Best Canadian Feature Film at the Female Eye Film Festival, received three Leo Awards, and numerous nominations for the Vancouver Critics Film Circle awards. 



Location: 1137 Dupont Street, Toronto, Ontario M6H 2A3
Category: Writing and Directing
Maximum Capacity: 12
8 hours of instruction in 2 parts$105 /member$130 /nonmember