Workshop Registration

Art Direction for Film

Art Direction for Film is a comprehensive four-hour workshop for filmmakers, designers, and content creators, focusing on the creative and logistical foundations of Art Direction. This workshop will cover all aspects of Art Direction from pre-production to picture wrap, including breaking down a script, prep timelines, crewing, and how to work with other key creatives to develop a cohesive visual language, using mood-boards, concept art and set drawings.

Participants will receive an overview of all key Art Department roles, and learn how other departments such as Props, Locations and Set Dec play key roles in developing and supporting the creative vision of the production. Using case studies and other real-world examples, participants will dive into the decisions, duties and creative expression found within Art Directing for film. 

Covering budget strategies, problem-solving and communication styles, this workshop is a comprehensive examination of the skills necessary to Art Direct your next production! Participants will leave understanding an Art Director’s function in film production, and how intentional design decisions elevate 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.

Thu 5 November 2026, 6 - 10 pm   
(Registration deadline is Thu 5 November 5:00 pm)

Instructor: Simon Joseph McNally

Simon McNally is an award-winning filmmaker from Toronto, Canada.  His passion for script supervising has led him to working on short films, feature films, tv shows, commercials, and verticals; on union and non-union sets in Ontario and beyond. With a background in visual art and contemporary art history, Simon entered the film industry as an actor from the community theatre world. When acting led to filmmaking, LIFT workshops became Simon’s film school. Having been a student of this workshop’s former instructor J. Timothy Hunt, Simon is proud to be part of an evolving Continuity.



Location: 1137 Dupont Street, Toronto, Ontario M6H 2A3
Category: Production
Maximum Capacity: 12
4 hours of instruction $85 /member$110 /nonmember
Registration opens
Tue 22 Sep at 4:55pm