SCA Summer Program Class Catalog


Applications will open on December 15th

Important Notice:

  • Students may only take a maximum of 8 units.
  • Students cannot take more than one production course.
  • Students cannot take a production course with any of the feature writing courses.
  • Students cannot take more than one feature writing course.
  • No auditing courses.
  • The SCA Summer Program courses are intended for students not currently enrolled at USC/SCA
  • USC/SCA students will not be granted D-Clearance for SCA Summer Program courses.

Directing Intensive - 8 Units

Units: 8
Student Level: All

Jun 23 - Aug 1   - Unavailable
In-Person (Ages 16+)
Schedule: Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu 9:00am - 12:50pm
Max. Seats: 15
Faculty: TBD

Directing Intensive is a thrilling deep dive into the art of directing, offering a comprehensive boot camp that focuses on working with actors and creating your very own short film. At its heart, this program empowers each student to write, direct, and edit a 6-minute narrative film, giving you the rare opportunity to bring your unique vision to life on screen.

Course Description

In this hands-on course, you’ll engage in practical workshops that guide you from script to screen, immersing you in the entire filmmaking process. You’ll work with award-winning scenes to explore the intricate relationship between characters, emotions, and visual storytelling. With a strong emphasis on the director’s preparation, you’ll learn how to break down a scene, collaborate with actors, and direct performances that are both authentic and emotionally resonant.

In addition to working with actors, this course also focuses on the technical and creative aspects of directing. You’ll master key skills like framing, blocking, and post-production, while learning how to guide your film through each phase of production. The course culminates in the creation of your own 6-minute short film, where you’ll apply everything you’ve learned—crafting a compelling narrative and bringing it to life.

Course Objectives

- Scene Analysis: Learn how to dissect scenes and uncover their emotional truths to ensure every moment on screen feels authentic.

- Directing Performance: Master the art of working with actors, helping them deliver nuanced, powerful performances that elevate your film.

- Creative Collaboration: Foster an environment of trust and creativity with your actors to bring out the best in their performances.

- Creating Contemporary Framing & Blocking: Develop the ability to frame shots and block action that visually tell your story and captivate your audience.

- Narrative Fine-Tuning in Post-Production: Shape and refine your film in the editing room, ensuring your story resonates emotionally with viewers.

Additional Tutorials

Beyond regular class sessions, you’ll have access to specialized tutorial sessions covering:

- Cinematography & Lighting: Explore the art of visual storytelling and learn how to set the tone of your film through effective lighting and shot composition.

- Production Sound: Understand the critical role sound plays in crafting an immersive cinematic experience.

- Pre-Production Planning: Get hands-on experience with storyboarding, casting, permits, and more, ensuring your film is thoroughly prepared for production.

- Non-Linear Editing: Gain proficiency in industry-standard editing software to enhance your film’s narrative structure.

Additional Information

- Project Creation: Each student will write, direct, and edit their own 6-minute film, created outside of scheduled class time.

- Equipment Access: You’ll have access to all necessary equipment, including digital cameras, tripods, lighting kits, and sound stages to bring your film to life.

- Safety Policy: SCA enforces a strict ban on the use of prop weapons during the summer session for a safe learning environment.

Directing Intensive is your opportunity to dive into the world of filmmaking, honing your skills as a director while creating a film that showcases your vision. From collaborating with actors to executing a complete film, this course will ignite your passion for storytelling and equip you with the tools to succeed as a filmmaker. Let the journey begin!

Instructors: TBD