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 Actors for Film and Television

Units: 4
Student Level: All

Sorry, there are currently no sections scheduled for this class

Directing Actors for Film and Television is not just a course; it’s an exhilarating journey into the heart of storytelling. This hands-on Directing Boot Camp delves into the joys and challenges of collaborating with actors to create meaningful, authentic characters that resonate with audiences.

Course Description

Imagine working with scenes from award-winning feature films, dissecting and reconstructing them to understand the intricate dance of characters, themes, and emotions. You’ll learn to shape and build a scene by breaking it down into its core components, discovering the hidden layers that make a performance truly compelling.

With a particular emphasis on the director’s preparation, this course will immerse you in the language of directing. You’ll be equipped with the tools necessary to articulate your vision for the film, ensuring that every scene you direct is infused with your unique creative fingerprint. The process of rehearsing scenes will serve as the foundation for developing your creative strategies, nurturing your relationships with actors, and directing your films with confidence, originality, and passion.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will have honed your ability to communicate effectively with actors through lessons that include:

  • Scene Analysis: Learn how to analyze a scene and uncover its emotional truths, ensuring that every moment on screen is charged with authenticity.
  • Creative Collaboration: Discover how to collaborate with actors creatively, fostering an environment where their performances can flourish.
  • Emotional Delivery: Master the art of enabling actors to deliver the emotional event of the scene through their performance, making every scene memorable.

In addition to theoretical knowledge, you will further your directing skills through in-class exercises and rehearsals, culminating in a final directing project. This hands-on approach ensures that you not only learn but also apply your skills in a practical setting.

We hope that you will come to love working with actors, welcoming them into your creative process to inspire and enlighten their best work. This course is designed to ignite your passion for directing, empowering you to create films that are not only visually stunning but also emotionally profound.

Additional Information

  • All projects are created outside of scheduled class time.
  • Additional tutorials may be taught outside scheduled class dates and times.
  • All dates and times of the course are subject to change.
  • SCA has a strict ban on the use of prop weapons during the SCA Summer Program.

Embark on this transformative journey and discover the art of directing actors with confidence and creativity. Let your vision come to life on screen, one scene at a time.

Instructor: TBD