film, video & TV training | professional development

Discipline/s:	writing & directing
Level:	Advanced
Course code:	DA210
Date/s & times:	September 7-10, 14-17, 9.30am-4.30pm
Contact hours:	48
Places:	5
Fee:	$1,550 OC members  / $1,850 non members (Membership: $55 / $40 concession - join Open Channel here)
Prerequisites:	Applicants must have completed a Certificate III in Screen qualification or Open Channel directing, storyboarding, writing, pitching, presenting or performance short course; or have equivalent industry or writing related experience.

 

Work with one of Australia’s leading Actor’s Directors to learn the fine art of directing performers.
Directing Actors requires clarity, integrity and confidence. This intensive builds your preparation and communication skills in Week One. In Week Two, workshop your own script with professional actors.

Under the guidance of an experienced drama director you will learn how to:

• Analyse script
• Cast and audition
• Elicit performance
• Find your directing style
• Collaborate with actors
• Work with casting Directors
• Conduct rehearsals and block through on set
• Create the right atmosphere on set
• Affect performance in the edit

This is an intensely collaborative workshop where you will receive constructive criticism from the facilitator, from professional actors and your classmates.

“I’ve learned more from these 8 days than I have from an entire year at film school”
– Amy, participant in Directing Actors 2009

Who should do this course?
Any emerging filmmaker wishing to develop skills in working with professional cast, or anyone wanting to workshop their script with professional cast and Director.

Where can I go after this course?
Graduates leave with the skills and knowledge required to cast, rehearse and direct actors prior to and during filming for film, television or drama and can pursuing a career in, or further study in film and television direction

Are you interested in being Accredited for this course?
Read about Accreditation Options on Short Courses

How do I Enrol?
Simply print an Enrolment Form and return to us with payment to secure a place in the Short Course. See the Enrolment Form for details on how to pay.
Short Courses Application Form (pdf)

If you wish to enrol in this course as part of a full Certificate III in Media / Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media, with up-front payment, click here.

Tutor
ALKINOS TSILIMIDOS
Born in Melbourne, Australia 1966. Alkinos has been described as one of Australia’s most important contemporary film directors. He has a reputation for being an actor’s director and is renowned for his uncompromising approach to stories of social relevance.

He graduated from Swinburne School of Film and Television (now VCA) in 1988. His début feature film Everynight…Everynight (1994) won international critical acclaim. It was awarded Best First Film (Prix D’Montreal) at the Montreal World Film Festival and was in Official Selection at the Venice International Film Festival.

His second feature Silent Partner (2001) was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay at the AFI and Film Critics Awards and was in Official Selection at the Toronto, Montreal, Newport, US Arts Comedy, Athens, Singapore and Bangkok International Film Festivals.

In 2004, Tom White was released to extensive critical acclaim. It received thirty-one Australian feature film award nominations, Colin Friels winning the FCCA and the IF AWARD for Best Actor. Tom White was invited to participate at many international events including Montreal, Hof, and Pusan International Film Festivals.

Em 4 Jay (2006), his fourth feature, participated at Melbourne, Brisbane, Athens, Mostra De Valencia – Spain, Newport Beach – US, Titanic - Hungary and New Zealand International Film Festivals. Variety said: “Authenticity makes EM 4 JAY a Down Under low budget TRIUMPH.”
 
Blind Company, Alkinos' latest feature is set for a cinema release in April, 2010.  Larry Clark (Kids, Bully, Ken Park) said "This is film at its best.  A must see.  Colin Friels and Nick Barkla wreak naked, embarrassing, honest emotional havoc.  Blind Company is a major work. "
 
Alkinos is currently working on his sixth feature, Outlaw Joe, starring Samuel Johnson and the cast of 16th Street Actors Studio.

Actors
The ensemble lined up for February 2010 include:
Laura Gordon (Saw V, Em4Jay, Blue Heelers)
Tom Long (The Dish, Two Hands, TVs SeaChange)
John Brumpton (The Loved Ones, Last Ride, TVs Underbelly)
Madeleine West (TVs Satisfaction, Underbelly, Neighbours)

Past actors have included Brendan Campbell (Noise), Alyce Platt (City Homicide), Samuel Johnson (The Secret Life of Us), Sarah Hallam (Blue Heelers), John Brumpton (Tom White), Ian Rose (The Bill), Kim Krejus, and Georgia Bolton (City Homicide).

Read more about past Directing Actors courses on the OC blog:
http://openchanneldoc.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html
http://openchanneldoc.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html

Testimonials
"I couldn't be more delighted with the Open Channel course 'Directing Actors'. Alkinos cut through the muddling haze surrounding the art and craft of directing with a philosophy of integrity and honesty. Through the two weeks of the workshop we got a clear, precise insight into the role and responsibility in a Director's hands. Without fuss, without gloss and without hype. This was truly a wonderful experience. One I doubt will be equalled. All thanks to Alkinos."

"You can talk all you like about the theories of directing, but to be given the space, the teaching and the actors who can help realise what works and what doesn’t in live situations is the best way to learn. Not everyone can spend years doing a degree course in filmmaking, and with several film courses already teaching all angles of the filmmaking process, it’s been a privilege to spend two weeks honing in on directing alone. Highly recommended!"
August 2008