The Director's Program

Our mission at The Promenade Conservatory is to facilitate artists in effectively expressing themselves by helping them to discover their personal connection to their work and to give them the tools necessary to bring that personal expression to life.

At its heart, filmmaking is a complex and high-tech form of storytelling. In order to create effective and meaningful works of cinema, the film director must learn to tell each story in a personal, passionate and accomplished manner.

Among the goals and objectives of the Director's Program are the following key elements:

• The Director's Program at The Promenade Conservatory is designed for the director who is in need of communication and technical tools to effectively bring out the desired performances from the actors, as well as staging, blocking and rehearsal techniques. Many film schools focus on the technical aspects of the camera but neglect the Actor’s Language.
• This program is designed as a finishing school for directors who have already mastered the technical and want to focus on the actor’s process as well as gaining a better understanding of script analysis and breakdown, character development and an exploration into the psychological dark side of characters, the visual aspects of cinema, an in depth study into the “business” aspects of filmmaking and a journey into the writing process. This is a sequential training that will expose each directing student to the most essential aspects of this powerful art form.
• From the history of cinema and the basics of storytelling to the complexities of camera movement and eliciting performances from actors, each student will have an opportunity to embrace the art of the film directing process and to be guided though that process by seasoned professionals.
• Like any accomplished artist, the film director has to not only learn the basic tools of the craft but also must exercise and explore each tool repeatedly until it becomes second nature.
• Filmmaking is a highly collaborative medium. The directing students will also be trained in the essential skills of communication and collaboration.

The Creativity Key

This exclusive, signature program is part of a series called The Creative Keys to Success. Based on psychological theory it is designed as an approach and study in Character Development; whether it be for the Performing Arts, Business Management, Entertainment, Communications or Human and Psychological Interactions. The artists learn different Personality Types and how they come alive through different professions, behavior, dialogue, body language, thinking styles, decision-making processes and action.

The Director's Key

A Clear Vision for Directing Actors into Solid Performances. Designed for better understanding of Self and the Craft of Acting. By journeying into the world of personality types, directors strengthen their skills; achieving clear and concise communication in filmmaking, an organized environment to work in, remarkable characters, solid performances and a dynamic visual landscape.

The Screenwriter's Key

A writing workshop that provides cutting edge technology into unlocking the mysteries of structure and character development through personality types. The students learn to create a structured psychological landscape with depth, assimilation, emotional through lines, conflict and transformation. Character Biographies, the Four Foundation Pillars, Plot Points and Key Incidents that will involve and move the characters into the story line, are all explored.

Defining the Screenplay

From the idea to the page, students will learn screenplay structure, character development, plot points, the creation of each act, and scene by scene breakdown. Well known screenplays are used as a model for analysis and the viewing of them as a finished product in film allows the student to see how the written word is interpreted on to the screen.

Working with Actors

Actors are the artists who bring the characters and the stories of each script to life.   Through hands on work with actors, directing students will acquire the skills necessary to elicit powerful performances. Directors will expand their knowledge of the actors’ language to construct and guide talent through their vision.  They will also learn effective communication and the technical terms in this experiential process.