Learning path · Directing
Directing
The director's process: breaking down a script, planning shots, blocking, choosing coverage with your DoP, running a short-film shoot.
Free films in teaching order, for one craft. Watch, tick them off and test yourself. It's practice that prepares you for an Academy course. This one prepares you for Story to Screen Foundation.
Lesson 1
What does a director actually do?
Tanner Browning · 8:25 · original on YouTube
You will learn: Understand what a director actually does from script to final cut.
Note: A clear overview to set up the rest of the path.
By the end you will be able to
- Break down a script and turn it into a shot list and simple storyboards
- Block actors and camera so movement tells the story
- Plan coverage that an editor can cut, and collaborate with a DoP
- Lead a set with confidence on a short film
Test yourself
Could you do it on a set?
4 real situations, one for each thing this path teaches. It's optional practice, not pass or fail, and your answers stay on this device.
Next: do it for real
This path prepares you for Story to Screen Foundation.
The story track for the Story to Screen Lab, with Screen Sisters CIC: idea, logline, one-page treatment, pitch, and the producing basics that get a short made.
It's coming next: register interest and we'll tell you when it opens. Meanwhile, start with Day One.
How learning with FIF works
Learning path. Free films in teaching order, for one craft. Watch, tick them off and test yourself. It's practice that prepares you for an Academy course.
- Learn onlineFree films, paths and Academy coursesYou are here
- Competency checkA short check with us, online or in person
- In-person practicalOn our unit at Pinewood or 3 Mills
- FIF CertificateFrom the practical only
The FIF Certificate comes only from the practical. How it works · Book a competency check
Edgar Wright on How He Writes and Directs His Movies | The Director's ChairStudioBinder · Lesson16 min.
Director Vs Cinematographer: Who Does What?In Depth Cine · Careers13 min.
Shot List Tips for Filmmakers - Lining shots on your scriptPull My Focus · Lesson7 min.
The Bad Sleep Well (1960) - The Geometry of a SceneEvery Frame a Painting · Lesson3 min.
BFI Film Academy Labs | Leader of the pack: Running a set as a directorBFI · Lesson1 h 26 min.
5 ways you'll ruin your first short filmStandard Story Company · Lesson8 min.
Suffragette director Sarah Gavron: On DirectingBAFTA Guru · Lesson11 min.
Go further
Beyond YouTube, labelled honestly. Free first. Paid options are labelled.
- NFTS short courses Paid (varies)
National Film and Television School. Short directing courses, including directing for film and TV drama. - BFI Film Academy Free (16–25s; bursaries available)
BFI. Hands-on filmmaking courses where you direct a short as part of a crew. - BFI NETWORK Free
BFI. Talent development and short-film funding for emerging UK writers, directors and producers. - Raindance courses Paid (roughly £50–£500 per course)
Raindance. London-based independent filmmaking courses, including directing. - ScreenSkills online learning Free with sign-up
ScreenSkills. Free e-learning, including working on set and core industry modules. - An Introduction to Short Filmmaking Paid (£425)
NFTS. Two-day course. - Calling the Shots: Directing the shoot day Paid (£225; bursaries)
NFTS. One day on running your shoot day. - Directors UK Free resources; membership for credited directors
Directors UK. UK directors' body: guidance and events. - The Art of Filmmaking (specialisation) Free to audit; certificate paid
Coursera (CalArts). Composition, sound and story online. - Ron Howard Teaches Directing Paid subscription (from about £10 a month, billed yearly)
MasterClass. 32 lessons on directing; US focus.
For learners and trainers
Every lesson is a free video by its original maker, played from YouTube with privacy-enhanced settings. Found a broken video? Email [email protected].