Industry-Leading Courses And Events For Filmmakers
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Introduction to Screenwriting
Beginner
Instructor: Michael Urban
Over four weeks, you'll learn how to shape your story, develop compelling characters, build a strong thematic core, and master the tools of the trade—from beat sheets and outlines to treatments and screenplay formatting. If you are new to screenwriting, this introductory course will provide you with the practical skills to get started on your feature film screenplay.
Introduction to Directing
Beginner
Instructor: Rachel Raimist
What does it truly mean to be a director? Where do you start in your journey to become one; what do you need to know before you step on set? With an experienced film director as your guide, this four-week course will provide you with a fundamental understanding of the craft.
Directing: Core Elements
Beginner to Intermediate
With: Marie Jamora and Tayo Amos
You have an interest in directing fiction films, but now you want an expert in the field to help guide you as you take the next step. In this eight-week self-paced course, you will learn about the directing craft, how to assemble and collaborate with your crew, work with actors, and translate work from script-to-screen. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to film an assigned scripted scene and get feedback on your work from a Sundance Collab Advisor.
Documentary Filmmaking: Core Elements
Beginner to Intermediate
With: Patrick Shen, Erin Heidenreich and Sofian Khan
You have an idea for a documentary film, but now you want an expert in the field to help guide you as you take the next step. In this eight-week self-paced course, you will learn how to move from concept through post-production with a documentary film. Along the way, you will develop a compelling proposal for potential funders of your project and get feedback on your work from a Sundance Collab Advisor.
Screenwriting: Core Elements
Beginner to Intermediate
With: Trey Ellis, Brook Sitgraves Turner, Ani Simon-Kennedy, Caleb Aldrich and Raj Trivedi
Learn the core elements of writing a screenplay for a feature film, with an accomplished screenwriter as your guide. In this self-paced course, you will develop a new script idea into an outline that can be used to write your first draft.
TV Writing: Core Elements
Beginner to Intermediate
With: Angela LaManna, David Silverstein and Sidney Butler
Create an outline for your episodic TV pilot idea in eight weeks with an accomplished TV writer as your guide. In this introductory level self-paced course, you will take this important first step for your original pilot script and learn a set of tools to help you ask the important questions of every scene and character that will get you past "stuck" when writing future episodes.
Self-Paced Course
Screenwriting: From Outline to First Draft of Your Screenplay
With: Deborah Goodwin and 5 more
Screenwriting: From Outline to First Draft of Your Screenplay
Intermediate
With: Deborah Goodwin, Meedo Taha, Kimberly Barrante, Sonte'nish Myers, Omar S. Kamara and Lindsay Stidham
You’ve got a great idea for a movie and fleshed out an outline for your screenplay. Now, it’s time to start writing that script that gets past gatekeepers and grabs your reader’s attention — whether it’s an assistant, an agent, an executive, a financier, or the talent you want on screen. In this course you will move from outline to completing a first draft of your screenplay (90-120 pages).
Film Producing: Core Elements
Beginner to Intermediate
With: Simon TaufiQue and Gerry Kim
Do you have a short or feature film you plan to produce? In this eight-week self-paced online course, you will learn the fundamental concepts of creative producing for independent fiction films - from development to financing to budgeting and more with an accomplished producer as your guide. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to create pitch materials to communicate your project’s vision to funders and key collaborators and get feedback on your work from a Sundance Collab Advisor.
Directing Actors
Beginner to Intermediate
With: Tessa Blake and Kelly Pike
In just eight weeks, an accomplished director will give you the tools to transform a script into a roadmap that takes your vision from ideas to final cut. In this introductory level self-paced course, you'll explore and experiment with how to approach your collaboration with actors from auditions to working on set.
Crafting Your Short Film Screenplay
Beginner to Intermediate
With: Asher Jelinsky and Constance Tsang
Short films are a great way to showcase your voice, talent, and storytelling skill. In this eight-week self-paced online course, you will learn the fundamentals of screenwriting and develop your original story idea into a short screenplay with accomplished filmmakers as your guides. Designated homework assignments are reviewed by a Sundance Advisor and designed to move you closer to your completed short screenplay (5-15 pages).
Self-Paced Course
TV Writing: From Outline to First Draft of Your Pilot
With: Angela LaManna and 2 more
TV Writing: From Outline to First Draft of Your Pilot
Intermediate
With: Angela LaManna, Andrew Orenstein and Barbara Stepansky
You’ve got a great idea for a TV series and you have fleshed out an outline for your pilot. Now, it’s time to start writing that script that grabs your reader’s attention - whether it’s an agent, an executive, or a showrunner. In this course you will move from outline to completing a draft of your original pilot (under 60 pages).
Upcoming Events
Spotlight
Vince Gilligan on Constructing the Unforgettable Characters of PLURIBUS
With: Vince Gilligan and Erica Elson
Vince Gilligan on Constructing the Unforgettable Characters of PLURIBUS
With: Vince Gilligan and Erica Elson
In this exclusive conversation, Vince Gilligan will discuss his approach to writing an imperfect hero, leading a collaborative writers’ room, capturing the loneliness of this decade, and building the cul-de-sac at the end of the world.
Film Club: LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
With: Kiva Reardon
Join host Kiva Reardon for a close analysis of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, unpacking how it lands its tragicomic tone, connects with audiences so effortlessly, and how it defined an entire subgenre of feel-good indie film.
Spotlight
From Stage to Screen: Adapting and Directing IS GOD IS with Aleshea Harris
With: Aleshea Harris and Katherine Street
From Stage to Screen: Adapting and Directing IS GOD IS with Aleshea Harris
With: Aleshea Harris and Katherine Street
In this live online event, Harris will discuss adapting her play, working with collaborators to create a unique visual language, and leveraging her stage career in order to break into the film industry.
Spotlight
Inside the Producer & Director Partnership on THE WHISPER MAN
With: James Ashcroft and 3 more
Inside the Producer & Director Partnership on THE WHISPER MAN
With: James Ashcroft, Angela Russo-Otstot, Kassee Whiting and Katherine Street
Join Sundance Collab for an in-depth conversation with the creative and producing team behind the upcoming film THE WHISPER MAN as they give an inside look into their creative and business collaboration, the studio-director dynamic, and the journey of bringing James Ashcroft’s vision to the screen.
Course and Event Bundles
Short Film: Script to Screen
Beginner to Intermediate
With: Asher Jelinsky, Marie Jamora and Simon TaufiQue
Core Filmmaking Foundations
Beginner to Intermediate
With: Marie Jamora, Simon TaufiQue and Trey Ellis