Directing Commercials Bootcamp

This program is not designed as a traditional film course catering to episodic or feature directing. Rather, its main focus lies in equipping you with the skillset to approach filmmaking within the advertising industry.

The course will cover…

• How to break in
• The 24 specialisms of commercials directors
• Choosing a production company that knows how to market and nurture your talent
• In depth feedback on your reel with advice on tailoring it towards getting you representation
• Spotting emerging trends and positioning yourself to take advantage of them
• How ad agencies choose directors
• Unique access to pitches by some of the world’s best directors
• Pitching best practice
• Practical pitch assignments

This course is for filmmakers, advertising creatives, in-house production teams, producers, cinematographers, writers, actors, and anyone looking to explore a career in directing commercials.

Note: You’ll be required to bring your reel or body of work as a link or on a usb drive at 720p resolution, as well as a laptop for practical exercises.

One week before the course starts students are sent a Department for Work and Pensions commercial script and asked to create a one page directors moodboard.

DAY 1

9.30 am INTRODUCTIONS

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• The Commercials Directors World.

• Nuts and Bolts of Commercial Production.

• Key Players in the Agency food chain.

• Survival of the Specialised.

• Screening and analysis of award-wining commercials and emerging opportunities

• Creating a reel and signing with a Production Company

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11.00 – 11.15 COFFEE BREAK

11.30 -13.00 A BOARD COMES IN NOW WHAT?

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• How to prep for a conference call with Agency Creatives.

• Treatments, class exercise based on DWP script and students moodboard.

13.00 – 14.00 LUNCH

14.00- 15.00 THE BUSINESS OF YOU

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• Building your reel

• How to stand out in a sea of directors

• Loan outs and foreign representation

• Transferring skills from broadcast to advertising

15.00– 15.20 TEA BREAK

15.20 – 17.15 WRITE A 60 SECOND COMMERCIAL FROM CLIENT BRIEF _____________________________________________________________________

• Students workshop a 60 second script

• Recap of the days concepts

• Any questions?

17.30 FINISH DIRECTING COMMERCIALS BOOTCAMP DAY 2

09.30-11.00 STORYBOARDING/ ANIMATICS

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• Students create a storyboard and animatic from the 60 second commercial they’ve written.

11.00 -11.15 COFFEE BREAK

11.15- 13.00 REEL ANALYSIS – WHERE TO IMPROVE? IN ORDER TO IMPRESS __________________________________________________________________

• One to one practical insights for optimising your reel

• Valuable action points on which productions companies would be a good fit for your work

• Advice on making your work highly targeted and relevant to your specialism

14.00 -17.00 SHOOT

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• Hands on experience directing a commercial with Aasaf as your mentor

• Recap, questions and feedback

17.30 FINISH

DAY 2

09.30-11.00 STORYBOARDING/ ANIMATICS

____________________________________________________________________

• Students create a storyboard and animatic from the 60 second commercial they’ve written.

11.00 -11.15 COFFEE BREAK

11.15- 13.00 REEL ANALYSIS – WHERE TO IMPROVE? IN ORDER TO IMPRESS __________________________________________________________________

• One to one practical insights for optimising your reel

• Valuable action points on which productions companies would be a good fit for your work

• Advice on making your work highly targeted and relevant to your specialism

14.00 -17.00 SHOOT

_______________________________________________________________________

• Hands on experience directing a commercial with Aasaf as your mentor

• Recap, questions and feedback

17.30 FINISH

By completing this booking, you confirm that you have read and agree to the London Film School Workshops and Short Courses Terms and Conditions (linked below). You have the right to cancel within 14 days of purchase for a full refund unless the course has already begun, in which case your right to cancel may be reduced or lost. After this period, bookings are non-refundable except where the course is cancelled by London Film School. In such cases, liability is limited to a refund of the course fee only. London Film School shall not be liable for any additional costs, including travel or accommodation. All courses are subject to availability and may be amended or cancelled where necessary.​

Full terms and conditions.