Learn from a DGA Assistant Director whose worked with Directors Clint Eastwood, John Singleton, Spike Jonze and Sam Raimi, as well as actors Matt Damon, Meryl Streep, Will Ferrel, Octavia Spencer and more! 

John Mattingly, a Director's Guild of America member and First Assistant Director for over 25 years, is coming to Stage 32 in this exclusive on-demand webinar to teach first time directors what he's learned about directing from his time working with some of the most successful directors and biggest stars in the world.

You may have a sense of what you want to put on screen as a director but navigating the actual process of directing and the culture of working on set and with a crew is incredibly challenging especially for first time directors. Stepping on set prepared to work with the cast and crew can be the difference maker when it comes to achieving every day's goals, getting the shot that you want or getting the performance that you need. Managing a set takes a delicate balance of leadership skills. Every person plays a critical role in achieving the most out of a day on set and the director is the most influential part of that equation.

John has been working as an Assistant Director for more than 25 years on a variety of productions, including high budget features, low budget indies, episodic television, commercials, music videos, documentaries and even photoshoots. John currently co-chairs the Education Committee for the Western AD/UPM Council of the DGA. He's worked with directors such as Clint Eastwood, Sam Raimi, Spike Jonze and John Singleton and stars such as Meryl Streep, Matt Damon, Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrel, Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, Jason Batmen and more.

John has seen directors win, fail and everything in between and he is going to share the secrets of success for first time directors as well as the key pitfalls to avoid. There are many hurdles to jump and pitfalls to avoid when prepping and shooting a feature, episode or commercial. This course will help you avoid some common mistakes and prepare you to lead a cast and crew.

You will walk away from this course with concepts to help you be the best director you can be, tips on how to get the most our of your cast and crew and insights on how you can be the best on-set leader that you can be. 

PLUS! You'll receive:

• Storyboard example
• Director's checklist

Praise for John's Stage 32 Teaching

"John is an incredible educator and professional. His teaching style is very thorough which is necessary when covering this topic. I highly recommend taking one of his courses." - Jon S.

"I've never been an AD (always a writer) but learning from John's immense experience as an AD has greatly informed my directorial choices on my first film. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from him. Thank you!" - Omar U.

"Can't recommend John enough! He's one of my favorite teachers on Stage 32. Take his course and you'll see why." - Mary M.

Pre-Production

• The Art of Meetings
• Being Accessible
• Your lifeline- the script

• The Essential Tools- and how to maximize them
• Shotlists
• Storyboards
• Floorplans
• Scouting
• The Star Method- Making the Scipt Breakdown work for you

Production

• Rehearsals
• When you need them
• Keeping rehearsals efficient
• Blocking
• Marking
• Should you roll or just rehearse
• Maximizing your Key Team
  • DP
  • Ist AD
  • Script Supervisor
• How to Earn or Lose Cast and Crew Respect
  • The 3 keys to earning respect
  • 4 Top mistakes directors make and how to avoid them
  • Balancing Speaking and Listening
• Working with the Producer-Friend of Foe?
  • Managing a Healthy tug of War
  • Making a deal to get your way
  • Checking in
  • Focusing on what is important
• Directing vs. Being a Director
  • Communicating with the Actors
  • Proper Communication: Not leaving room for misinterpretation
  • 2 Things you should always do BEFORE camera is ready
  • Your tone is the set’s tone- manage carefully
  • Getting things done: Urgency vs. Rushing
  • Speaking
  • Is there a dress code?

Q&A with John

All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to hone their craft. 

All levels of directors (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn how to prep and shoot their film.

All levels of screenwriters (advanced, intermediate and beginner) looking to learn how a director brings a story to life.

Producers who want to better understand the role of a director and how they can work with directors to make a great production. 

Actors who want to take control of their careers by directing their own project.