Directorial Consulting Services

Guiding a director is a delicate proposition. Mark works to identify and join forces with your passion and vision; then nurtures that vision. He asks a lot of questions applying the Socratic method to help you to discover the answers that lie within. His methods are not cookie-cutter; he customizes consulting based on your individual experience by providing tools, options, and ideas.

Services Include:

Script Analysis

Are you really telling the story you want to tell? Have you found the most efficient and effective way to take the audience on the journey? Through thorough script analysis we can identify the strengths of the story, structure, character arcs and relationships.

Script Breakdown And Preparation

Once the script is functioning well we need to understand the mechanics so that the directing process is based upon a solid understanding of all elements in the story, the script and the structure. It is only with a clear understanding of the inner workings of a script that the director can proceed with confidence.

Working With Actors

At the core of every story are the characters. The most essential tool of a director is his/her ability to work with actors to bring these characters to life and launch them into their individual journeys through the story.

Staging

One of the most powerful directorial tools, staging is often misunderstood or misused. With this powerful tool you can stimulate genuine emotions in the characters while at the same time communicating the rich subtext to the audience. A well-staged scene is guaranteed to fly. A poorly staged scene is destined to fall flat.

Floorplans and Storyboards

All directors must learn how to make the transition from staging to coverage to visualizing the scene on the screen. Taking the necessary steps from floor plans to storyboards will ensure that this transition captures the essence of every scene.

Working With The Camera

Knowing how cameras capture an image and distort that image is essential for every director. Learn to use the camera as a story telling tool to allow the audience to have a more intimate experience.

Troubleshooting During Production

It is too easy to lose the scene or the performance because of the obstacles of production. The director needs to have the skills of maintaining focus on what is being shot, on the performances while simultaneously dealing with multiple problems and challenges.

Post Production

This is where the film is made, where the story comes to life. Remember: “post production is not trying to make the film you thought you were making, but rather finding the film you have made.”