FILMMAKING

WITH AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR, SIAN DAVIES

How do you take a script from page to screen with truth, tension and visual clarity? Over four days, acclaimed filmmaker Sian Davies (director of Black Snow, The Twelve, Wentworth) leads a deep dive into the craft of filmmaking, designed for emerging directors and actor/directors ready to sharpen their technical skills.

This masterclass bridges the gap between text, performance and screen language. Through scene work, analysis, case studies and on-set practice with a professional cinematographer, participants will step into the full spectrum of the filmmaker’s role: story, performance, visual grammar, and collaboration. Exercise your skills both in front of and behind the camera.

"Sian represents a true rejection of the idea that a director ever needs to create an unsafe environment in order to achieve their goals. Working with Sian is a celebration of the fact that the creative process can (and should) be a whole lot of fun, and ultimately result in work of the highest calibre."

- Alex England

WHAT YOU WILL COVER

  • Directing Actors: From text to truthful performance

    Learning Outcomes:

    • Break down a scene into backstory, objectives, and conflict

    • Differentiate between literal and essential actions

    • Direct actors with clear, actionable tools

    • Apply analysis to guide truthful performance

    Dramatic Construction: Building stories through conflict and tension

    Learning Outcomes:

    • Identify protagonist/antagonist and forces of antagonism

    • Map beats, scenes, sequences, and acts

    • Analyse dramatic tension (mystery, suspense, empathy)

    • Translate text into filmable action

    The Director’s Treatment: Visual style, POV, collaboration

    Learning Outcomes:

    • Develop a director’s treatment defining tone, style, and POV

    • Collaborate with DOP and designer to align aesthetics

    • Use framing, lensing, movement, and colour to express POV

    • Communicate a coherent visual strategy

    Coverage & Case Studies

    • Directing on set - balancing efficiency and creativity

    Directing in Action

    • Working with a cinematographer to shoot a scene

SIAN DAVIES

Sian Davies is an award-winning director with a passion for performance and cinematic filmmaking. Sian's credits include award-winning hit shows Black Snow, The Twelve, The Gloaming, Spreadsheet, Wentworth and Offspring to name a few.

An accomplished director and writer of television, film and commercials. Sian won two Australian Directors Guild awards in 2022 and has received numerous nominations. She has also written and directed several short films which have enjoyed extensive festival play worldwide. 

Sian is recognised for her versatility across genres and platforms, with numerous awards and nominations celebrating her impactful contributions to Australian screen storytelling.

"It's so important to feel empowered in your choices, whilst remaining open to dancing with other artists' ideas” - Sian Davies

DETAILS

  • 10 - 5pm, 17th & 18th of October

    10 - 5pm, 24th & 25th of October 

  • - Emerging and early career directors looking to refine their craft

    - Actor/Directors who want to strengthen their capacity to move between performance and direction

    - Creatives ready to build fluency in the language of filmmaking

  • $850 (Inc. GST)

  • Ensemble size is open for up to 16 actor/directors.

    Class placement is at the discretion of the studio admissions.

    All our courses and programs are for ages 18+, if you’re under 18 please look at our youth programs or email our admissions team for training opportunities.

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