Course curriculum

A holistic, concise and straightforward directing course, curated for actors. Anybody can make a movie, but not everyone can make a great film. I want you to make something you’re proud of as a director-actor!

    1. Course Preview

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Why Do Actors Make Good Directors?

    3. The Role Of A Director

    4. Story, Vision and Concept

    5. Ideas on How to Write a Script (for yourself)

    6. Brainstorm Exercise

    7. Three Act Movie Structure

    8. Homework

    1. Pitch Materials

    2. Pitch Documents | How-to Guide

    3. Directors Deck Sample

    1. Module 3 Intro

    2. Assemble Your Team

    3. Module 3 Homework

    1. Module 4 Intro

    2. Directing Yourself

    3. Tablework

    4. Directing Actors

    5. Module 4 Homework

    1. Pre Production Intro

    2. Camera Movement and Techniques

    3. Storyboard, Shotlist and Overhead Diagram

    4. Module 5 Homework

    1. Pre Production Part 2

    2. Module 6 Homework

About this course

  • $397.00
  • 37 lessons
  • 8 Modules
  • An 8 week self paced course with videos, audio visual slides, PDF documents for download and the option to upload your homework for review.
  • You’ll have access for the lifetime of the course, for as long as I continue to run Actors Direct, and guaranteed access for AT LEAST two years after you enroll. AND for a limited time, all enrolled students get a free Director-Actor coaching to compliment Actors Direct.

Unlock Your Potential as an Actor-Director

From concept to post-production, you'll learn how to write, direct, and star in your own films with confidence.

  • Learn how to create the roles you want to play and showcase your talents by directing yourself and other actors in your own film.

  • Gain the tools and knowledge to think like a director and bring your artistic vision to life on screen.

  • From concept to post-production, you'll learn how to write, direct, and star in your own films with confidence.

Instructor

Catherine Black

Two years ago I was meditating on what lit me up the most in life and discovered it was directing and acting at the same time. I mean, I love acting and I love directing, but it’s really the greatest when I do both at the same time - that’s when I feel most in my power. I’m a teacher by nature and so I created a live 8 week class for actors who want to direct. It was a success and all the actors who took the course have since gone on to direct and act in their own films! The live class was super informative, mostly because of the discussions we had which helped me create an 8 week self paced digital e-learning experience. I cover it all so you don’t need to learn from your mistakes. I believe that acting and directing at the same time informs both positions. In fact, I dare say, I’m better at both when I do both! I’m a Canadian-American director, actor, artist and acting instructor in Los Angeles and Toronto and proud member of SAG-AFTRA, ACTRA, AEA, CAEA and Alliance of Woman Directors. Best known for AMERICAN PSYCHO, THE DONNER PARTY and season 2 of STRANGE NEW WORLDS. I shadowed many talented directors and produced commercials and music videos before directing-writing-starring in the award winning films DE PUTA MADRE A LOVE STORY (Vimeo) and GIRL TRIP (SHUDDER, Prime, TUBI). I was hired to direct the award winning short film LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED (Reel Women's Network) and the upcoming short film, THE TEST. Most recently I wrote THE IRON CROSS, a bilingual film based on a true story that I’m set to direct later this year. I divide my time between Los Angeles and Toronto, empowering actors and always working on various projects for both markets, as a director-writer and actor.

Prove it to yourself

Don’t want to miss this opportunity but you’re not ready yet?

Testimonials

Allowed me to Steer my Career in the Direction I Wanted!

Bianka Rosa (Actor-Director)

"Thanks to the invaluable insights Catherine shared in Actor's Direct, I was able to create, direct and be in my own music video. This course allowed me to bring my creative vision to life, crafting a music video that resonates with both the melody and the narrative I envisioned… defining a basic theme/ concept, organizing a mood board, sketching out storyboards, and closely working with my DoP to help set the perfect tone. Every lesson learned played an important role. I even used what I learned to meticulously craft a shot-list and direct the entire production myself on location, not to mention I am the artist featured in the video. This course helped and allowed me to take creative liberty to steer my career in the direction I wanted. My music video was a great experiment and it worked out amazingly well! I’m very grateful to Actors Direct’s inspiration and guidance throughout the process that fuels my passion for storytelling and now filmmaking!”

Actors Direct is Your Best Friend

by Jason Stare (Producer-Sound Designer)

"Actors Direct is your best friend to guide you on how to protect your vision, save time and money and make a final film that you’re proud of. What I learned from Catherine has become part of my process, of constructing and understanding the sonic relationship to the story."

Remarkable Attention to Detail

Ryan Rapsys (composer)

"Catherine Black possesses a remarkable attention to detail that sets her apart in the world of filmmaking. She possesses an innate ability to capture and convey the subtlest nuances of human emotion on screen... has an innate understanding of pacing and the emotional arc of her films... storytelling prowess is exceptional... she consistently crafts narratives that resonate deeply."

Protects Students

Stuart Rogers

"Catherine Black is an artist with something to say. She not only protects her students making them feel safe, she also guides them into the depths of the story that they had never perceived. She has great insight, but Catherine’s greatest gift is that they teach with heart and make everyone feel that they belong."

Gave Me Confidence To Do It!

Grace Mullen (Actor-Director)

“I was so proud to say I took an 8 Week directing course!!! It gave me the confidence to know I could do it.”