A THREE-DAY DIRECTING WORKSHOP
WITH GRAHAM SIBLEY
LA: July 14, 15, 16 | NYC: November 20, 21, 22
"Any director seeking to expand the depth of their connection to actors and craft will find Graham's workshop inspiring, engaging and full of wisdom they will surely utilize in their films going forward.” Kristin Fairweather (Director: Breaking Girl Code, Sony Creator-in-Residence)
There's nothing more electric than seeing an honest, dynamic performance on screen. But how does it come to fruition? The answer lies in the partnership between the director and the actor.
The Actor's Director Workshop offers a safe space for filmmakers to build and embody a character, develop techniques which build trust with actors of all levels, and improve performances take by take. All through the exploration of storytelling from an actor's perspective.
Whether you're a director, showrunner, or creative hyphenate, this workshop will better equip you to direct actors with confidence, connect you with other filmmakers, and deepen your mission as an artist.
“Graham introduced me to a new side of the creative process for actors and created a comfortable environment for me to be vulnerable and learn. I'm excited to add these new ideas to my toolbox when collaborating with future casts." Jacob Chase (Director: Come Play, The Girl in the Woods)
What You Bring To The Course:
- an interest in directing and a desire to better understand the actor's process
- directors, showrunners, and creative hyphenates at any level of experience are welcome
- selected text (poem, monologue, etc.) which will be the foundation for independent work and exercises.
What You'll Get From The Course:
- broaden your understanding of the actor's instrument
- tangible tools to give playable vocal and physical notes
- techniques to sharpen your communication with actors
- a safe space to explore without the pressure of production
COURSE SCHEDULE
The Actor's Director Workshop is designed to experience and explore the embodiment of character with the intention of understanding how best to give tangible and inspired notes to actors. Participants will move their bodies, share their voices and unpack what makes them tick.
DAY ONE: PRESENT MOMENT & BUILDING CHARACTER
Participants will be guided through exercises which focus on how the present moment informs character development and crafting an effective character arc.
DAY TWO: FREEING YOUR NATURAL VOICE & GIVING EFFECTIVE VOCAL NOTES
Participants will be guided through exercises which focus on understanding their own habitual vocal patterns and how that informs giving effective vocal notes to an actor.
DAY THREE: EXPLORING PHYSICALITY & GIVING EFFECTIVE PHYSICAL NOTES
Participants will be guided through exercises which focus on the primary ways to create physical life — destination, business and gesture.
*Course enrollment is approximately 8 participants per session along with 4 auditors. Financial aid is available for eligible applicants.
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
A NOTE FROM GRAHAM
The idea for this workshop came to me on set one day in 2014. I was shooting an episode of ABC’s How To Get Away With Murder in which I was playing a news reporter on the hunt for the truth. It was a simple scene with a bit of dialogue, nothing special in the grand scheme of things, but Eric Stoltz who was directing me, treated the scene with extreme importance. He gave me four takes and had very specific ideas for what he wanted with each one. His hand on the scene was like a conductor giving me and my scene partner razor sharp notes that were tangible, playable, and sparked our imaginations. Eric trusted me, spoke my language, and in turn I felt safe enough to explore and fail resulting in unexpected, spontaneous behavior and motivated actions. It is no coincidence that Eric is also a lifelong actor who could empathize with my process as an actor hunting for the truth in the scene. From that point on, I understood that the secret to an exceptional performance must be rooted in the trust between the director and the actor. Over the past twenty years, I have dedicated my life to the creative process of telling stories with other fellow artist travelers. I have worked with hundreds of directors on stage and in front of the camera, some who have Oscars and others who just have a good idea. I’ve developed this workshop and curriculum from those years of working and studying with incredible teachers which include Larry Moss, Kristin Linklater, and Rudolf Laban to name a few. Whether you are a seasoned filmmaker or just starting out, I’d love to hear your story and share a bit of my own so we can all make some great stuff. Together.
"This workshop gave me a deeper knowledge of how I can connect and give notes to my actors, achieving truthful and impactful performances." Sylvia Ray (Director: Satellite Collective and HBO’s Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today Fellow)
"Graham's workshop is such a rosetta stone, and each class introduces a new approach so that any director can use its tools in real world situations. You couldn't ask for a more empathetic, thoughtful, and impactful teacher for this important process." Jonathan Ade (Emmy-award Winning Filmmaker)
"Graham is one of those guys who has the wisdom to guide you through anything, not just acting and directing. It’s better than a MasterClass. It’s a Master Experience." Luke Greenfield (The Girl Next Door, Let's Be Cops)