Filmmaking Bootcamp: How to Direct a Feature Film in 24hrs

Join over 60,000 students learning from our courses!

Making a feature film does not require a script. Nor does it have to take years, months, or even weeks. Learn how to take your ideas and get your film made right now.

Do you have a feature film inside of you just dying to get out? Don’t know where to start? Do you think you need millions of dollars to make a feature film? The answer is NO you don’t. Would you like to learn how to make a feature film in 24 hours and actually sell it as well?

In this informative ‘how-to’ course, award-winning independent filmmaking duo, Sarah Jayne and Ivan Malekin from Nexus Production Group, take you through ten chapters, covering every step they took to plan, shoot and market their first improvised feature film Friends, Foes & Fireworks, which they shot in a single night over New Year’s Eve. This is an inside look with nothing held back, from success to mistakes and everything we learned along the way, and which we now share with you so you too can get your feature film made right now.

They DON’T teach you this in Film School!

• Mike Leigh is a Palm d’Or winning director famed for his improvisational approach. 

• Joe Swanberg has built an 18-year career on improvisation, culminated in a series on Netflix. 

• Improvised filmmaking is a captivating and immersive filmmaking process known for its quick turnaround time.  

• So quick, in fact, you can film your idea in a single night.

And that is exactly what Ivan Malekin and Sarah Jayne did, filming their ambitious feature Friends, Foes & Fireworks, entirely improvised, in one night, on New Year’s Eve.

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“In an era of superhero blockbusters and feel-good schmaltz, this is a rare, truthful film. Don’t miss it.” – Mary Costello, Audience Member, Melbourne Cinema Release.

So if you are an aspiring filmmaker who wants to not only get their films made now but sell them too, and utilize a low budget, but high production value approach – one that is unique, innovative, and proven to be successful – then this online filmmaking course is just what you need! 

This course includes:

• 2.5 hours of talk-to-camera discussions about the entire filmmaking process – from concept to planning to film to post to distribution – divided into 10 lessons.

• Behind the Scenes videos, pictures, and scenes from the film demonstrating discussed techniques

• Supplementary resources like outlines, character backgrounds, call sheets, dialogue and action beats, schedules, and character audition videos for Friends, Foes & Fireworks

• Full lifetime access

• Mobile access

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This course will cover:

CHAPTER 1. IDEAS & OUTLINE

In this chapter, you will learn how we found our inspiration and how you can find yours. We also take you through the first steps of building the story for the film, how we work with the actors, and how to do this without a script. Topics covered: 

• How we Think of Ideas

• Location & Character Inspiration

• Outline

• Character Backgrounds

• Scene Descriptions 

• Script vs Improvisation

CHAPTER 2. CASTING 

In this chapter, you will learn how we tackled casting and what we look for in actors, how to use social media for casting calls, plus insights into the audition and selection process. Topics covered: 

• How We Find Actors 

• Our Audition Process

• How We Choose Our Cast

CHAPTER 3. CREW & EQUIPMENT

In this chapter, you will learn about crewing for an improvised feature film, what equipment you will require and the crewing positions we utilized, plus other crew roles you need to consider. Topics covered: 

• Crew Positions We Use

• Additional Crew Positions

• Finding Crew

• Our Equipment 

CHAPTER 4. REHEARSAL 

In this chapter, you will learn about the in-depth process for rehearsals we created to help everyone prepare for the shoot, all without a script. Everything from meetings with the actors, to ice-breaking games, right through to how we recreated character history to give our actors grounding and shared truths to draw upon. Topics covered:

• Our Rehearsal Process

• One on One Meetings

• Actor on Actor Meetings 

• Group Meetings

• Improvisation Games 

• Recreating History

CHAPTER 5. FINAL PREPARATION 

In this chapter, you will learn how to go into an improvised shoot as prepared as possible. We will cover everything we did before shoot day to get ourselves and our cast and crew ready, which you can do too. Topics covered:

• Schedule

• Catering 

• Transportation 

• Locations

• Dialogue & Acton Beats 

• Call Sheets 

CHAPTER 6. THE SHOOT 

In this chapter, you will learn how to take everything you have prepared and turn it into action. We talk about on set etiquette and how we worked with our cast and crew to capture the footage needed, keep the story on track and the schedule on time, and draw the best possible performance from the actors. Topics covered: 

• Welcoming the Team 

• Working Efficiently 

• Shot Setup 

• Takes

CHAPTER 7. TROUBLESHOOTING 

In this chapter you will learn about a number of things that can and will go wrong when shooting any film – improvised or not – and how to work to correct these errors. Through experience and hindsight, we talk about how to avoid mistakes on set and correct those mistakes in post-production that you couldn’t avoid. Topics covered: 

• Coverage

• Continuity 

• Overlapping Dialogue

• Cameras in Shot 

• Reflections & Shadows

• Security 

CHAPTER 8. POST PRODUCTION 

In this chapter, you will learn how to move from the shooting stage into the many phases of post-production. We will discuss all the necessary steps that need to be taken right through from editing the footage to sound design to the final touches needed to complete the film. Topics covered:

• Editing

• Sound Design 

• Visual Effects

• Automatic Dialogue Replacement 

• Colour Grade

CHAPTER 9. MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION

In this chapter, you will learn how to distribute and sell your improvised film. We talk about the importance of marketing within the early stages, how we marketed our film, and what you can do to gain an audience for your film, and the steps you can take to sell your work. Topics include: 

• Website

• Social Media

• Poster

• Distribution Streams 

• Sales Agents & Aggregators

• Film Markets

CHAPTER 10. LEGALITIES 

In this chapter, you will learn about the important legal things that you need to consider as a filmmaker. This may be the boring stuff, but not getting this down can jeopardize your shoot or even your film’s future prospects. We will take you through the basics, covering everything from the contracts and permits, right through to discussions on logos and branding, plus more. Topics include: 

• Contract 

• Deferred Payment 

• Clearing Music 

• Permits

• Public Liability Insurance 

• Logos & Brands

• People in Background

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What people are saying about our courses: 

“By far, the best director and cinematography course on the Internet.” – Nate Carroll

“I really enjoyed taking this class. It wasn’t just that the subject was interesting to me, but the teacher also made the class intriguing. I would gladly recommend this class to anyone who would be interested.” – Leah Ames

Very helpful. Adds depth to your understanding and intuitive insights which you surely had if you happened to play with video shooting and editing without doing any learning beforehand. It’s enriching. The movie samples are great as the clarify the points. Love it! – Yosi Tsitsu

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So what are you waiting for? Whether you are fresh out of film school, a screenwriter who wants to create his/her own content or just someone who wants to make a feature film this course is for you. Join over 25,000 students that have already taken Indie Film Hustle filmmaking and screenwriting courses. 

If you’ve got the dream.

If you’ve got the drive.

If you’ve got the passion – but you’re missing the knowledge and experience…this course will help you make your feature film into a reality.

Enroll NOW and learn how to make a low budget feature film! Let’s get started!

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• 5 stars: 16 votes

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have access to the course materials?

You can view and review the lecture materials indefinitely, like an on-demand channel.

Can I take my courses with me wherever I go?

Definitely! If you have an internet connection, courses on Udemy are available on any device at any time. If you don’t have an internet connection, some instructors also let their students download course lectures. That’s up to the instructor though, so make sure you get on their good side!