K. Lorrel Manning

This comprehensive, step-by-step course will focus on developing the skills and tools that young actors need in order to work in the fast-paced world of film and television while also learning how to write, direct, edit, and produce their own work for the screen. In fall, the course will focus on screen acting and in-person and taped auditions. Through intense scene study and script analysis, we will expand each performer’s range of emotional, intellectual, physical, and vocal expressiveness for the camera. Focus will also be put on the technical skills needed for the actor to give the strongest performance “within the frame” while also maintaining a high level of spontaneity and authenticity. Students will act in assigned and self-chosen scenes from film and television scripts. Toward the end of the semester, the focus will switch to on-camera auditions, where students will learn the do’s and don’ts of the in-person and the self-taped camera audition. In spring, students will learn the basics of filmmaking, allowing them to create their own work without the restraints of a large budget and crew. The basic fundamentals of screenwriting, cinematography, directing, and editing will be covered, along with weekly writing, reading, viewing, and filming assignments. At the conclusion of the course, students will have edited footage of their work and clear next steps. For this course, students must have access to a camera (iPhone, iPad, or other camera) and a computer with editing software (e.g., iMovie, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere).

In this advanced studio course, we will explore scenes and monologues from contemporary playwrights, focusing on deepening each actor’s understanding of character, story structure, and text analysis. Students will engage in intensive scene study and monologue work, guided by the instructor in collaboration with each performer. The course will emphasize advanced acting techniques designed to foster spontaneity, looseness, and authenticity in performance. Through rigorous practice, students will develop a versatile set of tools to bring contemporary characters to life with truth and vitality. Course outcomes will include completing the course with refined scene and monologue performances, sharpened acting techniques, and a deeper mastery of contemporary theatrical texts.

Step behind the camera and discover the world of cinematic storytelling. This immersive course is designed for aspiring filmmakers ready to bring their creative visions to life. From crafting powerful scripts to directing with confidence, students will gain essential skills in screenwriting, visual storytelling, and working with actors. Through hands-on exercises, scene breakdowns, and collaborative filmmaking projects, students will learn to shape compelling narratives and discover their own creative voice. No prior experience is required—just the courage to tell your story on the big screen. Because of the workshop nature of this course, we will meet once a week for three hours. In fall, students will meet weekly with the instructor for individual conferences; in spring, individual conferences will be biweekly. 

A solid screenplay is the foundation of any great film, television program, or web series. Though filmmaking is a collaborative medium, the script is the blueprint for what happens on screen. It all begins with the writer and an idea. In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of writing for the screen: story structure, character development, dialogue, outlining, and formatting. Weekly writing assignments will be given, then read and discussed in class. In addition, students will read several feature-length and short-length screenplays as a way to strengthen their script-analysis skills. For the final project, students will outline, pitch, write, and revise an original short screenplay. Overall, the writer will build a screenwriter’s toolkit, useful for any future opportunities that may emerge with regard to writing for the screen.

In this advanced studio course, we will explore scenes and monologues from contemporary playwrights, focusing on deepening each actor’s understanding of character, story structure, and text analysis. Students will engage in intensive scene study and monologue work, guided by the instructor in collaboration with each performer. The course will emphasize advanced acting techniques designed to foster spontaneity, looseness, and authenticity in performance. Through rigorous practice, students will develop a versatile set of tools to bring contemporary characters to life with truth and vitality. Course outcomes will include completing the course with refined scene and monologue performances, sharpened acting techniques, and a deeper mastery of contemporary theatrical texts.

Directing actors is one of the most essential skills a filmmaker can develop—because performances are what audiences remember. This directors-focused workshop will be a deep dive into how to communicate with actors on set in ways that unlock truthful, specific, compelling work. Students will build a practical, performance-based toolkit: script and scene analysis, a shared vocabulary, playable direction, efficient rehearsal strategies, and methods for creating a set where actors can take risks and do their best work under pressure. Directors will also gain hands-on experience with casting—how to audition, evaluate, and choose actors who can bring the story to life. A key component of the course will be that students rotate roles as director and actor. Getting in front of the camera changes everything: directors gain firsthand insight into vulnerability, clarity, and what kinds of notes actually help (and what immediately shuts the work down). Course work will draw from film/television scenes chosen by students and/or original material. For conference projects, students will complete either an original short filmed outside of class or two reimagined scenes from a film or television show of their choosing.

The screenplay is the starting point for nearly every film, television, or web series. The majority of our favorite films and television shows begin with a writer and an idea. Aimed at the beginning screenwriter, this course will focus on the fundamentals of visual storytelling—story, structure, style, character development, dialogue, outlining, and formatting. Weekly writing prompts will be given, focusing on the highlighted fundamentals of the previous week. Assignments will then be read and discussed in class, using a structured feedback paradigm. In addition, students will be given weekly viewing and reading assignments as a way to strengthen their script-analysis skills. For conference, students will work on an independent, short screenplay that they will outline, write, and revise throughout the semester.

In an era where anyone can shoot video, the difference is craft. This seminar/workshop will give emerging filmmakers a practical foundation in the fundamentals every director needs: core film language, set etiquette and crew roles, camera basics, shot sizes and composition, camera movement, lighting essentials, sound recording, and editing workflow. From there, students will learn how to break down a script for low-budget production—translating story into a plan. We will cover shot lists, floor plans, look books, schedules, and other director tools that turn an idea into something shootable. To develop artistic eye and voice, students will complete a series of short shooting assignments—some solo, some collaborative—then screen and discuss the work in class. Because filmmaking is built on collaboration, students will rotate crew roles and gain hands-on experience both leading and supporting a team. For conference projects, students will write, develop, and prep a short film over the course of the semester.

Adaptation skills are a major plus for any screenwriter. Some of the world’s most popular films and television shows have been adapted from preexisting material. Novels, short stories, comics, plays, articles, bios, historical events, poems, and even paintings have been adapted for the screen. In this workshop/seminar, we will focus on screenplay adaptation for the short film. Students will learn how to break down a story/source material into its essential components for a compelling screenplay. We will read, view, and discuss various screenplays, shorts, features, and television series that are based on preexisting material. Students will learn an effective nuts-and-bolts process for screenplay adaptations. The first few weeks will be a review of basic screenwriting fundamentals (e.g., story structure, dialogue, character development, formatting), along with weekly writing exercises and viewing/reading assignments. Students will then find material to adapt. Students will pitch, outline, and write one short film adaptation (up to 15 pages) for class and one longer project (30 pages) for their conference project. Scripts will be read and discussed in class, using a structured feedback paradigm.

This comprehensive, step-by-step course focuses on developing the skills and tools that the young actor needs in order to work in the fast-paced world of film and television while also learning how to write, direct, edit, and produce his/her own work for the screen. The first semester will focus on screen acting and on-camera auditions (in person and taped). Through intense scene study and script analysis, we will expand each performer’s range of emotional, intellectual, physical, and vocal expressiveness for the camera. Focus will also be put on the technical skills needed for the actor to give the strongest performance “within the frame” while maintaining a high level of spontaneity and authenticity. Students will act in assigned and self-chosen scenes from film and television scripts. Toward the end of the semester, the focus will switch to on-camera auditions, where students will learn the do’s and don’ts of the in-person and the self-taped camera audition. During the second semester, students will learn the basics of filmmaking, allowing them to create their own work without the restraints of a large budget and crew. The basic fundamentals of screenwriting, cinematography, directing, and editing will be covered, along with weekly writing, reading, viewing, and filming assignments. Students will finish class with edited footage of their work and clear next steps. For this course, students must have their own—or access to—an iPhone, iPad, or other camera and a computer with editing software (e.g., iMovie, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere). 

This comprehensive, step-by-step course focuses on developing the skills and tools that the young actor needs in order to work in the fast-paced world of film and television while also learning how to write, direct, edit ,and produce his/her own work for the screen. The first semester will focus on screen acting. Through intense scene study and script analysis, we will expand each performer’s range of emotional, intellectual, physical, and vocal expressiveness for the camera. Focus will also be put on the technical skills needed for the actor to give the strongest performance “within the frame” while maintaining a high level of spontaneity and authenticity. Students will act in assigned and self-chosen scenes from film and television scripts. During the second semester, students will learn the basics of screenwriting, cinematography, creating a floorplan and shot lists, sound, lighting, directing, and editing. The goal of that semester is for students to learn the basics of filmmaking, allowing them to create their own work without the restraints of a large budget and crew. For this course, students must have their own/access to: a camera (iPhone, iPad, or other camera); a computer with editing software (e.g., iMovie, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere).

In the graduate studio, we will explore scenes and monologues from contemporary playwrights. Along with an intense focus on script analysis, story structure and character work, students will learn a set of acting tools that will assist them in making their work incredibly loose, spontaneous and authentic. Scenes and monologues will be chosen by the instructor, in collaboration with the students. Prerequisite: Graduate Student or completed at least 2 acting components for undergraduate students.

In this course, designed for advanced theatre students, we will explore scenes and monologues from contemporary playwrights (e.g., Lynn Nottage, Lucas Hnath, Annie Baker, Theresa Rebeck, Dominique Morisseau, Kenneth Lonergan, Stephen Adley Guirgis, David Henry Hwang, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Sarah Ruhl, and many, many others). Along with an intense focus on script analysis, story structure, and character work, students will learn a set of acting tools that will assist them in making their work incredibly loose, spontaneous, and authentic. Scenes and monologues will be chosen by the instructor in collaboration with the students.

For the actors (theatre students), we will explore the basics of acting on film with a focus on script analysis and the elements of characterization. We will also explore methods that will allow the actor’s work on camera to be loose, spontaneous, and real.

A solid screenplay is the foundation of any great film, television program, or web series. Though filmmaking is a collaborative medium, the script is the blueprint for what happens on screen. It all begins with the writer and an idea. In this graduate craft class/workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of writing for the screen: story structure, character development, dialogue, outlining, and formatting. Weekly writing assignments will be given, then read and discussed in class. In addition, students will read several feature-length and short-length screenplays as a way to strengthen their script-analysis skills. For the final project, students will outline, pitch, write, and revise an original short screenplay. Overall, the writer will build a screenwriter’s toolkit, useful for any future opportunities that may emerge in writing for the screen.

A solid screenplay is the foundation of any great film, television program, or web series. Though filmmaking is a collaborative medium, the script is the blueprint for what happens on screen. It all begins with the writer and an idea. In this graduate craft class/workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of writing for the screen: story structure, character development, dialogue, outlining, and formatting. Weekly writing assignments will be given, then read and discussed in class. In addition, students will read several feature-length and short-length screenplays as a way to strengthen their script-analysis skills. For the final project, students will outline, pitch, write, and revise an original short screenplay. Overall, the writer will build a screenwriter’s toolkit, useful for any future opportunities that may emerge in writing for the screen.