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Directing Actors for the Screen

Director pointing at actors off camera.
FILM TV X 475.44

Learn to recognize and apply the directorial skills for a successful artistic collaboration with performers. You will select one dramatic and one comic scene then cast, rehearse, and present the scenes in class.

Typically Available
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Duration
As few as 10 weeks
Units
4.0
Current Formats
In Person
Cost
Starting at $835.00

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What you can learn.

Learn how to analyze a script
Understand the Method approach to acting, defining objectives, creating dramatic conflict, and the elements of characterization
Gain experience auditioning actors for class scenes

About This Course

If directors are the architects of film, then actors are the artisans of a collaborative team working together to realize a singular vision. Through discussions, exercises, casting sessions and the presentation of scenes, you analyze and apply the directorial skills required for a successful artistic collaboration with performers. You select one dramatic and one comic scene, then cast, rehearse and present the scenes in class. Topics include analyzing the script, the Method approach to acting, defining objectives, creating dramatic conflict and the elements of characterization. Actors for class scenes are selected during in-class auditions, and final scenes are performed on camera.

Spring 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
Thursday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
Instructor:
REG#
407341
Fee:
$835.00
In Personformat icon
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
Updating...
Notes

Enrollment limited; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

Deadline
Refunds only available from February 02, 2026 to April 12, 2026
Course Requirements

Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Thu Apr 2, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 211
Lecture
Thu Apr 9, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 211
Lecture
Thu Apr 16, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 211
Lecture
Thu Apr 23, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 211
Lecture
Thu Apr 30, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 211
Lecture
Thu May 7, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 211
Lecture
Thu May 14, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 211
Lecture
Thu May 21, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 211
Lecture
Thu May 28, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 211
Lecture
Thu Jun 4, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 211
Lecture
Thu Jun 11, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 211

Summer 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
Saturday 10:00AM - 1:00PM PT
REG#
408828
Fee:
$835.00
In Personformat icon
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
Updating...
Notes

Enrollment limited; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

Deadline
Refunds only available from April 27, 2026 to July 05, 2026
Course Requirements

Internet access required to retrieve course materials.

Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Sat Jun 27, 2026
10:00AM PT - 1:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 203
Lecture
Sat Jul 4, 2026
10:00AM PT - 1:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 203
Lecture
Sat Jul 11, 2026
10:00AM PT - 1:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 203
Lecture
Sat Jul 18, 2026
10:00AM PT - 1:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 203
Lecture
Sat Jul 25, 2026
10:00AM PT - 1:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 203
Lecture
Sat Aug 1, 2026
10:00AM PT - 1:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 203
Lecture
Sat Aug 8, 2026
10:00AM PT - 1:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 203
Lecture
Sat Aug 15, 2026
10:00AM PT - 1:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 203
Lecture
Sat Aug 22, 2026
10:00AM PT - 1:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 203
Lecture
Sat Aug 29, 2026
10:00AM PT - 1:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 203

This course applies toward the following programs

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Directing

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Master the art of filmmaking. Learn the craft of directing through the process of producing an original short film.