Community & Government

Film & TV

Break Into the Entertainment Business

Compose Sweeping Film Scores

Create Impactful Documentary Films

Develop Iconic Cinematic Characters

Pitch & Write Stories for Film & TV

Promote Racial Justice & Gender Equality

Techniques for Directing Your Movie

Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Spike Lee

Meet your new instructor, writer/director/producer/professor—Spike Lee. Spike explains what he hopes you’ll gain from his class: the tools of film grammar—or visual storytelling—and the DIY spirit to make your own original, independent films.

1. Introduction

Introduction

Spike provides you with a blueprint of his writing process to help you write your script. Learn his index card technique, his disciplined writing practice, and his advice for writing with a partner.

2. Putting Words On Paper

Putting Words On Paper

Spike teaches you his techniques for writing bold, distinct characters, capturing two sides of a story, and creating stories that react to social injustice.

3. Storytelling

Storytelling

Breaking down the director’s choices in one of his favorite films, Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront, Spike demonstrates how cinema can be a powerful tool for speaking the truth.

4. Speaking Truth to Power: On the Waterfront

Speaking Truth to Power: On the Waterfront

Learn Spike’s tips for creating realistic budgets and shooting schedules (and sticking to them), working on location, and how to make your crew feel appreciated.

5. Spike's Film 101s Pt. 1

Spike's Film 101s Pt. 1

Spike recounts his battle to secure additional funds for Malcolm X to show you how self-reliance, self-determination, and dedication to your story can help finance a project.

6. Case Study: Financing Malcolm X

Case Study: Financing Malcolm X

“The wrong actors, the wrong roles could turn out the wrong movie.” Spike shares his tips for successful casting and his experiences casting some of his most infamous roles.

7. Importance of Casting

Importance of Casting

Learn what to look for in a director of photography, including how to “audition” a DP and how to create a plan of action, once you’ve found the right collaborator.

8. Collaborating With Your Director of Photography

Collaborating With Your Director of Photography

Spike walks you through the iconic camera angles and techniques that have come to define his visual style. Then, he breaks down how he uses each to increase tension and heighten the drama.

9. Storytelling with Camera Coverage

Storytelling with Camera Coverage

Using his original storyboards for the assassination scene in Malcolm X, Spike illustrates the construction of a scene, and the level of detail required to create the illusion of chaos.

10. Storyboards: Malcolm X

Storyboards: Malcolm X

For Spike, the take is a sacred moment. Learn his rules for managing your crew and running a set effectively in order to deliver the best possible takes.

11. Spike's Film 101s Pt. 2

Spike's Film 101s Pt. 2

How can you inspire the best performance from your actor? Spike teaches his techniques for directing your actors with sensitivity and respect, including how to communicate and establish trust.

12. Directing Actors

Directing Actors

Spike believes that a good director both commands and surrenders to the moment. Using scenes from He Got Game and School Daze, he shares tips on how to harness improvisational moments and adjust to story changes on-the-fly.

13. Collaborating and Improvising with Actors

Collaborating and Improvising with Actors

Analyzing opening title sequences from Mo’ Better Blues, 25th Hour, and BlacKkKlansman, Spike teaches the art of establishing tone in the first few minutes of your film.

14. Opening Title Sequences

Opening Title Sequences

Spike shares his strategies for enhancing drama through music. Learn his advice for working with a composer, turning source into score, and using music as a counterpoint.

15. Music Is Key

Music Is Key

By taking a look at the inter-cutting technique in BlacKkKlansman, Spike demonstrates how he was able to create heightened drama and tonal balance in pivotal scenes.

16. Editing

Editing

Spike discusses the filmmaker’s responsibility to bring diversity to the film industry—both on screen and behind the scenes.

17. Film as an Agent of Change

Film as an Agent of Change

Examining his powerful nonfiction films When the Levees Broke and 4 Little Girls, Spike shares insights on how to handle true stories with passion and respect.

18. Storytelling for Documentaries

Storytelling for Documentaries

In his parting words, Spike reflects on what it takes to be an independent filmmaker and encourages you to take his tools and be a student of cinema.

19. Closing

Closing

Spike Lee Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Enjoy 7 days free

The promo may be over, but your opportunity isn't. Dive into the full experience, worry-free, with our 7-day money-back guarantee.

The offer has ended

Amount charged now

Your 7-day free trial starts today

From TIME ©2022 TIME USA LLC. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Times

Wirecutter

Reviewed - USA Today

Teaches Film Scoring

Hans Zimmer

Hans Zimmer Teaches Film Scoring

Scripting Your Own Success

Mindy Kaling

Teaches Voice Acting

Nancy Cartwright

Nancy Cartwright Teaches Voice Acting

Mira Nair

Mira Nair Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Teaches Creativity and Film

David Lynch

David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film

Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Parris Goebel

Parris Goebel Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Icons and Their Influences

Gloria Steinem

Kevin Smith

Cornel West

Talking Shop

Teaches the Power of Resilience

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Hillary Rodham Clinton Teaches The Power of Resilience

A Documentary by Andrea Nevins

The Cowboy and the Queen

A Documentary by Academy Award Nominee Andrea Nevins

José Andrés with Special Guest Chefs

José Andrés

Food, Stories, and Connections

A Documentary by Artist JR

Tehachapi

A Documentary Film From Artist JR

Teaches Comedy

Judd Apatow

Judd Apatow Teaches Comedy

Steve Martin

Steve Martin Teaches Comedy

Teaches Music for Film

Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman Teaches Music for Film

Gloria Steinem and Noted Co-Instructors

adrienne maree brown

Amanda Nguyen

Tina Tchen

Redefining Feminism with Gloria Steinem and Noted Co-Instructors

Rewriting the Rules of Business and Life

Whitney Wolfe Herd

Teaches Filmmaking

Werner Herzog

Werner Herzog Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches the Power of Storytelling 

LeVar Burton

LeVar Burton Teaches the Power of Storytelling

Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

Issa Rae

Issa Rae Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

Teach Developing an Original TV Series

The Duffer Brothers

The Duffer Brothers Teach Developing an Original TV Series

Reframe Your Thinking

Ava DuVernay

James Cameron

James Cameron Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Business Innovation

Rosalind Brewer

Rosalind Brewer Teaches Business Innovation

Teaches Screenwriting

Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting

Teaches Writing for Social Change

Roxane Gay

Roxane Gay Teaches Writing for Social Change

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Impactful Giving

Melinda French Gates

Melinda French Gates Teaches Impactful Giving

Teaches Directing

Ron Howard

Ron Howard Teaches Directing

Teaches Tracing Your Roots Through Food

Michael W. Twitty

Michael W. Twitty Teaches Tracing Your Roots Through Food

Teaches Acting

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson Teaches Acting

Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Ken Burns

Ken Burns Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Lessons from Influential Black Voices

Angela Davis

Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw

Nikole Hannah-Jones

Sherrilyn Ifill

Jelani Cobb

John McWhorter

Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love

Teaches Writing for Television

Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television

Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Creating Change

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Teaches Creating Change