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Transitioning from Documentary Directing to Drama Directing

October 29, 2024

Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet have reached out to ask SDGI Members if this course on Transitioning from Documentary to Drama Directing, led by Conor Morrisey, might be of interest.

They are specifically looking for feedback from documentary directors, and the course description is below.

Please respond to FranKeaveney@furthr.ie if you think this is of interest.

 

This intensive 4 day course, led by award-winning director Conor Morrissey, is aimed at directors with a documentary background who want to transition into the world of television drama.

Acknowledging that documentary directors already have an incredibly useful skillset the course will explore how these skills can be effectively utilized in the service of scripted drama. Working closely with each of the participants the course will explore how their original voices as documentary directors can be channelled into effective drama storytelling. Drawing on Conor Morrissey’s extensive experience of working in both forms the course will explore a practical methodology of drama direction that effectively captures the immediacy of documentary Eilm making.

The course will break down the drama production process into its constituent parts and explore how a documentary aesthetic can enhance each of these parts. It will explore how to effectively create story worlds that draw on the complexity of real life. It will look at how a documentary aesthetic can energize set pieces and action sequences. It will take a deep dive into the collaboration with actors and explore how best to create performances that feel fresh and alive. Using a professional camera person and actors the course will culminate in a practical exercise where each participant gets to shoot a scripted scene that marries their skill as documentary storytellers with the demands of scripted production.

The participants will also be instructed on career management and the necessary steps to take to switch between documentary and drama. At the end of the course each participant will be given a series of effective tools that will both enhance their work as documentary directors and open up new possibilities in the world of scripted drama.

Conor Morrissey is a graduate of the National Film School of Ireland. He has a wide range of drama and documentary credits in both Ireland and the UK. These credits include ‘MacIntyres Underworld’ (Channel 5), ‘Generation F’d’ (RTE) and ‘Breaking Crime’ (Virgin Media) as well as IFTA winners ‘The Only Viking in the Village’ and ‘Hell Week’. In the last decade he has worked extensively in scripted drama where his credits include ‘Red Rock’ (Virgin Media) ‘EastEnders’ (BBC Studios) and ‘Casualty’ (BBC Studios).

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