Los Angeles, California
About The Directors Workshop
The Directors Workshop gives directors the tools and hands-on experience to confidently work on their projects. Our goal as directors is to lead actors toward rich, authentic, compelling performances. The Directors Workshop gives you the space to explore, to experiment, and to take risks - without the pressure of production. Led by director and teacher Robert Bailey, you will hone your craft as a director and connect with other artists in a supportive environment.
Actress Rachel Weck works with script in The Directors Workshop
The Directors Workshop is a great way for directors to learn how to elicit the best performance from actors. Robert Bailey has an intuitive understanding of the craft and helps a director to connect with actors on a deeper level. A valuable workshop for both beginners and experienced directors to immerse themselves into the work.”
—Kamran Pasha, Writer and Director. Producer, Sleeper Cell, Nikita, Reign
who are the directing workshops for?
BACKGROUNDS OF PRIOR WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE
Theatre Director Film Director TV Director Writer-Director 1st AD
Writer Cinematographer Film Editor Script Supervisor Actor Producer
Whether you are an experienced director wanting to stay facile or try out new material, or an emerging director working to further your fundamental skills with a directing class, you'll benefit from the hands-on nature of this workshop. Writer-Directors transport ideas from the page to the stage using actors, getting to what actually works in performance, and discovering what areas in the text still need work.
Bob Bailey dives into your play or screenplay and demystifies all the unknown monsters. In his own unique, ambitious and inspiring way he breaks down the process to help you to define and streamline both your work and your approach to the material. He teaches you all the things a great craftsman of theater or film needs to know when approaching a project. His inspiring and infectious love for what he does makes each class an epiphany. Don't miss out on this amazing class.
—Antony Berrios, Writer-Director
what happens in The Directors Workshop?
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Bring in material you want to work on or scenes will be provided. Participants generally work from scripts, pilots, web series, or plays. You'll rehearse and put up your scene using your own actors or actors brought in for the workshop.
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Delve into the tools and process that gets the performance from the actors
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Table Work: Text analysis and prep. Breaking down script to actor beats. Understanding each character's heart.
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Discover pathways toward exciting characterizations and emotional arcs.
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Speak the language of the actor.
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Organic blocking.
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Exploration without yielding leadership.
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Intensify performances.
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Each week will incorporate a focus designed to enhance your understanding of what a director does. Here's an example:
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WEEK 1 – Where Are We in the Story?
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WEEK 2 – Creating Character through Blocking
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WEEK 3 – Improvisation - When and How?
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WEEK 4 – Raising the Stakes
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WEEK 5 – Side Coaching vs. Letting it Roll
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WEEK 6 – Multi-Character Scenes
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I know my way around a camera, but directing performance has been a thorn in my side for many years. No matter how many books I’ve read or acting classes I’ve attended, I could never grasp the concept of directing actors in a tangible way— until I found Robert Bailey’s class.
Robert doesn’t waste time giving lectures. Instead he throws you on stage with a couple of gifted actors and lets you fall flat on your face, all the while gently guiding you toward growth. Before you know it, the actors become friends and the stage your new home. I started that class feeling like an idiot and I left with a confidence I have never known — and I wasn’t the only one. Every student in my group grew exponentially.
Thanks to Robert’s invaluable guidance I feel confident that I can start directing for my company, armed with a new understanding and appreciation for my craft. Thank you, Robert. I’ll be back.
—Daniel Riser, Owner - Flashpoint Media; Film Director
why participate in a directors workshop?
Consider the nature of the director's problem.
As a director you're in a creative leadership role. You have lots of great ideas. You have a vision of how you want the characters to be portrayed. You begin working with your actors. And then, reality sets in. You're not getting the result or the performance you desire, and you're not sure how to get it. The CONSEQUENCES can be:
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frustration
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compromising on believability
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battles of ego
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breakdown in communication
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stalemate
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... potentially no one satisfied with the results
Robert Bailey's THE DIRECTORS WORKSHOP is invaluable for anybody interested in the pragmatic, tactile, nuts-and-bolts elements of directing — be it a theater piece, TV scene, or full-fledged movie. What's genius about its orientation is the laser focus on two fundamentals: Analyzing The Text (of the work at hand, and understanding what's "between the lines") and Communicating With Actors (to achieve the optimal expression of said dramatic intent). Robert 's superb, real-world experience—and expert guidance—serves to hone one's directorial sensibility to a sensational degree. THE DIRECTORS WORKSHOP is a place where artists can clamber into the creative sandbox of the directorial process and genuinely work through the blind alleys, not-so-great ideas, and (finally) the optimal means by which to properly stage a scene.
—Tom Lavagnino, Writer-Director
how does this workshop for directors help?
Through your active participation in a directing workshop you will answer these and other questions with greater confidence:
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Can you analyze your script so that you always know what you're doing? And why? With every beat?
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Do you know how to help your actors do their best work?
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Do you know what kind of direction is specific to the moment, so that your actors deliver a genuine, full performance?
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Does your blocking create, and sustain, action that engages both the eye and heart? Is it relevant and energized?
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Can you clearly communicate your intentions to your cast and crew?
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Do you know how to prioritize your time?
"Directors are storytellers. Their job, done well, brings a story to life by the best use of the players, or actors. This directing workshop uses practical experience to focus on guiding actors towards truthful, compelling performances in a play or film script. Come share your stories."
Robert Bailey
Bob's workshop provides a safe and creative space to try out new material and collaborate with talented actors. When you're not actively filming, it's hard to 'practice' directing. This workshop gives you that opportunity. It's helped me as both a director and as a writer.
Steve Desmond, Writer-Director, co-writer for M. Night Shyamalan's KNOCK AT THE CABIN
What I really value about Bob is that I’ve seen him work with a number of very diverse directors who come from totally different backgrounds. But Bob understands the fundamental skeleton of directing that every director, no matter what kind of work they’re doing, requires.
Ryan Mcree, Director
I think it’s really important to get feedback on your own work. And that’s a great benefit to this class. It’s a very safe environment for directors to work.
Vicki Pearlman, Director-Producer
Working on a play is the best kind of learning experience. You’re in the nitty-gritty of doing work with somebody…I’m very grateful to have had Bob as a mentor.
Jay Lee, Actor-Director
This space and this class really gives you the opportunity to work on anything that you’re passionate about or that you love. And just get an idea of how you would direct it.
DJ Blickenstaff, Actor-Director
I used this class to venture into material
that I was nervous about doing.
Ryan Mcree, Director