Tag: Professional Education

Screenwriting Essentials

Alfred Hitchcock said you need three things to make a film: a script, a script, and a script. Many professional creatives also subscribe to the philosophy that you can make a bad movie from a good script, but you can’t make a good movie from a bad script.

The objective of this class is to acquaint you with the fundamentals and foundational techniques of screenwriting, with an emphasis on three-act structure and characterization. Each student will complete a narrative outline and a script for a short film. Students will learn about professional standards and best industry practices through table readings, one-on-one conferences, and peer revision techniques.

This class is perfect for aspiring screenwriters, storytellers, and anyone with a passion for crafting compelling narratives. Whether you are a novice writer eager to explore the world of screenwriting or a seasoned writer looking to refine your skills, this course is designed to provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals of storytelling, structure, and character development. It is an ideal choice for individuals aiming to create engaging short films and learn the art of effective screenwriting.

Course Note: No Prerequisite Required.

Questions? Check out our FAQ page.

What You Will Walk Away With

  • The opportunity to submit your original work to be read in front of industry professionals at the end-of-semester showcase.
    • End of Semester Showcase -Students, alone or in groups, can submit original works to be screened, table read, performed etc. in front of school and industry professionals.
  • Qualification to apply for Trilith Institute’s Creative Excellence Fellowship Grant.
    • Complete 3 of our professional education courses, and you will receive a “Trilith Institute Outstanding Achievement in Film Arts.” In addition, if you have completed 3 courses and our Mastering Self-Marketing Workshop, you will be qualified to submit an original project for our Creative Excellence Fellowship Grant, with a potential award of up to $10,000.
  • A polished original script, marketing materials, and a plan to produce the film as well as a submission for public dissemination
  • A tour of Trilith Studios
  • Discounts to Trilith Institute workshops while enrolled.

Prepping for Film Festivals

Learn how to navigate the film festival circuit and best practices for preparing and submitting your materials.

Bring your materials and get 1 on 1 help.

Created and Taught by Experts at the Atlanta Film Society

Learn to:

  • Prepare your submission materials
  • Build your audience!
  • Find the right festivals for your project
  • Navigate Film Freeway

The Impact of Story with Diane Venora, Dan T. Cathy, and Jeffrey Stepakoff

Join us for an incredible night of conversation with acclaimed actress and acting coach, Diane Venora (Heat, Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, Hamlet, Bird).  

Joined by Dan T. Cathy (Trilith Founder & Chief Visionary) and writer/producer Jeff Stepakoff (The Wonder Years, Major Dad, Dawson’s Creek, Chasing Life) for a fireside chat about Diane’s storied career, the way the entertainment industry has changed, and the impact stories have on our lives.

Family Improv with Alliance Theatre

Unlock Creativity Together at our Family Improv Workshop!
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon where parents and kids come together to explore the exciting world of improv!
Who: Families with kids 10 years old and up (Must be at least 1 Child + 1 Adult)
Improv isn’t just about being funny – it’s about connecting, embracing creativity, and supporting each other. In this 3-hour workshop, you’ll dive into:
  • Basics of Improv: Learn the fundamentals of improvisation in a supportive environment.
  • Yes, And…: Discover the power of accepting and building on ideas together.
  • Giving and Receiving Gifts: Practice the art of supporting your partner and celebrating their contributions.
  • Embracing Impulses: Unleash your creativity by trusting your instincts and taking risks.

Cinematic Storyboarding

Cinematic Storyboarding is for artists looking to strengthen their boarding skills and get a better understanding of how the process works in actual television/film production. Attendees who complete the course will gain the skills needed to competently work as a board artist in the industry.

This course is designed for artists who already have skill sets in drawing fundamentals (constructive figure drawing, perspective drawing, composition, etc) and are familiar with working digitally. A basic understanding of Storyboard Pro is highly encouraged for this course.

The course will be offered in person with all the access to tools and materials of the trade including Storyboard Pro, Cintiq, and workstations. The course will be taught by an industry professional with over a decade of experience in storyboarding and art direction, most recently Archer.

What You Will Walk Away With

  • A complete understanding of where Storyboarding fits into a typical production pipeline and how that work affects the production overall.
  • Knowledge of the common terminology used in Storyboarding as well as a practical understanding of these terms.
  • An understanding and practical application of the tent poles of Storyboarding such as composition, perspective, and constructive anatomy. 
  • A heightened drawing skillset that allows students to execute storyboards at a professional level.
  • A better grasp on the tools of Storyboarding through instruction and use of Toonboom Storyboard Pro.
  • Overall students will learn how to take the written word and visualize it using Storyboards.
  • A tour of Trilith Studios
  • Discounts to Trilith Institute workshops while enrolled.
  • A step toward qualification to apply for Trilith Institute’s Creative Excellence Fellowship Grant. 
    • Complete 3 of our professional education courses, and you will receive a “Trilith Institute Outstanding Achievement in Film Arts”. In addition, if you have completed 3 courses and our Mastering Self-Marketing Workshop, you will be qualified to submit an original project for our Creative Excellence Fellowship Grant, with a potential award of up to $10,000.

To register for this course, please send at least one of your digital drawings to the email professionaleducation@trilithinstitute.org and “purchase” a ticket below. Once we have your drawing we will contact you with further instructions.

Improv Workshop with Dad’s Garage

Dad’s Garage has been teaching improv for over 25 years and this workshop will teach the basics of improv and our approach to award-winning improv. Improv is a very entertaining art form, but the basic tools of improv not only support the development of professional skills but social skills as well. So, whether you are looking for a creative outlet, working on developing your comedic voice or looking to improve your confidence in professional settings this workshop will give you an engaging, active way to build those skills:

  • Creative Thinking
  • Communication
  • Teamwork

Comedy Writing with Dad’s Garage

This workshop will show participants how to utilize the skills of improv to generate and explore ideas that could be used to write scripted scenes and sketches or develop characters. A basic understanding of improv is needed as that will be the platform this workshop is based on.

Participants will improvise to generate ideas and then from notes and feedback re-improvise those ideas with the goal of creating scripted material.

Workshop will include a one-hour lunch break (lunch not provided).

Narrative Directing for Screen

Focus your creativity and vision in this immersive directing course. Acquire the tools necessary to bring your project vision to life on the screen. This course will cover the importance of a director’s role in a project, the art of visual storytelling, the technical knowledge required by directors, the actor’s process, and post-production considerations.

WHAT YOU WILL WALK AWAY WITH

  • The class will culminate in a series of student workshops wherein each student, utilizing professional actors, will be given the opportunity to direct a scene of their choosing in front of their peers and industry professional instructor.
  • Qualification to apply for Trilith Institute’s Creative Excellence Fellowship Grant. 
    • Complete 3 of our professional education courses, and you will receive a “Trilith Institute Outstanding Achievement in Film Arts”. In addition, if you have completed 3 courses and our Mastering Self-Marketing Workshop, you will be qualified to submit an original project for our Creative Excellence Fellowship Grant, with a potential award of up to $10,000.
  • A tour of Trilith Studios
  • Discounts to Trilith Institute workshops while enrolled.

Documentary Filmmaking 101

Are you captivated by the art of storytelling and aspire to bring compelling stories to life through the lens of a camera? Our Documentary Filmmaking Course, created by a filmmaker with over 30 years of experience, teaches you to master storytelling (90% of documentary filmmaking) by finding stories worth telling, capturing them effectively, and editing them into engaging narratives.

You’ll learn filmmaking fundamentals, from what to film and how to film it to honing your footage into a succinct, entertaining story. This course sends you on adventures only documentary filmmaking offers.

Join us to embark on your storytelling journey, and start turning your passion into compelling documentaries. In groups, you will plan, shoot, and edit an original short documentary.

What You Will Walk Away With

  • A short-form original documentary.
  • The opportunity to submit your group’s original work to be screened in front of industry professionals at the end-of-semester showcase.
  • Qualification to apply for Trilith Institute’s Creative Excellence Fellowship Grant. 
    • Complete 3 of our professional education courses, and you will receive a “Trilith Institute Outstanding Achievement in Film Arts”. In addition, if you have completed 3 courses and our Mastering Self-Marketing Workshop, you will be qualified to submit an original project for our Creative Excellence Fellowship Grant, with a potential award of up to $10,000.
  • A tour of Trilith Studios
  • Discounts to other Trilith Institute workshops while enrolled.