In this episode, we explore the inner world of the AFI Directing Program with student Morgen Whiteman. She shares what it takes to get into the program, the program itself, and working with other programs like screenwriting, editing, producing, and graphic effects. In the first year, the program focuses on script breakdown, the craft of directing, how to tell a visual story, and working with actors and crew. In the second year, develop your 5-year plan, plan the next directing project, and have consistent networking. The program requires that you make 3 cold calls a week for networking opportunities, and Morgen shares the tips for calling. Morgen is finishing up her final project and looking forward to graduating and directing her web series Apophenia in 2023.
www.morgenwhiteman.com
Apophenia info: Seed and Spark: tinyurl.com/FundApophenia
Instagram/Facebook: @theapopheniaseries
And here are some resources (I'm a big iPad user):
Canva (canva.com) - creating pitch decks
Shot Deck (shotdeck.com) - movie stills for pitch decks
Shot Designer (App) - creating shooting plans/overheads
Shot Lister (App) - creating shooting schedules
Previs Pro (App) - creating storyboards
Cadrage (App) - Director's Viewfinder
Aeon Timeline (App) - developing stories with complex storylines
Morgen Whiteman, M.A., CCC-SLP
Morgen Whiteman is a film and television director with a background as a filmmaker-in-residence in Ghana, and a 2022 Stowe Story Labs finalist for the SAGIndie’s Top Emerging Filmmaker of Color Fellowship. Morgen is a graduate of the AFI Conservatory’s Directing MFA Program, and her films have been featured as official selections at numerous film festivals. She has directed talent with credits on All American, Wonder Woman, and We Own This City. Morgen has a passion for the thriller and science fiction genres, especially speculative fiction. Her work can be best described as “allegories set in heightened realities”.
