The Art of Visual Storytelling for Film and TV
A unique online course spotlighting the director's process of choosing the shots they will use to tell their story visually.
Internationally-recognized script supervisor Daniela Saioni, the creator and instructor of this program, has worked with hundreds of directors at all levels of their careers on film sets for the past thirty-three years, and even more in the classroom. In her on-set role in helping directors troubleshoot any coverage issues, she noticed that a surprising number of filmmakers increasingly lack visual literacy training, or have never specifically learned how to translate their understanding of the script into a visual storytelliing plan.
Some focused solely on performance and leaned heavily on their cinematographer and/or other members of their team (often camera operators and script supervisors) to execute the coverage.
Even more had no clear understanding of axis (the "180 rule") and how fluid it can be, or how its manipulation can be used as a tool to support their vision.
Many directors confided their specific fears about handling what are routine coverage situations for the crew: three-person scenes, dinner table scenes, conference room scenes, party scenes, VFX-heavy scenes and fight scenes.
After several years of training script supervisors on how to support the director in their process of coverage design in these specific situations and more through her Director Whisperer Training Program, directors and the crew members that support them started to enroll in that program alongside the script supervisors for their own reasons. So, in 2014 Daniela began offering this course as a stand-alone director-focused program for the very first time, and in 2020 took it online.
AM I COVERED? takes all the questions, worries and fears filmmakers have expressed on the job and finally addresses them in an entertaining and accessible learning package that can be completed in the comfort of your own home, including applying the concepts to the presentation of a coverage plan for a scene from a major film or TV show with Daniela in a safe learning space, with her professional feedback, without the pressure of a producer and film crew breathing down your neck and the production clock ticks.
With no limits but your imagination and understanding of the prep work and the realities of production time and equipment allotted, her goal is to help you develop your individual visual voice while reflecting the script (and needs of the showrunner if you are working for hire on a TV series). It is a personalized yet practical approach that focuses on "tools, not rules", and will leave you with an understanding of how to effectively collaborate with and inspire your team without giving away your authority as the visionary on set.
What You'll Learn
TOOLS OF THE DIRECTOR
A thorough overview of all the often under-utilized visual and aural storytelling tools of the director, to help you become a more cinematic filmmaker while supporting the subtext and conveying the emotional impact of the script with the visuals.
A deep dive into the 180 Degree Rule and the Axis of Action, and all the ways you can uphold or "break" axis for cinematic impact.
Discussions on how to more effectively communicate with your core team: DOP, AD and script supervisor for a more efficient and enjoyable work experience.
COVERAGE SCENARIOS
An analysis of various recurring coverage scenarios with many examples from Daniela's own work, including: walk and talks, phone calls, oners, three-person scenes, dinner table scenes, conference room scenes, party scenes, and fight scenes, as well as a script analysis based approach on how to tackle these kinds of scenes elegantly and within the production time alloted.
A discussion of visual transitions and how to incorporate them into your coverage design so your scenes flow seamlessly into each other and support the storytelling.
A review of technical editing issues every director should be aware of when troubleshooting their coverage design.
COVERAGE PLANNING TOOLS
How to create shot lists, storyboards, look books or otherwise communicate your vision to your team.
A general introduction to Script Analysis.
Receive Daniela's original Coverage Planning Worksheet template, which was developed based on all the recurring questions directors have asked her in high pressure situations, to give you an edge to focus your creativity in prepping your show or movie under time constraints.
An in-course coverage exercise with direct feedback from Daniela will help you improve your communication skills and gain confidence to more clearly articulate your vision.
THE PROGRAM IS PRE-RECORDED AND HOSTED ON SAMCART COURSES SO YOU CAN GO AT YOUR OWN PACE. Daniela supports this program via email. You can send your question to Daniela and she will either respond via email or record a quick video response. Daniela will also give you direct feedback on your shot listing homework assignment via email or a short zoom.
About Daniela Saioni
Daniela Saioni has been script supervising for 33 years internationally with A-list directors including Paul Feig, Mimi Leder, Bruce Beresford, Greg Daniels, Davis Guggenheim, and David F. Sandberg, and has also supported many first-time directors through their earliest films.
She has script supervised commercial hits like Shazam!, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, A Simple Favor & A Simple Favor 2, xXx: The Return of Xander Cage and cult darlings like The Craft: Legacy, Traitor and The Boondock Saints, as well as hundreds of hours of TV series (Suits, Covert Affairs, Soul Food: The Series, People of Earth).
In addition to her own progams, her teaching experience spans three decades for numerous industry organizations (DGC, IATSE 873, ACTRA, Film Training Manitoba, NIFCO, WIFT, The CFC) as well as guest lecturing at college and university film programs.
See IMDB for full credit list.
What the Filmmakers Say...
I can't thank you enough for putting together such a thorough and useful class. I have been looking for a class like this for years. As a self-taught director, I understood where I was weak in my knowledge, but didn't understand how I could develop these skills. You take a lot of gray zones of prep and cinematic knowledge and tie them together in a digestible and practical way. You are a very generous teacher and spirit.
Mary-Lyn Chambers (LA / New Zealand)
Director (Tijuana, The Plural of Blood)
This is my third time taking a workshop with Daniela, which I have greatly enjoyed. I find her workshops are well researched, informative and inspirational. I always come away from them with more insight both into the creative process of filmmaking, as well as into myself.
Virginia Abramovich (Toronto, Canada)
Feature filmmaker & TV Director
Enjoyed the class immensely. You gave me a lot to think about and the ‘axis’ discussion was very enlightening.
Nicole D. (Toronto / L.A.)
TV Director
Daniela's Am I Covered program is essential learning for those wishing to direct or better understand the filmmaking process as a whole. Her course is designed to impart valuable tips and processes for streamlining, bolstering, and even safe guarding directing choices, to be used by directors or on set keys to aid the directorial vision. Daniela is an excellent teacher, guiding students through the material with ease and enthusiasm, always making time for those with extra questions. Perhaps most important of all, she has created a powerful community of students and alumni with great reach and wisdom.
Tori L. (Toronto, Canada)
Writer/Director/Producer (The Handmaid's Tale, The Good Death, Marie Celeste)
I would highly recommend Daniela’s program to emerging and established filmmakers and script supervisors. The program is well researched, organized and easy to follow, and the energy she brings to lectures is contagious. Daniela’s course will help you understand the mechanics and grammar of film language, and show directors and script supervisors how they can work with each other to create the vision of the film. As a filmmaker, Daniela opened my eyes to an essential role that is far too often over looked, and I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to take her program.
Julia Beney (Toronto, Canada)
Filmmaker (Uncanny Valley)
I truly felt that your program gave me a better understanding of how you should be thinking as a film director than my two years at film school ever did.
Wilhelm A. (Sweden)
I must say that this is the most comprehensive and (excuse my language) no-bullsh*t film-related course I have ever seen. It was pure enjoyment to follow your lessons.
Milan A. (Toronto, Canada)
Filmmaker
