Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Spike Lee

Meet your new instructor, writer/director/producer/professor—Spike Lee. Spike explains what he hopes you’ll gain from his class: the tools of film grammar—or visual storytelling—and the DIY spirit to make your own original, independent films.

Introduction

Spike provides you with a blueprint of his writing process to help you write your script. Learn his index card technique, his disciplined writing practice, and his advice for writing with a partner.

Putting Words On Paper

Spike teaches you his techniques for writing bold, distinct characters, capturing two sides of a story, and creating stories that react to social injustice.

Storytelling

Breaking down the director’s choices in one of his favorite films, Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront, Spike demonstrates how cinema can be a powerful tool for speaking the truth.

Speaking Truth to Power: On the Waterfront

Learn Spike’s tips for creating realistic budgets and shooting schedules (and sticking to them), working on location, and how to make your crew feel appreciated.

Spike's Film 101s Pt. 1

Spike recounts his battle to secure additional funds for Malcolm X to show you how self-reliance, self-determination, and dedication to your story can help finance a project.

Case Study: Financing Malcolm X

“The wrong actors, the wrong roles could turn out the wrong movie.” Spike shares his tips for successful casting and his experiences casting some of his most infamous roles.

Importance of Casting

Learn what to look for in a director of photography, including how to “audition” a DP and how to create a plan of action, once you’ve found the right collaborator.

Collaborating With Your Director of Photography

Spike walks you through the iconic camera angles and techniques that have come to define his visual style. Then, he breaks down how he uses each to increase tension and heighten the drama.

Storytelling with Camera Coverage

Using his original storyboards for the assassination scene in Malcolm X, Spike illustrates the construction of a scene, and the level of detail required to create the illusion of chaos.

Storyboards: Malcolm X

For Spike, the take is a sacred moment. Learn his rules for managing your crew and running a set effectively in order to deliver the best possible takes.

Spike's Film 101s Pt. 2

How can you inspire the best performance from your actor? Spike teaches his techniques for directing your actors with sensitivity and respect, including how to communicate and establish trust.

Directing Actors

Spike believes that a good director both commands and surrenders to the moment. Using scenes from He Got Game and School Daze, he shares tips on how to harness improvisational moments and adjust to story changes on-the-fly.

Collaborating and Improvising with Actors

Analyzing opening title sequences from Mo’ Better Blues, 25th Hour, and BlacKkKlansman, Spike teaches the art of establishing tone in the first few minutes of your film.

Opening Title Sequences

Spike shares his strategies for enhancing drama through music. Learn his advice for working with a composer, turning source into score, and using music as a counterpoint.

Music Is Key

By taking a look at the inter-cutting technique in BlacKkKlansman, Spike demonstrates how he was able to create heightened drama and tonal balance in pivotal scenes.

Editing

Spike discusses the filmmaker’s responsibility to bring diversity to the film industry—both on screen and behind the scenes.

Film as an Agent of Change

Examining his powerful nonfiction films When the Levees Broke and 4 Little Girls, Spike shares insights on how to handle true stories with passion and respect.

Storytelling for Documentaries

In his parting words, Spike reflects on what it takes to be an independent filmmaker and encourages you to take his tools and be a student of cinema.

Closing

Spike Lee Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Theory vs practice

Not all criticism is created equal

Rules are really suggestions

Your actions direct the crew, too

Find Stories That Resonate With You

Stop scrolling.
Start doing.

180+ of the world's best artists, leaders
and icons are here to teach you what they know.

Teaches Screenwriting

Aaron Sorkin

Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting

Teaches Filmmaking

Werner Herzog

Werner Herzog Teaches Filmmaking

Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Directing

Ron Howard

Ron Howard Teaches Directing

Teaches Acting

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren Teaches Acting

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson Teaches Acting

Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Parris Goebel

Parris Goebel Teaches Creativity in Choreography

Teaches Songwriting and Producing

Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys Teaches Songwriting and Producing

Teaches Comedy

Judd Apatow

Judd Apatow Teaches Comedy

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman Teaches Acting

Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Ken Burns

Ken Burns Teaches Documentary Filmmaking

Mira Nair

Mira Nair Teaches Independent Filmmaking

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster Teaches Filmmaking

Teaches Creativity and Film

David Lynch

David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film

Teaches Art and Creativity

Jeff Koons

Jeff Koons Teaches Art and Creativity

Teaches Voice Acting

Nancy Cartwright

Nancy Cartwright Teaches Voice Acting

Teaches Photography

Annie Leibovitz

Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography

Teaches Film Scoring

Hans Zimmer

Hans Zimmer Teaches Film Scoring

Steve Martin

Steve Martin Teaches Comedy

Teaches Investigative Journalism

Bob Woodward

Bob Woodward Teaches Investigative Journalism

Teaches Adventure Photography

Jimmy Chin

Jimmy Chin Teaches Adventure Photography

Teach the Art of Magic

Penn & Teller

Penn & Teller Teach the Art of Magic

Teaches Music for Film

Danny Elfman

Danny Elfman Teaches Music for Film

Teaches Effective and Authentic Communication

Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts Teaches Effective and Authentic Communication

Teaches Writing

James Patterson

James Patterson Teaches Writing

Teaches The Art of Performance

Usher

Teaches The Art Of Performance

Usher Teaches The Art of Performance

Teaches Singing

Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera Teaches Singing

Teaches Country Music

Reba McEntire

Reba McEntire Teaches Country Music

Teaches Electronic Music Production

deadmau5

deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production

Teaches Writing for Television

Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes Teaches Writing for Television

Teaches Design and Architecture

Frank Gehry

Frank Gehry Teaches Design and Architecture

Teaches Dramatic Writing

David Mamet

David Mamet Teaches Dramatic Writing

Teaches Jazz

Herbie Hancock

Herbie Hancock Teaches Jazz

Judy Blume

Judy Blume Teaches Writing

Teaches Dance Music

Armin van Buuren

Armin van Buuren Teaches Dance Music

Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell Teaches Writing

Teaches Writing for Young Audiences

R.L. Stine

R.L. Stine Teaches Writing for Young Audiences

Teaches Creative Writing

Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing

Teaches Electric Guitar

Tom Morello

Tom Morello Teaches Electric Guitar

Teaches Writing Thrillers

Dan Brown

Dan Brown Teaches Writing Thrillers

Teaches the Art and Soul of Guitar

Carlos Santana

Carlos Santana Teaches the Art and Soul of Guitar

Teaches the Art of Storytelling

Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling

Teaches Producing and Beatmaking

Timbaland

Timbaland Teaches Producing and Beatmaking

Teaches Reading and Writing Poetry

Billy Collins

Billy Collins Teaches Reading and Writing Poetry

Teaches Violin

Itzhak Perlman

Itzhak Perlman Teaches Violin

Teaches Mystery and Thriller Writing

David Baldacci

David Baldacci Teaches Mystery and Thriller Writing

Teaches the Art of the Short Story

Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates Teaches the Art of the Short Story

Teaches Business Strategy and Leadership

Bob Iger

Bob Iger Teaches Business Strategy and Leadership

Teaches Storytelling and Humor

David Sedaris

David Sedaris Teaches Storytelling and Humor

Teach Advertising and Creativity

Jeff Goodby & Rich Silverstein

Jeff Goodby & Rich Silverstein Teach Advertising and Creativity

Teaches Drumming and Percussion 

Sheila E.

Sheila E. Teaches Drumming and Percussion 

Teaches ʻUkulele

Jake Shimabukuro

Jake Shimabukuro Teaches ʻUkulele

Teaches Creativity and Songwriting

St. Vincent

St. Vincent Teaches Creativity and Songwriting

Teaches Creating Outside the Lines

Issa Rae

Issa Rae Teaches Creating Outside the Lines