Last week, MPI launched its Directing Actors Summit, the first event in a ten-week Directing Workshop for MPI’s Short Film Lab creatives who have advanced to this stage of training. Designed to help emerging filmmakers learn from industry professionals, build meaningful peer connections, and approach their craft with confidence, the workshop will, over the coming weeks, guide participants through strategies to troubleshoot production challenges, refine on-set practices, and prepare their projects for success.

The summit opened in Los Angeles with a directing masterclass featuring actor-director Néstor Carbonell (The Dark Knight, Lost), MPI filmmaker Evan Matthews (Motherland), and MPI senior vice president Lana Link. Their discussion offered valuable insights bridging both film and television directing.

Immediately following, nine writer-directors engaged in a two-day, hands-on workshop focused on eight original scripts. Led by longtime MPI mentor and award-winning filmmaker Nathan Scoggins (The Least of These, What Remains), the intensive covered scene breakdowns, actor-centered directing techniques, and live scene workshopping. 

One participant shared, “It was invaluable to experience scene direction with live actors while Nathan provided guidance and encouragement. It felt like learning to ride a bike with someone running alongside, ready to catch you if you fell.”

The ten-week virtual sessions began yesterday with a seminar led by MPI filmmakers the Bragg Brothers, who shared lessons on transforming short film achievements into feature-length opportunities. They offered insights into their creative process, the transition from shorts to features, and tips on leveraging the MPI Short Film Lab experience.

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