This document outlines William Blue's 11-month mastery journey plan to improve his skills in filmmaking. The plan includes courses in personal development, film concepts, script writing, directing, experimental filmmaking, visual storytelling, entertainment law, and completing a film production thesis over 4 phases: pre-production, production, post-production, and film assembly. The timeline also includes resources like online courses to support skill development in each area and help complete goals over the 11 months to further his mastery of film.

1. MASTERY JOURNEY
BY WILLIAM BLUE

2. Mastery: Personal
Development and
Leadership
Filmmaking
Concepts and
Practices
Script Production
and Analysis
Directing Talent
Experimental
Filmmaking
Visual Storytelling
Techniques and
Technology
Entertainment and
Communication
Law
Film Production
Thesis I: Pre-
Production
Film Production
Thesis II:
Production
Film Production
Thesis III: Post-
Production
Film Production
Thesis IV: Film
Assembly
Business of Film
TIMELINE

3. MASTERY: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND
LEADERSHIP
• I am researching the many masters and understand how they became who they are known as
today.
• Before the beginning of class, reading Mastery by Robert Greene will help enhance my understanding of how
people became the masters they became.
• I am enhancing my learning experiences by understanding good study skills and the way I learn.
• By researching skills online and resorting to trial and error, I will effectively find a study method to better my
mastery.
• I am building goals for the next eleven months to better my mastery of film.
• By writing down goals and learning how to set them, I will better myself to get everything done in an effective
and efficient manner.
• http://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-tutorials/Set-goals/415358/473725-4.html (Set goals (from
Sales Prospecting), n.d.).

4. FILMMAKING CONCEPTS AND PRACTICES
• I am recapping the information that I gained from my Bachelor’s degree.
• Before entering the class, reading and watching videos online will help recap previously gained
knowledge.
• I am working on strengthening my foundation for the basic filmmaking skills.
• Between reading outside of the classroom and being on set, I will solidify my knowledge and
understanding of the basic filmmaking skills.
• I am gaining experience in the industry
• By working on film sets during the month, I can expand my experience and become more involved in
the filmmaking community.
• http://www.lynda.com/Filmmaking-tutorials/Video-Lighting-101/456359-
2.html?srchtrk=index%3a1%0alinktypeid%3a2%0aq%3afilm+lingo%0apage%3a1%0as%3a
relevance%0asa%3atrue%0aproducttypeid%3a2 (Video Lighting 101 | Lynda.com, n.d.).

5. SCRIPT PRODUCTION AND ANALYSIS
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_pVBzWZvpo (Essentials of Screenwriting - Complete Film Courage
Interview with UCLA Professor Richard Walter, n.d.).
• http://www.lynda.com/Screenwriting-tutorials/Welcome/100223/124559-4.html (Screenwriting
Fundamentals | Lynda.com, n.d.).
• I am writing scripts to enhance my understanding of how movies are written.
• Before the class begins, I will write several scripts and use them in conjunction with the class to help my understanding of
writing.
• I am uploading at least 3 scripts to the Blacklist to be looked at and possibly sold.
• As my writing improves within the class, I will write scripts for short films on the side and work to upload them to the
Blacklist.
• I am rewriting at least 3 scripts and understanding why things need to be changed.
• Using scripts that I have written out of and inside class, I will rewrite them and have them critiqued to further my
understanding of the writing phase.

6. DIRECTING TALENT
• http://www.lynda.com/Video-Filmmaking-tutorials/Working-actors/79042/80162-
4.html (Working with actors, n.d.).
• I am working to better the actors performance on screen.
• By trying different methods from famous directors before me, I will find the method that best
suits my methods and apply it to directing talent.
• I am directing by acting.
• By learning how to act while in directing class, I can fully understand how talent thinks and
becomes the characters imposed upon them.
• I am getting an emotional scene understood by the audience.
• By working with talent and recreating scenes, I plan to understand what it takes to drive a
scene with a characters actions.

7. EXPERIMENTAL FILMMAKING
• http://www.lynda.com/Video-Filmmaking-tutorials/Michael-Langan-Experimental-
Filmmaker/140917/154734-4.html (Michael Langan, Experimental Filmmaker The Creative
Spark, n.d.).
• I am using equipment that is unusually used to create movies.
• By understanding the limits of unconventional equipment, I can use them to their fullest capability to
make a film.
• I am staying up to date with the most recent mainstream products.
• By reading magazines and staying up to date with the most current news, I can take conventional means
and make something unconventional out of it.
• I am understanding the term “experimental” filmmaking.
• By attending lecture and watching videos, I can define what experimental filmmaking is and apply it to
my understanding of storytelling.

8. VISUAL STORYTELLING TECHNIQUES AND
TECHNOLOGY
• http://www.lynda.com/Video-Filmmaking-tutorials/Every-camera-movement-has-different-
emotional-effect-your-film/167570/182402-4.html (Emotional Effects of Camera Movement
in Your Film, n.d.).
• I am creating emotionally charged scenes without dialogue.
• By using my current knowledge of non-verbal communication and directing talent, I plan to further my
storytelling using cues most people would normally look over.
• I am enhancing my visual techniques with purpose.
• By researching and understanding what each technique can mean, for example a camera movement, I
can effectively get the emotion of a scene across to my audience.
• I am learning new technology within the industry of storytelling.
• By working with new technologies, as it is ever changing, I can remain at the front of the industry as it
is ever changing.

9. ENTERTAINMENT AND COMMUNICATION LAW
• http://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-tutorials/Understanding-Copyright-Deeper-Dive/365065-
2.html?srchtrk=index%3a1%0alinktypeid%3a2%0aq%3aentertainment+law%0apage%3a1%0as
%3arelevance%0asa%3atrue%0aproducttypeid%3a2 (Understanding Copyright: A Deeper Dive |
Lynda.com, n.d.).
• I am understanding the full scope of copyright vs homage.
• By defining copyright and homage, as well as looking at examples of the two in past feature films, I can
obtain a grasp on keeping within the line of safe material.
• I am understanding how to protect myself from being taken advantage of.
• By learning the proper paperwork and the risks of being in the film industry, I can plan further ahead to protect
myself and my ideas from fraudulent issues.
• I am gaining the paperwork to do proper business.
• By keeping blank copies of papers and looking beyond the class at entertainment law, I can obtain a book full
of proper paperwork to keep when making movie deals.

10. FILM PRODUCTION THESIS I: PRE-PRODUCTION
• http://www.lynda.com/Word-tutorials/Creating-Short-Film-03-Pre-Production/129020-
2.html?srchtrk=index%3a1%0alinktypeid%3a2%0aq%3aemotion+in+films%0apage%3a1%0as%
3arelevance%0asa%3atrue%0aproducttypeid%3a2 (Creating a Short Film: 03 Pre-Production |
Lynda.com, n.d.).
• I am using previously gained knowledge to write a well rounded short film.
• Using my knowledge gained from script production, I will write, re-write and finalize a well rounded script.
• I am planning my film properly with a well rounded budget and time frame.
• Using my knowledge gained from my bachelor’s degree and entertainment and communication law, I will
properly document and plan my journey over the next few months with proper goals.
• I am rehearsing my dialogue at least once with my actors and any action several times.
• Using my knowledge gained from visual storytelling and directing, I plan to have every movement planned
and properly executed to deliver the best performance and emotion I can.

11. FILM PRODUCTION THESIS II: PRODUCTION
• http://www.lynda.com/Filmmaking-tutorials/Video-Production-Post-Tip-Week/480113-
2.html?srchtrk=index%3a1%0alinktypeid%3a2%0aq%3afilm+production%0apage%3a1%0a
s%3arelevance%0asa%3atrue%0aproducttypeid%3a2 (Video Production and Post Tip of the
Week | Lynda.com, n.d.).
• I am starting production on my short film.
• Using my plan from Pre-Production, I plan to start my short film by week 2.
• I am using previously gained knowledge to deliver emotional scenes through directing.
• While filming, I plan to utilize the knowledge gained from the previous months to deliver what I want to
deliver with my story.
• I am wrapping production on my short film.
• Using my skills and proper planning, I will finish filming by week 4.

12. FILM PRODUCTION THESIS III: POST-PRODUCTION
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpBkp6ks5fk (Organizing Your Project, n.d.).
• I am completing a rough cut of my film.
• By the end of week 2 and research on how to use Avid, I will use my skills to complete a
rough cut of my short film.
• I am locking the picture into place.
• I will use my editing knowledge and information gained during the previous months to lock
the emotional moments into a solid short film.
• I am completing the dialogue for my film.
• Whether keeping on set dialogue or producing audio dialogue replacement, I plan to use my
audio knowledge and audio major students to complete a solid dialogue audio track.

13. FILM PRODUCTION THESIS IV: FILM ASSEMBLY
• http://www.lynda.com/Audio-Video-tutorials/Video-Post-Production-Low-Budget-Films/457873-
2.html?srchtrk=index%3a1%0alinktypeid%3a2%0aq%3aemotion+in+films%0apage%3a1%0as%
3arelevance%0asa%3atrue%0aproducttypeid%3a2 (Video Post Production for Low-Budget Films
| Lynda.com, n.d.).
• I am mastering the final audio track.
• Continuing beyond dialogue, I plan to work with audio students to finalize the audio tracks and master the
film soundtrack.
• I am locking the final product into place.
• Using all of my knowledge from the previous months, I plan to finish the film by week 3 with a team of
people.
• I am showcasing the final product in a film festival.
• I plan to enter the film in a film festival after going through the proper channels and proper paperwork.

14. BUSINESS OF FILM
• http://www.lynda.com/Filmmaking-tutorials/Marketing-your-film/129018/493052-
4.html (Marketing your film, n.d.).
• I am selling myself and my ideas to further my goals.
• By branding myself and building a portfolio, I can sell my services and acquire new positions
to further my skill set and experience.
• I am branding myself.
• By looking at what has been made in the past 11 months, I can effectively create a brand and
build myself for others to see effectively.
• I am solidifying myself with a portfolio and brand in the industry.
• Taking what has been made over the past 11 months and joining it together, I can effectively
build myself within the industry.

15. INDUSTRY LEADERS
• Michael Bay: Executive Partner at Platinum Dunes ("Michael Bay - IMDbPro," n.d.)
• +1 310 319 6565 ("Michael Bay - IMDbPro," n.d.)
• Steven Spielberg: Executive at Amblin Entertainment ("Steven Spielberg -
IMDbPro," n.d.)
• +1 818 733 7000 ("Steven Spielberg - IMDbPro," n.d.)
• info@amblinpartners.com ("Steven Spielberg - IMDbPro," n.d.)
• Robert Downey Jr.: via talent agent commercial Todd Shemarya Artists ("Robert
Downey Jr. - IMDbPro," n.d.)
• +1 323 655 3757 ("Robert Downey Jr. - IMDbPro," n.d.)
• info@shemarya.com ("Robert Downey Jr. - IMDbPro," n.d.)

16. INDUSTRY LEADERS
• James Cameron: Chairman/CEO of Lightstorm Entertainment ("James Cameron -
IMDbPro," n.d.)
• +1 310 727 2500 ("James Cameron - IMDbPro," n.d.)
• George Lucas ("George Lucas - IMDbPro," n.d.)
• publicity@skywalkerranch.com ("George Lucas - IMDbPro," n.d.)
• Hayao Miyazaki ("Hayao Miyazaki - IMDbPro," n.d.)
• +81 422 50 2511 ("Hayao Miyazaki - IMDbPro," n.d.)
• post@ghibli.co.jp ("Hayao Miyazaki - IMDbPro," n.d.)

17. INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT: INNOVATIVE
COMPANIES
• Walt Disney Pictures
• Paramount Pictures
• Sony Pictures
• Lionsgate
• Warner Bros.

18. INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT: FULL SAIL
COMMUNITY
• The Crew
• The Film Scene
• Esports League
• Creative Writing Club
• Grammy U
• LAN Club

19. INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT: REAL INDUSTRY
CLUBS
• Writers Guild of America West
• Writers Guild of America East
• Directors Guild of America
• American Cinema Editors
• American Society of Cinematographers
• Producers Guild of America

20. MENTORS
Robert Greene’s Definition of a Mentor Personal Definition of a Mentor
Someone who can teach and learn in a relationship
(Greene, 2012, p. 121). By keeping an open mind,
the relationship between student and mentor can
grow (Greene, 2012, p. 121).
Someone who has been a follower and a leader. He
or she has an understanding of social and emotional
intelligence.
Someone who will give an apprentice tough love
(Greene, 2012, p. 116). He or she must be willing to
push your limits and help you improve (Greene,
2012, p. 116).
Someone who has the experience and intelligence
to teach an apprentice the proper tools of the trade.
Someone who shows us obstacles to avoid, or when
needed, to rebel against (Greene, 2012, p. 112).
Someone who is supportive yet critical to growth
and criticism.
Someone who isn’t afraid to let the apprentice fall.
Yet, they are able to pick the person back up and
make them stronger.

21. REFERENCES
Creating a Short Film: 03 Pre-Production | Lynda.com [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Word-tutorials/Creating-Short-Film-03-Pre-
Production/129020-
2.html?srchtrk=index%3a1%0alinktypeid%3a2%0aq%3aemotion+in+films%0apage%3a1%0as%3arelevance%0asa%3atrue%0aproducttypeid
%3a2
The Emotional Effects of Camera Movement in Your Film [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Video-Filmmaking-tutorials/Every-
camera-movement-has-different-emotional-effect-your-film/167570/182402-4.html
Essentials of Screenwriting - Complete Film Courage Interview with UCLA Professor Richard Walter [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_pVBzWZvpo
George Lucas - IMDbPro. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pro-labs.imdb.com/name/nm0000184?s=24aabee9-4b10-8f31-4f9a-2906b1923b30
Greene, R. (2012). Mastery. New York: Viking.
Hayao Miyazaki - IMDbPro. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pro-labs.imdb.com/name/nm0594503?s=56aabee8-8dce-7eea-68e5-5070858f9305
James Cameron - IMDbPro. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pro-labs.imdb.com/name/nm0000116?s=dcaabee9-8ace-e8d7-4f40-3c9917051105
Marketing your film [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Filmmaking-tutorials/Marketing-your-film/129018/493052-4.html
Michael Bay - IMDbPro. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pro-labs.imdb.com/name/nm0000881?s=14aabee9-f5d1-a235-b5e8-625e109ab30a
Michael Langan, Experimental Filmmaker The Creative Spark [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Video-Filmmaking-
tutorials/Michael-Langan-Experimental-Filmmaker/140917/154734-4.html

22. Organizing Your Project [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpBkp6ks5fk
Robert Downey Jr. - IMDbPro. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pro-labs.imdb.com/name/nm0000375?s=70aabee9-b5f2-5375-fb58-f542b1a78c86
Screenwriting Fundamentals | Lynda.com [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Screenwriting-tutorials/Welcome/100223/124559-4.html
Set goals (from Sales Prospecting) [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-tutorials/Set-goals/415358/473725-4.html
Steven Spielberg - IMDbPro. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://pro-labs.imdb.com/name/nm0000229?s=aaaabee9-161d-bff1-9254-ffb2144545f0
Understanding Copyright: A Deeper Dive | Lynda.com [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-tutorials/Understanding-
Copyright-Deeper-Dive/365065-
2.html?srchtrk=index%3a1%0alinktypeid%3a2%0aq%3aentertainment+law%0apage%3a1%0as%3arelevance%0asa%3atrue%0aproducttypeid
%3a2
Video Lighting 101 | Lynda.com [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Filmmaking-tutorials/Video-Lighting-101/456359-
2.html?srchtrk=index%3a1%0alinktypeid%3a2%0aq%3afilm+lingo%0apage%3a1%0as%3arelevance%0asa%3atrue%0aproducttypeid%3a2
Video Post Production for Low-Budget Films | Lynda.com [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Audio-Video-tutorials/Video-Post-
Production-Low-Budget-Films/457873-
2.html?srchtrk=index%3a1%0alinktypeid%3a2%0aq%3aemotion+in+films%0apage%3a1%0as%3arelevance%0asa%3atrue%0aproducttypeid
%3a2
Video Production and Post Tip of the Week | Lynda.com [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Filmmaking-tutorials/Video-Production-
Post-Tip-Week/480113-
2.html?srchtrk=index%3a1%0alinktypeid%3a2%0aq%3afilm+production%0apage%3a1%0as%3arelevance%0asa%3atrue%0aproducttypeid%
3a2
Working with actors [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Video-Filmmaking-tutorials/Working-actors/79042/80162-4.html