Deep Dive Courses: Explore a Film a Week with Chad Hendricks
An 8–9 Week Director-Led Immersion Into Real Independent Filmmaking
Step inside the mind of indie director Chad Hendricks as you dissect one of his films each week—shot decisions, lighting psychology, sound strategy, pacing, transitions, practical effects, and storytelling technique. This is not theory from a textbook. This is Chad showing you exactly how he built these films, why he made the choices he did, and how you can apply the same or better tools to your own work.
This structured multi-week course is designed for aspiring filmmakers, film students, and self-taught creators ready to learn filmmaking from real projects—not hypotheticals. Each week introduces a cinematic principle, includes a guided film viewing, and ends with a practical assignment so you can apply the technique.
 
Course Breakdown
Week 1 — Lighting as Emotion
Film: Insane in the Brain
Learn how lighting shapes a movie: from mood, psychology, intensity, and emotional subtext. Understand motivated lighting versus expressive lighting, and practice building your own emotional lighting plan.
 
Week 2 — Sound and Character Ownership
Film: Kracker Jack’d
Explore how sound affects a movie and rookie sound mistakes: How sound defines personality, tension, pacing, and authenticity. Study how characters "OWNING" their role can add to the full experience. -go big or go home. 
Study Chad’s approach to vocal tone, ambient environments, and the creative use of silence.
 
Week 3 — Transitions and Anxiety Craft
Film: Everything Means Nothing
Discover how editing transitions mimic internal emotional states. Go behind the scenes on how to turn a short into a full feature: Break down pacing, jump cuts, visual rhythm, and how to use transitions to portray anxiety, chaos, or calm.
 
Week 4 — Practical Effects and Cheating the Scene
Film: Turntables
Learn hands-on techniques for creating impressive visual effects using low-budget, practical solutions. Study how to sell illusions using creative camera angles, props, and timing.
 
Week 5 — Special Effects and Cheating the Scene (Advanced)
Film: Bloody Frikin Mary
Build on Week 4 with an introduction to DIY VFX methods, compositing basics, and ways to create supernatural or extreme visual moments on an indie budget.
 
Week 6 — Montage and Symbolic Movement
Film: Block Burner
Study montage theory, recurring imagery, symbolic action, and movement-driven storytelling. Learn how to communicate themes without dialogue through rhythm and visual repetition.
 
Week 7 — POV and Creative Risk
Film: Me and Mrs. Jones
Explore unconventional point-of-view choices, camera placement psychology, and how to make bold creative decisions that break rules intentionally and effectively.
 
Week 8 — Final Project Development and Scene Lab
Workshop your own scene. Build the pitch, shot list, emotional arc, and execution plan using everything learned so far. Chad provides guided direction as you prepare your final scene.
 
Week 9 — Final Cuts, Critique, and Distribution Basics
Refine your scene, receive critique from Chad, and learn how to package your project for festivals, online distribution, micro-streamers, and indie platforms.
 
What You Gain from the Course
Nine weeks of guided filmmaker development
Weekly film breakdowns rooted in real independent projects
Practical assignments to reinforce each lesson
Direct insight into Chad’s filmmaking process
A structured pathway to creating your own final scene
Honest, practical critique designed to elevate your work
 
Price Points:
Full 9-Week Deep Dive Course
$399
Includes all weekly lessons, assignments, film breakdowns, and final project critique.
 
Premium Director’s Seat
$549
Includes everything in the full course plus:
A private recorded scene review from Chad
Priority access for Q&A submissions
Exclusive behind-the-scenes material
A certificate of completion signed by Chad Hendricks
 
Add-On: Final Scene Edit Review
$129
Chad watches and critiques your final edited scene, providing focused feedback on pacing, sound, performance, tension, and storytelling.