The Artistry Behind the Film

classes meet online on Mondays from 4.30 - 6pm EST

Discover the hidden brilliance behind some of the most memorable films in cinema with The Artistry Behind the Film—a unique webinar series that shines a light on the unsung heroes of filmmaking. While directors and lead actors often receive the accolades, it’s the behind-the-scenes artists who bring a film’s visual world to life. From the Cinematographer and Production Designer to the Set Decorator and Costume Designer, their collaborative genius is what makes a film’s story believable and its world immersive.

In this series, we’ll uncover the extraordinary craftsmanship and creative processes of these essential contributors. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how their work, though designed to blend seamlessly into the background, elevates storytelling to an entirely new level.

Each webinar focuses on a different film, diving into its production, visual artistry, and cultural significance. Sessions can be taken individually or as part of the series. Whether you’re a film lover, an aspiring filmmaker, or simply curious about the magic of movies, these sessions will leave you inspired and informed.

Upcoming classes:

Monday, February 10: The Farewell
Directed by Lulu Wang, this heartfelt dramedy explores cultural traditions, family bonds, and identity. We’ll delve into how the film’s visual and emotional authenticity was crafted, from its delicate production design to its nuanced storytelling.

Monday, February 24: Little Miss Sunshine
Join us for a journey with the endearing yet dysfunctional Hoover family in this bittersweet road trip dramedy. Discover how humor and heartache collide through inspired set design and award-winning performances.

Monday, March 10: Lady Bird
Greta Gerwig’s coming-of-age masterpiece captures the complexities of adolescence and mother-daughter relationships. Explore how the film’s production design, costume choices, and visual storytelling bring Lady Bird’s world to life.

Monday, April 7: A Real Pain
Directed by Jesse Eisenberg, this dark comedy intertwines humor and grief as two cousins search for their roots in Poland. Learn about the creative balance of absurdity and emotional depth in crafting this poignant exploration of identity.

Registration Details

Key Benefits:

  • Access to Recordings: Missed the live session? You’ll receive a recording link within 24 hours.

  • Exclusive Content: Enjoy curated clips, slides, and in-depth insights into each film’s artistry and production.

    This series offers a rich, thought-provoking exploration of tragicomedy, blending laughter, tears, and the art of storytelling. Don’t miss the chance to gain new insights into films that capture the complexity of the human experience.

Customized Programs

Take the burden off your team to come up with engaging programming and book my online events to create shared experiences.

FILM CLUB

Bored of your book club but still want to get together with your friends for a lively evening on storytelling? Pick a movie for each session and filmmaker Viviane Silvera will be your moderator, bringing her over 20 years of teaching experience and in depth knowledge of filmmaking to guide and inform a scintillating conversation.

WEBINARS

An in-depth entertaining and fascinating presentation including video clips, painting slides and film stills to explore any of the below titles

Contact me to access webinar recordings (listed below)

ON CINEMATOGRAPHY & STORYTELLING

  • Past Lives

  • Maestro

  • In The Mood For Love

  • Anatomy of a Fall

  • Oppenheimer Part One

  • Oppenheimer Part Two

  • Barbie

  • Maestro

  • Fantastic Fungi

  • Stories We Tell

  • The Bureau

  • The Power of the Dog

  • La La Land

  • Searching for Sugarman

  • Monsoon Wedding

  • Tar

  • Free Solo

  • My Octopus Teacher (and the world of underwater cinematography)

  • In Treatment

  • Coppola: Inside the Creative Process (Apocalypse Now Part 1)

  • Darkness & Light: The Making of Apocalypse Now (Part 2) & the Vision of Cinematographer Vittorio Storaro

  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Parts One + Two: World Building

  • Normal People: Cinematography inspired by the work of Nan Goldin

  • Nora Ephron Part One: When Harry Met Sally

  • Nora Ephron Part Two: Silkwood, Heartburn and Sleepless in Seattle

  • Scorsese: Raging Bull

  • Scorsese: “The Age of Innocence”, Scorsese’s Most Brutal Film

  • Ordinary People

  • Swept Up In Story: “Tootsie”

  • The Artistry Behind E.T

  • My Brilliant Friend: World Building + Cinematography

  • White Tiger

  • Mozart in the Jungle

  • King Richard

  • CODA

  • Boyhood

  • Temple Grandin

    MEMORY FILMS + SERIES

Films that explore human memory.

  • Ordinary People

  • The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

  • Never Look Away

  • In Treatment

  • The English Patient

  • Life of Pi

  • Schindler’s List

  • Inside Out

  • Stories We Tell

WHERE FILM AND PAINTING MEET

Film directors often reference paintings when planning the mood and visual style of their film. “Light it like Rembrandt” is a commonly used term between director and cinematographer. This series examines the painters who renowned filmmakers have referenced in their films. Film images move quickly, at 24 frames per second, and even the experienced art connoisseur can miss most of these references. From Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List”, to Christopher Nolan’s “Batman: The Dark Night”, each lecture covers different filmmakers and the painters they reference.

  • Light It Like Rembrandt: Today's Filmmakers Steal from the Masters. This class gives an overview of dozens of painters including Goya, Bacon, Botticelli and Rembrandt referenced in contemporary films.

  • Bridgerton: The Netflix series that Reimagines a Velasquez, features a Room of genuine van Dykes + much more

  • Caravaggio’s “The Calling of Saint Matthew” & Rousseau’s “Snake Charmer” in Apocalypse Now

  • Scorsese & Caravaggio: Locating Caravaggio’s light and compositions in film

  • Steven Spielberg and Norman Rockwell

  • Frida Kahlo’s Paintings Reconstructed In Julie Taymor’s “Frida”

  • Gerhard Richter in “Never Look Away”

  • Hidden In Plain Sight: Paintings by Francis Bacon, Goya, Turner and More in movies we all know and love.

THE ARTISTRY BEHIND LIMITED SERIES

  • The Talented. Mr.Ripley

  • Curb Your Enthusiam

  • Wise Guy

  • The Extraordinary Attorney Woo

  • The Bureau

  • The Last Movie Stars

  • Bridgerton

  • Succession

  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

  • The Gilded Age (HBOMAX)

  • The Queen’s Gambit

  • Unorthodox

  • The Crown

  • My Brilliant Friend

  • Normal People

  • The Bear

  • Dickinson

  • Call My Agent (Netflix)

  • The Spy (Netflix)

  • The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem (Netflix)

  • Queen Charlotte (Netflix)

  • Fleishman Is In Trouble (Max)

  • The Extraordinary Attorney Woo (Netflix)

  • Schitt’s Creek

  • The Spy

    MAGICAL REALIISM

  • Blending the Real and the Magical in Film

  • Forrest Gump

  • Amelie

  • Life of Pi

    ON SCULPTURE

  • Rodin: Father of Modern Sculpture: Explore the innovations, legacy and personal twists and turns in Rodin’s life and art.

  • Camille Claudel: “Please Tell Them What Happened to Me”: What did it mean to be an artistic prodigy when women were not considered capable of forging a path without a man, What would Camille Claudel be known for today if she had not come up and eventually wilted in the shadow of her mentor and lover, Rodin?

    ON PHOTOGRAPHY

  • Annie Leibovitz

  • Richard Avedon

  • Robert Farber

    ON JEWISH THEMES IN FILM + TV

  • A Real Pain

  • The Making of Schindler’s List

  • The Ripple Effects of Schindler’s List

  • Golda

  • The Spy

  • “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”: A Jewish Family is at the heart of the humor and raucously entertaining blockbuster show.

  • The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem

ON WOMENS’ STORIES AND WOMEN STORYTELLERS

  • Terms of Endearment

  • The Farewell

  • Dickenson

  • Ladybird

  • The Queen’s Gambit

  • The Power of Jane Campion: The Piano and The Power of the Dog

  • The Lost Daughter, based on the book by Elena Ferrante, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal

  • My Brilliant Friend, based on the books of Elena Ferrante

  • “Frida” on artist Frida Kahlo, directed by Julie Taymor

  • Camille Claudel

  • Annie Leibovitz

  • Nora Ephron

  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: The invention of this luminous and inspiring show is the brain child of a women, starring a woman., and joined by a brilliant supporting cast of women.

  • CODA

  • Temple Grandin

  • Queen Charlotte

NON FICTION

  • Wise Guy

  • In Restless Dreams

  • Mountain Queen

  • The Last Movie Stars (MAX)

  • The Rescue (National Geographic)

  • The Painter and the Thief (Hulu)

  • Searching for Sugarman

  • Three Identical Strangers

  • My Octopus Teacher

  • Navalny (MAX)

  • Annie Leibowitz

  • Free Solo

  • All That Breathes