This course will provide students with a hands-on approach in developing the fundamentals of creatively producing a micro-cinema series (also referred to as “Micro-Dramas” or “Vertical Cinema”). The in-class screenings of existing works will help students to define the issues of writing specifically for micro-cinema content (1-3 minutes per episode) and demonstrate how abstract ideas are developed into concrete scenes. A variety of approaches to visual storytelling will be examined from the concept to dramatic structures, character development, tone, and style. The student’s micro-cinema series can be in the narrative, documentary or reality TV genres. Students will engage in a series of exercises that help them find the right artistic and practical approaches to their series while they continue refining their stories. They will learn to develop a visual approach to written material and understand the important ways in which micro-cinema differs from full-length feature films. The first half of the course students work on the development and pre-production phase of their micro-cinema series idea. The second half of the course takes the students through the production phase of shooting a sample pilot for their program on their phones as part of their pitch deck for their series. The course ends with student presenting their pitch decks and completed pilots in class.