*Where the “register” button goes: You’ll be taken to On Art’s page at the Center for Independent Documentary (CID), our nonprofit fiscal sponsor. All contributions go directly to making our films. U.S. donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
What it is
Directors and stars take the bows—but film is a team sport. This series shines a light on the artists who build what you feel on screen: the cinematographer, production designer, set decorator, costume designer, and more. We break down choices, show references, and connect technique to emotion and story.
How it works
Live on Zoom with Q&A
Recording included for all registrants
Pay-what-you-wish
Tax-deductible donation to the Center for Independent Documentary (See Memory) — recommended $50–$100 per class
Upcoming Session
The Art of War on Film: Saving Private Ryan
Details: Monday, Oct 13 · 4:30 PM ET · Live on Zoom
Why the D-Day sequence still sets the standard: handheld camera, shutter and desaturation choices, sound design, ocean shoot logistics, and the psychology that makes terror and intimacy land.
What you’ll get
Clear breakdowns of visual and story craft
Curated clips and slides (no spoilers without warning)
Practical takeaways for filmmakers and curious film lovers
Archive & Themes
Cinematography & Storytelling
Dirty Dancing · Past Lives · Maestro · In the Mood for Love · Anatomy of a Fall · Oppenheimer (Parts I & II) · Barbie · The Power of the Dog · La La Land · Monsoon Wedding · Tár · Nora Ephron Part 1 (When Harry Met Sally) · Nora Ephron Part 2 (Silkwood, Heartburn, Sleepless in Seattle) · Scorsese: Raging Bull · Scorsese: The Age of Innocence · Tootsie · White Tiger · King Richard · CODA · Boyhood · Temple Grandin
Memory Films & Series
Ordinary People · 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
Light It Like Rembrandt (overview: Goya, Bacon, Botticelli, Rembrandt) · Bridgerton (Velázquez, Van Dyck, and more) · Caravaggio’s Calling of Saint Matthew & Rousseau’s Snake Charmer in Apocalypse Now · Scorsese & Caravaggio · Spielberg & Norman Rockwell · Frida Kahlo in Julie Taymor’s Frida · Gerhard Richter in Never Look Away · Hidden in Plain Sight (Bacon, Goya, Turner, others)
The Artistry Behind Limited Series
The Residence · Ripley · Curb Your Enthusiasm · Extraordinary Attorney Woo · The Bureau · Bridgerton · Succession · The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel · The Gilded Age · The Queen’s Gambit · Unorthodox · The Crown · My Brilliant Friend · Normal People · The Bear · Dickinson · Call My Agent! · Schitt’s Creek · Queen Charlotte
Magical Realism
Amélie · Life of Pi · Forrest Gump
On Sculpture
Rodin: Father of Modern Sculpture · Camille Claudel: “Please Tell Them What Happened to Me”
On Photography
Annie Leibovitz · Richard Avedon · Robert Farber
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 · The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem · Fleishman Is in Trouble
Non-Fiction / Documentary
In Restless Dreams · Mountain Queen · The Last Movie Stars · The Rescue · The Painter and the Thief · Searching for Sugar Man · Three Identical Strangers · My Octopus Teacher · Navalny · Free Solo · All That Breathes · Fantastic Fungi
Recordings & inquiries
Looking for a past session? Email vivianesilvera@gmail.com and include the title(s) you want; recordings are available by donation.
Ready to join the next session? Email Us → Register (Pay-What-You-Wish) →
Why does the Register/Pay button take me to CID?
CID (Center for Independent Documentary) is our nonprofit fiscal sponsor. They process registrations/donations for these webinars, and every dollar goes to the making of Viviane’s films. You’ll still receive the Zoom link and the recording after you register.
