Jan 24th, 2026 Bootcamp

Commercial Directing Bootcamp

One-Day Intensive Seminar

Limited to 10 Filmmakers

Our in-person, interactive filmmaking seminar on how to launch, manage, revive and grow your career directing commercials. This flagship course started our film school in 2015 and always sells out. Limit 10 filmmakers.

Apply Now - Always Sells Out

Who Should Apply?

Filmmakers

Advertising Creatives

In-house Production Teams

Producers

Cinematographers

Writers

Actors

Anyone seriously considering a career in directing commercials or just wants to respect the process.

See more about our Filmmaker Diversity Award

Customized to Your Needs

Your work is viewed prior to the workshop, because each Bootcamp is customized to the participants' needs. You'll receive a 1:1 onboarding call to discuss your goals before the intensive begins.

Pre-workshop portfolio review

1:1 onboarding call with Jordan

Customized curriculum for your cohort

Complimentary artisan lunch provided

The Complete Curriculum

Module 1

How Directors Get Gigs

The ecosystem of commercial directing—production companies, reps, agencies, and the invisible pathways to landing your first real job.

Module 2

Spot Lifecycle & Director's Responsibility

From RFP to final delivery—understand every phase of a commercial and exactly what's expected of you at each stage.

Module 3

The Director's Mindset

Think like a superhero. Develop the mental framework that separates working directors from wannabes.

Module 4

Winning Pitches & Treatments

Dissect actual winning treatments and listen to real conference calls—both victories and defeats.

Module 5

Spec Spots: Demystified

Should you make them? How to make them count? The truth about spec work in today's market.

Module 6

Industry Guest Q&A

Raw conversations with Executive Producers, Sales Reps, and Agency Creatives about what they really look for.

Module 7

Case Study & BTS Footage

Candid behind-the-scenes footage from an actual commercial shoot—see how the sausage is really made.

Module 8

Commercial Directing Voodoo

My top-secret Jedi mind tricks and practical shooting tips that actually work on set.

Module 9

To Sign or Not to Sign

The rise of the freelance director vs. production company representation—what's right for you?

Module 10

The Key to Career Longevity

How to build repeat business, evolve with the industry, and not flame out after five years.

What You'll Learn

Candid behind the scenes footage of an actual shoot.

How Directors get jobs.

Spec spots. Yes? No? Best way to make them.

Lifecycle of an ad campaign for the filmmaker.

Candid behind the scenes footage of an actual shoot.

The rise of the Freelance Director.

How to think like a superhero.

Signing to a production company.

Collaborate while leading.

How to do a winning conference call.

Listen to winning & losing conference call.

How to craft winning treatments.

Pre-production through Post.

Casting using The Brady Method.

Getting great performances from actors.

Lead your crew with Gratitude.

Case study of a gig.

Agency & Client protocol.

How to Respect The Process.

When to Disrespect The Process.

Repeat business.

How to not suck at directing.

My top secret, world famous Jedi mind tricks.

Much, much more.

What You Won't Learn

This is not a film course aimed at episodic or feature directing, although we cover a lot of film craft. This is how to approach filmmaking for commercials as a career, and how you can succeed as a filmmaker in advertising.

What Past Students Say

John Pedersen, In-House Agency Director

We’re stocked up on enthusiasm but thin on real industry experience. That’s why bringing in Jordan is so helpful—his knowledge, instincts, and insight provide a great gut-check on the creative ...

Adam Taylor, Commercial Director (Houston, TX)

The idea that I have someone with his expertise in my corner gives me the ability and confidence to sell some huge productions and then get solid advice from Jordan ...

Kevin O’Brien, Director

I can't recommend Jordan's Director's Retreat enough if you want to get better at the craft. Of course, we learned a tonne of useful tips, phrases, and insights to help ...

Leif Ramsey, Director at Pathfinder Films

Jordan is also an awesome mentor who is incredibly generous with his time. There's no feeling of competitiveness or thoughts like, "Hey, is this guy gonna steal my work?" He's ...

Marq Mssengale, CEO, producer and director at Mass Digital Content

For me, the value in The Filmmakers Retreat is the way it forced me to find myself. I learned to look within myself and find out what kind of filmmaker/storyteller ...

Eliu Cornielle, Commercial director and documentary filmmaker

My “aha” moment from the Joshua Tree commercial filmmaking retreat came in two parts. First, having open, unfiltered access to someone as seasoned as Jordan revealed answers to questions that ...

Tom Staniford, Creative Director, Gusto

For me, the thing that clicked as genius was the environment and experience Jordan inspired us to create on set. Like a giant production company flag coming out of video ...

Kim DiVincenzo, commercial director and filmmaker

The Joshua Tree retreat was a game-changer for me. Seeing real examples of Jordan’s pitch calls, both the wins and the misses, was incredibly valuable. As directors, we rarely get ...

Bootcamp Details

Duration
One intensive day

Class Size
Limited to 10 filmmakers

Includes
Artisan lunch & all materials

Satisfaction guaranteed. Top Secret Training Facility disclosed upon sign up. Video/Audio Recording of Bootcamp is prohibited.

Bootcamp Apply Now

Why This Works

Proven Track Record

The flagship course that started our film school in 2015. Always sells out.

Real Industry Insights

Learn from someone who's directed 1340+ commercials for major brands.

Immediate Application

Walk away with actionable strategies you can implement immediately.

Small Group Focus

Intimate setting ensures personal attention and networking opportunities.

Ready to Launch Your Commercial Directing Career?

Filmmakers will learn how to win jobs and craft better work that leads to more opportunities. Agency creatives will learn how the flow goes on-set before the shoot.

Apply for Next Bootcamp

"Learn to direct commercials for a living, from filmmakers directing commercials for a living."
— Jordan Brady

Questions?

jordan@commercialdirectingfilmschool.com

Follow Jordan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatjordanbrady/
Contact Us
Contact Us
Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top
What Our Clients Say
25 reviews