Simens’ teaching philosophy is rooted in one core idea: He famously claims that you can learn everything necessary to produce a feature film in one weekend. His curriculum focuses heavily on:
Before the era of YouTube tutorials and digital filmmaking, Simens was one of the few voices telling aspiring creators that they didn't need millions of dollars or a degree from USC or NYU to be a "real" filmmaker. His book, , remains a cult classic manual for indie producers.
Who famously said he didn't go to film school—he went to movies and took Dov’s course.
Perhaps the strongest argument for Simens' methods is the list of successful filmmakers who have taken his course. High-profile "graduates" include:
