As part of her professional development, Katja Restović completed an exclusive masterclass with legendary storyboard artist David Russell, one of the most influential visual creators in contemporary cinema. A true visionary, Russell has contributed to more than eighty Hollywood productions, with his storyboards and concept art defining the visual identity of some of the most iconic films of our time.
His artistic signature is woven into titles that have shaped film history — from the cult classic Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, to cinematic milestones such as Batman and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, all the way to the sumptuous visual worlds of Moulin Rouge!, The Wolverine, and many other major productions from studios like Marvel, Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros.
Russell is celebrated for his extraordinary ability to translate emotion, tension, and narrative rhythm into images long before the camera begins to roll. His impeccably crafted, imaginative storyboards serve as the backbone of entire film productions — a blueprint through which directors, cinematographers, and crews bring stories to life. This mastery is the foundation of his renowned masterclass, The Art of Storyboarding: Direct Before You Shoot, considered one of the premier educational experiences in the field of visual storytelling.
In this program, the focus is on understanding filmic narrative at its core: how to convey emotion through the cadence of a shot, how to build dramatic tension, how to “direct with a pencil,” and how to transform a director’s abstract vision into a visual language that unites the entire creative team. Restović absorbed this knowledge, expanded it, and seamlessly integrated it into her artistic practice — from music videos and visual campaigns to documentary and narrative film projects. For her, the masterclass was a defining experience that refined her visual sensibility, strengthened her professional authority, and opened pathways to bold new works where film, aesthetics, and authorial voice meet.
The David Russell Masterclass is not simply education — it is a rare encounter with an artist whose imagination and draftsmanship have helped shape the very fabric of modern cinema.
