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DGA Television Diversity Director Program Welcome Workshop

December 6, 2014

A DGA Diversity Event

On December 6, nearly 40 participants from the 2014 Television Diversity Director Programs gathered in the Guild’s Los Angeles Atrium for a welcome workshop. The workshop was designed to provide practical and timely information about episodic TV directing to the participants of the various studio diversity directing programs.

After a networking breakfast, DGA Associate National Executive Director/Western Executive Director G. Bryan Unger welcomed the participants and introduced DGA President Paris Barclay (Sons of Anarchy), who spoke about the Guild’s coordinated diversity efforts and the desire to help this new group of television directors make their mark in the business.

The workshop then commenced with the first of three panel discussions, Lessons from the Set about Shadowing. Directors Zetna Fuentes (Forever) and Millicent Shelton (Awkward) discussed the “do’s and don’ts” of shadowing directors on the set in a conversation moderated by Barclay.

The second panel discussion, The Secrets of Success for Episodic Television Directors, featured Directors Eric Appel (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Rebecca Asher (Blackish), and Ken Whittingham (The Mindy Project) in an exploration of what it means to be well prepared and an effective television director. DGA Diversity Task Force Co-Chair Todd Holland (Shameless) served as moderator.

After lunch, the workshop continued with the final panel discussion, Finding the Keys to Better Networking, with Directors Karen Gaviola (Gotham), Gail Mancuso (Modern Family), Seith Mann (The Walking Dead), and Rosemary Rodriguez (The Good Wife) revealing how they successfully drove their prolific television directing careers forward in a conversation moderated by DGA Diversity Task Force Co-Chair Betty Thomas (Audrey).

The Workshop concluded with a “Speed Dating” meet and greet where program participants were able to network with Producer/Directors Lesli Linka Glatter (Homeland), Todd Holland (The Pro), Michael Spiller (New Girl), Lawrence Trilling (Parenthood), and Rick Wallace (Major Crimes).

Pictures

photos by Byron Gamarro

View slideshow
Participants from the Television Diversity Director Programs check in at the DGA’s Los Angeles Atrium for the 2014 Welcome Workshop.
DGA Associate National Executive Director/Western Executive Director G. Bryan Unger welcomes the participants to the Television Diversity Director Program Welcome Workshop.
DGA President Paris Barclay speaks about Guild’s coordinated diversity efforts.
Directors Millicent Shelton and Zetna Fuentes and DGA President Paris Barclay (moderator) conduct the panel discussion Lessons from the Set about Shadowing.
Director Zetna Fuentes discusses the art of shadowing.
Director Millicent Shelton discusses what can be learned by watching other directors work.
A Television Diversity Director Programs participant asks a question about shadowing.
Directors Ken Whittingham, Rebecca Asher, Eric Appel, and DGA Diversity Task Force Co-Chair Todd Holland (moderator) conduct the panel discussion The Secrets of Success for Episodic Television Directors.
Director Eric Appel speaks about the key components to success.
Director Rebecca Asher reveals how she preps for a shoot.
Director Ken Whittingham explains what it means to be well prepared.
DGA Diversity Task Force Co-Chair Todd Holland serves as moderator of the panel discussion The Secrets of Success for Episodic Television Directors.
Television Diversity Director Programs participants get valuable information about how to be successful in episodic television.
Directors Rosemary Rodriguez, Seith Mann, Gail Mancuso, Karen Gaviola, and Betty Thomas (moderator) conduct the panel discussion Finding the Keys to Better Networking.
Director Karen Gaviola speaks about how to utilize your networking skills.
Director Gail Mancuso reveals how she successfully drove her television directing career forward.
Director Seith Mann discusses tactics for successful networking.
Director Rosemary Rodriguez talks about networking strategies.
DGA Diversity Task Force Co-Chair Betty Thomas serves as moderator of the panel discussion Finding the Keys to Better Networking.
Television Diversity Director Programs participants ask questions about networking.
DGA President Paris Barclay, Assistant Executive Director/Director of Diversity Frank Bennett Gonzalez, and Associate National Executive Director/Western Executive Director G. Bryan Unger go over the lists for the “speed dating” meet and greet sessions with the Producer/Directors.
Producer/Directors Michael Spiller, Rick Wallace, Lesli Linka Glatter, and Lawrence Trilling enter the workshop for the “speed dating” meet and greet sessions with the Television Diversity Director Programs participants.
Television Diversity Director Programs participants participate in “speed dating” meet and greet sessions with Producer/Director Lesli Linka Glatter.
Television Diversity Director Programs participants participate in “speed dating” meet and greet sessions with Producer/Director Todd Holland.
Television Diversity Director Programs participants participate in “speed dating” meet and greet sessions with Producer/Director Michael Spiller.
Television Diversity Director Programs participants participate in “speed dating” meet and greet sessions with Producer/Director Lawrence Trilling.
Television Diversity Director Programs participants participate in “speed dating” meet and greet sessions with Producer/Director Rick Wallace.

Calendar

6/1/2025 - 6/7/2025