Nzingha Stewart
Dinh Thai
Robert Townsend
Carl Seaton (moderator)
In keeping with the old adage “you only get one time to make a good first impression,” 300 DGA members seeking ways to better prepare for their next episodic directing assignment received valuable information when on February 28 the Director Development Initiative (DDI) hosted the conversational lab, How to Interview for a Directing Job in Television.
The online event featured Directors Nzingha Stewart (Daisy Jones & The Six), Dinh Thai (American Born Chinese) and Robert Townsend (Power Book IV: Force) in a conversation moderated by Director Carl Seaton (The Irrational) that shared insider’s knowledge of how to secure the job, along with tips for navigating the interview process and advice on putting the best presentation forward in interactions with creative executives.
During the discussion, Thai revealed the importance of relationship building and how those relationships also created important career opportunities that were built on his skill but also made possible by those connections.
Stewart spoke about how she prepares for interviews for a job on a show by watching episodes, doing script analysis and showing how well versed she is in the content prior to the interview – particularly since its important to be able to speak to how you will approach the storytelling in your role as a Director.
Townsend shared how he goes the extra mile and emphasized how he uses his prep process to ensure he makes his day when shooting and the impact that has on studios’ desire to hire him.
Seaton summed it all up when he said find a Director you admire who has direct at a level you would like to see yourself on and become a student of not just their work but their life as a way of preparing yourself for not just the interview process but also how you leverage a directing job to create an opportunity afterward.
The conversation was followed by Q&A with attending members as all the panelists fielded questions on topics such as shadowing as an opportunity to get through the door, agents and managers, and how to get over when you are stuck and seemingly not securing a new opportunity.
DGA Members can watch the full video from Director Development Initiative events by clicking here.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS:
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About the Director Development Initiative:
The Director Development Initiative is designed to provide current information on the Director’s craft in order to further the Guild’s goal to increase diversity and inclusion in the industry.
