DGA members seeking advice on how episodic television Directors can collaborate with Actors on set to create their best work heard a variety of approaches during the Director Development Initiative (DDI) live workshop, Working with Actors.
Held in the atrium of the Guild’s Los Angeles headquarters, the workshop was led by Directors Daniel Attias, Michael D. Cohen, Jenée LaMarque, Tara Miele and Daniel Scheinert, the session explored strategies they use to support performances that best serve the story.
Adding visual impact to their discussion, the panelists traded off as Directors and cast members to demonstrate how one can adapt to an Actor’s method of reaching their goals as well as revealing workshop techniques that can inspire an the best performances.
During the demonstrations, the panelists all remarked that a high level of vulnerability is often required of Actors and offered tips for how to support and guide their cast members.
LaMarque shared that she approaches her Actors with an unconditional positive regard to build a trusting relationship, inspire confidence and foster respect.
Attias emphasized the importance of doing research before going on set by familiarizing as much as you can with the characters and the storyline to truly understand what Actors might require in the way of guidance.
Cohen explained that his pre-production process of working with performers begins by reading the script through the characters’ voice and perspective.
Miele noted that she likes to also spend time with her Actors off set to understand them as people.
Scheinert divulged his penchant for playing out the parts of the characters first to help him get closer to his Actors and how adding humor is essential to ease up the work vibes.
On the topic of filming stunts and intimate scenes, both Miele and Scheinert agreed that their role as Directors consists of providing a safe environment which is pivotal.
During the Q&A following the discussion and demonstrations, the panelists shared the importance of finding balance as Directors—making sure to come to the show incredibly prepared and ready to lead but also being amenable and willing to work together with everyone on set.
DGA Members can watch the full video from
Director Development Initiative events by clicking here.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS:
 Daniel Attias
Attias’ directorial credits include episodes of Tell Me Lies, The Americans, Deadwood, True Blood, Lost, Big Love, The Killing, True Detective, The Walking Dead, Bloodline, Friday Night Lights, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Billions, Entourage and The Boys. He was nominated for DGA Awards for episodes of The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Homeland and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He won the 2008 DGA Award for Outstanding Direction of Dramatic Television his episode of The Wire, “Transitions.” Attias is the author of Directing Great Television: Inside TV’s New Golden Age. He has been a DGA member since 1980 and serves on the Television Creative Rights Committee. |
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 Michael D. Cohen
Best known for his series regular role on the Nickelodeon sitcoms Henry Danger and its spinoff Danger Force, Cohen’s directorial credits include the short film Roughing It; and episodes of Danger Force. He also teaches acting classes through the Michael D. Cohen Acting Studio where leads “Acting for Directors” workshops. Cohen joined the DGA in 2020 and serves as a co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Committee’s Trans Sub-Committee and is spearheading the creation of a new mentorship program. |
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 Jenée LaMarque
LaMarque’s directorial credits include the features The Pretty One and The Feels; the short film, Spoonful; and episodes of Based on a True Story, Vida, Room 104, Sorry For Your Loss, Run the World, Dead to Me, As We See It, Julia and P-Valley. LaMarque joined the DGA in 2017. |
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 Tara Miele
Miele’s directorial credits include the feature films Wander Darkly, Starving in Suburbia, Gone Missing and The Lake Effect; the movie for television Lost Boy; and episodes of The Rookie, La Brea, Hawaii Five-0, Arrow, Batwoman and Fantasy Island. She was nominated for the 2023 DGA Award for Movies for Television & Limited Series for an episode of Lessons in Chemistry. Miele has been a DGA member since 2014 and serves on the Western Directors Council and was previously a Co-Chair of the Women’s Steering Committee where she helped launch the DGA’s first peer-to-peer mentorship program for women, The WSC Squad.
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 Daniel Scheinert
One-half of the filmmaking duo Daniels with Director Daniel Kwan, Scheinert’s directorial credits include the features Swiss Army Man and The Death of Dick Long; episodes of Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, On Becoming a God in Central Florida and Childrens Hospital; and multiple award-winning music videos. The Daniels won the “Best Director” Oscar and the 2022 DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Scheinert joined the DGA in 2010. |
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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.