Student Open House and Student Videoconferencing Program

Student Video Conference with Michigan State University featuring Director Maureen Bharoocha

On April 4, 2023 the Special Projects Committee hosted a video conference with students from the American Independent Film class at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. Special Projects Academic Outreach Subcommittee Chair Randal Kleiser welcomed the group and introduced Director Maureen Bharoocha – the featured speaker for this session.

During the hour-long event the students were able to view various pieces of Bharoocha’s work and gain valuable insights as she spoke about her experience breaking into the industry. Amongst many valuable pieces of advice, she encouraged students to create work as they are learning and seek out the opportunities that create space for them to be creative and utilize their talents. She reminded them how important pushing forward is in this industry and how long it can take to get your first break. The students asked a variety of great questions focused on the changing dynamics of the entertainment industry and how their unique experiences can be used to create engaging works of art. 

Asked by one of the students about the value of being a member of the Guild, she talked about how engagement in the DGA’s committees has really enriched her experience and created a network of people she can learn from and lean on, on top of the importance of having benefits like health insurance and a pension plan.

The program is the brainchild of the DGA's Special Projects' Academic Outreach Sub-committee and is designed to bring students in film and television classes around the country in direct contact with DGA members working in the industry to discuss career issues, the art and craft of directing and other topics related to film and television production.

PAST VIDEO CONFERENCES 

• Arizona State University
  Featuring Director Michael Apted
• Ball State University Digital Storytelling Class
  Featuring Director Joe Menendez
• Duke University
  Featuring Director David Nutter
• Miami-Dade Community College
  Featuring Director Gary Fleder
• Montana State University
  Featuring Director Penelope Spheeris
• New Jersey City University
  Featuring Director Carl Franklin
• San Antonio College Film Club
  Featuring Director Millicent Shelton
• University of Hawaii
  Featuring Director Cameron Crowe
• University of Kansas
  Featuring Director John Stockwell and Assistant Director Rip Murray
• University of Nevada, Las Vegas Advanced Production Class
  Featuring Director Randal Kleiser
• Vanderbilt University
  Featuring Director Richard Benjamin
• Vanderbilt University Advanced Filmmaking Class
  Featuring Director Donald Petrie

Student Open House 2017

On April 22, the DGA's Special Projects Academic Subcommittee presented Framing Your Future, a Student Open House in the Guild’s Los Angeles theater complex. The open house and networking lunch were designed to give Southern California film school students the opportunity to get valuable career information from working directors.

The morning kicked off with a welcome message from DGA Special Projects Committee Chair Jeremy Kagan (SHOT), who spoke more about the Guild and its mission. Kagan then turned things over to DGA Special Projects Academic Subcommittee Chair Randal Kleiser (Defrost), who served as moderator of a panel discussion with DGA Director-members Jon Cassar (24), Nisha Ganatra (Better Things), Michelle MacLaren (Game of Thrones) and Todd Phillips (The Hangover). The panelists covered subjects such as their early careers and formative experiences, and how they got to where they are today.

Afterwards, the students were able to speak with the panelists during a Q&A session and learn more about the Guild and some of its associates via exhibit tables in the DGA lobby.