DGA members gathered in the Guild's New York boardroom on May 15 for an informative discussion about how to advertise a Director’s talent in today’s ever-changing media landscape. The seminar Marketing the Director, was part of the Eastern Directors Council's (EDC) Focus on Women Series and featured a panel discussion with Directors, managers, agents, and publicists well-versed in the tools and techniques needed to achieve success.
The panel included New York-based Director-Writer Ira Sachs, whose films include Keep the Lights On (2012), Married Life (2007), and the Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning Forty Shades of Blue (2005); Sheri Candler, Director of Digital Marketing Strategy for The Film Collaborative, a non-profit filmmaker education and distribution advisory organization; Jon Rubinstein, President of Authentic Talent and Literary Management, whose clients include Oscar nominees, and Emmy, Independent Spirit, Gotham Award, and Golden Globe winners; and Scott Yoselow, a literary agent with the Gersh Agency who has represented playwrights, below-the-line talent, writers, and directors, in all areas of the entertainment industry for the past twenty five years. Director Mary Harron (The Moth Diaries, The Notorious Bettie Page) served as moderator of the discussion.
Following a welcome from EDC member Linda Laundra, the panel explored questions such as: how can Directors use all of the tools at their disposal to assist their careers in the world of the internet and social media, and how do publicists, agents, attorneys and managers fit in as part of a Director’s marketing team. There was lively discussion and a wide range of opinions on how to use the ever evolving marketing and media tools to promote a Director’s career. After the discussion, the floor was opened to questions from the audience.