On April 11, the DGA's Special Projects Academic Sub-Committee presented Framing Your Future, a Student Open House held 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 and learn more about the DGA from members of its Diversity Committees and Councils.
Following a welcome message from DGA Special Projects Academic Sub-Committee Chair Randal Kleiser (Grease), the students heard about the AD Training Program from Directors Guild-Producers Assistant Directors Training Program Administrator Janet Dyer Gould, and about the Guild’s commitment to independent filmmakers from DGA Liaison to Independent Directors Matt Gamarra.
Kleiser also served as moderator for the highlight of the day, a panel discussion with DGA director-members Wes Ball (The Maze Runner), Michael Blieden (Late Night With Jimmy Fallon), Zetna Fuentes (Jane the Virgin), Karyn Kusama (Girlfight), and Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2). The panelists covered subjects such as their early careers and formative experiences, and how they got to where they are today. At the end of the discussion, students were able to ask the panelist questions.
The day ended with an informal lunch reception where the students were able to mingle with the panelists and meet other DGA members such as African American Steering Committee Member Reginald D Brown, and Latino Committee Members John Aguirre, John Mendoza and Alejandro Treviño.