On February 20, the DGA Women’s Steering Committee (WSC) hosted the workshop, Your Online Presence: How to Shape Perception. The workshop presented valuable information on how to take advantage of the tools available in the digital age and become your own best advocate by raising your visibility online.
Approximately 40 DGA members gathered in the Atrium of the Guild’s Los Angeles headquarters to receive guidance in how to create a dynamic profile for use on a myriad of online platforms, tips on personal branding that would enhance their bios and resumes, and hands-on instruction on how to update their online profiles on the DGA website and IMDB.com.
The workshop also included a panel discussion where educator/speaker/crowdfunding consultant Kathleen Minogue covered the topics of personal branding and PR coaching; celebrity photographer, digital publisher and WireImage co-founder Jeff Vespa spoke about importance of your image online; career coach and social media philosopher Ben Whitehair focused on the topic of shaping your story; and Academy Award-winning Producer/Writer/Director Jana Sue Memel spoke about branding and image shaping for websites. The conversation was moderated by Director A. Laura James.
Following the panel discussion, the attendees were able to engage in breakout sessions with the panelists. They also received personal guidance by experts from IMDBPro Representatives Ariel Parker, Jerome Core, and Hannah Russell in how to maintain their entries on the popular website, instruction from DGA tech support on how to update their DGA website member directory pages, and had portraits taken by Vespa for use on those profiles.
The workshop was organized by WSC Communications and Publicity Committee, coordinated by A. Laura James, with members Maria Burton, Stephanie Green, Matia Karrell, Morgan Lawley, Ami Canaan Mann, Daisy Mayer, Tara Miele, Carrie Rudolf, and Rena Sternfeld-Allon. While the event was created by and targeted to the Guild’s female members, it was open to all members.
ABOUT THE COMMITTEE:
The Women's Steering Committee (WSC) was created to advance the professional interests of its members, and to heighten their visibility and career opportunities in the entertainment industry. The WSC currently promotes diversity through sponsoring networking events, screenings and seminars, and fosters relationships between the members to provide support, mentoring and networking opportunities. The WSC’s current Co-Chairs are Mary Lou Belli, Bethany Rooney and Liz Ryan.