Visual History Program

Director Richard Benjamin (My Favorite Year, Mermaids) discusses his directorial career helming features and movies for television and explains the transition he made from actor to director.

Director Randa Haines (Children of a Lesser God, The Ron Clark Story) discusses her career in feature films and movies for television, sharing, among other highlights, how she selected Marlee Matlin from a background role and directed her to an Oscar-winning performance.

Milos Forman recounts his infatuation with film as a child during World War II and the difficulties of working under the post-war Czech communist regime. He describes the creative freedom and challenges he found in the USA. He also describes his working philosophy and appreciation for creative rights.

Veteran commercials director and one of the real life Mad Men, George Gomes, discusses his long career in advertising, creating some of the most well-known and remembered commercials in history for such brands as Alka-Seltzer, Crest, American Airlines and Volkswagen.

Veteran news associate director and stage manager Esperanza “Candy” Martinez discusses her long career working for the news crew of WABC in New York, her mentorship of new directors, and her “passion projects” directing documentaries on African-American quilt making.

Jack Shea describes working in the early years of multi-camera television and his experiences directing series such as The Jeffersons (1975-1979), The Bob Hope Show (1956-1966), and The Waltons (1972-1975). As a former DGA President, he provides insights into Guild history, including his efforts to increase diversity.

Assistant Director and Production Manager Abby Singer talks about his career in features and television, his involvement in the Guild, and his personal perspective on changes in the entertainment industry spanning 50 years.

In this DGA Visual History video, Jesús Treviño discusses his career as a director of documentaries, episodic series and movies for television. Treviño also shares his working philosophy, his responsibility as a director in representing his community and his involvement with the DGA’s Latino Committee.