ABC/DGA Television Directing Fellowship Program
January 14, 2008
Dear DGA Members:
The Directors Guild of America and ABC recognize a mutual goal of increasing diversity among directors in television. With that in mind, we are announcing the sixth annual rotation of the ABC/DGA Television Directing Fellowship Program. We are searching for creative talent, and are especially hopeful that talented women and minority directors will apply.
Applications will be accepted until February 29, 2008.
Three Fellowships will be awarded for a period covering approximately 36 non-consecutive weeks of the television season. Fellows will be employees of ABC, be paid an hourly wage not to exceed Fifteen Dollars and Fifty Cents ($15.50) for each hour that Fellow is employed based on a five (5) day, seventy (70) hour anticipated, but not guaranteed work week, which will accrue and become payable (as applicable) in thirty-six (36) equal weekly installments commencing with the first week of the term (i.e., $50,000 annualized based on 36 non-consecutive weeks) pursuant to an employment contract.
Fellows will observe and be mentored by select DGA directors as a part of a rotation system intended to provide exposure to different perspectives and artistic approaches. Our experience has shown that applicants with prior directing exposure or experience and technical proficiency in film and video production are best situated to benefit from the Program. Appropriate applicants might include theatre directors, associate directors, assistant directors, stage managers, and those who have directed their own or other independent films, as well as participants in the DGA Mentoring Program (however, we have not required applicants to be or become DGA members). This Program is open to those interested in either multi- or single-camera directing.
The Program is also intended to increase opportunities for professional relationships with executive producers, show runners, and other television executives. Directing assignments are not provided, implied or guaranteed. However, if during the Program or within two years of successful completion of the Program, a participant obtains a directing assignment on a series broadcast on ABC, then ABC will reimburse or pay the production company that employs the Fellow the DGA minimum cost for the assignment.
If this opportunity interests you, we encourage you to complete the enclosed application and return it as soon as possible. For more information, please see the program's website at www.disneyabctalentdevelopment.com, or e-mail correspondence to abc.fellowships@abc.com.
