Director Miguel Arteta discusses his work in the independent film world, lessons cultivated from his mentors, and his many collaborations in film and television.
Director Amy Schatz shares her experiences in the children’s programming and documentary worlds, lays out effective practices for working with children on set, and reflects on how her background in literature and poetry informs her work.
Suzanne Smith discusses her experiences as a pioneering woman Director in sports, her coverage of NFL and The Masters golf tournament, and how changing technology has evolved her toolkit in sports directing.
Director Louis J. Horvitz shares his experiences directing Variety Specials, how preparation is tantamount to running a successful production, and what it was like accepting an award while directing the same show.
French writer-director Bertrand Blier (Going Places, Too Beautiful For You, Get Out Your Handkerchiefs) discusses his father’s influence on his career, his collaborations with Gerard Depardieu, and his unique rehearsal process.
Joseph P. Reidy discusses his breadth of experience in 45 years as a First Assistant Director, how he adapts his role depending on the Director, and what it was like filming the famous Copacabana scene in Goodfellas.
Debbie Allen discusses her 40-year directing career in episodic television, her step-by-step production process on Grey’s Anatomy and how her background in choreography informs her directing.
Associate Director Scott Berger discusses his roles within CBS, his work as a Senior Associate Director on CBS Evening News and his altruistic inclination toward Guild service.
Stage Manager Valdez Flagg discusses his career in variety and live events, his working philosophy and his extensive Guild involvement, including his time as the Western AD/SM/PA Council Chair.
Assistant Director Bob Lewis discusses his 30-year career in the industry, his involvement in the DGA Safety Pass Training program, and his wealth of service to the Guild.
Director Nora Gerard discusses her time directing CBS News Sunday Morning, her working relationship with her directorial team, and her experiences as a woman in the network television world.
Director Gail Mancuso discusses her career in episodic television, her diligent preparation before a shoot, and finding excellent performances by letting her actors breathe.
Director Linda Mendoza reflects on her 35-plus year career in television, the importance of continual growth, and her affection for the comedy genre.
Director George Stevens, Jr. (Separate But Equal, George Stevens: A Filmmakers’s Journey) discusses his father’s legacy and working philosophy from pre-production through post-production, as well as the important lessons he learned from his father. Stevens, Jr. also highlights his founding of both the American Film Institute and Kennedy Center Honors.
Director Bryan Buckley reflects on his more than 25-year career in Commercial Directing, how he earned the title of “The King of the Superbowl”, his narrative work, and how he uses his position to give voice to the underdogs.
Director Norberto Barba reflects on his career in episodic television, his tenure as a leader in the Guild and his hopes for what the future of representation in Directing will entail.
Director Mimi Leder considers her volume of television and film titles, her growth alongside the early days of digital, and the distinct Directorial tactics that have defined her success.
Stage Manager Leon Robinson discusses his catalogue of work, strategies that have garnered success in his position and his opinions on an ever-changing industry.
Director Elma Garcia discusses her experiences in commercial directing, sharing her production methodology and how her point of view distinguishes her work.
Barry Sonnenfeld looks back on his 31-year career, sharing his unique approach to directing comedic features (The Addams Family, Men in Black, Big Trouble) and episodic television (Pushing Daisies, Schmigadoon!, A Series of Unfortunate Events).
Oz Scott (The Jeffersons, Picket Fences, CSI: NY), recounts his 30-plus year career directing episodic television and TV movies, his beginnings in theater (for colored girls who considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf), and his feature film, Bustin’ Loose, starring Richard Pryor.
Director Martha Mitchell (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Madam Secretary, Without a Trace) recounts her 25-plus year directorial career, highlighting her work in episodic television and her service to the Guild on the Eastern Directors Council and the National Board.
Director Ernest Dickerson discusses his 30-year career as a director and shares insight into his creative process through recalling his feature films (Juice, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight), movies for television (Strange Justice, Our America), and his various episodic television credits (The Wire, Raised By Wolves, and Dexter).
Director Stan Lathan discusses his 40-plus year career directing episodic and variety television (Sanford and Son, The Steve Harvey Show, Real Husbands of Hollywood, Def Comedy Jam); starting out at WGBH-TV; and his collaboration with iconic comedians Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley.
Director Félix Alcalá (ER, The Good Wife, Madam Secretary) discusses his directorial career in episodic television, movies for television, and feature film; his background as a cinematographer; and shares some of the lessons he’s learned while behind the camera.
Veteran sitcom and pilot director and producer James Burrows (Cheers, Frasier, Taxi) discusses his vast, critically acclaimed and award-winning career directing some of the most iconic series from the 1970s to the present day.
Unit Production Manager James Brubaker discusses his long career, starting as a driver for Elvis Presley and John Wayne, to working as a UPM and producing big-budget Hollywood blockbusters.
Stage Manager Dency Nelson reflects on his 40-year career in live television (Academy Awards, Emmys, The Kennedy Center Honors) and his numerous years of Guild service on the Western AD/SM/PA Council and Negotiations Committee.