Television and film director Jim Drake (The Golden Girls, Night Court, Newhart) discusses his career in entertainment, starting as an associate director on daytime serials, to directing primetime network television and feature films.
Film and television director Jim Drake began his career in 1968 as an associate director on several New York daytime serials including General Hospital and The Young and the Restless, as well as episodes of CBS' cultural show, Lamp Unto My Feet. In 1974 he started working as an associate director on Norman Lear’s sitcoms All in the Family and Good Times. Drake’s first opportunity to direct came in 1976 when he was hired to helm several episodes of the soap opera-satire Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
As a television director, additional credits include Alice, the Mary Hartman-spinoffs Fernwood Tonight, and Forever Fernwood, The Facts of Life, Sanford, SCTV Network, Gimme a Break!, Buffalo Bill, Newhart, Night Court, Who’s the Boss, Valerie, The Golden Girls, Roomies, Second Chance, Coach, Scorch, Police Academy: The Series, The Jamie Foxx Show, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, and The Suite Life on Deck. Drake has also directed several films including The Awakening of Cassie (1982), Mr. Bill's Real Life Adventures (1986), Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987), and Speed Zone! (1989). Drake has also directed 12 productions of the annual DGA Awards, from 2001 to 2012.
Drake has been nominated for two DGA Awards; for Outstanding Achievement in Musical/Variety for SCTV Network in 1983, and Outstanding Achievement in Comedy for an episode of Buffalo Bill in 1984. Drake has also been nominated for two Primetime Emmys, for Buffalo Bill and The Golden Girls.
IMDB ProfileMeet the interviewer(s):Howard Storm
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Highlights
Veteran sitcom Director Jim Drake recalls how he had to come up with creative solutions to problems on the set of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, and how one of his ideas led to a classic moment in the series.
Jim Drake / Highlight 1
Veteran sitcom Director Jim Drake recalls how he had to come up with creative solutions to problems on the set of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, and how one of his ideas led to a classic moment in the series.
Drake discusses how he structured Policy Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol to have different running times for the theatrical release and broadcast version, and how the DGA made sure he and other Directors have a say in re-formatting their films.
Jim Drake / Highlight 2
Drake discusses how he structured Policy Academy 4: Citizens On Patrol to have different running times for the theatrical release and broadcast version, and how the DGA made sure he and other Directors have a say in re-formatting their films.
With little time on his hands to shoot a scene for Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman with special guest star Dinah Shore, Drake remembers how he had to bring his wide range of Directing experience to bear, and the memorable scene won an Emmy for Mary Kay Place.
Jim Drake / Highlight 3
With little time on his hands to shoot a scene for Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman with special guest star Dinah Shore, Drake remembers how he had to bring his wide range of Directing experience to bear, and the memorable scene won an Emmy for Mary Kay Place.
Visual History Interviews by Jim Drake
6 Interview(s)
by Jim Drake
Mar 17, 2010
by Jim Drake
Oct 27, 2009
by Jim Drake
Jul 20, 2010
by Jim Drake
Apr 18, 2005
by Jim Drake
Apr 24, 2009
by Jim Drake
Oct 7, 2010