Born to progressive parents, Victoria Hochberg grew up in New York City surrounded by political discussions. At 10 years old, she saw Eisenstein’s historical drama Alexander Nevsky (1938), a film that sparked interest in the arts and introduced her to the power of images. While earning a history degree from Antioch College, she performed for the San Francisco Mime Troupe while earning a living as an assistant editor. After graduation she landed a job as an assistant editor to documentarian Robert Drew, then moved to WNET, under Jac Venza’s mentorship, where she edited Perry Miller Adato’s Film Generation documentary series and several American Playhouse programs. Although she was credited as an editor on these programs, she also assisted as a director, and joined the DGA in 1972.
Hochberg began her directing career working on ABC documentaries, followed by music videos for Boz Scaggs and The Eagles. She applied and was accepted to the AFI Directing Workshop for Women, honing her skills and directing two projects. A few years and many writing assignments later, she began directing specials, including Just a Regular Kid: An AIDS Story (1987), Jacob Have I Loved (1989) and Sweet 15 (1990). She has also directed episodic programs including Doogie Howser, M.D., Melrose Place, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Touched By an Angel, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show, Sex and the City, State of Grace, Kitchen Confidential, Ghost Whisperer and Reaper. She also directed the feature film Dawg (2002), starring Denis Leary and Elizabeth Hurley.
For her directorial efforts, Hochberg has won a Daytime Emmy and a DGA Award for Just a Regular Kid: An AIDS Story (1972), a Daytime Emmy for Sweet 15 (1990), and a DGA Award for Jacob Have I Loved (1989). She also received DGA Award nominations for her directorial work on Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show and Sex and the City.
Hochberg is a founding member of the Women’s Steering Committee, and has served 11 terms on the National Board, as well as 16 terms on the Western Directors Council. She has also served on the Television Creative Committee, the Negotiating Committee, and was appointed as a Trustee to the Directors Guild Foundation. She is currently a member of the Special Projects Committee and chairs its Global Cinema subcommittee.