On October 27, the DGA's Special Projects Academic Sub-Committee presented the 2012 Student Open House in the Guild's Los Angeles DGA Theater complex. The event was designed to give Southern California film school students an opportunity to learn about DGA membership, how to apply for the Assistant Directors Training Program, and hear from working Guild members on a variety of subjects.
Following a welcome message from DGA Special Projects Academic Sub-Committee Chair Randal Kleiser, the students heard about the AD Training Program from Directors Guild-Producers Assistant Directors Training Program Administrator Janet Dyer Gould, and about the Guild’s commitment to independent filmmakers from DGA Special Assignments Executive Daniel Tenkman.
The highlight of the day was a panel discussion on how to jumpstart a career with DGA director-members Eric Appel (New Girl), Rian C. Johnson (Looper), Penelope Spheeris (Five), and Jason Winer (Modern Family), moderated by Kleiser (Honey, I Shrunk the Audience). Afterwards, the students were able to speak with the panelists and other DGA members during an informal lunch reception.