On June 20, the DGA's Eastern Diversity Steering Committee (EDSC) hosted a workshop focusing on directing episodic television. Held at the Guild's New York offices, the full day invitation only event featured content designed to improve the knowledge and skills of the ethnically diverse and female members who attended. The classes were led by prominent episodic directors and focused on a wide range of subject matter particular to the craft.
In his welcome to the attendees, DGA National Vice President Vince Misiano (White Collar; Covert Affairs) – a veteran episodic director – broke down the job and its genre-specific nuances in his presentation, The Role of the Episodic Director.
Misiano then served as both the moderator and a panelist for the day’s first class, The Director’s Team, an exploration of what a director should expect during prep and how to understand and best work with the team. The panel also featured 1st AD/EDSC Co-Chair Rebecca Strickland (Blue Bloods), 2nd AD Kenyon Noble (Flight of the Conchords) and Location Manager Tim Stacker (I Hate Valentine's Day).
Following the lunch break, Directors Laura Belsey (Law & Order: SVU) and John Coles (Sex and The City) helmed Avenues to the Job, a class that covered aspects such as how to get opportunities to ‘shadow’ other directors on the job and get the most out of that process; and tips on set etiquette and how to “read-the-room.”
The final class of the day, The Creative Process, was an open forum where a panel of directors consisting of Tricia Brock (Breaking Bad), John Coles (Grey’s Anatomy), and Martha Mitchell (The Mentalist) answered questions on subjects such as the creative relationship with the author (episode writer or showrunner), how to dissect a script, and working with actors. Director Jace Alexander (Almost There) served as moderator.
About the Committee:
The Eastern Diversity Steering Committee (EDSC) represents the concerns of Guild members of African, Asian, Native American, Arab-Middle Eastern or Latino descent residing in the East. Committed to improving the employment opportunities, working conditions and the skills of ethnically diverse Guild members, the EDSC sponsors workshops, seminars, round-table discussions and networking events to showcase the talents of its members, recognize their contributions, and increase their visibility in the industry.