On April 25, Second Assistant Directors gathered in the DGA’s Los Angeles Boardroom for the AD/UPM Council West’s Second AD Committee’s ninth annual brunch. This year’s event, Setting the Scene: The Art of Directing Background, featured a panel discussion about what members of this category need to know to do this job safely and effectively.
Following a brunch, Second AD Committee Co-Chair Jaysene Overton and Second AD Committee Member Marc Newland welcomed the attendees and introduced the day’s speakers. AD/UPM Council West Chair Marie Cantin spoke to the attendees about the work of the Council and this Committee and encouraged more membership involvement. DGA Field Rep Jon Drew also spoke about how the Guild protects its members and urged members to contact their Field Reps with any issues.
The attendees were also presented with valuable tips ranging from how to work with and manage large numbers of background to manipulating small numbers of background so that they appear larger and add depth to the frame. Attendees also received information about the mandatory Safety Pass Training offered through CSATTF. Each attendee was given the option of signing up for a PDF package with a list of Filmmaking Apps, a Studio Teacher/Minor Hours Card, and Safety Checklists. Attendees were also encouraged to support the DGA PAC’s continued mission to ensure the voice of the Guild is heard when important issues affecting the economic and creative livelihoods of our members are decided on.
Following a screening of selected clips highlighting the art of setting background action, the attendees were treated to a panel discussion about the creative side of background directing with Directors Norman Buckley (Pretty Little Liars) and David McWhirter (The Closer), 1st ADs Lisa M. Campbell-Demaine (Related) and Craig Harris (Silicon Valley), and Editor Brent White (Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues). Overton and Newland moderated the conversation that covered topics such as: time management for blocking and rehearsing; control and direction for background performers; serving the Director’s vision; overcoming challenges on set; and delivering the best product possible to an editor. A Q&A followed the discussion.
About the Committee:
The Second Assistant Director Committee addresses issues that concern the members of this category. They encourage dialogue amongst members in an effort to bring awareness, devise solutions to problems and continue education and growth.
In addition to current Co-Chairs Clark Credle and Jaysene Overton and Vice Chair Shawn Pipkin, the Committee membership includes: Katie Carroll, Paula Case, Lisa Chu, Peter Dress, John Elmore, Tim Engle, Courtney Franklin, Christina Fong, Craig Harris, Lance Lanfear, Staci Lamkin, Christophe Le Chanu, Marc Newland, Jennie O’Keefe, Brain O’Kelley, Ari Oyola, Brian Relyea, Carrie Rudolf, Paul Schneider, Redelia Shaw, and Topher Wolfe.
The Committee also thanks the following Second ADs who assisted in organizing this year’s event: Thomas Buckley, Rachel Dickson, Stephanie Galvin, Phil DeSanti, Brian Larkin, Colin Markowitz, Joe Moore, Tara Nicole, Athena Pesante, John Sharkey, Brent Stanton, Tamara Wofford, and Alicia Zagagoza.