Following their regular monthly meeting in the Los Angeles Boardroom on October 9, the Asian American Committee (AAC) hosted the special panel discussion Creative Outlook: Asian American Directors Reveal Their Path to the Top of their Field. The discussion featured Directors Jon M. Chu (Now You See Me 2), Karen Gaviola (Grimm), and James Wong (The X-Files).
In an intimate conversation moderated by Director Michael Goi (American Horror Story) and illustrated by clips from each director’s work, the attendees were able to learn how Gaviola made the climb from Assistant Director to Director/Producer; how Wong moved from writing and Second Unit directing to the director’s chair; and how Chu established himself in the world of feature films. The trio also discussed the changing landscape of feature filmmaking and television, the future of internet-based productions, if Asian directors are making an impact in the push for diversity, and took questions from the audience.
About the Panelists:
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 Jon M. Chu
Director Jon M. Chu’s credits include the feature films Step Up 2: The Streets, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, Jem and the Holograms and Now You See Me 2; the feature documentaries Justin Bieber: Never Say Never and We the Economy: 20 Short Films You Can't Afford to Miss; and episodes of the television series The LXD: The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers. Chu joined the DGA in 2007.
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 Karen Gaviola
Director Karen Gaviola’s credits include episodes of the television series Lucifer, Supergirl, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Blindspot, NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds, Sons of Anarchy, Private Practice, CSI: Miami, Without a Trace, NYPD Blue, Cold Case, and Lost. Gaviola became a DGA member in 1985.
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 James Wong
Director James Wong’s credits include the feature films Final Destination, The One, Final Destination 3, and Dragonball: Evolution; and episodes of the television series Tower Prep, The Event and The X-Files. Wong has been a DGA member since 1995.
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 Michael Goi (moderator)
Director Michael Goi’s credits include the feature films Voyeur and Megan Is Missing; and episodes of the television series Sexy Urban Legends, Pretty Little Liars, and American Horror Story. Also known as an acclaimed cinematographer, Goi has been a DGA member since 2014.
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About the Asian American Committee:
The Asian American Committee (AAC) was created as a networking group to provide a forum for interests and issues that concern Asian-American Guild members. Through outreach efforts in the entertainment industry that emphasize career development and skills enhancement, the committee provides a variety of networking opportunities as well as screenings, seminars and discussions with industry professionals. The current AAC Co-Chairs are Kevin Berlandi, Ron Dempsey and Steven J. Kung.