On February 15, ahead of their online meeting, the Women’s Steering Committee (WSC) hosted the panel discussion, Post-Production - How Collaboration is Key. The event featured Director/Writer Nijla Mu’min, Director/Editor Jill D’Agnenica and Editor Cecily Rhett in a conversation moderated by Director and former Post Producer Julie Herlocker that explored how maximizing a collaborative relationship with your editors is key to achieving a director’s vision.
During the conversation, the panelists discussed Post-Production best practices and offered the following suggestions that can strengthen a Director’s career and be critical to success.
- Building a relationship with one’s Editor during prep is beneficial because they can help ensure the Director’s vision comes through the entire post process and they can be another voice in explaining what you are trying to achieve.
- Use all of the time that is provided for your Director’s cut. It is critical we protect the rights we have fought so hard for.
Following the moderated portion of the conversation, the panelists fielded questions submitted by the online audience.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS:
 Director Nijla Mu'min
Mu'min’s directing credits include the feature film Jinn; episodes of Queen Sugar, Insecure and Wu-Tang: An American Saga; and the short film Black Prom. She is currently developing her second feature film, Mosswood Park. Mu'min joined the DGA in 2020. |
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 Director Jill D’Agnenica
D’Agnenica’s directing credits include the feature film Life Inside Out; an episode of Switched at Birth; the virtual holiday concerts It’s Not the Holidays til the Angels Sing and Play it Forward; as well as PSAs, and the short A Dog’s Story. As an editor, she has crafted over 80 hours of prime-time TV as well as several independent features, music videos, and shorts. D’Agnenica joined the DGA in 2016. |
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 Editor Cecily Rhett
Rhett’s editing credits include Jamie Babbit’s cult classic feature film But I´m a Cheerleader; Nina Menkes’s documentary Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power; episodes of The Thing About Pam, NOS4A2, Bates Motel and Sacred Lies; and episodes of the TV Series documentary Biography. |
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 Director Julie Herlocker (moderator)
Herlocker’s directing credits include an episode of the series Grimm and the short films Peter’s Ashes, 7AM Wednesday and A Close Call. Prior to directing, she was a Post Producer in episodic television on high-profile series including Grimm, Trauma, In Justice, Steven Spielberg presents Taken, The West Wing and Millennium. Herlocker joined the DGA in 2006 as a 2nd Unit/Insert Director on the series Las Vegas and is a graduate of the DGA’s DDI Mentorship Program for Episodic Television Directors.
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ABOUT THE COMMITTEE:
The Women's Steering Committee (WSC) was created to advance the professional interests of its members, and to heighten their visibility and career opportunities in the entertainment industry. The WSC currently promotes diversity through sponsoring net-working events, screenings and seminars, and fosters relationships between the members to provide support, mentoring and networking opportunities. The WSC’s current Co-Chairs are Tara Miele, Shawn Pipkin-West and Liz Ryan.