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FromScript2Screen

From Script to Screen: A Seminar on Scheduling Film & Episodic TV

On May 3, the Eastern AD/UPM Council Member Education Committee sought to demystify the seemingly Herculean task of figuring out the intricacies involved in getting everyone together to make a production during From Script to Screen: A Seminar on Scheduling Film & Episodic TV. The online event was led by 1st AD Louis J. Guerra and moderated by UPM Tom Whelan.

Following an introduction from Member Education Committee Co-Chairs Michael Reichman and Ellen Athena Catsikeas, the program included a discussion of the theory behind scheduling; an interactive session on balancing priorities to put together a schedule that works; and a review of a finished schedule and discussion on how that result was achieved.

During the morning session, Guerra gave insights into the scheduling process, strategies for approaching the script, and discussed the theory behind scheduling, including what outside factors might influence the schedule. Using a script from an episode of Law & Order he worked on, he shared behind the scenes anecdotes from the episode. For example, he once had an idea to add additional characters to the scene. He brought the idea to the Director and writers, who liked the idea and wrote it into the script. With this story and others, Guerra emphasized the collaborative nature of scheduling and noted that he has to balance the cast’s availability, the needs of other departments, the Director’s creative vision, and logistical challenges to find a scheduling solution that will work for the whole production.

In the afternoon session, four attendees volunteered to help Guerra build a schedule from the sample script. The group collaborated to piece together the puzzle of the schedule, accounting for various locations, sunrises and sunsets, and conflicts on cast calendars. The discussion did not focus on operating scheduling tools or software, but rather on what decisions go into assembling an effective schedule that balances competing priorities. At the end of the interactive session, Guerra revealed the actual schedule for the episode and shared how and why he arrived at that result.

The seminar was beneficial for newcomers and seasoned professionals alike. Members across regions and categories attended. Aspiring 1st ADs learned how to schedule, while Directors and other members of the directorial team learned more about the scheduling process to strengthen the creative partnership with their 1st AD.  While the concepts discussed applied to scheduling for episodic television, it was noted how the same techniques could be used on other formats and genres.


See video from this event in the gallery below.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS:

Louis J. Guerra1st AD Louis J. Guerra
Guerra’s Assistant Director credits include features such as Michael Cuesta’s Roadie, Mike Binder’s Reign Over Me, Rick Famuyiwa’s Brown Sugar and Raymond De Felitta’s Two Family House; and episodes of Law & Order, Paper Girls, Orange Is the New Black, Red Oaks, Blue Bloods, Gotham, Homeland, The Americans, Elementary and Ugly Betty. A DGA member since 1997, he currently serves as an Associate Member of the National Board and has served as the Chair of the Eastern AD/UPM Council. 

 

 
Tom WhelanUPM Tom Whelan (moderator)
Whelan’s UPM credits include the episodes of Blue Bloods, Gotham, Evil, Night Sky and Diarra from Detroit. He was also part of the DGA Award-nominated teams on Barry Levinson’s movie for television You Don’t Know Jack and episodes of Sex & the City. A DGA member since 1997, Whelan has served for over 20 years as a member or alternate on the Eastern AD/UPM Council including terms as Council Chair. Additionally, he was twice elected as a Second Alternate on the DGA National Board and is a member of the DGA PAC Leadership Council and a Trustee to the DGA Foundation. For his professional accomplishments and service to the Guild, Whelan was the 2025 recipient of the Frank Capra Achievement Award.

About the Eastern AD/UPM Council Member Education Committee

The Eastern AD/UPM Council is the elected body that represent the Assistant Director and Unit Production Manager members of the Guild who work in film, television, commercials and new media. The Member Education is currently co-chaired by Ellen Athena Catsikeas and Michael Reichman with members: Betsy Alton, Daniela Barbosa, Derrick Doose, Betsy Friedman, Rosemary Lombard, Les McDonough, Kathleen McGill, Matthew O’Shea, Alison Rosa, Amber Sherman, Michael L. Walker, Thomas Whelan and Kate Ransome Wilcox.

Pictures & Video







Calendar

7/28/2025 - 8/3/2025

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