ABC/Touchstone Initiates New Television Directing Assignment Initiative Program

Stephen McPherson, President, Touchstone Television, will head up a new, innovative program entitled Touchstone Television/ABC Directing Assignment Initiative it was announced today by Alex Wallau, President, ABC Television Network. This initiative has been created, in association with other, existing Talent Development programs, in order to further advance diversity efforts in regards to directors at both the production studio and the television network. Touchstone, ABC and The DGA will work in partnership on this program, and will engage at least 10 selected directors from the current Touchstone/ABC Seasoned Directors Program for one or more assignments on a drama or comedy airing on ABC.

This ground-breaking program includes an initial 20 episodes –10 half-hour comedies and 10 one-hour dramas – and will encompass all first year and returning series. In addition, there will be no cap on the financial commitment for episodes beyond this initial outreach that come from this qualified pool of talent. It will continue to encourage producing entities to increase diversity beyond their existing directors.

"I am incredibly proud of the strides that Touchstone has made in this area," said Mr. McPherson. "In an effort to make real progress, give real access and see real results, we championed the formation of a seasoned directors forum, which swiftly led to the Seasoned Directors Program and we reenergized The Directors Fellowship." He continued, "With the enormous support and collaboration of the DGA, both initiatives have been the catalyst for 39 directing assignments over the two years of the programs' existence. This has all been productive, but left much more work to do. This latest program is designed as a monumental extension of that effort. I believe it sets the standard that hopefully others will follow."

"We feel a profound sense of responsibility to achieve true diversity across the entire network and studio operations, both in front of and behind the camera. The Touchstone/ABC Directing Assignment Initiative joins a growing list of network and studio-wide programs designed to advance our various diversity efforts," said Mr. Wallau. He continued, "Steve McPherson and his staff at Touchstone Television have been incredible partners in these efforts and we are pleased to embark upon this important endeavor together."

"The DGA applauds Touchstone Television and ABC for inaugurating this innovative new program to address the lack of television directing opportunities made available to women and minority directors," said Michael Apted, President of the Directors Guild of America. He continued, "We are proud to have partnered with Touchstone and ABC in previous programs to increase director diversity and congratulate the studio and network for taking the next step to break through the wall of talk on this issue. By boldly doing the one thing that makes a difference – guaranteeing that women and minority directors not already at the table will be hired to direct at least 20 episodes this next season – Touchstone and ABC have turned words into action and for that we commend them."

"You really have to hand it to Steve McPherson for his personal vision and leadership, and Carmen Smith for shepherding this through," stated Paris Barclay, Third Vice-President of the Directors Guild of America. "Any studio or network executive can speak to the need for a diverse workforce behind the camera, but it takes someone of Steve's character to actually make a concrete commitment to hiring qualified women and minority directors. He's not only going to end up launching careers, but he's going to give ABC's schedule a creative boost as well, with new voices and energy finally coming in under the tent."

The Touchstone/ABC DGA Partnership for Seasoned Directors, which Stephen McPherson started in 2002 and continues to lead, works with the DGA to create opportunities for seasoned women and minority directors. The program has developed a comprehensive 3-phase plan that includes interviews with ABC production executives, follow-up meetings with executive producers and directors, and shadow assignments on ABC series.

The ABC Entertainment Television Group's Talent Development Department, overseen by Vice President Carmen Smith, is committed to discovering and nurturing new and diverse talent and is exemplified through many different programs, including The Casting Project, The ABC/Disney Writing Fellowship, The Talent Development Scholarship and Grant Program, The ABC/DGA Directing Fellowship, The Entertainment Associates Program and The Emma Bowen Minority Internship Program.

The last two seasons have been the most successful in Touchstone's 19-year history, with 11 current series on the air: Scrubs, 8 Simple Rules, My Wife and Kids, According to Jim, Life with Bonnie, Less Than Perfect, Hope & Faith, It's All Relative, Alias, Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital and Monk. The studio also currently has 20 comedy and drama pilots green-lit for networks including ABC, FOX, NBC and UPN. Touchstone is also poised to have several of its new programs launch into syndication. My Wife and Kids has already been sold in 90% of the nation, and this year Alias will also be taken into the marketplace.

For more information about the Touchstone Television/ABC Directing Assignment Initiative program contact: