As an assistant director and production manager on such classic films as Jaws and The Blues Brothers, Tom Joyner describes the duties, responsibilities, and expectations of AD/UPMs and tells stories from the production and business sides, sharing the pressures of raising a family while working in the entertainment industry and revealing who his favorite director to work with has been.
Barry Sonnenfeld looks back on his 31-year career, sharing his unique approach to directing comedic features (The Addams Family, Men in Black, Big Trouble) and episodic television (Pushing Daisies, Schmigadoon!, A Series of Unfortunate Events).
Oz Scott (The Jeffersons, Picket Fences, CSI: NY), recounts his 30-plus year career directing episodic television and TV movies, his beginnings in theater (for colored girls who considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf), and his feature film, Bustin’ Loose, starring Richard Pryor.
Director Martha Mitchell (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Madam Secretary, Without a Trace) recounts her 25-plus year directorial career, highlighting her work in episodic television and her service to the Guild on the Eastern Directors Council and the National Board.
Director Ernest Dickerson discusses his 30-year career as a director and shares insight into his creative process through recalling his feature films (Juice, Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight), movies for television (Strange Justice, Our America), and his various episodic television credits (The Wire, Raised By Wolves, and Dexter).
Veteran sitcom and pilot director and producer James Burrows (Cheers, Frasier, Taxi) discusses his vast, critically acclaimed and award-winning career directing some of the most iconic series from the 1970s to the present day.
Unit Production Manager James Brubaker discusses his long career, starting as a driver for Elvis Presley and John Wayne, to working as a UPM and producing big-budget Hollywood blockbusters.
Stage Manager Dency Nelson reflects on his 40-year career in live television (Academy Awards, Emmys, The Kennedy Center Honors) and his numerous years of Guild service on the Western AD/SM/PA Council and Negotiations Committee.
Debbie Williams discusses her 40-year career as a stage manager in variety programs including American Idol, awards shows such as The Oscars and The Academy of Country Music Awards and live episodes of network dramas such as ER, and The West Wing.
Acclaimed variety television director Don Mischer discloses the details behind his successful career directing some of the most well known and watched live television events in history -- from Super Bowl halftime events and musical specials -- to Olympic opening ceremonies and the 2008 Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.
Michael Schultz recalls his career through four decades of directing, beginning in the theater, successes with Cooley High and Car Wash, and his prolific work in episodic television.
Veteran sitcom and pilot director and producer James Burrows (Cheers, Frasier, Taxi) discusses his vast, critically acclaimed and award-winning career directing some of the most iconic series from the 1970s to the present day.
Director Michael Mann looks back on his 45-year career as a film and television director by discussing his filmography (The Insider, Heat, and The Last of the Mohicans), sharing his philosophical perspective on filmmaking, and detailing his tenure as a leader in the Guild.
Director Félix Alcalá (ER, The Good Wife, Madam Secretary) discusses his directorial career in episodic television, movies for television, and feature film; his background as a cinematographer; and shares some of the lessons he’s learned while behind the camera.
Director Robert Altman describes his working philosophy, often comparing filmmaking to painting, and discusses the sources of his storytelling and directing techniques he used on films like M*A*S*H, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, and The Player.
Director Glenn Weiss discusses his 25-year career as a variety television director, sharing details about his craft and recounting stories behind the distinguished specials that he has directed over the years including Peter Pan Live!, the Academy Awards, and Tony Awards.
Associate Director Mimi Deaton discusses her 30-year career in the multi-camera format (The Facts of Life, Martin, Reba, The Neighborhood), her Guild service as a member of the Western AD/SM/PA Council for 23 years and her recognition by the Guild with the Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award.
UPM Dwight Williams speaks about his 50-year career in television and feature film as a First Assistant Director and Unit Production Manager, including his work on Malcolm D. Lee’s Girls Trip, The Hughes Brothers’ Dead Presidents; working with the late Director John Singleton on Baby Boy and other features; and his extensive Guild involvement.
Bill Duke discusses his directorial career and working with Ossie Davis, Laurence Fishburne and Forest Whitaker in films such as Deep Cover, A Rage in Harlem, Hoodlum, and Deacons for Defense. He also discusses changes in the film industry and the DGA’s role in fostering diversity in Hollywood.
Director Stan Lathan discusses his 40-plus year career directing episodic and variety television (Sanford and Son, The Steve Harvey Show, Real Husbands of Hollywood, Def Comedy Jam); starting out at WGBH-TV; and his collaboration with iconic comedians Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley.