On November 14, the DGA Eastern AD/UPM Council held a seminar on how background can be a significant part of the creative effort in fulfilling a Director’s vision.

Members filled the DGA’s New York boardroom to hear casting professionals, ADs, UPMs and Directors engage in a breakfast discussion where they revealed what goes on in the process of selecting and working with background actors. Director Gary Donatelli (Another World) moderated the panel that featured Director Vince Misiano (Medium), UPM Blair Breard (Wanted) Assistant Directors Peter Soldo (Bandslam) and Francisco Ortiz (College Road Trip), and Casting Director Lee Genick (Cloverfield).