On July 1, the Women’s Steering Committee (WSC) meeting featured the panel discussion, Directing the Lead, Collaborating with #1 on the Callsheet. In a conversation moderated by Director Drew Ann Rosenberg, Directors Neema Barnette, Monica Levinson, Darnell Martin and Tara Miele shared their experiences working with lead Actors on a series or feature as a Director, Producer and Assistant Director.

During the conversation Barnette emphasized rehearsal, respect, sharing your plans, being collaborative and supportive of Actors. She explained that when she is a guest Director on a show, “You’re coming into a family as an outsider and you need to be open, honest and not try to push a star around.” She also felt that it was important to never underestimate the intelligence of your cast, ask for their take on things and encourage them to be creative, part of the process. And if you’re in disagreement, find a happy medium or do it both ways.

Levinson recalled her experiences as a Producer on films such as Zoolander, where she observed how hard Ben Stiller worked to fulfill the many roles he commanded as Director, Writer, Producer and Star of the film, and how her efforts to support him paid off enormously for her in her career. She also recalled how she learned from a mistake on the film Trumbo, where they neglected to let the film’s star know far enough in advance that they were shooting a sixth day and ended up having to add another day to the schedule. She advised to always be upfront and honest, especially with your star.

Martin shared how she was able to turn would be adversaries into allies from an experience she had when her young son was having a temper tantrum one day and to soothe him, she instinctively said, “Momma’s not trying to hurt you,” and he calmed down. That paid dividends one day on a set when an aggressive star tried to bully her by throwing his hand in her face. Her Bronx toughness got right back into his face, then slowly she told him, “I’m not trying to hurt you,” and he burst into tears. Apparently, he felt the weight of the whole show on his shoulders and the pressure was eating away at him. They became fast allies after that and he recommended her and fought for her always.

Miele spoke of working hard and pushing her Actors to do the same. She considers herself an Actors’ Director, combined with a having a strong visual expression. She calls it, “processing through the feeling” and noted that she likes to give “visceral” suggestions to Actors, if they need help with feeling a moment. She also revealed that she always looks for play and interaction with her cast and how she’s developed a better sense of time so that whatever an Actor needs her to hear, she will listen to.

Adding to the conversation, Rosenberg said that whenever she hears that a star is “difficult,” she comes prepared. What she’s learned is that a lot of them are perfectionists and when mistakes are made around them, it’s incredibly frustrating and throws them off. Her solution is to do her best to reassure them and let them know her team is doing everything they can to make the set environment a place they can explore and feel supported.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS:

Neema Barnette Barnette broke into directing on the anthology series NBC Special Treat with the episode “One More Hurdle.” She would go on to become the first African American woman to helm a sitcom episode on the series, What’s Happening Now. Her directorial credits include the features Civil Brand, Heaven Ain’t Hard to Find and Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day; the movies for television Better Off Dead, Scattered Dreams and Deadly Games; and episodes of It’s A Living, A Different World, Bosch, The Equalizer, Kingdom Business and All Rise. She was nominated for a DGA Award in Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Shows - Daytime for her 1992 CBS Schoolbreak Special episode “Different Worlds: A Story of Interracial Love.” Barnette has been a DGA member since 1984.

Monica Levinson Levinson’s directorial credit is the documentary The Stories of Us (co-directed with Steven Hentges). She has also served as a Producer on features such as Bill Burr’s Old Dads and Jason Woliner’s Borat Subsequent Moviefilm; as well as series such as Say Nothing, American Sports Story and Clipped; and as a UPM on features such as Jay Roach’s Trumbo, Dan Fogelman’s Danny Collins and Akiva Schaffer’s The Watch. Levinson has been a DGA member since 2002.

Darnell Martin Martin’s directorial credits include the features Wish You Well, Cadillac Records and I Like It Like That; the movies for television Firelight, The Lost Valentine and the DGA Award-nominated Their Eyes Were Watching God; and episodes of Ginny & Georgia, Outer Banks, New Amsterdam, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Madam Secretary, Being Mary Jane, Sleepy Hollow, Blindspot, The Walking Dead, Grimm, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Life on Mars and ER. Martin has been a DGA member since 1993 and has served as an alternate on the Eastern Directors Council.

Tara Miele  Miele’s directorial credits include the feature films Wander Darkly, Starving in Suburbia, Gone Missing and The Lake Effect; the movie for television Lost Boy; and episodes of The Rookie, La Brea, Hawaii Five-0, Arrow, Batwoman and Fantasy Island. She was nominated for the 2023 DGA Award for Movies for Television & Limited Series for an episode of Lessons in Chemistry. Miele has been a DGA member since 2014l has served on the Western Directors Council and was previously a Co-Chair of the Women’s Steering Committee where she helped launch the DGA’s first peer-to-peer mentorship program for women, The WSC Squad.

Drew Ann Rosenberg (moderator)  Rosenberg’s directorial credits include the features Follow the Prophet, Alex in Wonder, Hole in One; and episodes of Saints & Sinners. She has also worked as an Assistant Director on productions including Curtis Hanson’s DGA Award-nominated feature, L.A. Confidential, Rob Reiner’s Misery and George C. Wolfe’s DGA Award-winning movie for television, Lackawanna Blues; as well as episodes of American Sports Story and Shrinking. Rosenberg has been a DGA member since 1987.

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.

• For more information about the WSC, click here to visit their webpage.