On November 5, the Women’s Steering Committee (WSC) hosted From Scene to Screen: Actors Who Direct, a conversation with performers who have stepped behind the camera.
Moderated by Director Kestrin Pantera, Directors Lake Bell, Keesha Sharp and Milana Vayntrub discussed the challenges of earning opportunities to direct, the technical skills required in prep and post, and the strategies that help build trust on set. They explored how their work as actors informed their visual style, performance direction, collaboration with department heads and their overall approach to storytelling.
Bell spoke about creating a short film to prove the concept for her feature, In a World..., which led to further directing opportunities. She shared how advocating for herself in writers’ rooms, learning structure, culminated in creating, starring in and directing ABC’s Bless This Mess. She emphasized preparation, using stand-ins for framing when she is on camera, and trusting her instincts rather than relying on playback.
Sharp described waiting 99 episodes before directing on a series where she was a lead, and how she prepared by shadowing Directors and key crew across departments. She outlined her practice of sending detailed visual keynote presentations in advance — effectively a mini-movie of how she plans to shoot each scene — to align cast and crew. She also spoke about the difficult but necessary choice, on some projects, to prioritize directing over acting, and her commitment to only directing material she is passionate about.
Vayntrub discussed developing her directing voice by editing her own work and building successful digital series before becoming widely recognized as Lily Adams in AT&T’s commercial campaigns. She shared how she transitioned into directing those spots, including helming one of the world's first COVID-era, socially distanced productions, and reflected on some of the “best and worst” directing notes she has received—and how they shaped her work behind the camera.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS:
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Director Kestrin Pantera (Moderator)
Director Lake Bell
Director Keesha Sharp
Director Milana VayntrubABOUT 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.
