Having a comprehensive shot list and a plan for blocking can help episodic television Directors work more efficiently and can assist in communicating with all members of production, collaborating effectively with actors, and executing their creative vision. DGA members seeking advice on this subject attended a live Director Development Initiative (DDI) craft workshop on Blocking & Shot Listing, held on September 25 in the atrium of the Guild’s Los Angeles headquarters. Director Maggie Kiley moderated the interactive learning session where Directors Damian Marcano, Salli Richardson-Whitfield and Viet Nguyen modeled different approaches to blocking and shot listing to aid the attendees in preparing for their next episodic directing assignment.

During the workshop, Richardson-Whitfield emphasized the importance of planning ahead, offered practical advice for how Directors can be innovative in their shot lists, and shared tips for how to work collaboratively with a storyboard artist and choreographer when mapping out complicated sequences, providing specific examples from her work on the series, The Gilded Age.

Nguyen discussed his method to working as a guest Director across multiple shows, noting how the culture of each show is different and offering strategies for how Directors can assess expectations and balance maintaining the established feel and tone of the show while also contributing their own unique vision.

Marcano explained how he prepares himself to direct, highlighting how he effectively navigates communicating his ideas and pivoting in real time without the use of a written shot list. He also shared how his process is informed by the locations where he is shooting, and gave advice for how Directors can creatively incorporate aspects of the location into their shot listing and blocking.

Throughout the discussion, Kiley shared insight about her own process as a Director, while posing questions to each speaker to learn more about their individual approaches. She then facilitated an audience Q&A to provide members with an opportunity to further engage and to connect with each other and the speakers.

DGA Members can watch the full video from
Director Development Initiative events by clicking here.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS:

About the Director Development Initiative:

The Director Development Initiative is designed to provide current information on the Director’s craft in order to further the Guild’s goal to increase diversity and inclusion in the industry. The DDI Lab series is an ongoing initiative that hosts regular workshops virtually and in person.

• Click here for more information about the DGA’s diversity efforts.