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WSC-The Art of the Pivot

The Art of the Pivot: Generating Income, Opportunity & Creative Sustainability During Industry Contraction

September 3, 2026

A DGA Women's Steering Committee Meeting Panel Discussion

On September 3, the Women’s Steering Committee (WSC) meeting featured the discussion, The Art of the Pivot: Generating Income, Opportunity & Creative Sustainability During Industry Contraction.

In a practical conversation moderated by UPM Maegan L. Philmore, Directors Debbie Formoso and Rachel Raimist, 2nd AD Shanalyna C. Palmer, and Career Coach Rachel D. Mark discussed how DGA members are navigating the current industry contraction, adapting to a changing production landscape, and continuing to pursue directing, AD/UPM, and production leadership opportunities. The conversation also explored practical strategies for staying employable, expanding professional networks, creating multiple streams of income, leveraging transferable skills, and identifying new ways to earn while building toward long-term career goals in entertainment.

During the conversation, the panelists explored how members can generate income, expand professional opportunities, and sustain their creative identities during slower production cycles. They also identified bridge income sources, transferable skills, and adjacent opportunities that can support members financially and creatively while they continue building their DGA careers.

Formoso shared that it’s been nearly two years since her last DGA commercial job and that getting into TV directing feels nearly impossible. She said it’s important to talk about what you’re looking for specifically, which is how she obtained an unexpected line producing opportunity. She reminded the audience that there is no shame in unemployment or food stamps when it’s needed, and that writing a book has been an important outlet of creativity.

Palmer reflected on her last full-time 2nd AD gig in 2023 and mentioned she’s only had ‘dayplaying’ opportunities since. To make ends meet, she shared that working at an Amazon warehouse provides the benefits and flexibility she needs while also pursuing creative opportunities like Antigravity workshops, film challenges, and directing her first feature film.

Raimist, who directed her last television episode in 2025, discussed what teaching opportunities in higher education can look like. Her presentation included what an academic CV looks like, the kinds of professor jobs offered, terminology to know, and what kind of experiences translate into qualifications universities are looking for. Raimist also offers coaching to those interested in getting into teaching.

As a career coach, Mark went over her framework to define one’s skillsets, how passion can overlap into practical work, how to break unsupportive habits, and reviewed other side hustles to make ends meet.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS:

Debbie FormosoDirector Debbie Formoso
Formoso has worked on countless narrative and commercial projects for over 20 years including ads for major studios like Disney and ABC, as well as prominent brands such as Land Rover, Stella Artois and Powerade. Her teaser promo for Disney’s American Born Chinese won a bronze award at the 2023 Clios. Her short film Nagpapanggap premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and won Best Short Film at the Hawaiian International Film Festival. A DGA member since 2021, Formoso is an active participant of the Women’s Steering and Disability Committees and currently serves as a Co-Chair of the Asian American Committee. 
 

Rachel RaimistDirector Rachel Raimist, Ph.D.
Raimist’s directorial credits include the pilot of the series Wild Life; episodes of Elsbeth, Bel-Air, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Up Here, CSI: Vegas, Fantasy Island, The Sex Lives of College Girls, Nancy Drew, Greenleaf, Queen Sugar and Roswell, New Mexico; and the documentaries Stories of the Storm and Nobody Knows My Name. A DGA member since 2018, Raimist currently serves as a Co-Chair of the DGA Special Projects Committee, has served as a Co-Chair of the Disability Committee, as an alternate Co-Chair of the Latino Committee and as a Co-Coordinator of the Women’s Steering Committee’s Activities & Events Committee and its WSC Squad Mentorship Program. 
 

Shanalyna C. Palmer2nd AD Shanalyna C. Palmer
Palmer’s Assistant Director credits include features such as Lynn Dow’s Bull Street, George Tillman Jr.’s The Hate U Give, Jennifer Yuh Nelson’s The Darkest Minds and Erik White’s Lottery Ticket; movies for television such as Kenny Leon’s The Watsons Go to Birmingham and Gil Junger’s My Fake Fiancé; and episodes of The Residence, Bosch: Legacy, Dear Mama, Reasonable Doubt, Star, The Walking Dead and Single Ladies. Palmer has been a DGA member since 2004. 
 

Rachel D. MarkCareer Coach Rachel D. Mark
Through her company, The Pragmatic Artist, Mentoring for Creatives, Mark is a creative coach based in Los Angeles, CA. Mark is also an entertainment industry professional and lead production artist with experience in stop-motion animation and the video games industry. 
 

Maegan L. Philmore UPM Maegan L. Philmore (moderator)
Philmore’s production management credits include Dastan Khalili’s feature The Way, Don Scardino’s movie for television The Bitch Who Stole Christmas and Jeremy Simmons’ television docu-special Late to the Party: Coming Out Later in Life; as well as episodes of Lab-ra-kazam!, People Magazine Investigates and The Othersiders. Philmore became a DGA member in 2025.
 
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.

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