Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1118788
J U N E 2 0 1 9 I 2 3 5 7 6 Photos: 1. 2019 DDI TV Mentorship Program mentors and protégés. 2-3. DGA Diversity Task Force Co-Chairs Todd Holland and Bethany Rooney. 4. Mentor Paris Barclay addresses the protégés. 5. Protégés share who or what inspired them to become a Director. 6. Mentor Michael Goi chats with a protégé during the launch. 7. Rooney and Director Mary Lou Belli welcome the protégés to the Craft Workshop. 8. The protégés learn more about prep during the workshop. 2 3 4 8 See more detailed descriptions and additional photos online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup Director Development Initiative Hosts 2019 TV Mentorship Program Launch & Craft Workshop On May 4, the DGA Director Development Initiative (DDI) launched its 2019 Television Mentorship Program at Guild Headquarters in Los Angeles. In addition to introducing the mentors and protégés for the Program, the Initiative also hosted a Craft Workshop that same afternoon. Created for members who aspire to direct or expand their directorial career in episodic television direction, the DDI Television Mentorship Program and Craft Workshops aim to set members up for success through professional development so that they can turn new opportunities into long-term careers. The protégé candidates were selected through an online application process which ran from December 18, 2018 - January 18, 2019. The launch and orientation kicked off with a breakfast mixer in the DGA Los Angeles Boardroom with comments from DGA Diversity Task Force Co-Chairs Todd Holland and Bethany Rooney. "What I hope we can do for all of our protégés here is open doors to more insight and understanding of your career and your skill sets and how to use them best to move your careers forward," said Holland. "It's a really beneficial relationship for both [mentors and protégés]," said Rooney, "because when you teach, you learn. I'm grateful to get to be a mentor and I hope you guys get a lot out of it too." Following introductions, each protégé was asked to briefly share who or what inspired them to become a Director and each mentor shared a single piece of advice that they received early in their careers they would like to offer emerging Directors. Following the launch, the protégés participated in the first segment of a three- day craft workshop led by Rooney and Director Mary Lou Belli. The first day — How a TV Director Preps — covered the preparation required to take an episodic script from page to screen including: casting, tone/production design and the responsibilities of each department regarding the script. The second day — A Director's Work — covered items such as blocking and shot listing and editing order. The final day — Getting to Direct! — took place on a soundstage where the participants were able to put their training into action via a hands-on situation where they directed actors. 2019 Mentors: Allan Arkush, Paris Barclay, Norberto Barba, Mary Lou Belli, Jeffrey Blitz, Mark Cendrowski, Mel Damski, Roxann Dawson, Rodrigo Garcia, Michael Goi, Karen Gaviola, Todd Holland, Bob Koherr, Michael Lembeck, Melanie Mayron, Ed Ornelas, Bethany Rooney, Lee Rose, Oz Scott, Mark Tinker, Tom Verica, Ron Underwood and Andy Wolk. 2019 Protégés: Abdul Malik Abbott, John P. Aguirre, Maureen Bharoocha, Anna Ramey Borden, Maria Burton, Alberto Belli Crifo, Devon Gummersall, Julie Herlocker, Michael Kang, Paolo Monico, Leena Pendharkar, Keith Powell, Jabbar Raisani, Drew Ann Rosenberg, Jason Shipman, Evan Silver, Gregg Simon, Javier Soto, Ian Truitner, Melanie Wagor and Alphonzo Wesson. photos by Elisa Haber 1 For more information about the DDI Mentorship Program visit the Diversity section of www.dga.org.