Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1156976
2 2 I D G A M O N T H L Y See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and podcasts are posted online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup EDSC and EDC Focus on Women Committee Host panel discussion Cons and Pros: An Evening with the Directing Team from Orange is the New Black On July 24, DGA members gathered in the Guild's New York Theater for the panel discussion, Cons and Pros: An Evening with the Directing Team from ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK. Presented by the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee (EDSC) and Eastern Directors Council's Focus on Women Committee (FOW), the evening featured Director/Actors Natasha Lyonne and Laura Prepon, 1st AD Becky Chin and 2nd ADs Heather Verbeke and Arianne Apicelli in a conversation about the making of the DGA Award-nominated series. The discussion was moderated by Director Chioke Nassor (How to Follow Strangers). Orange is the New Black tells the story of a privileged New Yorker who is sentenced to a minimum-security women's prison in Connecticut after her past association with a drug runner catches up with her. Forced to trade power suits for prison orange, she must adjust to life behind bars and make her way through the corrections system and the many eccentric, unusual and unexpected people she meets. The series, which recently wrapped, has received critical acclaim and praised for humanizing prisoners and for its depiction of race, sexuality, gender and body types. Orange is the New Black earned a DGA Award nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series for Director Jodie Foster's 2014 episode "Thirsty Bird" and an Emmy Award nomination for Foster for her 2014 episode "Lesbian Request Denied." The evening kicked off with a welcome from FOW chair Maggie Greenwald and EDSC Co-Chair Joyce Thomas, both of whom spoke about their respective committees before turning the stage over to Nassor, who introduced Lyonne, Prepon, Chin, Verbeke and Apicelli. Illustrated by clips from Orange is the New Black's seventh and final season, the panelists engaged in an informative discussion where they shared their experiences of crafting the program that became Netflix's most-watched original series. Following the panel discussion, the panelists took questions from the audience. Photo: (L-R) Director/Actors Natasha Lyonne and Laura Prepon, Director Chioke Nassor (moderator), 1st AD Becky Chin and 2nd ADs Heather Verbeke and Arianne Apicelli discuss their work on the groundbreaking series Orange is the New Black. photo by Marcie Revens See video highlights from this event at www.dga.org. Indie Directors Outreach at the 2019 Outfest Film Festival From July 18 to 28, Outfest, the 37th Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, presented films and videos from around the world, as well as panel discussions, special events, parties and receptions in venues all around the city. As part of the DGA's outreach efforts for independent filmmakers, the DGA continued its support as a longtime sponsor of the festival. The Guild hosted a luncheon on July 22 for filmmakers participating in the festival. During the luncheon, Director member Adam Shankman (What Men Want) spoke to the gathering about the advantages of DGA membership. The attendees also received tips about the festival from outgoing Outfest Executive Director Christopher Racster, Outfest Director of Festival Programming Mike Dougherty and more information about the Guild from DGA Senior Manager of Special Events & Independent Organizing Matt Gamarra. DGA Director-member Daniel Karslake also attended the luncheon and spoke about his film, For They Know Not What They Do, which screened during the festival; and DGA Assistant Executive Director Mayra Ocampo was also on hand to answer Outfest filmmakers questions about the Guild. Outfest is the leading organization that promotes equality by creating, sharing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender stories on the screen. Over the past three decades, Outfest has showcased thousands of films from around the world to audiences of nearly a million, mentored hundreds of emerging filmmakers and protected more than 20,000 LGBTQ films and videos. Photos: 1. DGA Director-member Adam Shankman tells the luncheon attendees how easy it is for independent filmmakers to work with the Guild. 2. DGA Director-member Daniel Karslake introduces himself and his film. 3-5. 2019 Outfest Filmmakers introduce themselves and their films, learn more about the Guild and enjoy the company of their peers at the 2019 DGA luncheon. 3 2 1 photos by Byron Gamarro 5 4