Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1364266
M A Y 2 0 2 1 I 9 DGA President Thomas Schlamme directs Ava DuVernay's Honorary Life Member Award presentation to Paris Barclay. Director Jim Tanker makes adjustments to Tina Mabry's Children's Programs Award presentation. From the back patio to the roof, every part of the Guild's Los Angeles headquarters serves as a backdrop for the innovative Awards show. From the production booth, Mischer, Tanker and the team make sure the show goes off without a hitch. Schlamme and Jim Tanker, in New York directed by Chris Misiano, and in a revered theater in London for the Theatrical Feature Film Award where 2019 winner Sam Mendes directed himself. And DGA members stepped up to volunteer for the jobs of capturing it all. While the task seemed daunting, no one was better equipped to accomplish a DGA show than a DGA team. Rita Cossette, the Stage Manager for all the pre- recorded presentations in Los Angeles recalled, "It was great to see how Tommy and Jim made such creative use of our DGA headquarters for these sessions and give members around the world a chance to visit our facilities even if only virtually." At the end, they were left with 350 various playbacks. As the segments were all being assembled, Associate Director Leslie Vincent and Associate Director/Editor Mike Polito began the work of building the puzzle out of the pieces. "I basically edited the show so that it would feel as live as possible," said Polito. "I've worked on the Continued on page 10