Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1373617
J U N E 2 0 2 1 I 1 9 See more detailed descriptions, additional photos, podcasts and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup On May 1, DGA members from all over were able to celebrate and learn during Women's Day at the DGA. Hosted by the Women's Steering Committee (WSC), the virtual event was a day dedicated to the talented women members of the Guild and featured four separate panel discussions on a variety of subjects. The day began with a welcome from DGA President Thomas Schlamme, who spoke about the 40-year history of the WSC and the Guild's commitment to the Committee's work on the important issues of diversity, inclusion, education and inspiration. Following Schlamme's welcome, WSC Activities & Events Committee Co- Coordinators Shaz Bennett and Rachel Raimist explained how the day would proceed. Director Spotlight: Mentorship in Directing Blockbusters In a one-on-one conversation, Directors Gina Prince-Bythewood and Kasi Lemmons discussed how they got a leg-up in the industry and what gave them the edge working in bigger budgets, and offered advice about the craft of directing at all levels. During the conversation, Lemmons shared how she approached action sequences in Harriet, where her star Cynthia Erivo did many of her own stunts, and Prince-Bythewood revealed how she dealt with the pressure of directing her blockbuster film, The Old Guard, by focusing on the story. In the Trenches: Motherhood and Directing In this panel, working Director moms Daniella Eisman (The Mindy Project), Morenike Joela Evans (Family Reunion), Catriona McKenzie (Kiki and Kitty), Dana Nachman (Dear Santa) and Kim Nguyen (Superstore) discussed the challenges of directing as a parent; and covered topics including finding balance and utilizing support systems in a conversation moderated by Director/WSC Activities & Events Committee Co-Coordinator Rachel Raimist (Greenleaf ). The panelists also divulged information on working while having their children on the set, how they handle being away from their family for weeks at a time and techniques to create boundaries on weekends if it's not a shoot day. Queering Television Directors Joanna Johnson (Good Trouble), Marja-Lewis Ryan (6 Balloons) and Jet Wilkinson (The Chi ) served as the panelists and Director Pratibha Parmar (Queen Sugar) served as the moderator for a conversation that focused on the craft of storytelling, representation and the work to diversify the voices behind-the-camera in LGBTQ+ themed shows. Some of the topics included how on-camera stories become more authentic when based on real life experiences, the benefits of getting people to see themselves represented on the screen and hiring practices behind the camera. Women of Color Lead: Conversations on Industry and Power In the day's final panel, 1st AD/DGA National Board Associate Member Courtney M. Franklin, Director/DGA Sixth Vice President Lily Olszewski, 1st AD/African American Steering Committee AD/UPM Category Representative Shawn Pipkin-West and Associate Director/Eastern Diversity Steering Committee Co-Chair Joyce Thomas, shared their stories of success and struggle and offered insight on how to support a more diverse, equitable and inclusive industry in a conversation moderated by Director/Latino Committee Co-Chair Regina Ainsworth. Women's Day at the DGA ended with closing remarks from WSC Co- Chairs Maria Burton and Liz Ryan and Alternate Co-Chair Tara Miele. See the video of this event online at www.dga.org. Women's Day at the DGA — A DGA Women's Steering Committee Virtual Event Gina Prince-Bythewood and Kasi Lemmons. Top Row: Dana Nachman, Rachel Raimist (moderator), Morenike Joela Evans, Bottom Row: Catriona McKenzie, Daniella Eisman and Kim Nguyen. Top Row: Jet Wilkinson, Joanna Johnson. Bottom Row: Pratibha Parmar (moderator) and Marja-Lewis Ryan. Top Row: Shawn Pipkin-West Courtney M. Franklin and Lily Olszewski. Bottom Row: Joyce Thomas and Regina Ainsworth (moderator).