DGA Monthly

J U N E 2 0 2 2 I 3 9 On April 18, the African American Steering Committee (AASC) virtual meeting featured the panel discussion, DGA Filmmakers in the Documentary World. In a conversation moderated by DGA Special Projects Committee Member Alex Stapleton (Hello, Privilege. It's Me, Chelsea), Directors W. Kamau Bell (We Need to Talk About Cosby) and Lisa Cortés (All In: The Fight for Democracy) spoke about a variety of subjects including: the inspiration for their films, the challenges of getting participants to sit down with them and whether films about people of color should be helmed by people of color or what cross-cultural examination might bring to the mix, how they find the 'spine' of the story in the editing process and what they have learned from 'a-ha!' moments in that process that resulted in changes to their films. Image: (Clockwise) Directors Lena Directors Lisa Cortés and W. Kamau Bell, AASC Co-Chair Jeff Byrd and Director Alex Stapleton (moderator). DGA Filmmakers in the Documentary World An African American Steering Committee Event See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Committee Meeting Events Roundup On April 18 the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee (EDSC) virtual meeting featured the discussion, A Conversation with Director Dennis Liu: From Comic to Short to Screen, where Liu spoke about his journey from comic book writer to Director and Executive Producer on the series Raising Dion during a conversation moderated Director M. Neema Barnette, who has also worked on the series. During the conversation, Liu also discussed his involvement in the DGA's Diversity Committees, the role he has played in trying to expand inclusive hiring for Directors in television, the importance of introducing superheroes of different backgrounds to American audiences, and the importance of DGA members taking initiative on changing their corners of the industry to create more inclusivity. Image: (1st Row) Directors Dennis Liu & M. Neema Barnette (moderator), (2nd Row) EDSC Co-Chairs Sussan Cordero, April Smith & Canella Williams-Larrabee. A Conversation with Director Dennis Liu An Eastern Diversity Steering Committee Event On April 20, the Latino Committee (LC) meeting featured a conversation with Director Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard), moderated by Committee Co-Chair Edward Ornelas. During the conversation, Green spoke about the challenges of moving from his start in short films to securing financing for his first feature, Monsters and Men. He recalled how his determination to get the film made finally paid off in financial backing that was beyond his original plans but noted how he had been prepared to go a different route if necessary. "To any of the filmmakers out there, I was going to make that movie for $30,000 so in my mind there was the version where was I was gonna' shoot at my friends' apartment and beg, borrow and steal to make the cheap version. I'm really happy that it wasn't because I could certainly add a level of camera sophistication to the film." Image: (Clockwise) Director Reinaldo Marcus Green, LC Co-Chair Edward Ornelas (moderator), Alternate Co-Chair Rachel Ramist and Co-Chair SJ Main Muñoz. A Conversation with Reinaldo Marcus Green A Latino Committee Event On April 19, the Women's Steering Committee (WSC) meeting featured the panel discussion, What Happens in Basecamp Shouldn't Stay in Basecamp: Understanding the Workflow from Base to Set to Make Our Days More Fruitful and Efficient. In a conversation moderated by Director Valerie Weiss, UPM Liz Ryan and 2nd ADs Alicia Lewis and Ni'Cole Pettis discussed the intricacies involved in getting actors through basecamp and forward into rehearsals and shooting. During the conversation, they also covered topics including: the responsibilities of a 2AD who runs basecamp what support they need from others to make the workflow seamless; how better communication and collaboration can help make days more efficient and enjoyable; and what a holistic approach to this process ideally looks like. Image: (Clockwise) Director Valerie Weiss (moderator), 2nd AD Ni'Cole Pettis, WSC Co-Chair Liz Ryan and 2nd AD Alicia Lewis. What Happens in Basecamp Shouldn't Stay in Basecamp — A Women's Steering Committee Event

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