Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1490318
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 3 I 3 1 The DGA recently hosted two virtual receptions for filmmakers with projects accepted into the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. At the reception on January 10, Director Maureen Bharoocha (The Prank) spoke to the online attendees about her experiences with the generous and engaged community of DGA members, the ways to get involved and be active at the Guild, and the supportive staff who provide assistance to Directors throughout their creative process; Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming, Kim Yutani, and other Sundance staffers gave festival survival tips; and DGA Field Representative Jennifer Peat explained how the Guild works with independent filmmakers and highlighted the flexibility of the Guild's Low Budget Agreements. Also attending the January 10 reception were DGA members with projects at the festival including Thembi Banks (Young.Wild.Free), Oscar Boyson (Power Signal), Laura Gabbert (Food and Country), Davis Guggenheim (STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie), Raven Jackson (All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt), Richie Mehta (POACHER), Randall Park (Shortcomings), Aemilia Scott (Help Me Understand), Tracy Tragos (PLAN C), and Davina Pardo (Judy Blume Forever). At the second reception on January 11, Director Joshua Marston — whose feature Maria Full of Grace won the Audience Award at the 2004 Festival — discussed the creative protections that DGA membership can provide; Assistant Executive Director Mary Hatch shared some of the benefits of working under the Guild's contracts; and Sundance staffers delivered more valuable festival information. Also attending the January 11 reception were DGA members Susanna Fogel (Cat Person), Nancy Schwartzman (Victim/Suspect), Lana Wilson (Pretty Baby: Brook Shields) and Christopher Zalla (Radical). Images: (L-R Top Row) DGA Director-members Maureen Bharoocha and Joshua Marston spoke to the 2023 Sundance Filmmakers, DGA Director-members Thembi Banks, Susanna Fogel, (Second Row) Davis Guggenheim, Davina Pardo, (Third Row) Randall Park, Aemilia Scott, Lana Wilson and Christopher Zalla introduce themselves and their films during the online receptions. DGA Independent Director Outreach at 2023 Sundance Filmmakers Receptions See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup Director Barry Sonnenfeld looks back on his 31-year career, sharing his unique approach to directing comedic features (The Addams Family, Men in Black, Big Trouble) and episodic television (Pushing Daisies, Schmigadoon!, A Series of Unfortunate Events). Sonnenfeld on where Directors should sit during a take: "I think that if you're standing right there at the camera, it's the way to be. The disadvantage of video village is you got eight guys — including studio executives who have shown up, or the wardrobe — immediately saying, 'You know, she missed that line.' And you don't want to hear any of that, 'cause you're gonna forget whatever you wanted to say to the Actors. So that forces those people to come to you because you're at the camera. So, they think, 'Is this really important enough for me to get out of the chair or should I just see what he'll do on the next take?' 80 percent of the time, if they're seeing it, I'm seeing it too. There's nothing worse than saying, 'Cut,' and then someone behind you saying, "You know, a light fell down, and...' 'Yeah, do you think I didn't notice that the light fell down in a set?' So, I really encourage new Directors to try to direct from the camera. The Actors appreciate it." View more excerpts and interviews in the Visual History Collection via the link on the homepage of www.dga.org. Recent Visual History Addition Barry Sonnenfeld interviewed by Bo Welch The DGA's Visual History Program website contains hundreds of hours of videotaped interviews with directors and director's team members discussing their careers and reflections on all aspects of the creative process in film, television and other media. These interviews are indexed for quick retrieval of segments pertaining to specific topics of interest within a particular interview or across the entire collection.