Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1497702
2 2 I D G A M O N T H L Y See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Committee Meeting Events Roundup On March 21, the Women's Steering Committee (WSC) meeting included the panel discussion New to the Game featuring Directors who made a transition into directing from other on-set roles In a conversation moderated by Director Dana Nachman, Quyen Tran, Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul, Jennifer Morrison and Lisa Demaine spoke about the insights their previous experiences brought to the Director's chair. Morrison uses her knowledge of acting to more effectively communicate with her cast. Tran employs her cinematography expertise to tell stories from various perspectives. Sanjarernsuithikul's Projectionist and Editor experiences have impacted her storytelling style as a Director. Demaine revealed how working as an Assistant Director made the move to the Director's chair easier. Image: (Clockwise) Directors Dana Nachman (moderator), Lisa Demaine, Jennifer Morrison, Charissa Sanjarernsuithikul and Quyen Tran. New to the Game A Women's Steering Committee Event On March 15, the Latino Committee meeting included the panel discussion, Diplomacy on Set: DGA Leadership for Success. In a conversation moderated by Co-Chair Edward Ornelas, Directors Norberto Barba and Zetna Fuentes and 1st AD Tony Becerra, discussed how Directors and Directorial team members can best exercise diplomacy while navigating the unique challenges of their jobs. Fuentes discussed the importance of "laying the foundation for diplomacy" through researching a project's team in advance and valuing every individual's contribution to the collaboration. Barba offered detailed insight into the varying processes unique to Guest Directors vs. Producing Directors. Becerra acknowledged the varying factors an Assistant Director faces towards the goal of supporting a Director's vision, which he described as "carrying the football." Image: (Clockwise) Directors Norberto Barba and Zetna Fuentes, 1st AD Tony Becerra & Latino Committee Co-Chair Edward Ornelas (moderator). Diplomacy on Set: DGA Leadership for Success — A Latino Committee Event On March 20, the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee's (EDSC) virtual meeting featured the discussion, Neema Barnette: Decades in the Spotlight. Barnette spoke about her career. In a conversation moderated by Director Malcolm Lee, Barnette, who broke into directing on the anthology series NBC Special Treat with the episode "One More Hurdle" and would go on to become the first African American woman to helm a sitcom episode on the series, What's Happening Now, shared details about subjects such as how having an acting background helped her transition into directing; being the first African American woman to get a major studio deal; becoming a Producer/Director on the first season of the series, Queen Sugar, and how the Guild has helped protect her rights over the years. Image: Director Neema Barnette discussed her career at the EDSC meeting. (Inset) Director Malcolm Lee served as moderator. Neema Barnette: Decades in the Spotlight An Eastern Diversity Steering Committee Event On March 29, the Focus on Women Committee's (FOWC) virtual meeting featured the discussion, Flashback - Four UPMs Look Back on Their Careers. In a conversation moderated by UPM Lyn Pinezich, experienced UPMs Joan G. Bostwick, Ilene S. Landress, Canella Williams-Larrabee and Alison C. Rosa discussed how they started. They dug into how being a woman has factored into their work and how pregnancy and/or motherhood has not prevented them from taking work or showing up to do the job. Each of the panelists emphasized the fact that they are part of the Director's team with the ultimate goal of being there to serve the Director's vision, not be the "bean counters" in the office. Their advice to fellow UPMs was to be on set and see how it runs so that they can provide the best help to getting the departments what they need. Image: (Clockwise) UPMs Joan G. Bostwick, Ilene S. Landress, Canella Williams-Larrabee, Alison C. Rosa and Lyn Pinezich (moderator). Four UPMs Look Back on Their Careers A Focus on Women Committee Event