Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1507954
O C T O B E R 2 0 2 3 I 2 1 See video and more photos from Digital Day at www.dga.org. Spirits, Scares, and One Spooky Ride: Director Justin Simien & Composer Kris Bowers on Haunted Mansion In the final program of the day, Digital Day Subcommittee Co-Chair Michael Goi moderated a conversation with Director Justin Simien and Composer Kris Bowers about how blending original music, cinematography, production design and VFX brought an iconic theme park ride to life (and death) in the new Disney feature, Haunted Mansion. Simien and Bowers explained how computer apps helped them both in their respective visualization processes throughout the production. Simien relied on virtual storyboarding apps to communicate his directorial vision to his crew and the producers without stifling any creative and supernatural elements necessary for the film. Similarly, Bowers used virtual music synthesizer apps to assist in creating the film's soundscape. Photo: Digital Day Subcommittee Co-Chair Michael Goi (moderator), Director Justin Simien and Composer Kris Bowers. Shot Lister, Sony, Suite Studios, Vaudeville Sound Group; and a demonstration of how to be tech savvy and familiarize yourself with tools to take with you on set and improve your work productivity by the Digital Day Programming Committee. Directors Roundtable: New Technology in TV In a conversation moderated by Director Greg Yaitanes (House of the Dragon) and illustrated by clips from their shows, Directors Deborah Chow (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Chris Fisher (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), Gandja Monteiro (The Walking Dead: Dead City) and Bola Ogun (The Witcher) spoke about how they and other Directors working in television are utilizing the latest VFX, Special Effects and Virtual Production technology to bring fantastical stories to life like never before. The panelists revealed how they all combined practical effects and virtual effects in their respective projects to create more authentic worlds. All agreed that one of the greatest challenges was how time consuming it can be to prep and build their voluminous sets but are excited by the promise of ever-changing technology improving virtual production. These technical advancements allow them all to focus more on the creative aspects of directing and to push forward the story within each of their projects. Photos: (Top) Directors Greg Yaitanes (moderator), Deborah Chow, Gandja Monteiro, Chris Fisher and Bola Ogun. (Inset) DGA members & guests hear how Directors working in television are utilizing the latest VFX, Special Effects and Virtual Production technology to bring fantastical stories to life like never before.