DGA Monthly

O C T O B E R 2 0 2 4 I 2 5 DGA members in search techniques to assist them in laying the groundwork to have a productive on-set experience received valuable information when the Director Development Initiative (DDI) hosted the conversational lab, Plan and Prep: Organizing Your Set Days, on August 22. The online event featured Directors Jim McKay (American Rust), Jennifer Phang (The Cleaning Lady) and Andy Wolk (Manifest) in a conversation moderated by Director Chioke Nassor (Diarra from Detroit) that shared their approaches to pre-prep and prep, offered planning tips, and revealed how their overall prep process helps them to make their day. All of the panelists highlighted the importance of being prepared and learning as much as possible about a show beforehand, including connecting with directorial team members and other Directors who have worked on the show previously. Wolk shared that he likes to consult with the Editor during prep and that it is important to him that the editor is included in tone meetings because it is a key partnership throughout the entire process and explained how the Editor can become the Director's voice after you turn in your cut. McKay emphasized that communication is key for collaboration and that it is important for Directors to bring a confidence and surety to their ideas, while also being mindful of how to best work with others. Phang discussed how shot lists are a tool that she uses to establish and communicate her creative vision and shared a few examples of previous shot lists with attendees. Together, the panelists emphasized the importance of using those first few days on set to observe, develop collaboration, and to understand more about the creative process and language of the show. They and Nassor also engaged in a Q&A on topics such as how to foster good communication on set, navigating tone meetings, and approaching collaboration as guest Directors. Image: Clockwise: Directors Jim McKay, Jennifer Phang, Andy Wolk and Chioke Nassor (moderator) . Plan and Prep: Organizing Your Set Days A Director Development Initiative Conversational Lab See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup On September 9, the Special Projects Committee hosted the second installment of their Classic Films Series with Billy Wilder's DGA Award-nominated 1950 feature, Sunset Boulevard. The series screens iconic movies, followed by a discussion about the Director's contribution to the world of cinema. "Tonight, we celebrate the genius of one of our most distinguished colleagues, Billy Wilder, as we watch one of his crowning achievements," said Special Projects Classic Film Series Subcommittee Chair Arthur Allan Seidelman in his welcome. "As a German immigrant, Wilder's talent was seasoned with an outsider's precious gift of objective observation. He viewed American society — and in Sunset Boulevard, film industry society, — with a piercing, unclouded eye. Add to that, Wilder's natural defiance of authority, most probably as a result of his observation of Germany's descent into fascism. The result was Wilder was an artist unafraid to criticize the industry in which he worked or the place he called home, Hollywood." Following the screening in the Guild's LA Theater, Seidelman moderated a discussion where Directors Randal Kleiser and Michael Zinberg — who were influenced by Wilder's work — and actress Nancy Olson — who appeared in the film — discussed his lasting legacy on cinema. Acknowledging how his response to Sunset Boulevard has changed over the years, Kleiser noted, "One of the things that I notice is the performance of Gloria Swanson seems today at times to be a little over-the-top. And I think it's because she was the original, and there's been so many people doing take-offs on it that it feels like it's bigger than life!" Reading an excerpt from the book he's writing titled A Director's Invaluable Collection of Notes to Self, Zinberg shared what Wilder said to him about directing both comedy and drama. "There is little difference. Both are about human behavior. Drama is about what people want and how they get it or not. If on the way they get hit in the face with a cream pie, it's also comedy." Olson spoke to the deeper meanings behind the film and said, "The essence of what really creates a work of art is that it reveals the truth. And what Sunset Boulevard does, it tells you about the truth of moviemaking; movie stars." Photos: 1: Special Projects Classic Film Series Subcommittee Chair Arthur Allan Seidelman (moderator), Actress Nancy Olson and Directors Randal Kleiser and Michael Zinberg and discuss Billy Wilder's impact on the world of cinema. 2: Director Billy Wilder (1906-2002). Special Projects Classic Films Series Screens Billy Wilder's Sunset Boulevard photo by Quintin Lundy 1 2

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