DGA Monthly

J U N E 2 0 2 5 I 3 5 See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup On May 3, the Eastern AD/UPM Council Member Education Committee sought to demystify the task of fi guring out the intricacies involved in getting everyone together to make a production during From Script to Screen: A Seminar on Scheduling Film & Episodic TV. The online event was led by 1st AD Louis J. Guerra and moderated by UPM Tom Whelan. Following an introduction from Member Education Committee Co-Chairs Michael Reichman and Ellen Athena Catsikeas, the program included a discussion of the theory behind scheduling; an interactive session on balancing priorities to put together a schedule that works; and a review of a fi nished schedule and discussion on how that result was achieved. During the morning session, Guerra shared insights into the scheduling process, strategies for approaching the script, and the theory behind scheduling, including what outside factors might infl uence the schedule. Using a script from an episode of Law & Order he worked on, he shared behind the scenes anecdotes from the episode including how he had an idea to add additional characters to a scene and brought the idea to the Director and writers, who liked the idea and wrote it into the script. With this story and others, Guerra emphasized the collaborative nature of scheduling noting that he has tot balance the cast's availability, the needs of other departments, the Director's creative vision, and logistical challenges to fi nd a scheduling solution that will work for the whole production. In the afternoon session, four attendees volunteered to help Guerra build a schedule from the sample script. The session did not focus on scheduling tools or software, but rather on what decisions go into assembling an effective schedule that balances competing priorities. While the concepts discussed applied to scheduling for episodic television, it was noted how the same techniques could be used on other formats and genres. Clockwise: 1st AD Louis J. Guerra, Member Education Committee Chair Ellen Athena Catsikeas UPM Tom Whelan (moderator) and Member Education Committee Chair Michael Reichman. From Script to Screen: A Seminar on Scheduling Film & Episodic Television An Eastern AD/UPM Council Member Education Committee Event On May 3, the Western AD/UPM and AD/SM/PA Councils' Multi-Cam Committee hosted a brunch featuring the panel discussion, Keep it Rolling! Multicamera Sitcoms: Then, Now and What's Next. Held both online and in the Guild's Los Angeles headquarters boardroom, the event featured a panel discussion led by Assistant Directors with deep experience in the multicamera television world. They covered topics including how the network multi-cam format has changed over time, how working in kids' multi- cam is different than in typical network, what a workweek in multicamera sitcoms looks like, and how AD roles are staffed to ensure the team and show are successful. While the event was targeted at those who work in the world of multicamera sitcoms, all DGA members were welcome to attend either online or in-person. Following a welcome from DGA Assistant Executive Director Faith Santilla, Western AD/UPM Council Secretary/Treasurer Tara Nicole Tjahjadi — one of the co- moderators for the discussion to come — revealed some of the complex history of the world of multi-cam. "In the early 2000s Multicamera Sitcom Stage Managers became Assistant Directors." Tjahjadi explained. "[Formerly under] the AD/SM/PA Council, these new Assistant Directors were now [under] the AD/UPM Council. Since 2018, I have been on a mission to start a Multi-Cam Committee consisting of Directors, Associate Directors, and UPMs/ADs. This unity of all three Councils here at the Guild would be a place to educate, make new connections and celebrate the work of multi-cam sitcoms. Thanks to everyone sitting here in this room today, every category is represented, and this mission has become a reality!" Co-moderator Robyn Willey-Pratt then introduced the panelists: Director/1st AD Natalie Van Doren and 1st ADs Michele Azenzer Bear, Dennis Capps, Guy Distad, and Ron Moseley, all of whose work spans decades of network, cable and streaming television. Sharing their expertise, the panelists explained how the genre of multicamera sitcoms has evolved over the years. L-R Front Row: 1st AD Dennis Capps, Director/1st AD Natalie Van Doren, 1st ADs Ron Moseley, Michele Azenzer Bear and Guy Distad. Back Row: 1st AD Robyn Willey-Pratt & 2nd AD Tara Nicole Tjahjadi (moderators) and 2nd AD Sarah Schmaus Ulin & Associate Director Mimi (Marian) Deaton. Keep It Rolling! Multicamera Sitcoms: Then, Now and What's Next A Joint Western AD/UPM Council and Western AD/SM/PA Council Event photo by Elisa Haber

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