DGA Monthly

See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup On May 29, more than 200 DGA members learned more about what Directors look for in a successful collaboration with Cinematographers/DPs and how they can best support each other during the Director Development Initiative's (DDI) online workshop, Exploring Director Collaborations: Working with Cinematographers & DPs. In a conversation moderated by Director Talia Osteen, Directors Michael Goi, Patrick Cady and Rachel Morrison — each of whom have worked both sides of the equation — highlighted how their experiences as Cinematographer/ DPs informed their experiences as Directors working across different shows, and offered their perspectives for how to approach partnering with Cinematographers/DPs, as well as advice for how to navigate this relationship while working across episodic television and fi lm. During the discussion, the panelists shared visuals and clips to reveal their individual approaches to directing scenes and explained how good communication and active listening skills are critical. They also discussed how, as Directors, they want to be able to lean into their collaborators' expertise and appreciate working with Cinematographers/DPs who can balance both hearing and valuing a Director's creative vision while also bringing their own ideas to the table. Goi noted that he values working with Cinematographers/DPs "who think outside the box but are not so locked into a point of view that they can't see anything else." Similarly, Cady shared how he strives to create an environment on set where everyone, including the Cinematographer/DP, feels empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. The panelists emphasized how Directors and Cinematographers/DPs must work together to help model how to foster a respectful, collaborative, and positive working environment on set, with Morrison remarking that, for the Cinematographers/DPs who she works with, it is critical that "respect is something that they care about, too, and that we're treating everybody with kindness." Image: Clockwise: Directors Michael Goi, Rachel Morrison, Patrick Cady and Talia Osteen (moderator). Exploring Director Collaborations: Working with Cinematographers & DPs A Director Development Initiative Craft Workshop Based on the true story of Lilly Ledbetter, Director Rachel Feldman's drama, Lilly, reveals how the hard-working Alabama factory supervisor discovers that her company has been paying her half of what her male counterparts receive and begins a historic fi ght for justice and equality that stretches all the way to Washington, DC. She discussed the making of the fi lm in conversations with Directors Amber Sealey in Los Angeles and Deborah Kampmeier in New York where she revealed how her directing style has changed over the years, "As a Director who came up as a storyboard artist and as an assistant to big Directors on studio movies, my responsibility was the Director's notebook. I'm a systems person by nature. My early years were all about the notebook, the planning, the shot list, down to the teeth. And when I fi rst started directing, I very much stuck to the plan. And, as you mature, you become more comfortable with your craft, and you have all that work you've done just implanted. You don't need to be looking at your notes constantly. You know the plan. I've allowed myself to be present, to not be afraid of other people's ideas, and to be able to take a little piece of this idea and a little piece of that idea." Rachel Feldman discusses Lilly photo by Marcie Revens photo by Elisa Haber photos: Director Rachel Feldman with moderators Deborah Kampmeier in New York on May 10 and Amber Sealey in Los Angeles on May 18. Follow Us On Social Media Stay connected with the Directors Guild of America! Follow us across social media to learn about events and Guild activities. Join the conversation by following our channels today! • Facebook: www.facebook.com/directorsguildofamericadga • Instagram: www.instagram.com/directorsguild • YouTube: www.youtube.com/@directorsguildofamericaDGA

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