DGA Monthly

A P R I L 2 0 2 6 I 1 3 See more detailed descriptions and additional photos, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup Behind the Chair: Representation and the Business of Filmmaking A seminar sponsored by IWG and The Ankler, in partnership with the DGA On March 6, DGA member leaders and industry guests gathered at the Guild's Los Angeles headquarters for the three-part discussion, Behind the Chair: Representation and the Business of Filmmaking. In a partnership between the DGA, IWG and the industry newsletter, The Ankler, the event was designed to highlight the unique challenges experienced by feature filmmakers from underrepresented groups. Following a welcome from DGA Associate Western Executive Director Cynthia Tollett and The Ankler's founder and CEO Janice Min, the seminar began with the first panel, High Risk, High Reward: Directors Changing the Narrative One Film at a Time. In a conversation moderated by entertainment journalist Richard Rushfield from The Ankler, Directors Lee Isaac Chung (Twisters, Minari), Carlos Lopez Estrada (DED, Blindspotting), Rachel Morrison (Love of Your Life, The Fire Inside), Patricia Riggen (G20, The 33) and Boots Riley (I Love Boosters, Sorry to Bother You) spoke about perceptions and economic environment that impact the opportunities extended to Directors from underrepresented groups and the challenges it creates in maintaining a thriving career. Riley started the discussion by noting that he doesn't want to just make films, he has a particular film he wants to make and isn't worried about the risk because he needs to be excited about the project. Riggen commented on how little industry representation has changed for women Directors since she began her career. Estrada explained how in the indie film world "risk" is embraced. Morrison observed how crossing certain film budget thresholds, becomes an immediate barrier particularly for women. And Chung charted his unlikely path from his breakout, DGA Award-nominated feature, Minari, to Twisters the story of storm chasers in rural Oklahoma and shared how supportive Steven Spielberg was as a Producer and how his vision was embraced through that support. In the second panel discussion, Changing the Game: Turning the Industry on Its Head Through Cutting-Edge Partnerships & Initiatives, Producers Franklin Leonard from The Black List, Kamala Avila-Salmon from Kas Kas Productions and Aditya Sood from Lord Miller Productions examined the industry engine and what it will take to change how Hollywood functions during an exploration moderated by The Ankler staff writer Elaine Low. Leonard observed that the industry relies on the entrepreneurial spirit of filmmakers surviving unrealistic expectations. Sood divulged that the question of how you stand out in an exceptional way continues to drive filmmaker discovery. Avila-Salmon highlighted how in the gap between the economic problems and the representation problems, at the core lies a misalignment of incentives. In the final discussion of the day, Breaking the Glass House: Sustaining a Career as a Feature Director, DGA Award- nominated Director Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) engaged in a one- on-one discourse with Director Anu Valia (We Strangers) where they covered topics such as the impact of joining the DGA, the distinction between having a career versus working as a feature film Director, and the reality of navigating the industry volatility. Jenkins noted the important ways Directors need to constantly make and create to build skills and sustain themselves in this profession and emphasized the specific challenge facing all creatives of all backgrounds trying to make art in this strained entertainment environment. Valia underlined how television has given her the opportunity to make a living as a Director while still keeping her feature film aspirations alive and how that allows her to foster her love of the craft while sharpening her skills. 1 3 2 4 5 photos by Robert Hale Photos: 1. Directors Barry Jenkins and Anu Valia engage in a one-on-one conversation during the session, Breaking the Glass House: Sustaining a Career as a Feature Director. 2-3. DGA Associate Western Executive Director Cynthia Tollett and The Ankler's founder and CEO Janice Min welcome the attendees. 4. Entertainment journalist Richard Rushfield (moderator) and Directors Boots Riley, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Rachel Morrison, Lee Isaac Chung and Patricia Riggen were the panelists for the discussion, High Risk, High Reward: Directors Changing the Narrative One Film at a Time. 5. The Ankler staff writer Elaine Low (moderator) and Producers Franklin Leonard, Kamala Avila-Salmon and Aditya Sood handled the panel, Changing the Game: Turning the Industry on Its Head Through Cutting-Edge Partnerships & Initiatives.

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