DGA Monthly

J U N E 2 0 2 6 I 5 7 See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. Committee Events Roundup On April 27, the Jewish Committee (JC) meeting included the conversation, From Page to Screen — The Art and Craft of Adapting Books for Film and Television. In a conversation moderated by Director Varda Bar-Kar, Directors who have successfully adapted beloved books for the screen — Stephen Chbosky, Jeremy Kagan and Amber Sealey — discussed what signals to a fi lmmaker that a story on the page might thrive as a fi lm or series, the elements they look for in a potential adaptation; and shared some of the practical steps of adaptation such as preliminary conversations with authors or rights holders, the process of optioning literary material, how to balance fi delity to a book's readership with the demands of cinematic storytelling, and what makes a literary property attractive to studios, streamers, and fi nanciers. (Clockwise) Directors Varda Bar-Kar (moderator), Stephen Chbosky, Jeremy Kagan and Amber Sealey. From Page to Screen — Adapting Books for Film & TV A Jewish Committee Discussion 1st ADs are the operational backbone of a set, balancing creative vision, logistics, labor, safety, and time. On April 20, the African American Steering Committee (AASC) meeting was preceded by the in-depth discussion, First Assistant Directors Who Helped Shape the Industry. In a conversation moderated by Director/AASC Events Subcommittee Co- Chair Abdul Malik Abbott, veteran 1st ADs Randy Fletcher, Carol Green and Warren Gray shared how their leadership, problem solving, and mentorship helped shape modern fi lm and television production and revealed how by focusing on real experiences rather than abstractions they not only navigated an industry with limited access and systemic barriers but also built pathways for others to follow. (L-R) AASC Events Subcommittee Co-Chair Abdul Malik Abbott (moderator) and 1st ADs Carol Green, Warren Gray and Randy Fletcher. First Assistant Directors Who Helped Shape the Industry An African American Steering Committee Discussion On April 21, DGA members heard how a strong breakdown is invaluable for Directors, helping them plan their days and maximize time on set when the Disability Committee (DC) meeting featured the conversation, Breaking It Down! – The Art of the Script Breakdown. During a conversation moderated by Committee Co-Chair Matthew O'Shea, Director Christine Swanson and 1st AD Kevin Koster — who worked together on the series P-Valley — revealed how, spearheaded by the 1st AD, this process turns the page into a plan, mapping every detail required to execute a Director's vision. They also pulled back the curtain on their process, offering real-world tips, tools, and techniques for crafting an effective script breakdown. (L-R) Disability Committee Co-Chair Matthew J. O'Shea (moderator) and Director Christine Swanson and 1st AD Kevin Koster. Breaking It Down! – The Art of the Script Breakdown A Disability Committee Discussion The Asian American Committee (AAC) has announced the inaugural class of its brand- new feature fi lm program – The Family Table. The program began in March of 2026 and pairs fi ve mid-career Directors with well-established mentors. The inaugural class has been selected and the mentees/mentors are: • Aqsa Altaf mentored by Celine Song • Marie Jamora mentored by Lee Issac Chung • Kim O. Nguyen mentored by Adele Lim • Yoko Okumura mentored by Daniel Kwan • Sara Zandieh mentored by Lulu Wang Created by the AAC, The Family Table is the DGA's fi rst-ever project-based narrative feature fi lm mentorship program and will run for six months. In this inaugural year, these selected mentees were paired with experienced DGA feature Directors who are matched not just to the mentee, but to their feature fi lm project. In addition to one-on-one mentorship, participants will engage in exciting AAC community-supported opportunities — all designed to foster creative exchange, a direct pipeline of visibility, and a stronger, interconnected AAPI community. The Family Table was co-created and coordinated by Directors Maureen Bharoocha, Miko Lim, Jennifer Phang, and Lilan Bowden. Consulting Directors are Jean Lee and Ravi Kapoor. The AAC is co-chaired by Michael Goi, Alan Chu and Maureen Bharoocha with Debbie Formoso serving as an alternate co-chair. For more information about the AAC's Family Table Mentorship Program please email aacfamilytable@gmail.com. Asian American Committee Unveils New Feature Film Mentorship Program

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