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30 DGA QUARTERLY The moment 1st AD Chris Della Penna stepped on set for The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, he knew he was in for a unique experience. "It was not in any way structured like your normal prep," Della Penna explains. "I watched hours of footage. I didn't need to really ask why and how much background, or what do you want to see, because I could see it in the footage and I would match that." Della Penna worked closely with his 2nd AD, Katie Botkin, to tackle a production that sometimes required upwards of 400 background changes a day for the court- room sequences. "It took hours," he says. "I'm changing over 200 people three or four times; it was crazy. But Katie was the heartbeat of the show. She was absolutely fabulous, and everything was always ready." In his 32-year career, Della Penna has never been one to shy away from challenging productions. "As a 1st, you've got to instill in these people that you're going to keep them safe," he a rms. "As fast as things go, we never rush a stunt, and we make sure everybody is aware of what's going to happen. That's the most important thing I can say I tried to accomplish in my career. As much as time is running out, you got to just do it right." —BRANDON KYLE GOCO On People v. O.J., Della Penna Maintains Order in the Court CHRIS DELLA PENNA » 1st AD "As fast as things go, we never rush a stunt, and we make sure everybody is aware of what's going to happen. As much as time is running out, you got to just do it right." — C H R I S D E L L A P E N N A One of the best parts of the job for Jeri-Ann Wong? The animals. "We have a lot of animals on stage," says the Jimmy Kimmel Live! Associate Director. "We've had ele- phants, camels, a pony." From her vantage point in the control room, Wong gets an up- close and personal look at every an- imal featured on the show, and, she says, smaller can be scarier. "We did have bugs," says Wong, recalling a memorable episode of Kimmel that featured beetles, cockroaches and other small winged creatures. "They don't look that scary, but when you zoom in with the camera, they look like monsters." Wong's Animal Logic on Kimmel Live! JERI-ANN WONG » Associate Director Sometimes working with so many di erent species brings its own unique set of challenges for Wong. "When you have to say 'Everybody hold onstage—the eagle's not happy—so everybody just be quiet and let it calm down,' [it] just sort of cracks you up," she says. "You're like, 'Really? This is what we do for a living?'" For all the hilarity that can come along with having animals on set, Wong is very serious about safety. "A studio with an audience really isn't an organic environment for animals," she explains, "so we do whatever the trainer says." —BECCA NADLER As fast as things go, we never rush a C H R I S D E L L A P E N N A just be quiet and let it calm down,' [it] just sort of cracks you up," she says. "You're like, 'Really? This is For all the hilarity that can come along with having animals on set, Wong is very serious about safety. "A studio with an audience really isn't an organic environment for animals," she explains, "so we do PHOTOS: TRICIA NOBLE; (OPPOSITE TOP) MARCIE REVENS FOCUS At Work With