Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/928835
3 2 I D G A M O N T H L Y DGA Screening Q&A & Events Roundup More detailed descriptions and additional photos and podcasts are posted online at www.dga.org. photo by Marcie Revens Trudie Styler discusses Freak Show A cross-dressing teen takes a stand against bullying in Director Trudie Styler's new comedic-drama, Freak Show. Based on the novel by James St. James, Styler's fi lm tells the story of Billy Bloom, a boldly confi dent and fl amboyant teen newly relocated to an ultra-conservative high school in the deep South where his penchant for fabulousness doesn't play so well. After suffering persecution and bullying, he decides to wear his inner freak with pride and strike a blow for outcasts and underdogs by running for homecoming queen. Following the DGA membership screening in New York on January 10, Styler sat down with Director Ira Sachs to discuss the challenges of making Freak Show. Freak Show is Styler's feature directing debut. Her other directing credits include the documentary The Sweatbox and the short fi lm Wait. She has been a DGA member since 2015. Photo: Ira Sachs (moderator) & Trudie Styler discuss Freak Show. 4 5 6 8 2 7 DGA Hosts Receptions in New York and Los Angeles for 2018 Sundance Filmmakers The DGA hosted receptions in Los Angeles and New York for fi lmmakers with projects accepted into the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. At the Manhattan reception on December 12, Director Derek Cianfrance (The Light Between Oceans), the winner of the 2016 DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials ("Doubts" and "Expectations" (Powerade), "Chase" (Nike Golf), spoke about how the DGA's fl exibility makes it possible to still be an independent fi lmmaker and protected by the Guild, Sundance's Festival Director John Cooper and other Sundance staffers gave festival survival tips and DGA Senior Field Representative Bart Daudelin explained how the Guild works with indie Directors. Also attending the NY reception were DGA members with projects at the Sundance Festival including Directors Brett Haley (Hearts Beat Loud), Silas Howard (A Kid Like Jake) and Shaka King (LaZercism). In Hollywood on January 4, Cooper repeated the festival advisory duties, DGA Special Assignments Executive Mayra Ocampo gave more information about the Guild, and Director Patricia Cardoso (El Paseo De Teresa) discussed how the Guild has allowed her to stay true to her Indie- feature roots. DGA members with Sundance fi lms at the Los Angeles reception included Susan Bay Nimoy (Eve), Ben Lewin (The Catcher Was a Spy), Morgan Neville (Won't You Be My Neighbor?), Rick Rosenthal (Halfway There), Jessica Sanders (End of the Line) and Marina Zenovich (Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind). New York: 1. Derek Cianfrance speaks about the Guild's fl exibility. 2. Sundance fi lmmakers learn more about the Guild. 3. Sundance Festival Director John Cooper offers his festival tips. 4-5. Directors Brett Haley and Shaka King enjoy the reception with fellow fi lmmakers in New York. Los Angeles: 6. Director Patricia Cardoso speaks about the Guild 7-9. Directors Susan Bay Nimoy, Marina Zenovich and Rick Rosenthal speak about their projects and chat with fellow fi lmmakers. 10. Sundance fi lmmakers meet and greet at the DGA reception in Los Angeles. 9 10 1 3 NY photos by Marcie Revens LA photos by Shane Karns