As part of the DGA’s decades-long commitment to push for industry inclusion, the Guild has conducted the Television Director Mentorship Program that pairs members who aspire to expand their TV-directing careers (protégés) with veteran directors (mentors) who serve as their professional guides to the working world of episodic television. The structured, intensive career development program, which has been executed in 2018, 2019, and 2020, has now added 34 graduates from the East and West Coast sessions in 2022. On Thursday, October 20, the Guild held the first graduation ceremony for the East Coast participants; the graduates of the West Coast program were recognized at a separate event in June of 2022.
“Through mentorship and in-depth training from seasoned episodic director members, we have created opportunities for members across all DGA categories to deepen their skills and provide a robust pipeline of diverse talent for our industry,” said Lesli Linka Glatter, DGA president. “My personal thanks to our terrific mentors who have so willingly supported the Guild’s commitment to providing opportunities for the next generation of storytellers.”
For nine months they were exposed to the latest technical skillsets and best practices in preparation for a career in directing episodic television. The Television Director Mentorship Program is part of the DGA’s Director Development Initiative, which focuses on education, networking and career development. The combined programs aim to set members up for success through professional development so that they can turn new opportunities into long-term careers.
Breannah Oppenhuizen, Diversity & Inclusion Program executive for the DGA, stressed the Guild’s long-term commitment, “The DGA looks forward to continuing the DDI Mentorship program with the release of the application for its 2023 cycle slated for early next year. The newest iteration of the program will reintroduce career development workshops as a key secondary component in addition to the craft workshops and monthly learning events.”
Graduating Protéges and Mentors – 2022 Cycle
East Coast Graduation – October 20, 2022:
- Lloyd Lee Choi mentored by Rob Hardy
- Jennifer Derwingson-Peacock mentored by Michael Pressman
- Yor-El Francis mentored by Norberto Barba
- Melissa Haizlip mentored by Seith Mann
- Kris Lefcoe mentored by Andy Cadiff
- Eduardo Letamendi mentored by Michael Smith
- Seyi Peter-Thomas mentored by Laura Belsey
- Lydia Dean Pilcher mentored by Michael Slovis
- Sarah Pirozek mentored by Timothy Busfield
- Susanna Styron mentored by Nicole Kassell
West Coast Graduation – June 18, 2022:
- Steve Acevedo mentored by Mel Damski
- Amy Aniobi mentored by Todd Holland
- R. Dianne Bartlow mentored by Mary Lou Belli
- Daniel Bydlowski mentored by Leonard R Garner Jr.
- Anna Chi mentored by Jet Wilkinson
- Alycia Cooper mentored by Ken Whittingham
- Stephanie Cristancho mentored by Michael Goi
- Miguel Cruz mentored by Jaffar Mahmood
- Patrick Cummings mentored by Jeffrey Blitz
- Rylee Ebsen mentored by Mark Cendrowski
- Sean Frank mentored by Carl Seaton
- Eli Gonda mentored by Bill D’Elia
- Cellin Gluck mentored by Viet Nguyen
- Corey Grant mentored by Victor Gonzalez
- Joy Lane mentored by Lee Rose
- Annetta Marion mentored by Kabir Akhtar
- Carmen Marrón mentored by Allan Arkush
- Andrew Molina mentored by Ed Ornelas
- SJ Main Muñoz mentored by Andy Wolk
- Pratibha Parmar mentored by Ron Underwood
- Chell Stephen mentored by Tessa Blake
- Jay Torres mentored by Bethany Rooney
- Scott Weintrob mentored by Lee Rose
- Ssong Yang mentored by Rodrigo Garcia
Kendrick Lamar will headline the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show
Kendrick Lamar will pop out on the NFL's biggest stage next year: The Grammy winner will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans.
The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation announced Sunday that Lamar would lead the halftime festivities from the Caesars Superdome on Feb. 9. The rap megastar, who has won 17 Grammys, said he's looking forward to bringing hip-hop to the NFL's championship game, where he performed as a guest artist with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg in 2022.
"Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date," Lamar said in a statement. "And I'll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one."
Lamar has experienced massive success since his debut album "good kid, m.A.A.d city" in 2012. Since then, he's accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album "DAMN."
The rapper's latest album "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers," was released in 2022. He was featured on the song "Like That" with Future and Metro Boomin on a track that spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this year. He also garnered another hit with "Not Like Us."
Roc Nation founder Jay-Z called Lamar a "once-in-a-generation" artist and performer.
"His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision," Jay-Z said. "He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick's work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come."
Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. The creative direction of Lamar's performance will be provided by pgLang.
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