Thumbnail of Reza Badiyi

    Reza Badiyi on his visual style on Mannix

    00:39
    Thumbnail of Ron Howard

    Ron Howard on his directorial style

    02:27
    Thumbnail of Frances Buss Buch

    Frances Buss Buch on how she directed a television program

    02:37
    Thumbnail of John Singleton

    John Singleton on directing Michael Jackson's "Remember the Time" music video

    03:48
    Thumbnail of Jay Sandrich

    Jay Sandrich on how good writing inspires him as a director

    01:14
    Thumbnail of Ken Levine

    Ken Levine on the advantage of being a writer who directs

    02:43

    Andy Ackerman

    Andy Ackerman on the pacing changes on Seinfeld and on trying to maintain a realistic tone from the actors

    02:19

    Andy Ackerman on directing non-actor Jerry Seinfeld on Seinfeld

    02:11

    Andy Ackerman on the process of directing a Seinfeld episode and on various shooting locations

    01:18

    Andy Ackerman on the rehearsal process, ad-libbing, and "happy accidents" on Seinfeld

    02:27

    Andy Ackerman on the importance of working with a good ensemble cast as a director

    01:23

    Andy Ackerman on what makes a successful show

    02:57

    Debbie Allen

    Debbie Allen on the collaborative effort needed to direct and produce a strong show

    02:43

    John Astin

    John Astin on his directing style

    02:49

    John Astin on his influences as a director and actor

    08:05

    Reza Badiyi

    Reza Badiyi on his start as a cameraman

    00:59

    Reza Badiyi on his visual style on Mannix

    00:39

    Reza Badiyi on what a director wants from a producer

    03:59

    Bob Banner

    Bob Banner on the duties of the director in television 

    03:59

    Bob Banner on his advice to an aspiring television producer or director

    01:46

    Bob Banner on directing televised boxing matches in Chicago early in his career

    05:25

    Paris Barclay

    Paris Barclay on the process of directing music videos

    01:02

    Paris Barclay on directing a pivotal episode of ER

    04:43

    Paris Barclay on how directors are selected to direct individual episodes

    03:39

    Paris Barclay on directing comedy

    00:51

    Paris Barclay on directing difficult actors

    02:33

    Paris Barclay on his reputation as a director

    02:42

    Paris Barclay on his directing process once he receives a script

    02:05

    Paris Barclay on his directing process

    01:22

    Paris Barclay on his directing style being recognizable

    00:47

    Paris Barclay on his involvement with the Directors Guild of America

    03:00

    Paris Barclay on advice to aspiring directors

    05:17

    Richard L. Bare

    Richard L. Bare on directing the TV show Cheyenne

    08:41

    Richard L. Bare on directing Maverick

    08:11

    Richard L. Bare on narrating B-roll footage, discussing the kinds of film cameras he preferred to use when filming

    00:39

    Joseph Behar

    Joe Behar on becoming a director at WPTZ, the NBC station in Philadelphia, and the types of programs he directed

    04:17

    Joe Behar on the craft of directing for television

    03:14

    Joe Behar on his approach to directing actors and setting the tone on set

    02:53

    Joe Behar on his directing style and his hero, John Frankenheimer; on his involvement with editing

    02:20

    Joe Behar on advice to aspiring television directors

    01:20

    Earl Bellamy

    Earl Bellamy on things he would do when coming on board to direct a show, and on his reputation as a director

    05:37

    Earl Bellamy on his directing style

    04:33

    Earl Bellamy on the craft of directing for television

    03:42

    Earl Bellamy on the relationship between director and producer, and with the writers and crew

    02:36

    Earl Bellamy on choosing the projects he directs

    03:01

    Earl Bellamy on advice to aspiring directors, and on advice to actors working with directors

    03:01

    Walter Bernstein

    Walter Bernstein on his style as a director

    01:32

    Walter Bernstein on his strengths as a writer and how that helped him as a director

    01:57

    Bruce Bilson

    Bruce Bilson on working with a crew and changes in directing over the years

    09:34

    Bruce Bilson on his work process as a director

    09:05

    Bruce Bilson on his approach to directing actors

    05:52

    Bruce Bilson on directing ensemble casts

    01:30

    Bruce Bilson on advice to an aspiring television director, skills you need to be a television director and his mentor Bob Sweeney

    02:10

    Steve Binder

    Steve Binder on his early directing style on the Steve Allen Westinghouse Show

    03:34

    Steve Binder on producing and directiing Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special

    09:49

    Steve Binder on his advice to aspiring directors

    00:51

    Paul Bogart

    Paul Bogart on his directing style

    02:17

    Paul Bogart on his preparations for directing and editing

    05:22

    Paul Bogart on his advice to aspiring directors

    02:12

    Peter Bonerz

    Peter Bonerz on directing actors

    00:43

    Peter Bonerz on creating good morale as the key to leadership as a director

    00:37

    Kevin Bright

    Kevin Bright on directing comedy

    01:24

    Kevin Bright on working with actors when he is directing

    01:48

    James L. Brooks

    James L. Brooks on the best advice he got about directing - bring extra socks

    01:26

    Alton Brown

    Alton Brown on directing himself on Good Eats

    01:03

    Kirk Browning

    Kirk Browning on advice to an aspiring director

    03:28

    Kirk Browning on trying various different programs for Live from Lincoln Center, and on adapting his visual style as a director

    06:58

    Frances Buss Buch

    Frances Buss Buch on how she directed a television program

    02:37

    James Burrows

    James Burrows on attending the Yale School of Drama and wanting to become a director

    01:49

    James Burrows on learning from Jay Sandrich on The Mary Tyler Moore Show

    03:51

    James Burrows on directing every episode of Will & Grace

    01:30

    LeVar Burton

    LeVar Burton on directing the more recent series of Star Trek

    01:07

    Robert Butler

    Robert Butler on wanting to be a director

    03:02

    Robert Butler on differences between directing live television and filmed single camera television

    02:33

    Robert Butler on his directing style

    01:19

    Robert Butler on directing actors

    02:28

    Robert Butler on his work with the Directors Guild of America and why it's important to directors

    02:11

    Robert Butler on advice to aspiring directors

    01:07

    Dann Cahn

    Dann Cahn on wanting to direct television and observing directors

    01:00

    Kevin Carlisle

    Kevin Carlisle on becoming a director, and on how being a choreographer helped him

    01:28

    Thomas Carter

    Thomas Carter on being known as "The Prince of Pilots"

    01:33

    Thomas Carter on his directing style

    01:39

    Thomas Carter on how being an actor helped him as a director

    02:27

    Thomas Carter on advice to aspiring television directors

    01:43

    Gilbert Cates

    Gilbert Cates on directing the game show Haggis Baggis

    02:40

    Gilbert Cates on what made him a good director

    00:46

    Tony Charmoli

    Tony Charmoli on directing for TV

    11:52

    Tony Charmoli on his directing style

    01:14

    Tony Charmoli on his demeanor as a director

    02:42

    Tony Charmoli on winning the DGA award for his work on a John Denver special with The Muppets

    04:19

    Tony Charmoli on winning a DGA award for directing a John Denver special with the Muppets

    01:14

    Tony Charmoli on what's most important when creating a successful variety special

    00:47

    Tony Charmoli on why there are no variety specials today

    01:15

    David Chase

    David Chase on overcoming his fear of directing on Alfred Hitchcock Presents when he had no idea what to do

    09:09

    David Chase on confronting his fear of directing on Alfred Hitchcock Presents when he had no idea what to do

    07:35

    David Chase on how directing affected the way he writes "a camera can only do one thing at a time"

    13:32

    Tom Cherones

    Tom Cherones on directing multi-camera verses single camera

    00:40

    Tom Cherones on advice to aspiring television directors

    01:10

    Michael Chiklis

    Michael Chiklis on his love of directing

    01:05

    Bob Claver

    Bob Claver on the craft of directing television 

    05:53

    Bob Claver on advice to an aspiring television director

    01:07

    Bob Claver on choosing what projects he wanted to direct

    00:43

    Bob Claver on his directing style

    00:57

    Robert Conrad

    Robert Conrad on directing for television and movies

    02:47

    Hal Cooper

    Hal Cooper on a typical production week on Search For Tomorrow

    04:20

    Hal Cooper on working as a director in the DuMont studio

    05:25

    Hal Cooper on directing the Maude episode "Maude Bares Her Soul"

    06:56

    Hal Cooper on directing Bob

    08:12

    Hal Cooper on the importance of rehearsing 

    02:54

    Hal Cooper on advice for aspiring television directors

    03:49

    Ane Crabtree

    Ane Crabtree on what makes a good relationship between a costume designer and a director

    04:02

    Richard Crenna

    Richard Crenna on directing pilots for series

    01:17

    Richard Crenna on the craft of directing for television

    01:56

    Bill Davis

    Bill Davis on directing shows from the booth

    02:05

    Bill Davis on his directing style

    02:34

    Bill Davis on the challenges of being a freelance director

    01:56

    Bill Davis on working with the crew and writers when directing a variety show

    02:31

    Bill Davis on the evolution of his directing style

    02:22

    Bill Davis on advice to aspiring television directors

    01:09

    Fred de Cordova

    Fred de Cordova on the differences between directing features and directing television

    03:46

    Richard Donner

    Richard Donner on the short shooting schedule and technical challenges of directing The Twilight Zone 's "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet"

    04:04

    Richard Donner on making the transition from directing television to directing features

    10:36

    Richard Donner on how directing for television helped him shoot "Superman" and "Superman II" simultaneously

    01:06

    Richard Donner on advice to aspiring directors

    00:42

    Bob Doyle

    Bob Doyle on directing the 1948 political conventions

    07:20

    Charles S. Dubin

    Charles S. Dubin on his style of directing and how he works with actors

    02:50

    Charles S. Dubin on knowing where to place the camera as a director

    01:26

    Charles S. Dubin on what makes a good script to direct, and on chemistry and actors

    01:50

    Charles S. Dubin on summing up his career including proudest achievement, advice, collaborating with writers, mentors, and how he'd like to be remembered

    02:21

    Harlan Ellison

    Harlan Ellison on walking off his first directing job

    01:46

    Norman Felton

    Norman Felton on transitioning from playwriting to directing

    01:42

    Bob Finkel

    Bob Finkel on directing commercial films in Pittsburgh

    00:31

    Bob Finkel on filling in as a director in an emergency - his big break in directing

    02:07

    John Frankenheimer

    John Frankenheimer on his directing style on Climax!

    00:40

    John Frankenheimer on losing weight on show day while directing live television

    02:54

    John Frankenheimer on being able to identify directors by camera work

    00:54

    John Frankenheimer on the sense of accomplishment he felt from directing

    00:54

    John Frankenheimer on directing tips from mentor David O. Selznick

    03:49

    John Frankenheimer on techniques he used for directing Playhouse 90

    05:46

    John Frankenheimer on directing big movie stars - Ingrid Bergman

    00:53

    John Frankenheimer on directing movies

    03:48

    John Frankenheimer on advice for aspiring directors

    03:13

    John Frankenheimer on knowing he was good with a camera

    01:39

    John Frankenheimer on the differences between associate director and assistant director

    00:57

    Pamela Fryman

    Pamela Fryman on the style of directing soap operas

    01:49

    Pamela Fryman on finding work as a director

    03:03

    Pamela Fryman on her directing style

    01:18

    Pamela Fryman on what she likes about directing pilots

    02:13

    Pamela Fryman on how technology has impacted directing

    00:47

    Pamela Fryman on what she loves about directing, and on fulfilling her dreams

    02:06

    Pamela Fryman on advice to aspiring directors and producers

    01:23

    Greg Garrison

    Greg Garrison on his approach to directing performers like Gene Kelly and Sid Caesar, and on working with Sid Caesar

    03:45

    Greg Garrison on the challenges of directing a variety show

    04:00

    Larry Gelbart

    Larry Gelbart on directing the episode "Abyssinia, Henry" where one of the main characters dies -- which he kept a secret from cast and crew

    08:14

    Vince Gilligan

    Vince Gilligan on the first episode of The X-Files he directed - "Je Souhaite" (I Wish) in Season 7, and how scared he was to try his hand at directing

    29:15

    Sandra Gimpel

    Sandra Gimpel on what a stunt coordinator does and what a second unit director does, and how it worked when she was acting as both on set

    05:57

    Sandra Gimpel on how the sunt coordinator works with the second unit director on set

    02:07

    Sandra Gimpel on acting as a second unit director and whether she could insert her own style into the show or film: "get what the director wants and then you can do what you want"

    03:05

    Sandra Gimpel on redoing stunts when she is acting as second unit director

    02:00

    Lesli Linka Glatter

    Lesli Linka Glatter on her early days in Los Angeles, and on being on sets learning how to make films

    02:08

    Lesli Linka Glatter on how she went about choosing work as a director, and on what she learned working on Amazing Stories

    02:25

    Lesli Linka Glatter on coming in as a director on an established show

    03:18

    Lesli Linka Glatter on what she learned about being a producing director from Thomas Schlamme on The West Wing, and on the experience of directing the show

    04:14

    Lesli Linka Glatter on how she prepares to direct after she gets a script

    03:16

    Lesli Linka Glatter on the role of an assistant director and director of photography

    02:46

    Lesli Linka Glatter on where she is physically during a shoot, and on working with the editor

    00:44

    Lesli Linka Glatter on what she likes about directing, and on her dream project

    03:06

    Lesli Linka Glatter on advice to aspiring directors

    00:41

    Lewis Gomavitz

    Lewis Gomavitz on advice to aspiring television directors

    04:13

    Walter E. Grauman

    Director Walter Grauman on the importance of camera movement to his directorial style

    02:39

    Hal Gurnee

    Hal Gurnee on the responsibilities of the crew working under the director on a show

    04:54

    Hal Gurnee on what he likes about directing television

    01:21

    Hal Gurnee on advice to aspiring television directors

    02:22

    Jon Hamm

    Jon Hamm on directing two episodes of Mad Men and what it was like to be on both sides of the camera; on turning down the opportunity to direct in season seven; on what he as an actor brings to directing

    06:05

    Jon Hamm on learning from the other directors of Mad Men and learning from all sets he's been on 

    01:05

    Dwight Hemion

    Dwight Hemion on his television directing style

    04:26

    Dwight Hemion on the basic duties of a television director

    03:58

    Dwight Hemion on working with technical people as a director

    01:20

    Dwight Hemion on advice to an aspiring director

    02:40

    Dwight Hemion and Gary Smith on the importance of Gary's art design background, and on their communication with each other

    02:24

    Dwight Hemion and Gary Smith on choosing projects to work on, and on their production company

    03:17

    Dwight Hemion and Gary Smith on dealing with performers like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr.

    05:39

    Dwight Hemion and Gary Smith on dealing with pressure when working on a project

    02:33

    Dwight Hemion and Gary Smith on working together as producing partners and on coming up with ideas

    05:16

    Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion on the atmosphere on the set of their productions and how they collaborate on set

    07:01

    Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion on the elements of a successful producing and directing partnership and on why theirs worked

    03:16

    Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion on staffing their projects

    02:56

    Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion on keeping their collaborations fresh

    04:12

    Arthur Hiller

    Arthur Hiller on the decisions he made while directing his first television drama, which took place on a ship

    01:26

    Arthur Hiller on the rehearsal process for NBC Matinee Theater

    03:01

    Arthur Hiller on how he approached directing different styles of television shows

    03:42

    Arthur Hiller on making the transition from directing television to directing feature films

    03:06

    Arthur Hiller on preparing to direct a television show or a feature

    02:48

    Arthur Hiller on dealing with the casting process as a director

    02:58

    Arthur Hiller on how he chooses projects to direct

    02:11

    Arthur Hiller on what he loves about the directing process

    01:08

    Arthur Hiller on his style of directing and working with actors

    03:04

    Arthur Hiller on working with difficult actors and dealing with various personalities as a director

    02:38

    Arthur Hiller on collaborating with directors of photography and lighting designers as a director

    03:18

    Arthur Hiller on advice to aspiring directors

    01:17

    Martin Hoade

    Martin Hoade on his directing style

    04:07

    Martin Hoade on the process of directing and producing documentaries for television

    05:46

    Louis J. Horvitz

    Louis J. Horvitz on his path from still photographer, to camera operator, to director

    04:32

    Louis J. Horvitz on his directing style

    06:18

    Louis J. Horvitz on advice to aspiring television directors

    03:53

    Ron Howard

    Ron Howard on his directorial style

    02:27

    Felicity Huffman

    Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy on the film "Rudderless," directed by Macy and starring Huffman, and Macy's directing style

    04:00

    Suzuki Ingerslev

    Suzuki Ingerslev on what makes a good relationship between a production designer and a director

    00:58

    Lamont Johnson

    Lamont Johnson on casting for NBC Matinee Theater, on working with Zsa Zsa Gabor on the show, and on working with actors as a director

    04:34

    Lamont Johnson on working with editors

    00:52

    Lamont Johnson on advice to an aspiring director

    01:22

    Lamont Johnson on his directing style

    01:28

    Robert Justman

    Robert Justman on becoming a first assistant director

    01:40

    Elodie Keene

    Elodie Keene on what she likes about directing

    06:22

    Elodie Keene on her directing style

    06:56

    Elodie Keene on the differences between directing comedies like Scrubs and dramas

    03:57

    Elodie Keene on advice that has helped her as a director

    04:03

    Asaad Kelada

    Asaad Kelada on apprenticing on the show Rhoda

    06:08

    Asaad Kelada on directing his first episode "Rhoda Goes to Paris" on the show Rhoda

    04:43

    Asaad Kelada on how he prepares to direct an episode

    01:00

    Asaad Kelada on directing an episode of The Office

    02:51

    H. Wesley Kenney

    H. Wesley Kenney on his duties as director on the early DuMont Shows

    02:22

    H. Wesley Kenney on the importance of the placement of actors when directing for television

    05:24

    H. Wesley Kenney on directing All in the Family and working with the cast

    10:26

    Don Roy King

    Don Roy King on being one of the three directors working at WNEW and their different directing styles

    04:37

    Don Roy King on his style of directing

    04:02

    Don Roy King on what makes a good live television director, and on how technology has impacted directing for television

    01:31

    Don Roy King on a live broadcast becoming the director's show once it starts, and on his creative freedom as a live television director

    04:56

    Don Roy King on never having an agent or manager, and on how directing for television has changed since he started

    03:38

    Don Roy King on advice to aspiring directors

    07:05

    Don Roy King on what he loves about directing, and on how he'd like to be remembered

    02:05

    Lynwood King

    Lynwood King on directing NBC News' Sunday afternoon newscast

    03:56

    Michael Patrick King

    Michael Patrick King on directing on Sex and the City

    00:51

    Sheldon Leonard

    Sheldon Leonard on how directing for television was different from directing feature films

    01:44

    Ken Levine

    Ken Levine on the advantage of being a writer who directs

    02:43

    Ken Levine on his directing style

    01:26

    Barry Levinson

    Barry Levinson on directing his movie "Diner"

    04:46

    Barry Levinson on the audio in his movie "Diner," and how his desire to have the conversations sound real and messy led to him miking the actors who were off-camera

    04:09

    Barry Levinson on what he learned about scouting locations from his experience directing his movie "Diner"

    02:31

    Barry Levinson on how he directs actors and the atmosphere he hopes to create on a movie: "controlled freedom"

    00:56

    Barry Levinson on moments that were improvised in his movie "Diner"

    01:42

    Barry Levinson on the critical, studio, and audience response to "Diner," and how the movie ended up never being released nationally

    09:34

    Barry Levinson on directing "Rain Man"

    07:33

    Barry Levinson on using improvisation in his films: "you have to know what you want to get to"

    00:59

    Barry Levinson on directing Robin Williams in "Good Morning, Vietnam"

    04:44

    Barry Levinson in directing the pilot of Homicide: Life on the Street

    02:12

    Barry Levinson on films he directed in the 1990s and how they predicted certain cultural and political movements that happened after

    02:49

    Barry Levinson on how he approaches directing for television

    01:36

    Barry Levinson on directing actors

    02:15

    Barry Levinson on what he enjoys about directing and the importance of ordinary moments in movies and television shows that reveal character

    03:37

    Jerry Lewis

    Jerry Lewis on directing for film and television

    11:42

    Sidney Lumet

    Sidney Lumet on how he was assigned or chose which live anthology shows to direct in the 1950s

    02:15

    Sidney Lumet on the preparation and process of directing live anthology series in the 1950s

    03:17

    Sidney Lumet on working with actors

    07:08

    Sidney Lumet on advice to an aspiring television director

    01:28

    Will Mackenzie

    Will Mackenzie on how he went about finding directing jobs early in his directing career

    02:13

    Will Mackenzie on dealing with budgets as a television director, and on where he sits on a three-camera shoot

    04:47

    Will Mackenzie on setting the tone on his sets

    03:50

    Will Mackenzie on participating in the creation of title sequences

    01:34

    Will Mackenzie on advice to aspiring television directors

    03:03

    Nancy Malone

    Nancy Malone on directing the 100th anniversary of Dynasty  with the help of DP Michel Hugo

    37:05

    Nancy Malone on directing Beverly Hills 90210  and the issues with one of the actors who was late

    03:11

    Nancy Malone on her directing process: "find what the story is about"; on her "mentor" Michel Hugo

    10:18

    Delbert Mann

    Delbert Mann on how he decided he wanted to be a director

    00:43

    Delbert Mann on how he decided to go into theater

    03:26

    Delbert Mann on differences between directing for television and for film - TV as mainly a producer's medium and film as a director's medium

    03:22

    Delbert Mann on advice to aspiring directors

    02:07

    Martin Manulis

    Martin Manulis on making the transition from directing theater to directing television

    02:19

    Garry Marshall

    Garry Marshall on trying to learn to direct one-camera on Love, American Style

    00:34

    Dick Martin

    Dick Martin on his directing style

    02:01

    Dick Martin on his advice to aspiring performers and directors

    02:50

    Leslie H. Martinson

    Leslie H. Martinson on his directing style

    07:47

    Leslie H. Martinson on the differences between directing in film and working in television 

    06:28

    Leslie H. Martinson on the craft of directing

    05:30

    Leslie H. Martinson on the technical preparations he makes to direct and work with actors

    06:23

    Leslie H. Martinson on working with producers as a director

    02:32

    Leslie H. Martinson on what draws him to direct a script and his directing style

    10:54

    Leslie H. Martinson on how directing comedy and drama are different

    02:57

    Leslie H. Martinson on directing comedy and drama

    05:05

    Leslie H. Martinson on directing a sitcom with a live studio audience

    06:03

    Leslie H. Martinson on the most important role a director fills on a sitcom

    02:16

    Leslie H. Martinson on collaborating with other professionals on set as director

    05:48

    Leslie H. Martinson on dealing with post-production and the editing process as a director

    04:09

    Leslie H. Martinson on the challenges of directing an action show

    02:36

    Leslie H. Martinson on advice to aspiring television directors

    02:23

    Beth McCarthy-Miller

    Beth McCarthy-Miller on the changes she brought to Saturday Night Live  as director and the "rules" of directing live comedy

    02:45

    Beth McCarthy-Miller on the differences between directing live comedy and pre-recorded comedy

    02:37

    Beth McCarthy-Miller on her involvement in post-production 

    01:13

    Beth McCarthy-Miller on her directing style

    01:11

    Beth McCarthy-Miller on making her actors feel comfortable when directing

    01:39

    Beth McCarthy-Miller on advice to aspiring television directors

    02:05

    S. Epatha Merkerson

    S. Epatha Merkerson on her directorial debut in the documentary film "The Contradictions of Fair Hope"

    02:31

    Walter C. Miller

    Walter C. Miller on how he goes about directing variety specials

    05:00

    Walter C. Miller on the biggest technical challenges of directing an awards show

    02:01

    Walter C. Miller on the experience of directing a live telecast, and on working with the performers

    02:25

    Walter C. Miller on liking directing more than producing, and on the challenge of doing both

    02:31

    Walter C. Miller on the atmosphere he likes to maintain on his sets

    00:42

    Walter C. Miller on advice he gave his children, who are both in the business, about directing

    01:02

    Walter C. Miller on how directing celebrities has changed over the years

    00:57

    Walter C. Miller on the secret to his success as a director

    00:46

    Don Mischer

    Don Mischer on directing The Great American Dream Machine

    03:36

    Don Mischer on directing/producing a music/variety special

    01:23

    John Moffitt

    John Moffitt on writing and directing training films for the army

    01:03

    John Moffitt on becoming assistant director on The Ed Sullivan Show after working on a European mobile unit during the summer; on Sullivan director Tim Kiley; on becoming director of the Sullivan Show 

    11:05

    John Moffitt on his philosophy of directing stage comedy shows for television

    06:03

    John Moffitt on his directing style

    06:32

    John Moffitt on advice to an aspiring director

    04:10

    Howard Morris

    Howard Morris on his directing style

    01:09

    Howard Morris on advice to aspiring actors and directors

    00:38

    Hal Needham

    Hal Needham on advice to aspiring stuntmen and directors

    12:13

    Hal Needham on creating an atmosphere on film sets

    05:01

    Alan Neuman

    Alan Neuman on how he would direct television in the then-present

    01:56

    Alan Neuman on advice to an aspiring television director

    00:59

    Leonard Nimoy

    Actor Leonard Nimoy on how he and co-star William Shatner expressed interest in directing for Star Trek, but the opportunity wasn't offered

    00:52

    Don Ohlmeyer

    Don Ohlmeyer on becoming an associate director on The 1968 Olympics

    03:06

    Marty Pasetta

    Marty Pasetta on his directing style

    01:42

    Marty Pasetta on advice for aspiring producer/directors

    01:03

    Arthur Penn

    Arthur Penn on how directing live television prepared him to direct plays and feature films

    02:04

    Bill Persky

    Bill Persky on making the transition from writer to director with The Montefuscos

    40:51

    Bill Persky on what attracted him to directing

    04:46

    Bill Persky on getting work as a director

    02:45

    Bill Persky on advice to aspiring television directors

    01:45

    Daniel Petrie, Sr.

    Daniel Petrie, Sr. on learning on the job to be a director in early television, and on the craft of directing television

    06:13

    Daniel Petrie, Sr. on his process for directing live programming in the 1950s

    04:07

    Daniel Petrie, Sr. on using his previous experience on stage when directing television, and on keeping his temper in check

    05:58

    Daniel Petrie, Sr. on the experience of directing a live television production in the 1950s

    03:56

    Daniel Petrie, Sr. on not having "final cut" as a director

    05:23

    Daniel Petrie, Sr. on how he feels about his projects when he has finished directing them

    00:48

    Daniel Petrie, Sr. on his involvement in the casting process of the shows and features he directs

    02:35

    Daniel Petrie, Sr. on advice to aspiring television directors

    02:45

    David Pressman

    David Pressman on acting and staging for live television

    06:26

    David Pressman on the change of Actors Studio to The Play's the Thing on CBS and comparing the rules for directors on ABC vs. NBC vs. CBS

    03:29

    David Pressman on a director's relationship with producers

    03:17

    David Pressman on advice to an aspiring director

    05:15

    David Pressman on communicating with his camera crew

    02:34

    Carl Reiner

    Carl Reiner on his work as a director

    09:47

    Rob Reiner

    Rob Reiner on deciding on what projects he wants to direct

    01:29

    Rob Reiner on his directing style

    02:06

    Rob Reiner on working with editors as a director

    01:00

    Rob Reiner on advice to aspiring comedy writers and directors

    01:16

    Gene Reynolds

    Gene Reynolds on his style of directing

    04:42

    Gene Reynolds on planning out scenes

    01:11

    Gene Reynolds on the duties of a director

    04:49

    Gene Reynolds on his philosophy of directing

    02:19

    John Rich

    John Rich on his early directing responsibilities

    01:16

    John Rich on protecting actors

    00:48

    John Rich on moving from comedy to directing drama - he wanted to direct Playhouse 90 but got Gunsmoke from CBS

    01:24

    John Rich on negotiating his deal on The Dick Van Dyke Show with Sheldon Leonard; on his directing style on The Dick Van Dyke Show

    07:42

    Director John Rich on the casting process

    00:45

    John Rich on the type of directing that isn't done anymore

    01:02

    John Rich on his view of directing today, his disappointment with television today (1999), and how directors are being phased out by networks. "You don't hire a legend."

    03:11

    Fatima Robinson

    Fatima Robinson on taking classes at the New York Film Academy and getting more interested in directing and creative directing

    01:28

    Jay Sandrich

    Jay Sandrich on working as a second assistant director at Desilu Studios in the 1950s, and what that job entailed

    01:22

    Jay Sandrich on working as a first assistant director on the set of I Love Lucy during the tumultous period when Lucille Bal and Desi Arnaz were fighting off-screen, and how he survived this and learned from the experience

    04:59

    Jay Sandrich on learning first-hand how the three-camera set up for shooting on film worked on the set of I Love Lucy

    02:26

    Jay Sandrich on getting the experience of running cameras on the set of The Danny Thomas Show and getting the technical practice he needed to be a director

    01:46

    Jay Sandrich on learning about directing for comedy from Sheldon Leonard on the set of The Danny Thomas Show

    03:24

    Jay Sandrich describes his fear over his first stint as director on The Danny Thomas Show

    01:40

    Jay Sandrich on being turned down by Sheldon Leonard when he asked to direct The Dick Van Dyke Show

    02:21

    Jay Sandrich on working with and learning from Sheldon Leonard and a series of great directors on The Danny Thomas Show (Make Room for Daddy)

    05:33

    Jay Sandrich on directing comedy, where he'd "rather laughs came out of the humanity of the character" inspired by the comic talents of Don Knotts and Andy Griffith on The Andy Griffith Show

    01:30

    Jay Sandrich on learning the importance of collaborative efforts between a director and a writer, as with Leonard Stern on He & She

    01:16

    Jay Sandrich on his directing style for The Mary Tyler Moore Show and clashes with producer/writer James L. Brooks

    04:03

    Jay Sandrich on how a disastrous runthrough of the first episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show transformed into a very successful first taping

    03:39

    Jay Sandrich on the differences in working with the actors Mary Tyler Moore, Valerie Harper, and Cloris Leachman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show

    04:34

    Jay Sandrich on finding different ways to do a scene on The Mary Tyler Moore Show

    00:56

    Jay Sandrich on managing all the writers on the The Mary Tyler Moore show

    05:33

    Jay Sandrich on a favorite episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show that presented a difficult writing challenge

    01:40

    Jay Sandrich on a director's job: to know when it's working and when it's not, and his demeanor on-set of The Mary Tyler Moore Show  

    03:50

    Jay Sandrich on the importance of a studio audience on The Mary Tyler Moore Show  

    01:17

    Jay Sandrich on directing the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show

    02:15

    Jay Sandrich on the challenges faced by the writers and cast for the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show

    03:18

    Jay Sandrich on "the biggest part of the job" - casting, and why it's important for a director and what he looks for in actors

    02:34

    Jay Sandrich on the first show, We'll Get By, to tape all four cameras and the difference between film and tape

    03:43

    Jay Sandrich on the challenges of casting the controversial show Soap

    05:04

    Jay Sandrich on the challenges of directing Soap: keeping all the cast happy as well as dealing with groups protesting the show's religious and gay issues

    06:26

    Jay Sandrich on having fun directing within time constraints, and finding ways to depict sex in a subtle way on Soap

    01:45

    Jay Sandrich on how good writing is what inspires him as a director

    01:14

    Jay Sandrich on casting The Cosby Show

    05:43

    Jay Sandrich on some of the technical challenges of The Cosby Show, and on working with Bill Cosby

    03:18

    Jay Sandrich on the problems with cameras they had on The Cosby Show and why they had to replace them

    03:46

    Jay Sandrich on The Cosby Show episode "Denise's Friend"; directing an episode that didn't start out as being funny and finding the humor

    04:49

    Jay Sandrich on the final episode of The Cosby Show: on knowing when a series has gone on too long

    03:41

    Jay Sandrich on how the role of a television director has changed

    00:52

    Jay Sandrich on how he changed his own directorial style and how editing helped him as a director

    01:46

    Jay Sandrich on his advice to young directors: always take stands

    01:22

    Jay Sandrich on learning a valuable lesson about directing from actor Richard Benjamin

    01:13

    Joseph Sargent

    Joseph Sargent on doing location shoots

    01:58

    Joseph Sargent on his attraction to long -form television and his directing process

    10:21

    Joseph Sargent on East Coast crews vs. West Coast crews

    02:12

    Joseph Sargent on advice to aspiring directors

    02:45

    Max Schindler

    Max Schindler on the craft of directing for news broadcasts

    01:19

    Max Schindler on his duties as director of Meet the Press

    02:08

    Max Schindler on advice to an aspiring news director

    02:36

    Max Schindler on his directing style and how he works with his crew and keeps his cool

    04:24

    Thomas Schlamme

    Thomas Schlamme on directing comedy

    01:41

    Thomas Schlamme on directing It's Garry Shandling's Show

    03:35

    Thomas Schlamme on directing large ensemble casts

    04:44

    Thomas Schlamme on directing Ally McBeal

    02:49

    Thomas Schlamme on the process of directing Sports Night

    03:39

    Thomas Schlamme on directing "Ambush", a live episode of ER

    03:16

    Thomas Schlamme on directing "walk and talk" shots

    03:29

    Thomas Schlamme on how visiting the White House informed his directing of The West Wing

    02:43

    Thomas Schlamme on advice to aspiring directors

    02:16

    Thomas Schlamme on directing the pilot for Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

    02:07

    Ralph Senensky

    Ralph Senensky on being the director's assistant in a high school play in Iowa and falling in love with directing

    05:34

    Ralph Senensky on how he got his first directing assignment - for Dr. Kildare

    08:32

    Ralph Senensky on advice to aspiring directors

    00:30

    Mel Shavelson

    Mel Shavelson on his style of directing

    08:18

    Jack Shea

    Jack Shea on the beginning of his interest in directing

    01:24

    Jack Shea on how stage managers and assistant directors assist the director

    03:01

    Jack Shea on being promoted to director at NBC

    01:56

    Jack Shea on his first impressions of being on a television set and the craft of directing

    03:21

    Jack Shea on the craft of directing and inventing techniques, and how stage managers, assistant directors, and directors work together on set

    03:39

    Jack Shea on the differences between assistant directors and directors

    01:28

    Jack Shea on preparations for a day of filming and working with actors

    06:45

    Jack Shea on how involved he is with editing

    02:30

    Jack Shea on the relationship between producers and directors

    01:43

    Jack Shea on his approach to directing actors

    01:17

    Jack Shea on setting the tone and on set

    01:54

    Jack Shea on the most important role a director fulfills on the set of sitcoms

    00:44

    Jack Shea on his directing style

    00:43

    Jack Shea on how he directs kids

    00:42

    Jack Shea on his involvement with the Directors Guild of America (DGA)

    01:32

    Jack Shea on The Radio, Television Directors Guild (RTDG) and network response to the guilds

    03:20

    Jack Shea on the merger of the RTDG and the Screen Directors Guild into the Directors Guild of America (DGA)

    01:48

    Jack Shea on who can be a member of the DGA and the role of the organization in the industry; on the international profile of the DGA

    04:02

    Jack Shea on diversity within the DGA

    01:01

    Director Jack Shea on the credits issues between the WGA and the DGA

    01:04

    Jack Shea on the DGA and runaway production

    01:36

    Jack Shea on the DGA and low budget agreements

    00:56

    Jack Shea on the status of film versus TV directors and directors-for-hire

    01:45

    Jack Shea on his tenure as President of the DGA and the importance of the guild and on why he's stayed involved for 50 years

    06:10

    James Sheldon

    James Sheldon on working with cameramen as a television director who had "live" television experience

    01:44

    James Sheldon on the fact that scripts for shows were often not ready with enough time to allow him to prepare to direct

    01:37

    James Sheldon on how he prepared to direct a show

    01:13

    James Sheldon on changes in the television business in the 1950s that led to directors becoming freelancers rather than employees of advertising agencies or networks

    01:02

    James Sheldon on the challenges of being a director in the early years of television

    01:26

    James Sheldon on how he approached directing an episode or two of a preexisting show

    01:41

    James Sheldon on his approach to rehearsals

    00:28

    James Sheldon on advice to an aspiring director

    00:42

    Sidney Sheldon

    Sidney Sheldon on why he loves writing more than directing

    00:47

    Garry Simpson

    Garry Simpson on directing the NBC television demonstrations at the 1940 New York World's Fair and directing in the studio and for mobile units

    03:44

    Garry Simpson on directing mobile units for NBC

    03:40

    Garry Simpson on directing actors on Chevrolet Tele-Theater

    01:28

    Garry Simpson on his demeanor as a director on set, working with writers, and

    03:58

    John Singleton

    John Singleton on preparing to direct "Boyz N the Hood" by watching lots of other movies

    01:14

    John Singleton on directing being like "putting a puzzle together" and the difference between directing for film and television

    00:50

    John Singleton on wanting to have an all-black crew on "Boyz N the Hood" (with one exception) and his desire to have spontaneity in his filmmaking

    02:54

    John Singleton on the experience of filming "Boyz N the Hood" in a neighborhood that was not accustomed to having a film produced there, and shooting in his old neighborhood

    02:04

    John Singleton on how "Boyz N the Hood" added images and stories to the culture's ideas about Los Angeles and African Americans

    01:32

    John Singleton on directing Michael Jackson's "Remember the Time" music video

    03:48

    John Singleton on what he learned from watching Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola direct

    02:20

    John Singleton on directing "Rosewood"

    16:24

    John Singleton on directing child actors

    04:02

    John Singleton on his directing style and how it's changed over time

    03:58

    John Singleton on directing cast and crew

    01:44

    John Singleton on directing for television (and directing Empire, specifically)

    01:09

    John Singleton on his involvement in post-production of TV shows he's directed: "it's shot exactly the way I want it to be edited"

    01:27

    John Singleton on the idea of the "auteur" director

    01:18

    John Singleton on what he learned from directing American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson

    02:08

    John Singleton on his legacy as a director and whether or not he is a "socially conscious" filmmaker

    01:32

    Ira Skutch

    Ira Skutch on directing The Swift Home Service Club

    01:24

    Ira Skutch on directing episodes of Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse

    03:02

    Ira Skutch on the challenges of staging and directing a game show, specifically What's My Line? and how the audience was filmed

    02:48

    Sid Smith

    Sid Smith on directing early television commercials while working for an advertising agency

    01:36

    Sid Smith on differences between sitcom and variety show directing

    00:41

    Sid Smith on his directorial style

    00:59

    Sid Smith on advice to aspiring directors

    00:31

    Howard Storm

    Howard Storm on deciding to become a television director

    26:46

    Howard Storm on how he came to be the director on Rhoda; and invaluable advice he received

    08:10

    Howard Storm on his directing style

    03:04

    Howard Storm on directing comedy

    01:33

    Howard Storm on advice to aspiring directors

    39:42

    Howard Storm on being sure to thank everyone you work with as a director

    36:47

    Timothy Van Patten

    Timothy Van Patten on advice to aspiring directors 

    00:30

    Tony Verna

    Tony Verna on his directing style and challenges in the control room

    03:00

    Tony Verna on advice to aspiring television directors

    02:36

    Tony Verna on choosing shots while directing

    03:36

    Henry Winkler

    Henry Winkler on the value of listening to everyone on a set

    02:29

    David L. Wolper

    David L. Wolper on the the role of the producer and director in a documentary

    04:12

    Bud Yorkin

    Bud Yorkin on his big break becoming director of The Colgate Comedy Hour at the behest of Pat Weaver

    02:14

    Bud Yorkin on working with talent and what distinguished him as a television director

    08:48

    The television director, who sits atop the chain of command of the crew during the actual filming or taping of the show, is responsible for the visualization of the TV program, selecting the different camera angles and compositions that will used. Beyond this most general definition, however, the nature of the director's job, and the relative importance of the director's creative contribution to the finished product, varies greatly among different forms and genres of television.

    One basic distinction in TV production exists between single-camera (film-style) and multi-camera work. In single-camera production each shot is staged individually, allowing precise camera positioning and lighting. Repeated 'takes' are shot until the director is satisfied with the results. The action is filmed or taped out-of-sequence based on a logic of set-ups for camera and lighting. Actors must break their performance into non-continuous bits that still appear coherent when assembled later in the editing room. In this type of production, then, performance is adjusted to fit the visual scheme. Virtually all prime-time television dramas, programs generally one hour or longer, are produced in this manner. Common genres include action-adventure, crime, medical, courtroom, melodrama, and 'prime-time soap opera.' The television drama is the format in which the TV director has the most control and the most creative input--operating most like a feature film director. Yet, even here the director's role is more limited than a film director's. The series nature of television necessitates an exceptionally demanding production schedule and a rigid organization of labor, giving the director certain responsibilities, removing or restricting others.

    -David Tetzlaff

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