A Master Class for those young people who want to get their start in the film industry but aren’t sure where to turn or how to make inroads. This panel conversation will bring together representatives from creative guilds and industry professionals working in important below-the-line roles to discuss their positions in the filmmaking process and how the next generation of creators can get their start.
Paul G Moore spent 17 years on the road as a Stage Manager for Ballet, Opera, and Theatre companies. Between tours he joined United Scenic Artists. Working for Dance Theater of Harlem on a TV project to air on PBS he was offered employment on the film, Glengary Glenn Ross. After several years on set a job with the Editors Guild opened. He has been with the Guild since late 2001.
Shirley Vernae Williams is a director and executive producer contributing to several television and digital series including the New York Times People Matter, History Channel’s Alone, and several Vice, Refinery29 and Bleacher Report series which collectively have generated over 67 million views. Shirley is the founder of Willie B. Productions, was recently the showrunner for the series More Than That and director of a four part series for AT&T titled She's Connected. She also post produced Intent to Destroy which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival, and a documentary for Annenberg Space For Photography about the rich history of walls.
John Amman has been a Business Representative for the Cinematographers Guild for nearly 32 years. He has an MS in collective bargaining from the School of Industrial Labor Relations at Cornell University. He has written articles and contributed to books on unions in the film and television industry.
Patrice Andrew Davidson has been in the Entertainment Industry since the early 90s. He started his career as an Assistant Scenic Designer in Theatre and has continue to develop his craft over many years of working in various categories in the Entertainment world. He is a member of United Scenic Artist 829 which is a Union of over 5,000 design professionals. Currently he is an Art Director in Film & Television and is an aspiring Production Designer as well. This is a lifelong journey with many creative passions along the way that he continues to enjoy.
Sandra Forman began her career working in HR during the early years of the A&E cable network. For many years, Sandra has been the Administrator of the DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA ASSISTANT DIRECTOR TRAINING PROGRAM, guiding an annually selected group of Trainees through the rigors of film, television and commercial production. Sandra is also the Administrator of the DGA Commercial Qualifications List accrediting Assistant Directors and Unit Production Managers for DGA membership in conjunction with the AICP (Association of Independent Commercial Producers).
Scott Ferguson is an award winning film and television producer who has been a part of the producing team on major studio motion pictures as well as ‘platinum era’ television. He has been privileged to work as a producer for highly celebrated filmmakers such as Jim Jarmusch, Stephen Frears,Jay Roach, Steve Zaillian, Ryan Murphy, Lisa Cholodenko and Jesse Armstrong as well as Academy Award winners Barry Levinson, Milos Forman, Sydney Pollack, Robert Benton, and Ang Lee. As a producer Scott has received three Emmy Awards, three Producer’s Guild Awards, two Golden Globes, two Peabody Awards and four Directors Guild Awards for his work at a Unit Production Manager. He is currently serving as Executive Producer of Succession, which has emerged as one of the great critically acclaimed and award winning television shows of this or any time.
Jane Musky’s body of film and television work encompasses many styles and periods with over 44 years and over 40 film and television projects completed along with a very robust presence in the television and commercial industry. She has had rich collaborations with directors: Alan Pakula, Rob Reiner, Barry Levinson, Gus Van Sant, Mike Newell, Peter Bogdanovich, Francois Girard, Joel and Ethan Coen, Michael Mayer, Diane English, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Ivan Reitman, George Tillman, Andy Tennant, Jerry Zucker, James Foley, Janusz Kaminski, Paul Schrader, Nick Hytner, Zack Braff, Peter Horton, Claire Scanlon, Lorene Scafaria, and Tim Federle.