The DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee (WSC) has recently unveiled the 2023 class of its WSC Squad Mentorship Program, a highly anticipated initiative that pairs mid-career directors with established director-mentors. This program, which began in September, aims to uplift and empower women in the industry by providing them with guidance and support from seasoned professionals.
Shaz Bennett, the cochair of the DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee, expressed her excitement about the program, stating, “It is always exciting to kick off another year of the WSC Mentorship Program. The WSC remains inspired by our community of mentors and mentees who have come together, united by a shared purpose – to uplift and empower one another. By joining forces on this journey of guidance and encouragement, we can all accomplish more than any one of us could alone.”
The WSC Squad Mentorship Program is led by a group of talented directors, including DeMane Davis, Ashley Eakin, Morenike Joela Evans, Marie Jamora, Jen McGowan, and Rachel Raimist. Their expertise and experience make them ideal mentors for the program’s participants. The WSC is cochaired by directors Shaz Bennett and Valerie Weiss, 1st AD Shawn Pipkin-West, and alt cochair Rachel Raimist, who collectively contribute to the success of the program.
The DGA’s nine-month mentorship program sets itself apart by prioritizing the pairing of mentees with their preferred mentors. This approach ensures that each mentee receives personalized guidance and support from professionals they admire. The objective of the program is to cultivate a community of directors equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge, paving the way for collective success.
The DGA Women’s Steering Committee, established in 1979, aims to advance the professional interests of its members and create more opportunities for women in the entertainment industry. Through fostering relationships, offering support and mentoring, and facilitating networking opportunities, the WSC strives to elevate the visibility and career prospects of its members. The committee continuously explores innovative concepts to showcase the strengths of its members and push for progress.
This year’s lineup of mentors and mentees is as follows:
– Ana Lily Amirpour mentoring Clara Aranovich
– Anne Renton mentoring Faye Brenner
– Zetna Fuentes mentoring Whitney Clinkscales
– Anya Adams mentoring Jade Jenise Dixon
– Karyn Kusama mentoring Eve Van Dyke
– Mary Lou Belli mentoring C. Fitz
– Angela Barnes mentoring Courtney M.
These talented mentor-mentee pairs exemplify the commitment to mutual growth and support that drives the WSC Squad Mentorship Program.
The DGA’s Women’s Steering Committee’s announcement of the 2023 class of the WSC Squad Mentorship Program marks another milestone in its ongoing mission to empower and uplift women in the entertainment industry. Through this program, talented directors are given the opportunity to receive guidance and support from seasoned professionals, fostering a community driven by a shared purpose of success. With the WSC’s dedication to advancing the professional interests of its members and creating more visibility and opportunities, the future for women directors looks promising.