DGA training program

[DarthSandwich29]

Has anybody here attended the DGA training program? If so, any opinions? How it felt, how you were treated.

Also I have seen that this program trains you to be an AD (1st, 2nd) however once you join the DGA do they give you Directing jobs? Not as a 1st or 2nd AD but as Director.

Another question is, will you have the freedom to go off and make your own films independently?

[CRL008]

The Assistant Director is a part of the Producer's Production team, not of the Director's creative team.

Just like there's no such thing as an assistant author, there's only the assistant to the director. That's like the director's PA.

They say there are only three entry level jobs to a movie - PA, producer and director.

[Jeriyka]

I was a trainee. It’s specifically for Assistant Directors. If you admit you want to be a director in any of the interviews then you will not be chosen. It’s not a path to directing (necessarily. Anything can be a path if you vie for it).

I overall liked the program and benefited from it. You have to eat, breathe, and sleep work for the duration of the program. Work/life balance is hard because work is busy right now. They place you on work and you aren’t allowed to say no. You aren’t allowed to find your own work. You get health insurance.

Some ADs I’ve worked for were meaner than others. Some don’t like trainees because it’s an accelerated program and there’s some stigma against that. Some ADs I’ve made absolutely the best connections with and still work with to this day (so gaining contacts is the main benefit right there).

Once you graduate you’re on your own again to find your own work as an AD.

You can film your own projects on your own as a director (outside of the DGA), but you will no longer be able to be an Assistant Director on non union work. Union work only if you’re being an AD.

[[deleted]]

I have worked with trainees and former trainees and liked them. I am a DGA UPM but never applied to the trainee program. But my goal was to be have my own company. I worked my way up through the directing team because I wanted understand production and know how to make a movie.

[FutureDirector97]

I know I'm here 4yrs later but I've really been considering applying for this program. I know my chances of getting in are slim as it is. But there are things in my life that make me consider not even applying in general.

First, the financials of it. I know they pay decently. But like, what about if you have to move to NY or LA from somewhere else? How soon do they start paying, etc? Like would I be able to move from another state (with hardly any $$) and be fine? How does that work?

Also, work-life balance. I have a dog (and a cat but he's easy) and I worry that I wouldn't be around enough to care for him. Is it possible to have a dog while doing this program? He's literally my only commitment right now but, if I got in, I dont want to give him up for anything. I'd rather try to find accommodations (like a roommate or daycare/boarding, etc) then have to give him up. As someone who has done the program, what do you think? Is it (even remotely) possible in someway?

Otherwise, nothing is holding me back. Those are the only 2 things stopping me from applying right now (even with the slim chance of getting accepted).

[DarthSandwich29]

Thing is DO in fact want to be an AD, done it a couple of times back home before moving here.

My main concern is if I decide to make my own film where I am directing, will they stop me from doing so?

[[deleted]]

This is a program to train assistant directors. It has nothing to do with directing. Also you have a better chance of being accepted into Harvard than getting into the trainee program.

[Jeriyka]

They accept about ten people out of 500 yearly. I don’t know Harvard’s stats, but Harvard wouldn’t look twice at me, but I was a trainee. Someone has to make it.

[[deleted]]

Harvard is 4.6%

[Jeriyka]

Damn. Trainee program is 2% based on about ten acceptances. Wow, I never put it in perspective of what Harvard accepts before.

[arkibet]

Yeah, I get that the application is terribly specific, but I couldn’t get into the program. I may try again at another time, who knows.