tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post6540734882039177330..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Getting my start as a directorBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82578586228664252862016-05-29T15:35:09.673-07:002016-05-29T15:35:09.673-07:00It's remarkable how easy the great directors m...It's remarkable how easy the great directors make the whole process look, especially on shooting days. I've been on sets where you rarely even see the director once filming gets underway, especially the ones who prefer to funnel most of their instructions through the 1st AD. For a while, I thought, "Hey, this job doesn't look all that hard." Then I was on the set of a TV show where one of the actors was directing, and it didn't take long to figure out that he was not fully prepared and did not have the respect of the crew. That was a long and very uncomfortable night, with a lot of raised voices.Andy Rosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77763256280794530692016-05-29T15:12:51.649-07:002016-05-29T15:12:51.649-07:00I'd also like to know where the "actor be...I'd also like to know where the "actor becoming a director" thing comes from. There's SO many examples (Alan Alda, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer to name just a few from shows Ken has worked on). I guess I understand it: When a show is firmly established it's a great opportunity for an actor (who has seen how the show is run hundreds of times before) to branch out into a new career (like Ken did), but why don't more actors want to be in the writer's room, or producers?<br /><br />Is directing just more fun? (Ken, you've done both -- what say you?)Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-56625099129772287322016-05-29T06:03:11.451-07:002016-05-29T06:03:11.451-07:00Elliott: That may well be true. But that is a long...Elliott: That may well be true. But that is a long time ago. <br /><br />Mike: tx. I haven't watched Star Trek since the original series was cancelled. :)<br /><br />Tammy: Women are underrepresented in directing in general, though movies/TV different. Jill Soloway has a great quote about this, to the effect that directing is playing DOLLS. How did women let men convince them they couldn't do it? :)<br /><br />wg<br />Wendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50127749205277234972016-05-28T21:59:36.894-07:002016-05-28T21:59:36.894-07:00Ken, some day you've got to tell all the Mary ...Ken, some day you've got to tell all the Mary Tyler Moore stories. I personally liked the MARY show, but I always suspected there was some grim turmoil behind the scenes...Marc Wielagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12744270267337480861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-65217897809826439642016-05-28T16:02:14.285-07:002016-05-28T16:02:14.285-07:00blinky: Nice one. :)
Wendy: Two very good questio...blinky: Nice one. :)<br /><br />Wendy: Two very good questions. Weird how I never noticed the lack of women, I guess it's part of how women are much less likely to direct in general. Matthew Rhys also recently directed an Americans episode, by the way.<br /><br />P.S. I had trouble posting, sorry if this is a double post.Tammynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61039657189110095092016-05-28T14:46:20.574-07:002016-05-28T14:46:20.574-07:00@Wendy M. Grossman:
I believe Penny Marshall bega...@Wendy M. Grossman:<br /><br />I believe Penny Marshall began her career as a director on her own series, LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY.<br /><br />RandyElliottnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48925225910781761542016-05-28T12:27:16.630-07:002016-05-28T12:27:16.630-07:00@WendyMGrossman: I can't speak as to generalit...@WendyMGrossman: I can't speak as to generalities but <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxann_Dawson" rel="nofollow">Roxann Dawson</a> came to mind. The Star Trek series seem to be almost a free-for-all for directing.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06248182899977033579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-5001368027042545192016-05-28T10:45:56.075-07:002016-05-28T10:45:56.075-07:00Actually, that leads to another question, which is...Actually, that leads to another question, which is how and why so many shows seem to allow their actors to direct episodes. Noah Emmerich has directed two episodes of THE AMERICANS; David Boreanaz directed an episode of ANGEL; Josh Charles directed at least one episode of THE GOOD WIFE; and so on. Isn't it a big risk for the show?<br /><br />And I guess a second question: how come no women? Do the women not ask, or what?<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64009758020400728852016-05-28T10:26:50.227-07:002016-05-28T10:26:50.227-07:00I really enjoy commenting on your blog posts but I...I really enjoy commenting on your blog posts but I really want to direct.blinkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04284135060900752329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73242107466191427072016-05-28T06:16:34.605-07:002016-05-28T06:16:34.605-07:00"How often in your life do you get to tell Ma..."How often in your life do you get to tell Mary Tyler Moore when to sit?" - A few maitre de's probably.<br /><br />Great post. I directed some live news programs in college. It was a high. Would love to have stayed in it and done what you have done so many times. Thank you for sharing.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03729689580471347594noreply@blogger.com