DAY SIX  November 8, 2005
AFI'S DIRECTING WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN
by Rochelle L. Levy
Iconic for its spirit, politics and, of course, fashion, the 1970s are also known as a decade that saw the rise of a new voice in American filmmaking. With the studio system in a momentary decline, a number of young and experimental auteurs--such as Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, Terrence Malick, Peter Bogdanovich and Robert Altman--had the opportunity to rise to prominence with risk-taking work. With the conspicuous absence of women in these ranks, AFI announced a groundbreaking pilot program entitled the Directing Workshop for Women (DWW) in 1974.
Created to address the disproportionate number of women working behind the camera in Hollywood, the DWW gave professional women the opportunity to learn the skill of directing. Tuition-free, this program promised a burgeoning group of women filmmakers an unprecedented opportunity--one that was quickly seized upon. The first group of participants included Maya Angelou, Karen Arthur, Ellen Burstyn, Juleen Compton, Lee Grant, Nessa Hyams, Margot Kidder, Joanna Lee, Lynne Littman, Susan Martin, Marjorie Mullen, Giovanna Nigro, Kathleen Nolan, Susan Oliver, Gail Parent, Julie Philips, Miriam Rothman, Lily Tomlin and Nancy Walker. Subsequent years included additional notable names from the entertainment community, including Anne Bancroft, Randa Haines, Dyan Cannon, Marsha Mason, Brianne Murphy and Joanne Woodward.
AFI's DWW celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2004. More than 200 women have now been given the opportunity to participate in this unique program for tomorrow's directors--a program that remains completely tuition-free. It is the only program of its kind in the nation, receiving hundreds of applications worldwide each year, with eight select individuals participating in each Workshop cycle. Participants in the program not only receive classroom training at no cost, they are also given HiDef video equipment, a basic grip and lighting package, production insurance, access to AFI's SAG contract, 20 days edit time on an Avid editing system, potential tax-free status on monies they raise in support of their productions and a $5,000 cash grant toward the making of their films.
Many DWW alumnae have gone on to forge successful careers as directors. A brief overview of these diverse women include Lesli Linka Glatter (THE WEST WING, GREY'S ANATOMY, NUMB3RS, THE O.C.); Victoria Hochberg (STATE OF GRACE, THE CHRIS ISAAK SHOW, SEX AND THE CITY); Tricia Brock (THE L WORD); Neema Barnette (CIVIL BRAND, 7TH HEAVEN); Randa Haines (THE OUTSIDERS, CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD); and Kellie Martin (Hallmark series MYSTERY WOMAN).
While the increases are still small, women continue to make inroads in the directing field. The DGA has records showing that 12% of their members were women in 1980 and that number has increased to 23% today. But, when Sofia Coppola was nominated in 2004 for her film LOST IN TRANSLATION, she was only the third woman in history to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Director. AFI's DWW continues to address a relevant need in the field, and, through this, bring new voices into the cultural forefront.
AFI's DWW is currently accepting applications for Spring 2006. Applications may be downloaded from www.AFI.com and must be postmarked by January 13, 2006.
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