What does it take to direct a TV show? SeriesFest is asking that question in its latest panel, Directing for TV, which assembles an all-star lineup of directors to provide insight into their craft and explain to viewers that important part of the process. Tickets are available here before the panel launches tonight at 6:00 p.m. PT and will be available to watch until July 11.
The panel is led by Debbie Allen, who not only directs but stars in and executive produces ABC‘s Grey’s Anatomy. Allen plays Dr. Catherine Fox on the medical drama, and her lengthy resume includes a Golden Globe and multiple Emmy Awards. She’s joined by Allison Liddi-Brown, another director and producer on Grey’s Anatomy, as well as DeMane Davis from How to Get Away with Murder and CBS‘s recent prequel Clarice.
The moderator is actor, director and producer Tom Verica, who has directed and produced on Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, and For the People. Audiences will also know him for his on-screen work as Sam Keating, the husband of Annalise Keating (Viola Davis), in How to Get Away with Murder. More recently, Verica helmed two episodes of Netflix‘s smash hit Bridgerton.
If you noticed a theme here, it’s because this panel is put on with Shonda Rhimes’ production company Shondaland, so it’s highlighting directors from her stable of television shows. But while it may have a specific focus, it includes some very experienced talent who should be able to give fans plenty to think on the next time they watch a Shondaland show.
The most interesting thing about this panel is it includes two directors who began their career as actors. It’s fairly common for actors to be interested in directing; many stars step behind the camera if their shows go on long enough. But that also provides those people a different kind of perspective. Will the SeriesFest panel touch on that experience? What about finding the common style and tone of a Shonda Rhimes project? Or Allen’s other talent of being an award-winning choreographer?
There are a lot of interesting subjects that can be broached, which makes this one of the highlights of SeriesFest 2021. If you’re a fan of TV in any way, make time to watch this discussion and learn more about the ins and outs of directing primetime television.
Tickets to Directing for TV are available on the SeriesFest website here; the panel streams starting on June 28 at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET until July 11. For more on SeriesFest, visit the website.
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