The letter came!

The letter just came in teh mail and I am past the 1st phase! I will be going to the assesment on May 15th in the afternoon. It was awesome seeing the letter from them, and it was big so I knew it was good news! They say that it will be both individual and group tests. I was talking with someone who has been through the program, and they mentioned they are really looking for how well you work with strangers to accomplish goals. I love working with people to finish projects, so this will be amazing. Interviews are Monday-Thursday the 17th-20th, and the 20th-21st will be mostly reserved for people out fo state. So, if I get an interview, it will most likely be on Wednesday or Thursday. I can't wait for May!!!!

the waiting game is killing me

So, still waiting for a response about the 1st round! Originally, we should have heard back in February, but according to the website updates, it will be the middle of March, which has officially (in my book at least) arrived. So, any day now I should get a letter one way or another letting me know if I made it to the 1st round. Supposedly it is a test of sorts, but we shall see hopefully!

First Blog- Application so far

So, this is my blog for the journey that will hopefully end up with my life through the DGA Assistant Director's Training Program (http://trainingplan.org/index.html). For those who do not know what the program is, here is an excerpt from their website-

"The Assistant Directors Training Program...provides selected candidates with education, training and paid experience in professional settings, facilitating their development into successful Assistant Directors. The Training Program’s ultimate goal is to provide the [DGA]...with Assistant Directors of the highest quality and professionalism."

I looked into this program because it is exactly what I want to do with my career. I don't want to use this program as a stepping stone to get into the business, or become a producer/ director/ writer-- I want to be a Assistant Director. I have my degree in Stage Management, and an assistant director for tv/film pretty much does the job of a theatrical stage manager.

The application was due on November 20, 2009. I got mine turned in around the 10th of November. It included 4 pages of essays, full work history, full resume, and full education history. I just received my confirmation that they have opened my package and have looked at my application. I included a self-addressed envelope, and it took about 2 months to receive it back, so I am assuming they received many many applications. There are about 20-25 slots to fill, and they say they usually receive about 1500 applicants, so it will be tough, but oh so rewarding battle.

Notification of the next phase of the process should come around the end of February. There will supposedly be a group assessment test to take focusing on IQ, creativity, skills, etc. After that, notification will be sent out around April to let me know if I made it to the individual interview stage. After those have occurred, notification for final selected applicants will be sent out in May, for an orientation session in July. So, I've got quite a long road ahead of me, but I know what is in store if I do get accepted.

If I get in, I will be on call every day, 365 days a year for 400 working days. There will be no vacations, no breaks, no turning down jobs. Work weeks will be about 50 hours minimum, but all of that sounds amazing to me. I love challenges, everyday being different, and the adventure of having to think quickly on my feet and help out in any way that I can. There will be times where I will not be working, but I have to be ready to accept their call and go out on any assignment they send me on. I would be able to work on TV, Film, Documentaries, and every other type of project out there. This is all so I will be given the opportunity to learn about every type of job, so I will be ready to go out into the business when I graduate. If I get through the program, it's a doorway to the business as an Assistant Director. I will be qualified to be a 2nd Assistant Director, and that is exactly where I want to be! This program would allow me to achieve my goal, with no compromises, no changes, and nothing missing. Many people have said they get hired the day after they finish the program, and that just sounds perfect. I'm so excited at the prospect of this entire program and everything it has to offer!

I've got a long road ahead of me, but hopefully it will be a rewarding one, and hopefully this will give some insight for future applicants as well.