Top 10 things to DO in the ROOM

At a recent Directors' Guild event, Producer / Director Paris Barclay gave his breakdown on the top 10 things to do in an interview meeting as an episodic director.  

1) Know the Show.  If you have a chance to get into the room, do your research, know the show inside and out.  This seems obvious but not everyone takes the time to do this.

2) Know who you are meeting with.  Don't ask, 'What do you do with the show?

3) Find out what they (the show runners) are looking for.  Dig into your network and glean any advice.

4) In meeting, demonstrate passion and desire.  Give your 90 second this is my life pitch.  Tell them who you are.

5) Demonstrate confidence, you are being asked to be responsible for a multi-million dollar budget.

6) Demonstrate flexibility, this is a collaborative art.

7) Demonstrate a sense of humor.  Be yourself, be fun to be around.

8) Be careful if you critique the show, that idea may be the baby of someone in the room. 

9) Be honest.  Tell them flat out where you are coming fron.

10)  End the meeting with a promise, something they will remember you by.  ​

Can the nations come together to make a culture of peace?

Climate Rally Photo Essay

Small and big climate change rallies took place across the nation yesterday, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, St. Louis, dozens more.  What was unique about these rallies is not the protest itself but the coalition that has formed to oppose a specific yet potentially devastating project, the XL Keystone pipeline.  The exploitation of the Tar Sands in Canada and proposed pipleline to the Gulf of Mexico have united two previously distanced movements, the environmental movement, including first time activists the Sierra Club and the emerging Idle No Move First Nations movement.   Together, the nations are joining to unite against the continuation of the old paradigm that came to this land over 500 years ago, the path of endles consumption that leads to more suffering and eventually destruction, the serpent biting its tail.  Together, the nations are showing us a different path, one where the grass is always green, one that is slower but sustainable, one where we practice a culture of peace.  Are we the new people? Can we build a culture of peace?


Grandfather William Commanda shares the Seven Fires prophecy belt at the One Prayer gathering, 2000.

Grandfather William Commanda shares the Seven Fires prophecy belt at the One Prayer gathering, 2000.