>I know that someone out there know some of the specifics of what is required >to participate in the Directors Guild of America 2nd AD training program. >I was given an address to write for information, but was wondering if anyone >had some details. > >Thanks in advance, > >Brent ===================================================== In answer to Brent Kelley's request for info about the DGA 2nd AD test. There is a test involved which is something like the SAT, except that it also tests your imagination and spatial perception abilities. The DGA calls in about the top one hundred people from this test for interviews. The interview is something like an oral exam, with a panel of program administrators and DGA members asking you questions (1) about your career goals and (2) to test your resourcefulness and imagination with particular reference to the sorts of situations you might encounter as a 2nd AD. From these interviewees, they select about twenty. That's the way it was a few years ago, and they probably haven't changed the system very much, except that now you can take the exam in places other than Los Angeles (back in the 1980's, a friend of mine had to fly out to LA for the test, fly out again for the interview, and then come back to the Midwest to wait for the panel's approval before moving out there). If you are accepted, you will ahve to attend a few seminars, but the main part of the program consists of working for 400 days on various film and TV projects. The good news is that the DGA will find the projects (theatrical films, TV movies, TV series) for you to work on; the bad news is that they don't guarantee that the 400 days will be consecutive--and there may be days (or even weeks if, for example, there's any sort of strike that holds up production) between assignments. The salary they pay you would not be bad if you weren't living in an expensive big city and if your hours weren't so long...but then the hours are so long that you won't have any time to spend any money except on rent and car expenses. Good luck! P.S. When you go in for your interview, it's probably not a good idea to tell them that you really want to direct. Richard J. Leskosky Unit for Cinema Studies, UIUC office phone: (217) 244-2704 FAX: (217) 244-2223 e-mail: [log in to unmask]