Leeward CC Graduate Selected to Renowned Directors Guild of America Assistant Directors Training Program

Leeward Community College
Contact:
Joann Matsuo, 808/223-9197
Leeward CC Graduate/DGA Intern
Arlene Abiang, 808/956-5637
External Affairs & University Relations
Posted: Jun 14, 2004

PEARL CITY, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi — Joann C. Matsuo, a 2003 graduate of Leeward Community College‘s Television Production program (TVPRO), has been selected as one of only 15 international candidates for the Directors Guild of America Assistant Directors Training Program, which thousands of Hollywood hopefuls apply to each year.

"Joann competed against the best—of-the-best TV and film students from all over the world, including the large, well-known film schools in California and New York," said Robert Hochstein, Leeward CC TVPRO program coordinator and instructor. "It is satisfying to confirm that our Leeward CC TVPRO students can compete and be successful in the competitive, global arena of the film and TV industry."

The Directors Guild of America Assistant Directors Training Program is jointly sponsored by the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The program accepts no more than 20 candidates each year to participate in on-the-job training to become Second Assistant Directors. Candidates compete for a program position through a rigorous selection process. Once accepted, a trainee attends a number of mandatory seminars and completes 400 days of paid, hands-on work experience on actual film and television projects. Each trainee who satisfactorily completes the program's requirements is invited to join the Guild.

Matsuo is currently working on the TV series, "North Shore." She will begin the two-year DGA Assistant Directors Training Program in early July in Los Angeles.

For more information on the TVPRO program at Leeward CC, visit http://emedia.leeward.hawaii.edu/tvpro. For more information on the DGA, visit www.dga.org.