On February 5th and 6th, two-time Emmy-nominated director/producer David Semel visited UGA Grady and MFA Film to screen samples of his work and share his industry experience with students.
On Thursday February 5th, David Semel visited Grady EMST undergrads and MFA Film students at Grady Studio 100 for a discussion on his career spanning almost 40 years, moderated by Professor Neil Landau. Semel discussed directing and executive producing dozens of major tv series and working with such luminaries and showrunners as JJ Abrams (Person of Interest), Tim Kring (Heroes), Howard Gordon (Homeland), Bryan Fuller and Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek: Discovery), David E. Kelley (Goliath), Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Ridley Scott and Frank Spotnitz (The Man in the High Castle), Barbara Hall (Madame Secretary), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen), David Shore (House), etc.
The discussion opened up for questions from the audience on topics ranging from the process of getting a TV pilot from script to series, pitching projects to networks and streamers, casting, working with actors, breaking into the entertainment industry and sustaining a career, and the post-production process.
Then on Friday February 6th, Semel visited Athena SPLC for a private masterclass with MFA Film students. He screened samples of his work and presented a lecture on world-building from his experience as a director and producer. Then, several MFA Film students presented film pitches, and Semel provided insights and feedback on the pitches based on his industry expertise.
Semel joined the Directors Guild of America in 1989. His television directing credits include Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Person of Interest, Ally McBeal, Boston Public, 7th Heaven, No Ordinary Family, American Horror Story, Roswell, Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Watchmen and other series. Semel also directed and produced episodes of Life, House, American Dreams, Beverly Hills, 90210, Dawson’s Creek, Tulsa King, Silo, Hannibal, Homeland, and The Man in the High Castle. Semel was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for the pilot episode of Heroes, and was nominated for his producing work on House. He has also directed two feature films, Campfire Tales (1997) and Lone Star State of Mind (2002). He directed the 2017 series premiere of Star Trek: Discovery, “The Vulcan Hello.”