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Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
When Actors Direct: What TV Can Teach You About Career Evolution
An actor who decides to direct may inspire an eyeroll: Well, of course they can. After leading a hit show, what producer will say no? A powerful actor who wants to direct has an advantage others won't. At the same time, to become directors Tyler James Williams, Ayo Edebiri, Jason Bateman, and Rhea Seehorn had to be willing to step away from the comfort zone of their expertise and see themselves as beginners. More from IndieWire Sarah Michelle Gellar Says Chloé Zhao's Passion for 'Buffy' Changed Her Mind About a Reboot: 'OK, There's a Reason' Gillian Anderson: Ryan Coogler Is the 'Perfect Person' to Direct the 'X-Files' Reboot They also took advantage of a Hollywood truism: People work with people they know, and the only way to make yourself known is to be excellent around the people who can hire you to do the work. It's the same logic that creates a script supervisor-director (Karyn Kusama), a PA-producer (Kevin Feige), or an art coordinator-Oscar-winning production designer (Hannah Beachler). Here's what these actors say they learned while making the transition. Back when he was the lead in 'Everybody Hates Chris,' Williams began peppering 'Everybody' producer-director Jerry Levine with questions. As he told IndieWire's Proma Khosla in February 2025, he fell in love not just with being on TV but with the prospect of making it. The dream came true in Season 4 of 'Abbott Elementary' with episode 13, 'The Science Fair,' but Williams realized that his dream was considerably larger than anticipated. The mockumentary style meant a single scene could demand crossing three sets at one time. 'We had a lot of conversation about not just where the camera could be for the shot, but does that make sense for the documentarian on the other side of that camera?' he said. 'Playing with these camera operators and cameras as characters in this world, what are their opinions on everything? Why are they getting this shot the way they are? It influenced a lot of the decisions I made.' Williams' prep began months in advance. He sat in on production meetings, tone meetings, concept meetings. He talked with the crew, with the camera department, with executive producer Randall Einhorn. And he began breaking down the episode outline even before he had dialogue or characters. 'Because I know the space, and I know kind of the language of our show and how it works, I can start understanding how this needs to move and what this needs to look like,' he said. 'It's really hard to explain, and I guess that's where the the vision part of it comes in, where I just start to see it as I'm reading. I can kind of see it moving in real time.' By the time Edebiri joined 'The Bear,' she had dozens of acting credits, she'd been a story editor on 'Sunnyside,' a staff writer on 'Dickinson,' and a writer and consulting producer on 'What We Do in the Shadows' and 'Big Mouth.' However, she'd never gotten to direct. Before she directed 'The Bear' (Season 3, episode 6, 'Napkins'), she got a crash course on TV directing from the Directors Guild of America's First-Time Episodic Director Orientation Program. (It's a DGA requirement for a series that 'employs a 'first-time Director' to direct an episode of a dramatic television, High Budget SVOD series, or High Budget AVOD series.') She said it was 'probably one of the coolest, greatest things I've ever done.' 'The thing that I walked away with the most was that the only wrong way to direct — well, there's probably a lot of wrong ways, but beyond not communicating and not being open — is not finding your way,' said Edebiri. 'If you try to do somebody else's way, it's not going to work. Our instructors were so helpful with really illustrating their differences — and that they were successful with their differences — and so encouraging us to find our our ways of communicating, stressing the fact that you always have to be communicating.' Her instructors included legends such as Paris Barclay, Keith Powell, and Dr. Valerie Weiss, but Edebiri had to rely on her own instincts and the readiness of her cast and crew. 'You have to have a certain amount of ego and a certain amount of assuredness in your decisions, but there needs to be space for collaboration, and to also be wrong, or to not have the answer,' she said. 'It's this really miraculous amount of collaboration … It's like making a Venn diagram, but out of a thousand circles. That's why those moments when you get something, or you get it right, it does feel so special — because it's like, that's insane. That's insane that there's a thousand circles but found the one overlapping point.' The actress who portrayed Kim Wexler across six seasons of 'Better Call Saul' became the first performer to direct an episode of the show with Season 6 installment 'Hit and Run.' Bryan Cranston also directed episodes of 'Saul' predecessor 'Breaking Bad'; like Cranston, she played a major role that required she frequently 'hoof it to the monitor.' Relying on the producing team was vital. 'Michael Morris, our producing director, was kind of my right-hand person,' said Seehorn. 'I could watch playback when I needed it. And then I wanted to make sure that I was just available as Kim, once I was in the scene. I would never want a scene partner to feel like their director is observing them.' For her episode, Seehorn was initially anxious about working with Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring; they'd never shot a scene together. However, Seehorn soon realized her way in with him. 'He's from theater, as am I. So we had a good shorthand from the beginning,' she said. 'I just simply asked him, 'Do like talk about the scene or beats or do you just only want adjustments after the fact?' And he said, 'I'd love to talk about the scene. Thank you very much.' I said, 'Fantastic! Because here's my six binders.'' (Esposito would shoot his own episode later that season.) On Season 1 of 'Ozark,' Bateman directed four episodes while producing and starring in all 10. (He originally intended to direct all of them.) He believes a director's role hinges on making sure everyone is 'feeling good' — something he learned this from another actor-director, Michael Langdon, who Bateman worked as a child on 'Little House on the Prairie.' 'It was very helpful for me to see that a call sheet can get shot without yelling,' he said. 'It can be done well without being precious, but just by simply encouraging and being supportive and staying out of the way of something that might be better than what you thought.' Understanding actors also helped him be an effective director. 'One of the easy tricks is to go up and if you want an actor to do something, compliment on them having just done it and you want them to do a little more of it,' he said. 'You gotta think of what's the positive way to say this as opposed to 'Stop doing that,' because that's gonna make them nervous.' As IndieWire's Ben Travers noted back in 2020, Bateman would 'rather talk about the look, pace, feel, sound, and tone of his show — all of which form individual 'magic tricks' that help shape 'Ozark' — than his performance in front of the camera, and he's eager to steer the conversation toward his collaborators.' 'I mean, I'm a crew dork,' Bateman told Travers. 'I study who the gaffer or the best boy or the location manager is, let alone production designer [or] cinematographer. When I see a trailer, I'm immediately going over to IMDB Pro and just scouring the crew of that movie, because I'm noticing things that they're doing. I want to see who those people are so that maybe in the future, if I'm lucky enough to build a crew, I'm going to remember those names and see if they're interested in joining the team.' It worked: Bateman won the 2019 Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. Best of IndieWire Martin Scorsese's Favorite Movies: 86 Films the Director Wants You to See Christopher Nolan's Favorite Movies: 44 Films the Director Wants You to See The 25 Saddest TV Character Deaths of This Century
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hollywood Star and Grammy Winners Headline Talented Celebrity Lineup at Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort This Week
Golden Globe winning actor Tyler James Williams, plus Grammy winners Tamela Mann and Adam Blackstone, among celebrities lending time to coveted mentoring program; Williams named event's "DREAMbassador;" Disney-created mentorship initiative for 100 teens poised for 18th year from March 26-30. LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., March 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Golden Globe-winning actor Tyler James Williams, along with Grammy Award-winning artists Tamela Mann and Adam Blackstone, will serve as magical mentors for this year's Disney Dreamers Academy, the popular Walt Disney World Resort mentoring program that supercharges the career dreams of high school students nationwide and kicks off in Florida this week. Williams, who first gained fame for his role in the hit sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris" and now plays Gregory Eddie in ABC's Emmy Award winning comedy "Abbott Elementary," will be the program's "DREAMbassador,'' meaning he will spend significant time during the March 26-30 event interacting with the 100 Disney Dreamers by sharing his career journey, participating in several career focused workshops and serving as a key figure at the always emotional commencement ceremony. He'll be joined by an extensive list of other celebrity mentors which include celebrated musicians, actors, aerospace engineers, fashion stylists, renowned educators, designers, producers and Disney executives. Blackstone, a renowned musician, bassist, musical director and producer known for his work with top R&B musical artists, will offer students insights into the urgency and tenacity that fueled his rise from playing drums as a toddler in his local church to collaborating with some of the biggest names in music and television. Blackstone won his first Grammy Award for best musical theater album for "Hell's Kitchen." Mann, who won a Grammy Award for best gospel performance/song, will participate in the event along with her well-known husband David, an actor and comedian famous for portraying "Mr. Brown" in Tyler Perry's Madea films and "House of Payne." Other celebrity participants include comedian and radio host Rickey Smiley; soft rock band Infinity Song; fashion influencer Jerome Lamaar; and New York's Hot 97 radio personality DJ Suss One, among others. Each year, Disney Dreamers Academy selects 100 exceptional students from thousands of applicants, who share their personal stories and future aspirations through essay submissions. These Disney Dreamers, along with a parent or guardian, are invited on an all-expenses-paid trip to Walt Disney World in Florida for an inspiring, multi-day experience supported by presenting sponsors Sprite and Delta Air Lines as well as participating sponsors AdventHealth, Zero-G, Dolby and the Orlando Magic. This program reflects Disney's dedication to supporting high school students from varying backgrounds and communities and empowering the next generation to think big and pursue their dreams. Since its inception in 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired over 1,700 students from all over the country, opening doors to endless possibilities as they embark on their future paths. Many graduates have gone on to become storytellers, artists, engineers, innovators, journalists, and more, with some even returning as mentors to guide the next generation of Dreamers. For more information, visit Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are also available at and ABC's Emmy Award winning comedy "Abbott Elementary" airs Wednesdays at 8:30pm on ABC, next day on Hulu. About Disney Dreamers AcademyEstablished in 2008 at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Dreamers Academy's mission is to inspire high school students from varying backgrounds and communities nationwide to dream beyond imagination through insightful content from uplifting experts, mentors and sponsors. Each year,100 high school students are awarded a trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida to experience this five-day immersive and transformational program. For more information, visit or follow on social media at and #Be100 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Walt Disney World Resort
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tyler James Williams Reveals What Matters to Him More Than Looks While Dating in His 30s (Exclusive)
Tyler James Williams is schooling everyone on his dating interests. The Abbott Elementary star, 32, reveals during a PEOPLE in 10 interview the holistic trait he's looking for in a potential romantic partner. 'I grew up in Hollywood, so how you look doesn't really matter as much [because] out here everybody's pretty — it's not a flex,' says Williams, who initially rose to fame starring in Everybody Hates Chris from 2005 to 2009. He adds that he's searching for somebody whom he can be proud of 'the decisions they made and the life they built for themselves.' Related: Lisa Ann Walter Reveals What She Bought with Her Abbott Elementary Pay Raise: 'I Couldn't Afford It' Before (Exclusive) 'I mean I'm in my 30s now — and I'm impressed by what you did here,' he explains. 'I think everybody should be proud of the person they're with and proud to be with the person they're with.' The dating life of his Abbott Elementary character, teacher Gregory Eddie, has been explored throughout the Emmy-winning show's four seasons — making fans wonder whom the actor might be dating offscreen. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Williams appears to be single at the moment. In the past, the actor has been rumored to be romantically linked to several actresses. On Abbott Elementary, his character and costar Quinta Brunson's character, teacher Janine Teagues, are dating as of the current fourth season. Related: Tyler James Williams Would 'Love' to See Solange Knowles Guest Star on Abbott Elementary: 'I Feel Like We Look Alike' (Exclusive) Williams, who has won a Golden Globe for his role as Gregory, previously told PEOPLE that his Abbott Elementary characterization is 'one of the most important things I've ever done in my career.' 'I think that's the overall goal for me here, is to show not only Black male educators in a certain light, but then also Black men in a certain light that are allowed to be emotional and have full emotional spectrums, and then also be in love,' he said in 2024, referring to Gregory's relationship with Janine. 'It's one of the most important things I've ever done in my career is showing this, especially with the platform that we have.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Streaming Subscribers Gravitating Toward Ad Tiers, Samba TV Says; ‘The Penguin' & ‘Landman' Were Top Streaming Premieres In Second Half Of 2024
As premium plans become more costly, a majority of new streaming subscribers are opting for ads, according to a new report from Samba TV. In the second half of 2024, 43% of total SVOD subscribers had an ad-supported plan. The share is increasing, with 56% of new subscribers in that time period choosing the ad option, Samba says. More from Deadline Tastemade Partners With Ole Interactive To Launch Latin American Content Venture Indonesian Streamer Vidio Unveils Originals Slate, Including 'Bad Guys' Adaptation & 'Santri Pilihan Bunda 2' Tyler James Williams On Making His Directorial Debut On 'Abbott Elementary' & Preserving The Network Comedy Peacock is leading the pack with 78% of its new subscribers in the second half of the year choosing an ad-supported plan, which is pretty on par with the second half of 2023, when 76% of new subscribers chose ads. Notably, Netflix saw a pretty significant increase in new subscribers opting for ads, up from 28% to 44%. Max also saw a larger jump from 18% to 39%. In its report, Samba calls this an opportunity for streamers to reach 'younger and more diverse audiences that have historically been harder to reach on linear TV,' which had always been the case to some degree with streaming but is only becoming more true as the medium expands. As expected, churn rates continue to be a headache for streamers. Samba says the average churn rate hovered around 6% in the second half of the year with Netflix and Disney+ doing the best in terms of retaining subscribers to reduce turnover. Netflix is also leading the pack in multi-show engagement, which is the number of subscribers that watch more than one original program. While Netflix saw 72% of subscribers engage with more than one original title, the others hovered between 30% to 50%. Disney+ was the lowest, with just 33% engaging with more than one streaming original. While 33 out of 50 of the biggest shows in the second half of 2024 were on Netflix, the top two spots actually went to Max's The Penguin and Paramount+'s Landman. In the first 15 days, the premiere episode of The Penguin drew 5.3M households, while Landman brought in 4.8M. Samba also pointed to Prime Video's Beast Games as a top example of 'destination programming,' which is shows that people turn on the TV specifically to watch. Overall, streaming hours are up 56% year-over-year, but interestingly, that increase seems to not come at the expense of linear television. Saved by sports and the U.S. election, linear was up 8%, Samba says. Best of Deadline A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' Feud In Court, Online & In The Media The 2025 Oscars: Everything We Know So Far About The Nominations, Ceremony, Date & Host 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More
