DGA Monthly | Volume 7, Issue 2 - March 2010 | Recent Events | A DGA Latino Committee Event: An Evening with Director Kenny Ortega

Director Kenny Ortega greets young fans at the pre-screening reception. - photos by Byron Gamarro - click images for larger views

On Tuesday, February 2, the DGA Latino Committee hosted a Q&A with director Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) following a special screening of his acclaimed documentary This Is It in the Guild’s Los Angeles theatre.

After an introduction by Latino Committee Co-Chair Betty Kaplan (One Hot Summer), Ortega talked about his work, the use of dance in film, and how he went about creating the documentary This Is It, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of pop singer Michael Jackson who was in preparation for a series of sold-out shows in London before his untimely death in 2009. The discussion was moderated by Maria Jimenez Henley, the 2010 Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award-winning Stage Manager who was a dancer in the iconic film West Side Story.

Latino Committee Co-Chair Betty Kaplan welcomes the audience.

Ortega chats with moderator Maria Jimenez Henley about the making of This Is It.

Jimenez Henley shows Ortega she still has her dance moves.

The DGA theatre audience gives Ortega a standing ovation following the screening.

Director Kenny Ortega poses with members of the DGA Latino Committee.

Related Items:

Latino Committee Page