To any viewer,cerita lucah jiran Thursday's episode of Superstore("Cloud Green") was nothing overtly out of the ordinary. It had a classic sitcom structure and a humorous take on a timely topic, and took place entirely within Cloud Nine superstore as usual. Quite frankly, it was like any other episode.
That's what makes it remarkable.
"Cloud Green" was directed by newcomer Heather Jack, who has years of production and direction experience but had never helmed an episode of a major network TV show before this. Jack is part of the inaugural class of NBC's Female Forward initiative, a program that gets female directors on-set with experienced mentors and then puts them behind the camera.
SEE ALSO: 8 times TV made us say 'Big Mood' in 2018Jack is one of 10 finalists who have directed episodes of everything from Brooklyn Nine-Nineto Law & Order: SVUthis season, after shadowing established directors on their respective series for three episodes. Jack and other candidates met with NBC, producers, and showrunners before being assigned to a show last summer. She has already been asked to return for an episode next season.
"It was pretty amazing to work at this high level where the cast and crew, the writing, everything’s kind of at the top of its game," Jack told Mashable in a phone interview.
"I think there are skills from working with really talented people that you pick up, and because I was shadowing great directors I got to pick best practices from each one and learn a lot about how they work and what works for them. They’re kind of favorite directors of the show, and that’s part of the way the program is designed."
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Superstorehas a distinct style and sensibility, with the quick zooms and awkward pauses that distinguish modern TV comedy. It's something Jack was familiar with as a fan of the show but kept a close eye on while shadowing and directing. In addition to shadowing multiple directors, Jack worked closely with the shows two editors to prepare for the script's sharpness to translate on-screen.
"You want to feel like you’ve matched the tone of the show, and I think a lot of that is in the writing," Jack said. "They have this specific way that they want things to look and feel, and you’re kind of following the patterns and guidelines of the show, but then hopefully you’re adding something of your own taste and perspective. For me, that’s in the details ... There’s part of it where you’re kind of following the pattern of the show and part of it where you sort of add your own flavor to it."
Female Forward is entering its second year, and while similar programs exist, Jack said that directing as well as shadowing made a huge difference.
"Shadowing is valuable, but if I didn’t have the guaranteed episode, I think it would be very difficult to become a good, unobtrusive shadow but also convince people that you are prepared to take on the role of director," she said. "I think the program really sets you up for success."
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Jack has now worked in the industry for over 10 years, and she says she noticed a significant discrepancy between the gender breakdown at film school and festivals compared to working directors. Unsurprisingly, the latter category is overwhelmingly male, even though her classes and festival seasons were relatively equal.
And rarely is gender the only thing at play.
"I’m also half-Asian, I look young – there’s a lot of intimidating things about walking on to a set and not knowing how people will respond to you," Jack said, noting that the Superstore team was welcoming from the start. "Another director that’s also a minority mentioned to me that you just have to rise above it and do the best work that you can. And that was my outlook, was to try to keep working and keep proving myself, that I was capable and that the work I was doing was good."
Like many of her peers, Jack is no stranger to the industry's challenges, but she hopes Female Forward will pave the way for more female directors to just get their work out there.
"The movement that’s happening and the push that’s happening to hire more women directors is only going to improve," Jack said. "Obviously I personally benefited from this, but I’m hoping that, along with the women who have come before me, that we can all keep working toward that goal, bringing more women into the fold, having it feel more equal."
Applications for the next round of Female Forward will open later in the year. Superstoreairs Thursdays at 8 p.m. on NBC.
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