Every director knows that great storytelling comes down to vision, preparation, and collaboration. But in today’s industry, having the right digital tools at your fingertips can make the difference between chaos on set and a smooth, creative process. Whether you’re blocking a scene, breaking down a script, or fine-tuning your shot list, the right software can elevate your craft and help you communicate your vision with clarity…

Director Tessa Blake’s journey from indie filmmaker to powerhouse television director is not only inspiring but also a testament to persistence, storytelling, and the slow—but real—shift toward equity in Hollywood. With credits ranging from American Horror Story to Station 19 and 9-1-1, and a career that began with a deeply personal documentary, Blake has carved a space for herself in a field that, for many years, rarely welcomed women behind the camera.

Rachel Feldman’s journey to filmmaking didn’t begin in a director’s chair — it started under studio lights. A professional child actor raised in the Bronx by a family steeped in activism and storytelling, Rachel was on set before most kids were out of elementary school. Known as “One Take Rachel,” she starred in over 100 commercials, did voiceover work (including the voice of Lucy in the first-ever Peanuts animation licensing), and even took on characters in iconic ad campaigns like the Trix Rabbit series.

AWD Icon Member Rachel Goldberg’s creative journey is one marked by resilience, talent, and a deep commitment to truth-telling. With a career that spans over 40 productions for stage and screen, her name is associated with some of the most dynamic projects in contemporary television—including American Horror Story, Mayans M.C., Veronica Mars, GEN V, and the WandaVision spin-off, Agatha All Along. But beyond the impressive credits lies a filmmaker who brings compassion, depth, and fierce integrity to everything she touches.

AWD Icon Member Kristin Windell is a television director known for her sharp storytelling and collaborative spirit. A graduate of the Warner Bros. Directors’ Workshop, she lives in the San Gabriel Valley with her family and continues to bring powerful stories to life on screens everywhere.

AWD Icon Member Lisa France’s career is a masterclass in perseverance and reinvention. Over her 25+ years in the entertainment industry, she’s worked nearly every job imaginable—PA, camera operator, set decorator, 2nd AD, stunt performer. Her early gigs included working on Spike Lee’s He Got Game, The Summer of Sam, and The Sopranos, where she earned her stripes both behind and in front of the camera. These hands-on experiences became the foundation of her success as a filmmaker.

AWD Icon Director Alexis Ostrander is a force to be reckoned with in the film and television industry. An Emmy-nominated director with a strong background in both documentary and narrative storytelling, she has established herself as one of the most exciting voices in modern television. A graduate of Syracuse University, Alexis began her journey in documentaries before transitioning into fictional narratives—a move that laid the foundation for a bold, human-centered directing style.

Directing is as much about understanding people as it is about camera angles, blocking, and story structure. Nowhere is this more true than when working with actors. The relationship between a director and their cast is built on trust, respect, and the shared goal of bringing characters to life in the most authentic way possible.

AWD Icon Members have worked with everyone from emerging talent to Oscar winners, across genres and formats. Their collective wisdom offers a masterclass in the art of collaborating with performers.

General meetings—often called “generals”—are one of the most important (and misunderstood) parts of building your career as a director. They’re not the same as a pitch meeting where you’re selling a specific project. Instead, a general is about you—your voice, your taste, your experiences, and why you’re someone an executive, producer, or studio should keep in mind for future opportunities.

The goal isn’t to walk out with a job offer. It’s to walk out with a new champion for your work and to plant the seeds for future collaborations. But like anything in this industry, a great general takes preparation, focus, and an understanding of the unspoken rules of the room.

Below are practical tips to make sure your next general leaves a lasting impression.

Filmmaker Rosemary Rodriguez is the definition of hustle. With a career that spans gritty indie cinema, hit television, and high-octane streaming hits, her trajectory has been anything but linear — and that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring…

Director Tara Miele’s path through the industry has been bold, heartfelt, and deeply human. From viral sensations to Sundance features and prestige TV, the AWD Icon Member has carved out a career defined by emotion, craft, and fierce intention.

Her 2016 short, Meet a Muslim, created to challenge Islamophobia, went viral with over 45 million views. Her feature Wander Darkly, starring Sienna Miller and Diego Luna, premiered at Sundance and was picked up by Lionsgate. Most recently, she earned a DGA Award nomination for her work on Apple TV+’s Lessons in Chemistry, led by Brie Larson.

Director Morenike Joela Evans is a storyteller on a mission—and a director you absolutely need to know. From producing iconic cultural programming for MTV News, BET, NBC, and OWN, to her breakout success in episodic television, Morenike’s career is a masterclass in perseverance, talent, and strategy.

After making a name for herself in the digital space with a string of award-winning web series, Morenike then skyrocketed into the episode space, working in multi and single-cam worlds and across genres. She has helmed several fan-favorite episodes on popular shows including That Girl Lay Lay, How I Met Your Father and Grey’s Anatomy…

We’re kicking off our SPOTLIGHT ON: BTS PANELISTS series with someone who truly embodies the bold, versatile spirit of Back to Set: the powerhouse filmmaker Jen McGowan.

A celebrated film and television director with an eye for tension, humanity, and visual impact, McGowan’s body of work spans gritty thrillers, grounded dramedies, and high-stakes genre storytelling. Whether behind the camera of an intimate indie or a world-building TV series, her work consistently centers emotionally rich connections—often between unlikely characters and in unpredictable settings.

The countdown is on for BACK TO SET: A Directors Intensive, and whether you’re already registered or still on the fence, we’re here to give you a peek behind the curtain. Hosted by the Alliance of Women Directors, BACK TO SET is a two-day deep dive into the craft and career of directing — packed with practical tools, high-level access, and the kind of community that keeps you going.

This two-day event brings the best of our year-round programming into one place, and opens it up to all directors, regardless of gender identity or AWD membership. Whether you’re working in episodic, indie film, or just gearing up for your first big break, BACK TO SET is built to meet you where you are and help you level up.