PROGRAMS
Marcus Stokes, 2017 Half Mentee
Since Half, Marcus has directed
over 20 episodes of television, including RMTV's 9-1-1, Lone Star
and American Horror Stories.
DIRECTOR SHADOWING PROGRAM
Half Initiative provides an educational Director Shadowing Program in which professional episodic directors on every Ryan Murphy Television production mentor emerging and mid-career women, BIPOC, LGBTQ and minority directors (mentees).
Accepted mentee directors are placed on a Ryan Murphy production to shadow the director from pre-production through post, on a single episode. Mentees receive a significant stipend for their commitment. These funds provided critical stipends for travel, lodging, and daycare for working mothers, allowing them to meet personal financial obligations while gaining unprecedented access to further education
and career growth.
After shadowing, mentees continue their education by attending ongoing panels and networking events with other mentees to learn from RMTV producers, writers, directors and key department heads from production.
"I'm happy to report that I've been working steadily as [an episodic] director in the drama
and half-hour comedy space since Half."
- Jennifer Arnold 2017 Half mentee
who has directed over 20 episodes of
television since Half.
"My experience with Half was exceptional. The thoroughness of the mentorship program truly sets its mentees up for success. From preparing us on shadowing etiquette to aiding us in all communication - the structure and support offered an inviting environment to learn."
- Lulu Wang, 2016 Half mentee
"When it came to TV directing, I've always felt like a little girl with her face pressed up against the glass at the candy store. Salivating, with money--my talent--burning a hole in my pocket. Half provided me with a stunning opportunity to walk right past those locked doors and gorge on an experience only a privileged few get a chance to taste."
- Katori Hall, 2017 Half mentee,
currently a first-time showrunner who
created the series P-Valley for Starz.
Since 2016, 171 directors have participated in the director shadowing program, of which are 61% Women, 12% Transgender, 68% People of Color and 28% Identifying as LGBTQ+.
Ryan Murphy TV shows that have had shadowing directors have included: American Horror Story, American Horror Stories, American Crime Story, 9-1-1, Pose, 9-1-1: Lone Star, The Politician, Ratched, Hollywood, Scream Queens, and Feud: Bette & Joan.
Since 2016, 21 directors were given their first episode on a RMTV show. 67% were women and 8 were Half mentees.
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT INTENSIVE
Pictured above are the 2021 PA Intensive Mentees from left: Eden Daniel, Ashley Bennish, Michael Feldman, Fernando Lopez and Daviana Sood. This inaugural group worked as PAs in the production office and on the set of Ryan Murphy's Monster (Netflix).
The Production Assistant (PA) Intensive program provides access to mentorship, education and job opportunities with Ryan Murphy Productions.
The Half Initiative PA Intensive creates an educational opportunity for emerging talent to learn how to be an episodic production assistant by training alongside production assistants on a Ryan Murphy production; supporting and shadowing the crew at all levels of production with a mission to provide them with a skill set to become a viable hire in the world of television production.
The cohort of mentees go through orientation together and then get placed as a PA in various departments on the production. The mentees work as PAs and are paid the PA rate on the show they work on.