Television director Lesli Linka Glatter, an Emmy nominee and the head of the Directors Guild of America, discusses the evolution of directing in TV and her aspirations for the industry to recover and rebuild.
Lesli Linka Glatter: A Pioneering Force in Television Directing
Lesli Linka Glatter, an acclaimed American television and film director, has made a significant mark in the industry over the past 25 years. Known for her work on high-profile TV series such as Mad Men, Homeland, Twin Peaks, Gilmore Girls, and The Walking Dead, she has been nominated for eight Primetime Emmy Awards and has won three Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards.
Glatter's career began in a male-dominated field, but she remembers being the only woman in production. Despite this, she has risen through the ranks to become the President of the Directors Guild of America since 2021, a position she shares with only one other woman.
Her nomination for the Emmy Award for Directing in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie category for "Zero Day" is a significant step forward for female representation in the directing industry. She is one of five women nominated in this category, including Shannon Murphy, Helen Shaver, Jennifer Getzinger, and Nicole Kassell.
Glatter's work on Imperfect Women, a psychological thriller featuring Elisabeth Moss and Kerry Washington, demonstrates her continued commitment to excellence in television directing. Her awards recognize both critical and peer acknowledgment of her outstanding contributions to the industry.
Throughout her career, Glatter has been concerned about the ongoing effects of COVID, Hollywood strikes, and L.A. fires on the industry. Despite these challenges, she remains optimistic about the future. She has been blessed to work with exceptional writers such as Alex Gansa on "Homeland" and David E. Kelley on "Love & Death".
Glatter has made a conscious effort to mentor the next generation of directors, paying forward the guidance she received when she started in the industry. She advises aspiring directors to remain tenacious and remember the joy of filmmaking.
In her role as President of the Directors Guild of America, Glatter advocates for directors’ rights and working conditions in the industry. She believes that the increase in female representation is a positive sign that the hard work put into representation is paying off.
Despite her numerous achievements, Glatter intends to continue working in the industry until she requires a walker and oxygen tank. With her career marked by significant achievements and plenty of time left to break even more ground, Lesli Linka Glatter is truly a pioneering force in contemporary television directing.
- Lesli Linka Glatter's interest in the science of storytelling and character development has been a constant throughout her career in education-and-self-development, shaping her approach to directing both television series and films.
- In addition to her passion for career-development, Lesli Linka Glatter is devoted to promoting and advancing womens-health, serving as a role model for young women pursuing careers in health-and-wellness and the entertainment industry.
- Lesli Linka Glatter's journey in the industry, combined with her love for entertainment, has inspired her to co-host podcasts focusing on interviews with other influential figures in television, film, and other aspects of popular culture, further cementing her place as a modern visionary.
