Female Combat Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, Rebecca Murga, Turned Hollywood Director, Directs the Disney ABC Casting Showcase for the Disney ABC Directing Program
LOS ANGELES (PRWEB) November 07, 2017 -- With only 6% of women directing films and facing toxic environments for women in Hollywood, a female combat veteran is tackling Hollywood. Rebecca Murga, Chicago native and graduate of Kutztown University and the Lehigh University ROTC program, was one of only three directors selected to direct the 2017 ABC Discovers: Los Angeles Talent Showcase on November 7th at the El Portal Theater in Los Angeles, California.
Murga, who served as a U.S. Army Captain and Public Affairs Officer, and has deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. She was awarded a Bronze Star for her work with the Special Operations Command in Afghanistan, and was also was awarded the Meritorious Service Medial for her service in Iraq. She deployed with Special Operations Command in Afghanistan and the 392nd Signal Battalion out of Tobyhanna PA
After 10 years in the military, Rebecca Murga is following in the steps of other military veterans who become writers and directors in Hollywood. Frank Capra, Oliver Stone, William Wyler are just a few incredible directors who made the transition from war zone to Hollywood. Murga writes and directs films, commercials, documentaries and branded content. Past clients include ABC, CBS, CBS Sports, Mundo FOX, NHL, MLB, NBA, Comcast, ESPN, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, HBO Boxing, US ARMY, AT&T, Lucent, Verizon, Merck & Co., Walgreens, Evan Williams and A&E Networks. She is one of only eight directors selected into the ABC Directors Program who provided her the opportunity.
“There were fewer women directing feature films in Hollywood than on deployment in Afghanistan. Sometimes people don’t make the connection between military war veteran and artist, however military veterans have started to take over Hollywood. People don’t realize it, but some of the most amazing directors in Hollywood, have come from the military. Frank Capra’s first film after World War II was 'It’s a Wonderful Life,'” Murga stated. “Veterans in Film and Television is an organization with over 3,000 members who are writers, directors and actors on shows like NBC’s The Night Shift, USA’s Shooter, and CW’s Valor. I just hope to follow in the footsteps of some incredible artists and military veterans.”
The 2016-2018 Disney / ABC Directing Program is a two-year professional directing program, which spans two television seasons based upon ABC’s production calendar, recruits experienced directors on the cusp of making the transition into episodic directing. Those selected to participate in the program become part of the Disney | ABC Directing Program directing talent pool. Rebecca has shadowed director Billy Gierhart (SONS OF ANARCHY, WALKING DEAD) on MARVEL'S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. She has also shadowed director and series star Kevin McKidd on GREY’S ANATOMY.
“We’re very proud of the considerable momentum our program has gained in its efforts to add more female and diverse directors to the episodic directing talent pool,” said Tim McNeal, Vice President, Creative Talent Development & Inclusion. “Although we make every effort to identify strong directors on the cusp of breaking into episodic directing, the results we achieve across the company would not be possible without the commitment and support of our creative executives, showrunners and producing directors.”
Since a redesign six years ago, Program Directors have shadowed more than 100 TV episodes and directed nearly 80 episodes of Disney-ABC Television series. Alumni include Emmy-winner Regina King (Scandal, The Catch), Zetna Fuentes (How to Get Away with Murder, Jane the Virgin), Nzingha Stewart (The Fosters, Major Crimes), Rob Greenlea (Grey’s Anatomy, Madam Secretary) and David Rodriguez (Scandal, Queen of the South).
The showcase she is directing on November 7th is the 2017 ABC Discovers: Los Angeles Talent Showcase on November 7th at the El Portal Theater in Los Angeles, California. Part of Disney | ABC Television Group’s ongoing commitment to create opportunities for undiscovered talent, the showcase features actors performing original one-act scenes to an audience of entertainment professionals.
Veterans in Film & Television (VFT) Veterans in Film & Television (VFT) is 501(c)3 education and professional networking organization founded in 2012. With over 3,300 members, VFT serves Veterans who work in, or are just entering, the film and television industry. VFT is a resource for the film/TV industry to find and hire veterans. Production companies, agencies, studios, casting directors submit over 50 a month looking for talented veterans to hire.
For more information, visit http://www.rebeccamurga.com
Rebecca Murga, Kalen Arreola Consulting, http://www.rebeccamurga.com/about, +1 (484) 554-3213, [email protected]
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