In November of 1985 THE DIRECTORS NETWORK (TDN) was founded in Los Angeles, California by twenty-four year industry veteran Steve Lewis. Based on what Lewis recognized as a commercial industry need, he created TDN, a niched talent agency for commercial freelance directors. A few years later he added the directors of photography department. Lewis' marketing concept is to allow TDN talent to be repp
ed and produced through the existing commercial production company system on a job by job basis. TDN does NOT market directly to advertising agencies and is NOT a production company. TDN handles their talent's scheduling, deal making, and sample reel tracking. TDN consults with reps and producers so the links that are sent to a production company are appropriate. Based on their knowledge of the upcoming job and their experience with the advertising agency, the production company submits a targeted reel or link. Once the agency asks the production company for a bid, TDN puts the Director directly in touch with the production company. From that point on the Director is handled just like any staff Production Company Director, with the exception of coordinating the Directors schedule and deal making behind the scenes with TDN. TDN's protocol is to continually evolve and suit the needs of the ever changing industry.
