Rachel Goldberg

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Rachel Goldberg is an American film and television director, writer, and professor of film and media arts. She is known for her independent short films and her more recent work directing genre television.

Early life and education[edit]

Goldberg graduated as a member of the University of Pennsylvania class of 1996 with a BA in Theatre and Psychology.[1] Following graduation Goldberg pursued theatre, collaborating with fellow graduates to independently produce a four-part theatrical summer series with each person directing one play while serving as the cast and crew for the other productions.[2] Goldberg then attended the California Institute of the Arts where she earned an interdisciplinary MFA in Directing for Film, Theatre and Television.[3] It was here where Goldberg found her affinity for film and decided to pursue film and television directing in addition to theatre, which she calls her first love.[4]

Career[edit]

Goldberg began her career writing and directing experimental theatre, and continues that work along with her work in film and television.[4] Goldberg's short films centred marginalized voices, dealing with themes of social justice, racial bias and societal inequality, abuse, and the transformative power of unlikely friendships. Since transitioning to directing episodic television in 2017, Goldberg has worked on over a dozen productions encompassing a range of genres including comic book, horror, true crime, mystery, and fantasy. Due to her work on Raising Dion and American Horror Story, Goldberg was recognized as one of 20 emerging female directors primed for studio projects by the Alice Initiative in 2020.[5]

Film[edit]

Goldberg made her film directorial debut with Man, Where's My Shoe? In 2004. The 22 minute short was co-directed with at-risk teenage girls involved with a Los Angeles-based non-profit, Goldberg acted as their directing mentor and producer.[6]

As one of eight women selected for 2010–2011 class of the American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women, Goldberg directed and cowrote her third short film Neighbors.[7] Jonathan Pope Evans wrote the initial screenplay, based on a reclusive mutual friend, before collaborating with Goldberg on subsequent drafts specifically for the program.[8] The following year, Goldberg was selected for Film Independent’s Project Involve where she wrote and directed Rosita Lopez for President.[9][10] Her next project, MUTED, began as a Kickstarter campaign created by scriptwriter Brandi Nicole.[11] The film premiered at the 18th annual American Black Film Festival in June 2014 to critical acclaim, receiving the HBO Short Film Award and $10,000 grand prize.[12] The film aired on HBO in February 2015 to honour of Black History Month.[13] Also in 2014, Goldberg was selected for the 16th annual Film Independent Screenwriting Lab for her feature-length screenplay Transformation Awaits based on her 2012 short film, Neighbors.[14] Again, Goldberg collaborated with Jonathan Pope Evans to write the script that would become an academy's Nicholl Fellowship quarterfinalist and win the Grand Prize for LGBTQ screenplay at the 2014 Rhode Island International Film Festival.[15][16]

Television[edit]

In 2016, Ryan Murphy launched his Half initiative with the goal of achieving directorial gender and racial parity in his television productions.[17] The next year, Goldberg made her television debut directing episode seven of American Horror Story: Cult.[18] Prior to this, Goldberg, along with other Half directors, struggled to break into the world of episodic television and feature films with productions companies and networks unwilling to give female directors their first major project.[19] In a 2017 panel hosted by FX Networks, the women credited Murphy for initiating them into the world of high budget productions, noting that with a major project under their belt, opportunities began to materialize like never before.[20]

Following her experience directing under Half, Goldberg continued her genre television career directing episodes of Veronica Mars, Raising Dion, and Cloak & Dagger in 2019.[21] In 2021, Goldberg directed the first two episodes of Grendel, a Netflix series based on Matt Wagner's comic book series of the same name, written and produced by Andrew Dabb.[22] Goldberg and Dabb worked together previously on Netflix's Resident Evil.[23] The series was cancelled while completing its filming in 2022, leaving the partially complete eight-episode season in post production limbo with the option to shop the series to other distributors.[24]

In early 2023, it was announced that Goldberg was tapped by Marvel to direct the Wandavision spin-off, Agatha alongside head writer and executive producer Jac Schaeffer and Wednesday director Gandja Monteiro.[25] The show completed filming prior to the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strike but had its released pushed back to the lead-up to Halloween 2024.[26]

In July 2023, The Hollywood Reporter announced Goldberg's feature directorial debut with action comedy, The BM, written by Family Guy alum Shawn Ries and Artie Johann.[27]

Academia[edit]

In 2015, Goldberg joined the faculty of Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts where she taught courses on story telling through film.[28] In 2019, Goldberg and a fellow film and media arts professor established The Female Gaze Film Festival to celebrate and share media with a female perspective.[29]

Filmography[edit]

Short films[edit]

Year Title Role
2004 Man, Where's My Shoe? Director, producer
2007 Bottle Rockets Director
2012 Neighbors Director, writer
2012 Rosita Lopez for President Director, writer
2014 Muted Director
2015 Francisco y David Associate producer
2017 Bettas Executive producer
2017 Alpha Executive producer

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Episode(s)
2017 American Horror Story: Cult Director "Valerie Solanas Died for Your Sins: Scumbag"
2019 Cloak & Dagger Director "Alignment Chart"
2019 Veronica Mars Director "Heads You Lose"
2019 Raising Dion Director "Issue #103: Watch Man" "Issue #104: Welcome to BIONA. Hope You Survive the Experience"
2020 The Sinner Director "Part VII"
2021 American Gods Director "Fire and Ice"
2018–2021 Mayans M.C. Director "Cucaracha/K'uruch" "Xquic" "Overreaching Don't Pay"
2022 Resident Evil Director "Home Movies" "Revelations"
2022 Friend of the Family Director "The Mission" "Articles of Faith"
2022 Grendel Director "Devil by the Dead" "Baptism for the Devil"
2023 Gen V Director "Jumanji"
2024 Agatha Director

Awards[edit]

Year Nominated work Award Awarding body Result Shared with
2009 Bottle Rockets Jury prize Las Vegas International Film Festival Won Scott Sullivan · Jamon Scot
2012 Neighbors Best Short Films by Women Burbank International Film Festival Won
2012 Neighbors Alternative Spirit Award Rhode Island International Film Festival Won
2014 Neighbors Best Narrative Short Translations: The Seattle Transgender Film Festival Won
2014 Rosita Lopez for President HB0 Jury Award Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Nominated Danni Conner
2014 Rosita Lopez for President Best Live Action Short NewFilmmakers Los Angeles Nominated
2014 Rosita Lopez for President Overall Best Short River Bend Film Festival, US Won
2014 Transformation Awaits Best Screenplay Rhode Island International Film Festival Won Jonathan Evans
2014 Muted Director's Choice Award Rhode Island International Film Festival Won Brandi Nicole · Tara Tomicevic
2014 Muted Short Film Award American Black Film Festival Won Brandi Nicole
2015 Welcome to Camelot Best Screenplay Rhode Island International Film Festival Won
2015 Muted Outstanding Independent Short Black Reel Award Won Brandi Nicole
2015 Muted Special Jury Award SoHo International Film Festival Won Brandi Nicole · Tara Tomicevic
2015 Muted Grand Jury Award SoHo International Film Festival Won
2015 Muted Best Short Film Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival Won Brandi Nicole
2015 Muted Best Dramatic Short Film Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles Won Brandi Nicole · Tara Tomicevic
2015 Neighbors The Director List Award Connect Film Festival, AUS Won
2015 Neighbors Bechdel Award for Storytelling Connect Film Festival, AUS Nominated
2015 Neighbors Best Picture (Best Director, Best Writer & Best Producer) Connect Film Festival, AUS Nominated Jonathan Evans · Bela Goldberg
2016 Welcome to Camelot Donna Rothstein Excellence in Screenwriting Award Garden State Film Festival Won

Source:[30]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Diamond, Kelly (2014-06-27). "Penn Alumni You Should Know About: Vol. 18". Penntertainment. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  2. ^ Pasternak, Karen (1997-05-16). "Theater students hope to play producer role in new company". www.thedp.com. The Daily Pennsylvanian. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  3. ^ Clarita, City of Santa (2016-02-04). "Thursdays@Newhall's on Main Street Final Lineup". SCVNews.com. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  4. ^ a b "Rachel Goldberg – Burbank ArtsBurbank Arts | An Arts Destination". Burbank Arts. 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  5. ^ Ford, Rebecca (2020-01-15). "Alice Initiative Reveals Annual List of Emerging Female Directors". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  6. ^ "HOLLYSHORTS EXPOSED". Film Threat. 2005-08-09. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  7. ^ Beauchamp, Cari (2011-05-11). "Cholodenko Hosts AFI Directing Workshop for Women Showcase". IndieWire. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  8. ^ Disarray (2012-09-21). "Filmmakers Spotlight: Interview with Director Rachel Goldberg of "Neighbors"". DISARRAY. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  9. ^ savage, sophia (2011-11-09). "Film Independent Names 30 Filmmakers for 2012 Project Involve; Speakers Include Pariah's Rees & Cooper". IndieWire. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  10. ^ Kushigemachi, Todd (2011-11-10). "Film Independent sets 30 for program". Variety. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  11. ^ Jack, Fisher (2015-02-10). "'Muted' Shows What Happens if You're Black and Go Missing (Watch)". EURweb. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  12. ^ "HBO Spotlights Short Films at ABFF Awards Competition". The Shadow League. 2014-06-21. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  13. ^ Workneh, Lilly (2014-07-03). "'Muted': Powerful film explores being black and missing". TheGrio. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  14. ^ Folsom, Jake (2014-09-10). "Film Independent Announces 9 Lucky Writers For Coveted 'Screenwriting Lab' Program". IndieWire. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  15. ^ "2014 | Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences". www.oscars.org. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  16. ^ "RI International Film Festival Announces 2014 Screenplay Winners". GoLocalProv. 2014-11-10. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  17. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2021-07-01). "Ryan Murphy's Half Initiative Names Participants In First Production Assistant Intensive Program". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  18. ^ "Listings | TheFutonCritic.com – The Web's Best Television Resource". www.thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  19. ^ Blyth, Antonia (2017-08-10). "Ryan Murphy's Half Foundation Is Life-Changing For Female Directors – TCA". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  20. ^ Montpelier, Rachel (2017-08-10). "Female TV Directors Share Stories, Talk Ryan Murphy's Half Program at FX Panel". womenandhollywood.com. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  21. ^ "Rachel Goldberg | Director, Writer, Producer". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  22. ^ Rosario, Alexandra Del (2021-09-14). "Netflix Orders 'Grendel' Series Based On Dark Horse Comic With Abubakr Ali To Star, 8 More Cast". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  23. ^ Bell, BreAnna (2022-09-27). "'Grendel' TV Series Adaptation Not Moving Forward at Netflix". Variety. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  24. ^ Petski, Denise (2022-09-29). "'Grendel' Star Abubakr Ali Responds To Netflix Series Cancellation & What It Means For Muslim Representation: "There Is A Space & Need For Stories Like This"". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  25. ^ Kit, Borys (2023-01-13). "'Agatha: Coven of Chaos' Sets Directors as Production Readies for Next Week". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  26. ^ Kit, Borys (2023-09-01). "Marvel Shuffles TV Calendar with New Dates for 'Agatha,' 'Echo,' X-Men '97' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  27. ^ Kit, Borys (2023-07-06). "Rachel Goldberg to Direct Action Comedy 'The BM' for MarVista (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  28. ^ Bryant, Jacob (2015-09-03). "Industry Vets Join Dodge College of Film and Media Arts Faculty". Variety. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  29. ^ "The Female Gaze Film Festival – Dodge College of Film and Media Arts". 2022-08-18. Archived from the original on 2022-08-18. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  30. ^ "Rachel Goldberg – Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-10-16.


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