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Richmond District

The Richmond District offers opportunities for all of Central Virginia. Our location in the state capital helps facilitate the Alliance’s advocacy efforts.

Richmond and its surroundings have hosted several major film and television productions, such as: Spielberg’s Lincoln, Homeland: Season 7, Jeff Nichols’ Loving, the AMC series TURN: Washington’s Spies, the PBS series Mercy Street, and the HBO mini-series John Adams just to name a few. Because of its history in film, television, commercial, and documentary production, Richmond has developed an experienced crew base along with a community of talented independent filmmakers and film festivals.

Richmond and Petersburg are historic cities, that offer exceptional locations for filming. Located nearby is a historic backlot featuring a farm set, period ships, a wharf area and acres of undeveloped land. Richmond is known for its eclectic architecture, nearby rural areas, and burgeoning culinary scene, among the best in the nation.

Upcoming events

  • Part II: Directors Master Class - From Vision to Execution

    • 28 Oct 2025
    • 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    • Visual Arts Center - 1812 W Main Street Richmond, VA
    Register


    38-time Emmy Award winner (Juwanna Mann, In Living Color, Olympics)

    Part 2 of this acclaimed master class is a deep dive into the art and execution of professional directing—spanning narrative filmmaking, music videos, and commercials.

    Led by Emmy-winning director Jesse Vaughan, this advanced-level course is designed for filmmakers ready to refine their voice, lead larger productions, and step confidently into long-form storytelling. Whether you're transitioning from short-form work or already building a directing career, this class gives you the tools, insight, and real-world experience to level up.

    Note: Completion of Part 1 is not required. This course is open to experienced directors or creatives with on-set or production experience.

    In Part Two participants will:

    • Elevate Knowledge of Directing Long-Form Narrative Scenes - Master scene structure, emotional pacing, and visual continuity across complex sequences.
    • Elevate Music Video Directing - Learn how to direct performance, create visually-driven concepts, and work with artists, choreographers, and labels to deliver standout content.
    • Deepen Actor Collaboration - Refine your approach to casting, rehearsals, blocking, and on-set performance adjustments.
    • Lead the Visual Team - Work closely with cinematographers and designers to unify lighting, shot composition, and production design.
    • Run a Professional Set - Communicating vision, managing time, and leading your crew with clarity.
    • Career & Industry Development - Gain insider insight on how to package your projects, pitch effectively, secure representation, and build a sustainable directing career.

    About Jesse Vaughan:

    A 38-time regional Emmy winner with over 65 nominations, Jesse Vaughan has directed feature films (Juwanna Mann), major network television (In Living Color), and music videos for artists such as Stevie Wonder, 'N Sync, Missy Elliott, Eric Benét, and Mýa. His career spans film, broadcast news, and music documentaries, with a unique ability to blend story, performance, and style.

    Who Should Attend:

    This course is ideal for directors working in short films, music videos, commercials, or branded content—who are ready to take on longer formats or more complex productions. No prior enrollment in Part 1 is required.

    Limited enrollment.

    Apply now and take the next bold step in your directing career.

    Show details

DISTRICT CHAIR

STEVE TAYLOR

After two terms as vice-chair of VPA Richmond District, Steve was elected chair last year. Since joining the VPA as a film fan, he has eagerly leapt into local filmmaking and has been involved in projects including commercials, shorts that screened at the Brooklyn, Richmond International, and Cannes film festivals. Steve has expanded his work in the film as a member of the board of directors of the Byrd Theatre Foundation, helping develop the iconic theater's "center for film." 

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