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Northern Virginia District

The Northern Virginia District is the newest region of the state to hold official district designation, however it's quickly become a strong outpost for VPA members. 

Northern Virginia is often considered to be part of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, but it has a long and rich history in the production of film, television, news, cable series, and educational videos in its own right. Anyone filming in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia) will find that Northern Virginia is well-supplied with crew, production companies, studios, equipment suppliers, and talent and casting companies.

The proximity of Discovery Communications (The Discovery and Learning Channels), PBS and the National Geographic Television has helped to elevate the local production industry.

Located in Fairfax, George Mason University is home to an exceptional film & video studies program with many filmmakers and production professionals that contribute to the region’s creative community.

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

LARS SANDVIK

Lars is President and co-owner of ThunderShot Studios. Starting out in the industry on national automotive advertising projects, Lars learned the value of working for different types of directors and experimented with a broad range of visual techniques. He is now a multiple Emmy Award-winning cinematographer and his expertise as a director of photography, lighting designer and jib operator keep him in demand with producers from HBO, Discovery Communications, Bravo, PBS, and the History Channel. Lars is a founding member of the Northern Virginia District where he serves as Chair and has served on the VPA's Executive Board of Trustees since 2017.

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