EXCLUSIVE: Apple Studios has announced the three participants selected for its inaugural Directors Program, described as an inclusive, new initiative aimed at expanding opportunities for mid-career directors in the US.
Maureen Bharoocha, Yoko Okumura and Marshall Tyler were chosen to participate in the six-month program that offers master classes focused on building and maintaining a career as a working episodic director. The program also includes discussions with seasoned industry professionals focused on the craft and business of directing, opportunities to shadow director on Apple Studios series, and a “one-of-a-kind experience” at Apple Park tailored to inspiring innovation and innovation. creativity.
Successful participants will be positioned to direct content for Apple TV+.
Television projects originating from Apple Studios include Masters of the air from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television and Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman’s Playtone; Chemistry lessons, based on the bestselling book and starring Oscar winner Brie Larson; Quest, by Monica Beletsky; and comedy Palm Royale, led by Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern and Carol Burnett.
Upcoming series include firebug, from creator Dennis Lehane, starring and executive produced by Taron Egerton; and drama Your friends and neighbors, starring and executive produced by Jon Hamm.
The initial participants in the Apple Studios Directors Program are as follows: Descriptions provided by Apple.
Maureen Bharoocha
Maureen Bharoocha has directed feature films, late night, premium cable, episodic television and short films. Her latest feature film “The Prank”, starring the legendary Rita Moreno and Keith David, was released in theaters in March and her first feature film “Golden Arm” was sold to HBO in 2020. Maureen’s television credits include three years as a segment director on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, NBC’s ‘Grand Crew’, ‘Crank Yankers’, ‘Saved By The Bell’, Peacock’s ‘Pitch Perfect’ spin-off, ‘Bumper in Berlin’, and a episode of Hulu’s new show ‘Deli Boys.’ ” She is currently co-writing a new horror comedy “Tina’s 40th Birthday Party” with Mary Holland and Betsy Sodaro, and will also direct with Sharon Horgan’s Merman Television production.
While she goes to great lengths to find the funny in whatever scene she directs, Maureen is equally adept at eliciting powerful dramatic performances. Raised in a half Irish Catholic and half Indian Pakistani Burmese Muslim household, Maureen focuses on stories of conflicting characters and is a master at bridging opposing worlds and blending genres. She inspires everyone around her with her motto: Make Cool Shit! Maureen Bharoocha is represented by Ellen Jones at CAA and Merideth Bajana and Delaney Morris at Grandview.
Yoko Okumura
Yoko Okumura (she/her) is a genre-fluid writer and director who thrives at the intersection of grit and glamour. Born in a Buddhist temple in Japan and raised in frigid Minneapolis, she is obsessed with telling rebellious stories from underrepresented perspectives.
She directed the feature thriller “Unseen” for Blumhouse/Paramount, and her episode “Ball of Twine” for Sam Raimi’s horror anthology “50 States of Fright” is streaming as a Roku Original. Yoko has also directed numerous hour-long television episodes, including “Good Trouble” and “The Bold Type.”
She is a sponsored director under the Women In Film + Sundance ReFrame Rise Program and has participated in top directing initiatives such as the Warner Bros. Directing Workshop, Ryan Murphy Half Initiative and the Fox Directing Program. Her films have won numerous awards, including an Austin Film Festival Jury Award, DGA Award and a Webby.
Yoko has a BFA from CalArts and an MFA from AFI, and lives and works in Los Angeles. When she’s not on set, she enjoys fire dancing and aerial arts, and would like to learn how to do a backflip.
Marshall Tyler
Born in Philadelphia but raised in Hawaii and San Diego, Marshall Tyler is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker and television director. His episodic directing credits include “9-1-1” (Angela Bassett) for FOX, “City on a Hill” (Kevin Bacon and Aldis Hodge) for Showtime, “Leverage: Redemption” (Noah Wylie and Aldis Hodge) for Amazon, and the sharp, suspenseful dark comedy “Average Joe” (Deon Cole) for BET+/Paramount+. As a writer/director, Marshall’s short films “Night Shift,” “Cap” and “Slow Pulse” have received critical acclaim when they premiered at film festivals including Sundance, the ABFF HBO Short Film Competition and Tribeca. All three were Oscar qualified after winning the Chicago, Urban World and Pan African film festivals respectively, and have aired on HBO, CBS and BET.
In addition to being selected for the Apple Studios Directors Program, Marshall is also a 2018-2020 alumni of the ABC Disney Television Directing Program and a 2018 fellow of the Ryan Murphy Half Initiative. Through his company New Bumper & Paint, Marshall is currently developing his narrative feature debut “Fever Dream” and is collaborating with Vogue Studios/Condé Nast Entertainment on his upcoming feature documentary “The Prince of 7th Avenue” about the life of legendary designer Willi. Smith and his iconic label brand WilliWear. Marshall is repped by Gersh and Pacific Artists Management.
