Disney TV, DGA training open

Walt Disney Television and the Directors Guild of America are offering applications for the third year of the Directors Training Program for minorities and women.

The eight-week program, open to both DGA and non-DGA members, consists of an orientation, supervised observation and hands-on experience in the half-hour comedy format.

A weekly stipend will be provided to up to two participants, and will be credited against a pay-or-play directing assignment at the DGA minimum within 12 months from the start of the program.

Current trainee Lisa Gottlieb was chosen to apprentice under Jeff McCracken on "Boy Meets World," and trainee Gretchen Somerfeld apprentices under Gil Junger on "Ellen." A graduate of the program, Albert Alarr, received his first full-fledged directing assignment from exec producer Ehrich Van Lowe on an episode of "Homeboys from Outer Space."

Candidates must have a minimum three years directing experience, and may request an application through June 20. Packages may be obtained by contacting the Director Training Program Administrator, Walt Disney Network Television, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-5205. Phone number is [phone].

The submission period is from June 10 to July 10, 1997.