SCAD Film and Television Dept. Chair speaks on acting career and guiding students to success

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - As the lights, camera and action of the 28th annual SCAD Savannah Film Festival continues, WTOC caught up with the chair of SCAD’s Film and Television Department, D. W. Moffett, who shared how he uses his experience to prepare SCAD students for success in the entertainment industry.

Films like “No Other Choice,” “Sinners” and “Christy” have already hit the big screen at the Lucas Theater so far this festival. Another movie, “One Battle After Another,” was also screened where a familiar SCAD professor made an appearance.

The Paul Thomas Anderson movie hit theaters last month. The film made a resurgence Sunday at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival as casting director Cassandra Kulukundis and actress Regina Hall received separate honors for their work.

Midway through the screening, cheers erupted from the audience of SCAD students and film lovers for none other than D. W. Moffett as his character Bill Desmond entered the frame.

“It is truly a highlight of my career and of my life,” said Moffett.

Moffett came to SCAD in 2016 after pursuing an acting career for over three decades. He landed roles in multiple movies and shows, including “Friday Night Light,” “Switched at Birth” and “Traffic” before he was offered a position at SCAD.

What started as a temporary job at SCAD became his next big break.

For the past nine years, Moffett made it his mission to help students succeed in the entertainment industry, using his previous experience and current projects as a guide.

Moffett said the industry is rapidly changing, and students need teachers who understand how to navigate those changes.

“The difference between someone teaching the film landscape, the film experience, who has done it and done it recently is massively different than let’s say someone who was on a film set 35 years ago when they were shooting on film and hasn’t been back,” said Moffett. “They can’t really teach the way film is being made today.”

Moffett also said having his students witness his work on the big screen is a huge honor for him—one that also establishes his credibility as a teacher.

“It validates this sort of mantra that I’m getting them ready for the pros by reporting back from the battleline in real time,” said Moffett.

Over the past few days, notable celebrities and creatives flocked to the Hostess City for the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. They may not work for SCAD like Moffit, but he said they are just as interested in helping students succeed in the industry as he is.

“No one here is going to be like ‘I don’t want to talk to students.’ That’s the deal,” said Moffett. “They’re coming here--and quite frankly they love it--because it isn’t someone from Daily Variety trying to get you in a gotcha moment. It’s literally young artists wanting to know about your experience, strength and hope.”