Kevin Daugherty

Kevin Daugherty, an Oklahoma native, has a rather impressive resume and a lot of experience under his belt.

Director's Guild member and OU alumni Kevin Daugherty
Photo by: Sadie Short

During my conversation with him, Daugherty told story after story of his experiences as a director, including everything from his days as an associate director on the set of Dukes of Hazzard, to one of his fondest memories; meeting the women whom he called the ‘hardest working women in show business’, Lucille Ball.

Daugherty jumped head first into the business right after graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1977. He was brave and did a cold call to republic pictures. Daugherty had heard that there was going to be a pilot for a news show being shot and he wanted a job. “I called the Republic Pictures and asked to talk to the executive producer of Venture Bay. I ended up on the phone with the president of the studio. He asked me what experience I had and I said ‘zippo’”

Only a couple of days later does Daugherty get a call back and they make him a deal. If he would be willing to pay for his flight to Miami (where the show was being filmed) then they would be willing give him a job on the set. This first job was basically a production assistant. “I did everything from coffee, dropping off raw footage for editing and picking up actors at the airport.” After proving himself the producers of the show wrote him recommendations for acceptance into the Directors Guild. Out of 18,000 applicants, and only five spots available, Daugherty was accepted.

DGA logo
Photo: DGA website

Daugherty has worked as an associate director on shows such as Dukes of Hazzard, Charlie’s Angels, Dynasty, Dallas, Fantasy Island, and many other pilots.

Today, Daugherty is retired yet he still has pertinent advice for students today. Daugherty’s advice for Gaylord student’s who are looking to get into the business; “Do not be afraid to take chances and do not become arrogant because you have made it.”

Here is a link to the Directors Guild site, and Daugherty's membership details.
http://www.dga.org/index2.php3?chg=