On September 15, more than 20 assistant directors were introduced to leading unit production managers working in episodic television and film during the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee’s (EDSC) and AD/UPM Council East’s Employment and Diversity Mixer for ADs and UPMs. Held at the Guild's New York offices, the invitation-only event provided the opportunity for these qualified ethnic minority and women ADs to meet with the UPMs for an evening of networking and conversation.
This event was an important part of the DGA’s diversity initiative and is geared toward creating more job opportunities for directors hailing from sectors statistically underrepresented in television jobs. It offered a unique occasion for these ADs to get personal time with the UPMs during one-on-one meetings.
The event kicked off with a cocktail reception held on the rooftop patio of the Guild’s New York offices that allowed everyone to get acquainted in an informal setting. AD/UPM Council East Chair Kathleen McGill introduced the participating UPMs and EDSC Co-Chair Rebecca Strickland spoke about the Guild's ongoing initiative to improve diversity in industry hiring practices by events such as this. The event was also attended by Commissioner Cynthia López of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, who was there to show her support and meet the UPMs and ADs.
Afterwards the invited ADs participated in one-on-one interview sessions with a roster of UPMs that featured:
- Kristin Bernstein (The Good Wife)
- Carrie Fix (The Place Beyond the Pines)
- Jill Footlick & Kati Johnston (Bluff)
- Regina Heyman (Girls)
- Dana Robin (Trainwreck )
Also attending the event were UPMs
- Mary Rae Thewlis (The Americans)
- Thomas Whelan (Gotham)
Each participating UPM also received an information packet on the participating ADs.
ABOUT THE EDSC
The Eastern Diversity Steering Committee represents the concerns of Guild members of African, Asian, Native American, Arab-Middle Eastern or Latino descent. The EDSC is committed to improving the employment opportunities, working conditions and the skills of ethnically diverse Guild members. The Committee's current Co-Chairs are Jason Hightower, Rebecca Strickland and Joyce Thomas. For more information about the EDSC, click here to visit their web page.
ABOUT THE AD/UPM Council East
The AD/UPM Council East is the elected body that represents the nearly 1,200 Assistant Director and Unit Production Manager members of the Guild who reside and/or work in film, television, commercials and new media the East and Midwest regions. The current Council Officers are: Kathleen McGill, Chair; Alison Rosa, First Vice Chair; Lyn Pinezich, Second Vice Chair; and Debra Kent, Secretary-Treasurer. For more information about the AD/UPM Council East, click here to visit their web page.