On June 20, new and veteran Assistant Directors and Unit Production Managers learned more about the workings of their Guild during the AD/UPM Council West’s event NavDGA: What’s Hot! What’s Happening. The morning also gave these members the opportunity to network with their peers, while learning more about DGA benefits, Guild activities and issues directly affecting their categories via detailed reports presented by experienced members and DGA staff.
Following a breakfast/networking mixer, recently re-elected Council First Vice Chair Cleve Landsberg welcomed the participants with a message from Council Chair Marie Cantin who was also recently re-elected to the post, then introduced the day’s speakers.
In the first presentation of the morning, UPM Nancy Rae Stone spoke about the positive impact of incentive programs like the recently signed into law California Film & Television Job Retention and Promotion Act. Stone detailed how programs like this are designed to retain production domestically and provide jobs.
Landsberg returned to the podium to deliver the Pension and Health News report about the DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans and how members might make use of these valuable benefits.
DGA Associate Western Executive Director Jon Larson covered a variety of subjects including an update on the Guild’s legislative efforts, the DGA’s position on matters of safety on the set, and the ongoing battle to see more diversity in the industry. Larson was joined by DGA Field Rep Steven Knauss for a report on the DGA’s expanded outreach efforts and field work to make sure the contracts are being honored and the membership protected.
The seminar also featured a special presentation, Production Trends Today & In the Future, delivered by Director Jon Avnet. Avnet spoke about the changing landscape of media that included expanded variation of platforms and transitions in viewing habits and production trends. He elaborated on the shift in budgets and emphasized how low-budget digital models are penetrating all media outlets. A clip from one of his episodes of the television series Lauren was screened to illustrate Avnet’s remarks on how one can work with lower budgets and yet maintain high production values. He also spoke about the ability to create more opportunities for filmmakers by models where the cost of failure is reduced.
NavDGA: What’s Hot! What’s Happening closed with a forum where the floor was opened to questions from the audience. All the attendees were also able to take home a packet with informational handouts about the DGA and its resources.
About the Council
The AD/UPM Council, West is the elected body that represents the 3,000 Assistant Director and Unit Production Manager members of the Guild who reside and/or work in film, television, commercials and new media the Western Region.