January 10, 2025
Dear Member:
I wanted to reach out to you personally as my heart is heavy with so much that has been lost in the ongoing wildfires. And I know that I am not alone. In every conversation I have had with members over the past few days, the devastating loss has been deeply emotional for all of us. These are communities we love and cherish, places in which we have strong roots, and to feel it is burning all around us has been heartbreaking.
I am also angry and sad that this comes at a moment that we were poised to turn a corner after the pandemic, strikes and work contraction – 2025 was to be our year of resurgence. But what gives me hope is you. Every call or email I have had with members has shown me the humanity of our DGA community – an ability to stand together during moments like these – supporting one another with the strength to move forward. And that is what we are going to continue to do – offer support and move forward.
On Wednesday, the DGA shared emergency information with members in the Los Angeles area about resources available during this difficult time. If you need access to that information – it is available at this link.
If you or your family have been impacted by these fires – we have created a centralized hotline at the Guild to assist you. Please reach out to us at wildfireassistance@dga.org for help navigating any resources you may need at this time. We will also be sending specific additional information to members living in the impacted areas in the days and weeks ahead.
If you are not directly impacted but would like to help members who have been, please consider contributing to relief efforts by making a donation to the Directors Guild Foundation, Motion Picture and Television Fund, or Entertainment Community Fund. These organizations are helping to direct vital financial support and other critical assistance directly to members of our community.
I have been so fortunate to call Pacific Palisades home. It is where I raised my son and have been living for over 20 years. Tuesday night, I lost my home along with hundreds of others in the Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and other communities where we have lived, worked and filmed for so long. This emergency and the hurt so many of us are feeling is far from over, but I know that no matter what, we will somehow persevere and come out on the other side of this.
Please stay safe and know that the DGA is here for you.
All the Best,
Lesli