| The DGA held its annual membership meetings at Guild headquarters in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 17, 2007, and at the DGA New York Theatre on Tuesday, May 22, 2007. DGA President Michael Apted, who presided over both meetings, spoke about a variety of issues facing the DGA in his President’s Report on the overall status of the Guild. |
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President Apted speaks in New York.
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The subject of the upcoming industry negotiations was one of the items Apted discussed and he expressed confidence in the Guild’s abilities to handle any future tests.
“Where some only see confrontation and chaos, we can see opportunity,” said Apted. “Change is inevitable and although the path to the shore isn’t clear, I can say with some confidence that this Guild will be ready to meet the challenge and find a way to these new lands.”
Apted also spoke about other matters facing the Guild, such as piracy, censorship, copyright protection, runaway production, violence in the media and detailed the Guild’s measured approach to each. He also made the members aware of some recent accomplishments such as the revamped low-budget agreements that will allow more films to be made under the DGA umbrella, the headway in organizing reality television, and the Guild’s efforts to increase diversity behind the camera.
“Our industry may be full of doubts, fears and uncertainties,” Apted continued. “But tonight there is one thing of which I can be certain – your Guild is strong, united and ready to face the future.”
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Sec-Treas Cates gives the financial report.
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National Executive Director Jay D. Roth with President Apted in New York.
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Attendees of the New York meeting also heard an address from DGA National Vice President Steven Soderbergh, who kept the audience in stitches with a send-up of Apted’s speech, while seriously expressing confidence that the Guild’s “a-team” of Apted, DGA National Executive Director Jay Roth, Association National Executive Director Warren Adler, and Eastern Executive Director Russ Hollander” were firmly on the case. “These people spend more time thinking about your problems than their own,” said Soderbergh.
DGA Secretary Treasurer Gil Cates was on hand to deliver the financial reports at both meetings. DGA Board Member/Special Projects Committee Chair Jeremy Kagan outlined the past year’s accomplishments and the future plans of the Special Projects Committee in Los Angeles and DGA Second Vice President Ed Sherin delivered a similar report in New York. DGA Third Vice President/PAC Leadership Council Co-Chair Taylor Hackford informed West Coast attendees on the activities of the DGA PAC, and DGA Sixth Vice President Gary Donatelli did likewise in Gotham. The Directors Guild Foundation’s activities were reported on by DGA Board Member John Rich in LA and DGA Fourth Vice President William M. Brady in New York, while DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans CEO Mack Clapp gave the attendees an overview of the status and future of the Pension and Health Plans at both meetings. On the West Coast, AD/UPM/TC Chair Cleve Landsberg and AD/SM/PA Chair Scott Rindenow reported on their councils and announced the names of their newly elected council members and AD/UPM Chair Louis J. Guerra and AD/SM/PA Chair Dennis W. Mazzocco delivered similar reports in New York.
Both events were followed by a cocktail reception and a chance for members to catch-up with their colleagues and interact with DGA Board members and staff.
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