Whether or not you get out your tux or gown, this is the time of the year we celebrate our own. Many awards are given for achievements in our field but the DGA awards hold special meaning. Judgment and acknowledgement by our peers is, after all, the highest recognition we could hope for.
In this issue of DGA Magazine, we spotlight the individuals who have earned our highest honors for contributing to the art of filmmaking and to the Guild during 2002.
Among these is Martin Scorsese, our Italian American who walks tall and carries a big lens — creating a definitive view of American culture. We met when I was a filmmaking student at NYU, where everyone was talking about the legendary former film teacher who was making it big in Hollywood. Marty was one of those responsible for my receiving a grant to do my first feature — so his imprint on my life was large. But much larger than that, the range and scope of his work, his contributions to the preservation and restoration of films, and the impact of his honesty and style on all of our filmmaking is immeasurable.
The commitment of those we honor this year, symbolizes the spirit of the DGA. Though we are an organization that works to protect the creative and economic rights of our members, we are also a family that cares about each other and puts the good of the whole above the individual. As colleagues, we have shared triumphs, consoled each other through difficult times, and stood together so that not only we, but future generations of artists and craftsmen like us, would benefit.
As I've been actively involved in the National Board and Councils, I know firsthand the dedication and commitment of the other individuals we are singling out for special recognition — John Rich, Honorary Life Member; Jud Taylor, Robert B. Aldrich Award; Yudi Bennett, Frank Capra Achievement Award; and Esperanza "Candy" Martinez, Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award. If you do not already know them, I urge you to "meet" these dedicated people on the pages of this magazine. (See stories below). Their knowledge and commitment to the idea behind the Guild is our foundation. This is what we rely upon as we face the difficult challenges to our professional and creative freedoms that lie ahead.
So during this Awards season, whether you join us on March 1 in your fancy duds or not, let's celebrate the truly excellent work of our members, both in craft and in service. Let them be a reminder to us that, though we are all unique individuals, we have a lot to give each other and the Guild. And as we look into the future at the issues that loom large and threaten us all — piracy, media consolidation, runaway production, to name a few — remember that we are blessed with an extraordinary and talented membership and that our unity is our protection.
