Unit Production Manager-members gathered at DGA headquarters in Los Angeles on May 18 for the Western AD/UPM Council’s annual UPM Breakfast. Sponsored by the Council’s UPM Committee, this year’s event was titled “Celebrating the Art and Craft of the UPM” and explored the role of UPMs specifically working in features, television and new media, as well as being a forum for members of this category to discuss their thoughts and concerns about adapting to the changing media landscape.
Following welcoming remarks from UPM Committee Co-Chairs Dwight Williams and Richard Prince, Western AD/UPM Council Chair Marie Cantin provided an overview of the AD/UPM Council and available resources for its members. The attendees were then treated to a panel discussion with UPM/Producers Franny Baldwin (Burning Love, Beef), Patty Long (Limitless, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World), Karyn McCarthy (John Adams, House of Cards), and R.J. Mino (The Way Back, Oblivion). In a conversation moderated by UPM/Producer David Womark (Life of Pi, G.I. Joe: The Rise of The Cobra), the panelists called upon their experiences as UPMs to examine subjects such as: what it means to be a UPM in today’s production environment; the challenges they have faced as the market expands globally, locations change, and tax credits vary; and what skills UPMs need to master to prepare for their changing roles.
In addition to Co-Chairs Prince and Williams, the UPM Committee members include: Larry Albucher, Jim Behnke, Marc Bienstock, Burt Bluestein, Marie Cantin, Elaine Dysinger, D. Scott Easton, Buddy Enright, Brian E. Frankish, Duncan Henderson, Victor Hsu, Mark Indig, Tom Joyner, Janet Knutsen, Jules Kovisars, Cleve Landsberg, Randy Turrow, Melanie Wagor, Dara Weintraub, and Sally A. Young.