Newer Assistant Directors and Unit Production Managers got a basic primer on the workings of their Guild on December 8 when the AD/UPM Council East held a Navigating the DGA orientation in the seventh floor boardroom of the Guild’s New York offices. The event also provided a forum for these members to discuss a variety of issues that affect ADs and UPMs with veteran members and have their questions answered by DGA staff.
The session began with an introduction and welcome from AD/UPM Council East Member Education Committee Chair Michael Reichman, who also introduced a screening of Director Michael Stevens’ DGA 75th Anniversary film DGA Moments in Time, Part 2: Doubling Down, which describes a crucial incident in early Guild history in a story narrated by Director Martin Scorsese.
DGA Associate Eastern Executive Director Neil Dudich presented an overview of the operations and procedures of the Guild, explained how the collective bargaining agreements protect the members’ legal and artistic rights and creative freedom, and introduced DGA Field Reps and other staff members dedicated to those causes.
Veteran 1st AD Steve Glanzrock spoke about the governance of the Guild, and described the makeup of the DGA’s Constitution and Bylaws; the National Board, Councils, and Committees; the reasons for the Annual Meetings; and explained how any member may bring an issue to the Council’s attention.
Council member Michelle (Shelly) Keiser spoke about the responsibilities of DGA membership including the key item that members may only work for employers who are signatory to a Guild contract, and how members need to report their work and alert the Guild to attempts to violate the contracts.
Council member Ellen Athena Catsikeas took the other side of that equation with a discussion about the privileges of DGA membership including the benefits of the Pension and Health Plans; Residuals; DGA publications, screenings and events; and more.
Council Alternate and Location Manager Michael Kriaris spoke about the importance of maintaining good community relations while working on location and how to avoid the dreaded ‘Not In My Backyard’ backlash by simply being a good neighbor.
Director Gary Donatelli spoke about the importance of supporting the DGA PAC in its ongoing fight for the rights of all DGA members through intelligent legislation.
DGA Administrative Assistant Yara Gharib led members on a brief tutorial of the services available for members via the DGA website such the ability to conduct business with the Guild online, and how to sign in to your personal account.
The orientation ended with a Q&A session moderated by Reichman where new members could ask questions of the Council members and DGA staff.
All attendees were invited to stay for dinner and the Eastern AD/UPM Council meeting which immediately followed.
About the Council
The Eastern AD/UPM Council is the elected body that represents the Assistant Director and Unit Production Manager members of the Guild who reside and/or work in film, television, commercials and new media the East and Midwest regions.