New Media and Production Apps, the 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon

July 13, 2019

A Western AD/UPM Council 1st AD Committee Event

On July 13, DGA 1st ADs gathered at the DGA headquarters in Los Angeles to celebrate their annual 1st AD luncheon. The event was hosted by the Western AD/UPM Council’s 1st AD Committee and provided attendees with valuable information on new media and production apps from seasoned Guild members.

1st AD Committee Co-Chair Mark Hansson (Amazing Stories) kicked off the event by welcoming the attendees and guest speakers and introducing DGA Assistant Executive Director Steven Knauss, the executive assigned to work with the Council.

In the first section of the event, DGA AD/UPM VFX/Digital Technology Committee Chair Susan Zwerman and 1st AD Daniel Silverberg (Thunderforce) delivered a PowerPoint presentation on selected production apps useful to members of this category. Zwerman and Silverberg also provided handouts and answered audience questions about those apps at the end of their presentation.

In the second section of the day, Hansson introduced 1st AD panelists: Jason C. Brown (Drunk History), Kelly Cantley-Kashima (The Office), Billy Greenfield (Dollface) and Shawn Pipkin-West (Sorry for Your Loss), who each shared brief anecdotes about working in new media in a conversation moderated by Jill Maxcy (What/If) and Hansson. After their introductions, the panelists also gave their perspectives on a variety of subjects including: the advantages and challenges of working in new media, the current terms and conditions of internet production on streaming platforms and how the business has changed during its brief history.

About the Committee

The Western AD/UPM Council’s 1st AD Committee meets to plan events, exchange information, share ideas and address issues facing 1st AD members. In addition to Committee Co-Chairs: Alan B. Curtiss and Mark Hansson, the 1st AD Committee Members are: Tony Adler, David Bernstein, Nicole Burke, Kelly Cantley-Kashima, Steve Danton, Bruce Franklin, Katterli Frauenfelder, Jim Goldthwait, Warren Gray, Van Hayden, Kevin Koster, Larry Lerner, Linda Montanti, Michele Panelli-Venetis, Korey Pollard, Cindy Potthast, Louis Race, Scott Robertson, Artist Robinson, Cathy Schlesinger, Daniel Silverberg, Tracey Smith Baumert, Babu Subramaniam, Carol Vitkay and Shawn Pipkin-West.

For more information click here to visit the AD/UPM Council section and log in as a member to view the committee pages.

Pictures

photos by Elisa Haber

View slideshow

(Standing): Western AD/UPM Council’s 1st AD Committee Co-Chairs Alan B. Curtiss and Mark Hansson (moderator) with 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon panelists (L-R Front row): 1st AD Committee members Jill Maxcy (moderator) and Daniel Silverberg, DGA AD/UPM VFX/Digital Technology Committee Chair Susan Zwerman, and 1st ADs Jason C. Brown, Shawn Pipkin-West and Billy Greenfield. (Not pictured: Kelly Cantley-Kashima.)

DGA 1st ADs gather in the Los Angeles Boardroom for New Media and Production Apps, the Western AD/UPM Council’s 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon.

The Western AD/UPM Council’s 1st AD Committee Co-Chair Mark Hansson welcomes everyone to New Media and Production Apps, the Council’s 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon.

The Western AD/UPM Council’s 1st AD Committee Co-Chair Alan B. Curtiss attends New Media and Production Apps, the 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon.

1st AD Committee member Daniel Silverberg and DGA AD/UPM VFX/Digital Technology Committee Chair Susan Zwerman delivered a PowerPoint presentation on selected production apps useful to members of this category.

DGA 1st ADs learn about production apps useful to members of this category during the Western AD/UPM Council’s 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon.

1st AD Committee member Jill Maxcy serves as a moderator of the panel discussion portion of the Western AD/UPM Council’ s 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon.

DGA 1st ADs learn more about working in new media during the Western AD/UPM Council’s 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon.

1st AD Jason C. Brown shares his experience on new media productions during the panel discussion portion of the Western AD/UPM Council’ s 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon.

1st AD Kelly Cantley-Kashima gives her perspective on the challenges of working on new media productions.

DGA 1st ADs learn more about working in new media during the Western AD/UPM Council’s 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon.

1st AD Billy Greenfield speaks about the advantages of working on new media productions.

1st AD Shawn Pipkin-West shares a brief anecdote about working on new media productions.

DGA 1st ADs learn more about working in new media during the Western AD/UPM Council’s 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon.

1st AD Elenie A. Mansalis asks the panelists a question during New Media and Production Apps, the Western AD/UPM Council’s 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon.

Council member Joseph MJ Moore chats with 1st AD Shawn Pipkin-West following the Western AD/UPM Council’s 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon.

1st AD Billy Greenfield chats with fellow 1st AD members following the Western AD/UPM Council’s 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon.

13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon panelists pose with members of the Committee
(standing): Committee members Cathy Schlesinger, Babu Subramaniam, Alan B. Curtiss (Co-Chair), Tony Adler, Nicole Burke, Cindy Potthast, Mark Hansson (Co-Chair/moderator), Larry Lerner, Bruce Franklin and Carol Vitkay. (seated): 13th Annual 1st AD Luncheon panelists: 1st AD Committee members Jill Maxcy (moderator) and Daniel Silverberg, DGA AD/UPM VFX/Digital Technology Committee Chair Susan Zwerman, and 1st ADs Jason C. Brown, Shawn Pipkin-West and Billy Greenfield. (Not pictured: Kelly Cantley-Kashima.)

Calendar

8/12/2025 - 8/18/2025