May 20, 2015
The 2015 DGA Annual Membership Meetings were held at Guild Headquarters in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 12 and at the DGA Theater in New York on Wednesday, May 20. More than 1,000 members were in attendance between the two meetings. President Paris Barclay, Secretary-Treasurer Michael Apted and National Executive Director Jay D. Roth attended both meetings, with President Barclay presiding.
After thanking the contributions of the various councils, committees and the DGA staff, Barclay’s visually enhanced president’s address covered subjects such as:
- A look at the first-year implementation of our current contracts and the current state of labor stability in the industry;
- How DGA residuals are now at record highs;
- Why the growth of New Media means employment for DGA members;
- An overview of the gains in achieved in our 2014 Commercial negotiations;
- How the Guild will continue the fight for more diversity in the industry with increased pressure on the studios and networks;
- The DGA’s role in the successful passage of the California Film and Television Job Retention and Promotion Act;
- How safety on the set will continue to be an issue of paramount importance for the Guild and how the DGA’s safety hotlines are available 24/7;
- How the Guild has more than doubled the number of field reps and expanded the contracts and residuals departments to ensure the enforcement of our contracts.
Barclay wrapped his report with a statement of how proud he is of the DGA, adding “I hope you are equally proud of your Guild. This is an organization that values its heritage, having been guided since its very inception by active working members leading us into the future. Our solidarity is our strength – and when we are united, there is little that can stand in our way. We may not always agree on every issue – with 16,000 strong, there are bound to be differences of opinion along the way. But when we come together we are an indomitable force – protecting the creative and economic rights of all our members – now and into the future.”
In addition to President Barclay's State-of-the-Guild report, attendees of the New York meeting also heard a special address from DGA National Vice President Vincent Misiano that covered items of specific interest to members on the East Coast. The meetings in both locations also featured the following series of reports from Guild officials:
- Secretary/Treasurer’s Report (both locations) – DGA Secretary-Treasurer Michael Apted
- PAC Report Los Angeles – DGA PAC Co-Chair Carl Weathers
- PAC Report New York – DGA Second Vice President Gary Donatelli
- AD/UPM Council West Report – Council West Chair Marie Cantin
- AD/UPM Council East Report – National Board Member Mary Rae Thewlis
- AD/SM/PA Council West Report – Council West Chair Julie Gelfand
- AD/SM/PA Council East Report – Associate National Board Member Dennis W. Mazzocco
- Special Projects Committee Report Los Angeles – Committee Chair Jeremy Kagan
- Special Projects Committee Report New York – Eastern Region Committee Chair Raymond De Felitta
- Directors Guild Foundation Report Los Angeles – DGF Chair Donald Petrie
- Directors Guild Foundation Report New York – DGA Secretary-Treasurer Scott Berger
- Pension and Health Plans Report (both locations) – DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans CEO Lisa Read
Prior to adjournment, the floor was opened to questions from the membership. Members of the Guild's management team were present at both meetings to provide answers and insight. Both events ended with a cocktail reception, giving attendees an opportunity to catch-up with their colleagues.
photos by Byron Gamarro/Los Angeles and Marcie Revens/New York