June 18, 2017
Dear Members:
“Ain’t no stoppin’ us now — we’re on the move!”
Back in 1979, as I graduated college, that was my song. But everything didn’t go as planned.
Many of you know, before the DGA found me, I was on the edge of nowhere. Directing non-union music videos in New York, no residuals, no pension, no real future. Paying (a lot) for my own health insurance, wondering if this could ever be a career. Replaced on my first feature (non-DGA) by two producers. And I had no recourse.
But getting a shot at directing an episode of television changed all that. I got that card — that card we all hold — and it changed. Suddenly I was part of a community. A community of directors and their teams that changed the trajectory of my life. Suddenly, I had a pension plan (in the days when retirement seemed far, far away.) I now had health insurance — and it was great. But best of all, I had others who shared a desire to help each other, to inspire each other, to protect each other. I could tell my story, and they understood. Often, it was also theirs.
“I know we’ve got a long, long way to go.
And where we’ll end up? I don’t know.”
But I knew I had to start. So, I said, in return, let me begin to help. Let me be a part of continuing this amazing thing called the Directors Guild of America. And for some reason they let me in, first as co-chair of the African American Steering Committee and then on the Western Directors Council, then three terms as 3rd VP, four as 1st VP — and for the last four years as your President.
The engine that’s propelled our Guild to ever-higher heights has been the active and selfless service of our members. We never would’ve had the kind of remarkable achievements — like excellent compensation, residuals, and health and pension plans — without the participation and drive of so many members for more than 80 years. From Vidor, Ford, Capra and Stevens in our earlier years to Wise, Cates, Apted and Hackford and now my fine fellow officers on the National Board today. Specifically, National VP Vince Misiano, Secretary-Treasurer Michael Apted, and VP’s Betty Thomas, Brooke Kennedy, Thomas Schlamme, Mary Rae Thewlis, Jon Favreau, John LiBretto and Asst. Secretary-Treasurer, Scott Berger. I thank each of you for your wisdom, guidance and great humor.
“We’re gonna get ourselves together, we’re gonna polish up our act.”
And get together we did – with literally hundreds of active members involved in leadership on the National Board, our six Category Councils and our many Committees representing all categories, genres and geographic regions — volunteering their time and energy to be part of the Guild’s leadership. They work hand-in-hand with the Guild’s top-notch professionals — a group of committed executives and their support staff who dedicate their working lives to protecting and advancing our rights.
Leading our staff for the majority of my tenure was our fearless former National Executive Director (now Senior Advisor) Jay Roth. And we’re in great hands with our new National Executive Director Russ Hollander, who with his more than 15 years of service to the DGA, ensures the continued strength and stability of our Guild. It’s been a big change for the Guild, and I’m betting the smoothness of the transition so far will continue.
“Ain’t no stoppin’ us now! We’ve got the groove....”
I am proud of what we’ve achieved during my tenure. Hands down, getting this new contract with the exceptional progress made on proper residuals for new media streamers like Netflix was a real win for the future. Along with the funding increases to our Pension Plan. Plus the fight to get the California and New York legislatures to pass and renew effective tax incentive programs that have brought production back allowing more members to work where we live. And the fight for inclusion — I feel the tide is finally turning there. And so much more — including our new First-Time Feature and Lifetime Achievement in Television Awards as well as a revamped DGA Quarterly.
Like a certain former U.S. President, I wish I could now just chill with Springsteen and Hanks, maybe go parasailing even though I can’t swim, then pull down 400K for speaking — but that’s not in the cards. Still, I am very proud you asked me to step up here, an episodic director who not long ago was sitting at the back of Committee and Council meetings and just thinking about whether I should get involved. I’m glad I choose to dive in.
“There are so many things that have held us down,
But now it looks like things are finally comin’ ‘round, yeah…”
I hope I’ve listened and represented you well. But what I am assured of is that you, the members, have and will continue to make a difference for the DGA.
One of my favorite director members, who happened to moonlight as a poet, Dr. Maya Angelou once said: “The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud. Somebody who may not look like you. May not call God the same name you call God — if they call God at all. I may not dance your dances or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody. That’s what I think.”
So please continue to help each other, inspire each other, protect each other – be a blessing to each other. Please continue to advocate for the things that matter to you, as so many members have and have yielded changes — for the better. Please continue to be a part of this amazing thing called the Directors Guild of America.
That’s my plan. Because —
“Ain’t no stoppin’ us now…we’re on the move.”
Oh, and lest I forget — thank you for letting me be of service.
Paris Barclay