Utilizing the Guild’s telecommunications equipment, members from each Council were able to view and hear each other on television monitors and discuss matters ranging from negotiation issues to suggestions for AD/SM/PA category members to be included in the DGA Special Projects Committee’s Visual History Project. According to those involved, it has proved a much more effective method of keeping abreast of each other than simply reading each council’s minutes.
“This was our third video conference,” said Western AD/SM/PA Council Chair Scott L. Rindenow. “The idea was to bring both councils together without anyone having to travel, other than to the Guild offices. We wanted to share our issues and concerns with each other from the perspectives of both coasts. It gives us a wonderful opportunity to put faces to names and build closer ties between the two councils. You really do feel like you’re in one room having a meeting and talking about subjects that have an impact on all of us.”
“Our joint conferences represent a collective effort in the AD/SM/PA categories to build a national community among our members," added Eastern AD/SM/PA Council Chair Dennis W. Mazzocco. “We found there were more issues that unite us, than divide us. Our Council membership offers fellowship, professional networking, and the chance to become a small part of a national production community. These bi-coastal videoconferences make me proud to be a member of one of the most important craft guilds in the world.”
The Councils try to conduct these videoconferences at least twice a year. Having them on Saturday mornings as opposed to the usual weeknight meetings serves a double purpose of being able to bridge the time differences between the coasts, and making it possible for members who are not free on weeknights to attend a council meeting. The next AD/SM/PAs Conduct Bi-Coastal Videoconference is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, June 10, 2006.
