The overall theme of the morning was, “How can the DGA help 1st ADs do their jobs more effectively and how can we help each other become better and more informed leaders?” said 1st AD Mark Hansson, who served both as organizer and moderator. “The event was intended to be partly social, partly instructive and partly interactive.”
Following welcoming remarks by Council Chair Cleve Landsberg and Hansson, the attendees were introduced to AD/UPM council members Alan Curtiss and Katerli Frauenfelder, and well known 1st ADs Arthur Anderson, Van Hayden, Aldric Porter and Ellen Schwartz, all of whom served as co-hosts for the discussion groups that followed. Led by the co-hosts these discussion groups of 10-12 people explored such topics as: dealing with studios and production companies, the encroaching power of non-DGA personnel such as Line Producers and Production Supervisors, and interacting with other DGA production members. After 90 minutes of these discussions, the entire group reconvened and the co-hosts/group leaders reported back on their group results.
“The focus groups gave 1st ADs an opportunity to speak out about their concerns in an open forum,” said co-host Frauenfelder. “It was great to finally be able to come together to compare notes, or at the very least, put faces to names.”
To follow up on the enthusiasm generated by the breakfast, the co-hosts and First AD members of the AD/UPM council will be meeting in August to plan an agenda for future activities.
“We hope to take the momentum we created on July 15th and channel it into regular 1st AD events,” said Hansson. “The dialogue can continue, while strengthening our professional bonds and improving working conditions for the DGA team and the industry as a whole.”
