The DGA’s newest AD/UPM members were given a primer on the workings of their Guild on Saturday, August 16 at the Western AD/UPM/TC Council’s Navigating the DGA. Held in the Guild’s Los Angeles boardroom, the seminar gave detailed information about DGA benefits, Guild activities and issues directly affecting ADs and UPMs, presented by experienced members and DGA staff.

Western AD/UPM/TC Council Chair Cleve Landsberg welcomed the participants and introduced the DGA members and staff responsible for the day’s programming. DGA-Producer Pension & Health Plans representatives Crystal Chiem and Michael Alcantara presented information on benefits and services available to DGA members, and DGA National Board Member/UPM Herb Adelman gave a brief history of the Guild. Associate National Board Member Liz Ryan, and Council member Jim Goldthwait explained how to satisfy Guild requirements before, during and after a job; and AD/UPM/TC Mentor Committee Chair Randy Turrow distributed a handy list of information sources. In the Frequently Asked Questions session 1st AD Lee Blaine explained how the DGA assists members working in commercials; 1st AD Bob Lewis spoke about the Availability Lists, Qualifications Lists (QL), and Low-Budget Agreements; and DGA Contracts Administrator Barbara Berman revealed the inner workings of the DGA Contracts Department and how Field Reps protect the membership.

The morning concluded with a general questions and answers session followed by one-on-one discussions and an informal mixer.