AD/UPM members gathered online on October 11 for a combination informative session on the pulse of AD/UPMs and an orientation for new DGA AD/UPM members during the event “What’s New, What’s Happening.” Hosted by the Western AD/UPM Council’s Education Committee and spearheaded by the Education Committee Co-Chairs, 1st ADs Jennie O’Keefe Armas and John Mattingly, the event was designed to provide updates on the latest developments concerning the DGA contract, insights into current trends within the AD/UPM community and guidance on navigating the Guild for new members.

Following a welcome by 1st AD Xochi Blymyer, the “What’s New, What’s Happening” session began with 1st AD Courtney M. Franklin giving a report on the results of the recent Biennial National Convention that resulted in the election of Director Christopher Nolan as President of the Guild along with a slate of officers and board members including Franklin herself and 1st AD Donald L. Sparks.

2nd AD Committee Co-Chair Stephenie Galvan then spoke about the Committee’s empowerment campaign that aims to highlight new enforcement to prevent non-union workers from taking responsibilities and work that belongs to DGA 2nd ADs. Galvan also discussed the guarantees for hiring and rights for DGA 2nd ADs and shared the avenues to voice concerns via the Guild’s Field Reps.

The third section of the session brought in 1st AD Donald L. Sparks, who gave information about the new Safety Advisor Pilot Program that is working to establish Safety Advisors and enhanced safety requirements on film and TV productions. Blymyer and Sparks ended the panel with a discussion on the California Tax Incentive Program and how the Safety Advisor Program is involved with and affected by this new tax program.

2nd AD Michelle Musser then gave a brief overview of how to navigate the DGA website and take advantage of the services available therein.

The day wrapped with O’Keefe Armas and Mattingly handling the Navigating the DGA segment, a new membership orientation for Western AD/UPM members. Together, they overviewed the Guild’s contracts that guarantee the rights to our members; gave a quick look at the history of negotiations; and explained what the DGA staff does and how they enforce and support members both on-set and off.  The segment included information about Special Projects and the different Committees hosting presentations and seminars that allow DGA members to showcase their craft and incentivize creative exploration. O’Keefe Armas and Mattingly also covered the history of the DGA-Producer Pension & Health Plans; and gave information about the Directors Guild Foundation and the DGA PAC. They also revealed how the DGA’s Constitution and Government structures run to support our members. Rounding out their presentation, they delved into membership responsibilities; shared details on choosing a production center and a local employment address; and covered the annual membership meeting. Following the presentation, the panelists fielded questions from the online audience.

The membership orientation aspect of the event, “Navigating the DGA” with O’Keefe Armas and Mattingly was recorded and will be on the website soon.

See video from this event in the gallery below.

About the Panelists:

1st AD Jennie O’Keefe Armas  O’Keefe Armas’ Assistant Directing credits include episodes of Monster: The Ed Gein Story, The Rookie Feds, The Rookie, American Crime Story, Why Women Kill, Glee, I Am The Night, Lucifer, Veep, The Office, Arrested Development, The Closer and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, A DGA member since 1999, O’Keefe Armas has served as an Associate member of the National Board, as the 1st Vice Chair of the Western AD/UPM Council and as a member of the Negotiations Committee. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Council’s Education Committee.

1st AD John Mattingly  Mattingly’s Assistant Directing credits include features such as Rachel Feldman’s Lilly and James Steven Sadwith’s Coming Through the Rye; and episodes of Side Quest, Good Trouble, Party Down, South Side, On My Block, Black Lightning, Chance, Rebel, Sweet/Vicious, Filthy Preppy Teen$, Happyland and Awkward. Mattingly has been a DGA member since 2008 and currently serves on the Western AD/UPM Council, as Chair of the Council’s Republic of Zoom Planning Committee and Co-Chairs the Council’s Education Committee.

1st AD Xochi Blymyer Blymyer’s Assistant Directing credits include episodes of All American, Animal Kingdom, All American: Homecoming, Black Monday, Diary of a Future President, A.P. Bio, Angie Tribeca, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Fosters, Bones and Welcome to the Family. Blymyer has been a DGA member since 1991 and has served on the Western AD/UPM Council.

1st AD Courtney M. Franklin  Franklin’s Assistant Directing credits include several seasons of Insecure, How to Get Away with Murder and Major Crimes, the pilots of For the People, Shark and Ugly Betty; and feature films including Tim Story’s Barbershop and Adam Shankman’s Bringing Down the House. She was also the 2nd AD on Thomas Schlamme’s DGA Award-winning special, A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote. Her directorial credits include an episode of the series Grand Crew and the short film A Baby Away. A DGA member since 2002, Franklin currently serves as a member of the DGA National Board and previously as an Associate member of the Board and as the Second Vice Chair Western AD/UPM Council. She also served two terms as a co-chair of the African American Steering Committee, as a member of the Negotiations Committee and has been appointed to various sub-committees throughout the Guild.

1st AD Donald L. Sparks  Sparks joined the DGA as a Stage Manager in 1992. Since becoming an Assistant Director, some of his recent credits include feature such as Joachim Rønning’s Tron: Ares, Jeff Nichols’s The Bikeriders, Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Denzel Washington’s A Journal for Jordan, Reinaldo Marcus Green’s King Richard, Dan Gilroy’s Velvet Buzzsaw, Antoine Fuqua’s The Equalizer 2 and Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 and his DGA Award-nominated feature, Arrival. Sparks currently serves as a member of the DGA National Board and the Western AD/UPM Council.

2nd AD Stephenie Galvan Galvan’s Assistant Director credits include features such as Don E. FauntLeRoy’s Gates of Darkness and Ron Oliver’s Grand-Daddy Day Care; and episodes of CSI: Vegas, Into the Dark, For All Mankind, How to Get Away with Murder and Scorpion. Galvan has been a DGA member since 2014 and serves as a Co-Chair of the Second AD Committee and has served on the Western AD/UPM Council and the DGA Diversity Task Force.

2nd AD Michelle Musser  Musser’s Assistant Directing credits include Jeff Wolfe’s feature Outbreak; and episodes of On Call, The Rookie: Feds, From Scratch and NCIS: Los Angeles. Musser has been a DGA member since 2021.

About the Education Committee:

The Western AD/UPM Council Education Committee works to assist and inspire DGA members in achieving their professional goals through continuing education in a dynamic industry.

• For more information on the Western AD/UPM Council, click here to visit their web pages.