After 16 years of service to the Guild, DGA Assistant Executive Director Rodney Mitchell will retire from his position as of April 21, 2011.
“I am deeply grateful to Rodney for his dedication to this organization and everything he has done over the years to keep our Guild strong,” said DGA National Executive Director Jay D. Roth in making the announcement. “His work has been truly invaluable.”
Mitchell began his career at the DGA in December 1994, and for much of his tenure at the DGA, he has been responsible for handling new and growing areas for the Guild. When the DGA’s campaign to expand the Guild’s footprint in reality television kicked off several years ago, Mitchell led the charge, working closely with the Reality Committee, which was instrumental in developing strategies and presence in this area. To date, the very successful effort has resulted in the DGA organizing more than 500 shows in the reality genre. Mitchell also negotiates individual new media contracts and special agreements, like the NFL Network on basic cable, which are negotiated on an individual basis to determine rates, conditions and terms as they apply to DGA members, with the goal of ensuring the work is covered by the DGA.
“One of the best moves of my career was to move to the DGA – the jewel in the crown of all the guilds,” said Mitchell. “It’s been very rewarding and challenging, and to have been part of the Guild’s development over the years was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever done.”
In addition to the Reality Committee, Mitchell has also worked closely with several other Councils and Committees. A few years after he joined the DGA, Mitchell became the staff liaison to the diversity committees, a position he filled for several years. He also staffs the Directors Ethics Committee and the San Francisco Coordinating Committee and worked as staff liaison to the AD/SM Council West for much of his time at the Guild.
Among other responsibilities, Mitchell handles negotiations and addresses grievances on behalf of members working in news at the West Coast networks and has participated in multiple Basic Agreement and FLTTA negotiations cycles, specifically addressing concerns related to members working in the AD/SM categories.
Prior to joining the DGA, Mitchell was an executive at the Screen Actors Guild for 14 years. He started his career as an LA County social worker. Born in Washington, DC, Mitchell was raised in Los Angeles.
