Dear Members:
As I sat down to write this letter at the end of my time as President of our Guild, I find myself filled with a wide range of emotions and so much gratitude, and I can’t help but reflect not only on the years I’ve spent serving this extraordinary community of Directors and directorial teams, but also on the winding path that brought me here.
From the time I was a little girl in Dallas, Texas, swept away by the magic of the dance studio, I learned that the arts can transport us, connect us, and open doors to worlds we never imagined. That love of movement ultimately brought me to our world of film and TV through a serendipitous moment in Tokyo, Japan in front of two coffee shops. By choosing to enter the coffee shop on the right versus the one on the left, it changed my life forever, for in that shop, I met a man who would become my mentor whose personal stories would become the subject of my first short film. And on that set, I knew that directing would be my next chapter. How could anyone anticipate that unlikely path? But that little film opened a door, and I was blessed to mentored by extraordinary Directors — and being so well mentored, I learned the power and importance of mentorship, and grabbing the hand of the next generation and helping to open the door. Over the years, I have been so fortunate to have worked with so many amazing artists and craftspeople… with all these experiences guiding me ultimately to leadership in the DGA. Grateful is the word that comes to mind.
Serving as President of the Directors Guild of America has been one of the greatest privileges of my professional life. Our Guild is built on the backs of storytellers, visionaries and fierce advocates for the creative and economic rights of our members. To have led this extraordinary community has been nothing short of humbling. Over the past 30 years, I’ve watched our members continue to craft stories that are bold, truthful, urgent, and brave — stories that reflect not just the world as it is, but the world as it could be. I’ve seen our Directors and directorial teams rise to unprecedented challenges: navigating a pandemic, negotiating complex contracts, fighting for inclusion and equity, and protecting our creative and economic rights in a rapidly shifting industry and world. I’ve watched women, people of color, and underrepresented voices, not only break barriers, but redefine them. I am proud to say, we will not move backwards — we will move forward — and we will move together.
As President, I have been the fortunate witness to countless moments when the DGA has stood together, lifting up not only our members, but the entire industry. From securing new creative rights protections, to opening new opportunities for greater wage and residual growth, fighting for fairer pay and safer sets, safeguarding our health and pension benefits so members can retire with dignity, securing stronger production tax incentives, and becoming the first union anywhere to negotiate protections for Artificial Intelligence, our collective action has strengthened both our craft and the livelihoods of the DGA community for generations to come. These are the accomplishments of a Guild that comes together, has our backs and works tirelessly to protect our creative and economic rights so that we can focus on what we love — our craft.
But there is still so much to do.
It is no secret that our industry, which is no stranger to rapid change, is experiencing a period of massive transition. The industry contraction from the dual strikes has led to significant unemployment for our members and all industry workers. AI presents both incredible opportunities and concerning unknowns. The rise of streaming and shifting business models have disrupted the rhythms on which many of us built stable careers, and production has become increasingly global and complex.
The DGA has always been there for us through 90 years of change, and this period is no different. We do our research, and we come armed with facts and thoughtfulness, taking the whole industry into consideration. These battles will not be easy, but they are necessary. And they are never won by one individual — they are won through the solidarity of all of us. When we act collectively, when we work together, we can and do change the trajectory of our industry. Our superpower is our community.
The work we’ve done together during my tenure over the past four years was forged in partnership with our incredible national board, our tireless committees and councils, our dedicated staff, and most of all with you — our members. Your trust and passion have inspired me every single day. I may have had the honor of standing at this podium, but it was your voices I carried.
To my fellow Directors, you have reminded me again and again of the power of vision — of a single frame that can speak volumes of a moment between actors that can stir our hearts, of the relentless pursuit of truth on screen, never forgetting the weight and beauty of what we do. To the Assistant Directors, Unit Production Managers, Stage Managers, and Associate Directors — the unsung heroes behind every successful production — your discipline, intelligence, and grace under pressure, are the backbone of our industry. You make the impossible happen day in and day out, and I thank you.
Now, as I pass the baton to the next leader of this incredible Guild, I do it with a heart full of optimism because I know the DGA will continue to lead with courage, with integrity, and with unwavering belief that every member deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. I may be stepping away from this role, but I will always be here. As we know, in this crazy business of ours, being a part of the traveling circus — I used to get so nostalgic at the end of a production but instead of saying goodbye, I now say “see you down the road,” and I know that I will. So, I thank you for your support, your passion, your artistry, and for allowing me the privilege of serving you.
With deep gratitude,
Lesli Linka Glatter
