Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/618780
riving down Sunset Boulevard, one can see Gil Cates' imprint on the Directors Guild of America. As president from 1983 to 1987, he helped spearhead construction of the DGA's distinctive cylindrical headquarters. However, Cates' accomplishments inside the building were even greater. Born and raised in the Bronx, Cates joined the New York-based Radio & Television Directors Guild before its historic merger in 1960 with the Screen Directors Guild. He was a mem- ber of the DGA board from 1975 until his death in 2011 and after his presidency served as secretary- treasurer. He was a part of the Guild's negotiations committee in the '80s and later was chair of the Guild's negotiations commit- tee—in 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2011—establishing the industry template for new media residu- als and making essential gains for the Guild's health plan. As presi- dent, he led the Guild's one and only strike in 1987, helped broker the first pay TV contract with HBO, created an agree- ment for low-budget films, and encouraged diversity, among many other accomplishments. "The guys who originally started the Guild really got together because of this magic thing of wanting as much power as they could over telling their sto- ries," Cates said. "To me, if you talk about the Direc- tors Guild and leave out the point of trying to have one person reach the spirit of other people, then you're really missing the whole point of the Guild." DGA.org/Cates TO SERVE AND PROTECT 1983 1984 Gilbert Cates Elected DGA President >Serves 1983-1987 DGA Battles Discrimination >Guild files suit in U.S. District Court on behalf of the Women's Steering Committee against Warner Bros. and Columbia Pictures, alleging discrimi- natory hiring practices. Support for Low-Budget Films >National Board approves Low Budget Theatrical Contract in which produc- tions under $2.5 million can defer one-half of the DGA minimum. Pension Plan Pays Out Its 100 Millionth Dollar GIL CATES " I always loved the Guild, the camaraderie in it, the fellowship of the men and women. And I always felt that the DGA was the premier guild of the entertainment industry because of this unique attitude. " The First Robert B. Aldrich Award Given for Extraordinary Guild Service >Robert E. Wise is first recipient. "From conception to delivery, the DGA's low- budget agreements helped bring Juno to life." —JASON REITMAN 1985 New Headquarters >Membership approves construction of a six-story headquarters at 7920 Sunset Blvd. (Left to right) President Gil Cates and past Presidents George Sidney, George Schaefer, Delbert Mann, and Robert Wise break ground for the new headquarters. "Gil often said that the Guild was one of the biggest loves of his life, and he showed it every day for more than 50 years. We relied on his humor, his wisdom, and his ability to cut to the heart of the matter." —JAY D. ROTH dga quarterly 47 PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE, TOP RIGHT) MICHAEL KELLEY; DGA ARCHIVES; PARAMOUNT PICTURES; DGA ARCHIVES (2) D