Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1222176
A P R I L 2 0 2 0 I 1 5 DGA Holds Orientation Course for First-Time Episodic Directors On Saturday, February 22 the DGA's Orientation Course for Episodic Television Directors held a session in Los Angeles. Directors Mary Lou Belli (NCIS: New Orleans), Anton Cropper (Black-ish), Jody Margolin Hahn (The Conners) and Fred Savage (Modern Family) were the instructors who provided training for the attending first-time episodic television directors on their role, responsibilities and obligations. About the Program The orientation was codified in the 2017 Basic Agreement and the program was launched in July of that year. In each course, the participants also learned about the standards of the craft, their creative rights as directors and the Guild resources available to them. The attendees also received valuable advice and learned the best practices to help them succeed from some of the top directors working today. See more detailed descriptions and additional photos are posted online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup DGA PAC Leadership Council meets with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) On Saturday, February 22, the DGA PAC Leadership Council held a brunch meeting with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) at the Guild's headquarters in Los Angeles. First elected to the Senate in 1996, Durbin is Illinois' senior U.S. Senator and is currently in his fourth term. His Democratic colleagues have elected him their Whip since 2005 – the second highest position in the Senate's Democratic leadership. He currently sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where he serves as the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration. On the Judiciary Committee, he plays an important role in setting policy on a broad range of intellectual property issues and has been a leader in the fight to close copyright loopholes and strengthen copyright enforcement. He is also a member on the Senate Appropriations and Rules Committees. During his tenure, Durbin has been an influential and well-respected leader in Washington who has remains a staunch supporter of directors and other creative professionals. Prior to joining the Senate, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983-1997. During the lively discussion, the Senator reiterated his support for defending multiemployer pension plans and strengthening copyright enforcement, both domestically and internationally. This was Senator Durbin's second Leadership Council meeting and the 110th such meeting hosted by the DGA PAC. Photos: 1. Front Row: Director Donald Petrie, DGA PAC Co-Chair Jerry Zucker, DGA Secretary-Treasurer Betty Thomas, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), DGA President Thomas Schlamme, 1st AD Linda Montanti, UPM Jodi Ehrlich, 2nd AD Cara McCastlain Fisher, UPM Kathleen McGill. Back Row: Directors Rosemary Rodriguez, Millicent Shelton, Peter Weller, John Bowab, Jeremiah Chechick, Arthur Allan Seidelman and Stacey K. Black, 1st AD Shawn Pipkin-West, Director Owen Renfroe, 1st AD Kevin Koster, UPM Duncan Henderson and Director Bob Kozicki. 2-3. Senator Durbin chats with Guild leaders and members of the DGA PAC Leadership Council. photos by Shane Karns 2 3 1 For more information about these courses and photos from previous sessions, visit their webpage in the Employer's section of www.dga.org.