Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1333510
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1 I 3 Dear Members: On January 7, we lost one of the great ones in Michael Apted. Ten years ago, almost exactly, Michael chaired our 75th Anniversary commemorating Game Changers across our craft's history. How apropos since it was Michael, himself, who embodied the true definition of a game changer. As a Guild President and leader, a brilliant director, and a visionary, Michael's legacy is one to be celebrated. And we did celebrate him, in 2013 with the Aldrich Award. And again in 2018 when I got my chance to call him onto that stage, this time for his Honorary Life Member Award. One of the definitions of a game changer is someone who is always willing to shake things up and take risks. Michael did just that. Entire volumes can be written about Michael's directing feats and range, from the innovation of his UP series and other documentaries, to his award-winning films and large-scale studio features. That same versatility and boldness shined in his DGA leadership as he skillfully navigated our Guild through times of great change, setting the path for our members and our industry to flourish. Michael first became active at the DGA in the late 90s after experiencing its support for his fight to keep Native American cultural elements in his film Thunderheart. He'd make it his unwavering mission to give back, and in the process would come to personify 21st century Guild leadership. The future and our members were always on Michael's mind – whether fighting for creative and economic rights throughout the digital and streaming revolutions, rallying our industry against the ravages of piracy and runaway production, co-founding the Independent Directors Committee, forming the Diversity Task Force, or planning that yearlong Anniversary celebration befitting of our Guild. Following his three terms as DGA President, Michael would rise to a new challenge in 2011 after the loss of another great and Past President, Gil Cates. Picking up the baton from Gil, he stepped into the seats of Negotiating Co- Chair and Secretary-Treasurer – a position he held until 2019. Michael also knew that for this Guild to be led through the next 75 years, new voices were an imperative. I and so many others were the beneficiaries of his guidance and mentorship. And by his example, we all continue to pay it forward to others. Whether or not you had the good fortune of knowing Michael personally, our growing and diversifying membership all benefit from his legacy– through the rights that allow us to fully express our creative visions; our growing compensation and residuals that keep us financially connected to our work; the inclusive hiring practices our industry adopts; and the top retirement and health benefits that support us so that we can live our dreams. I encourage you to learn more about Michael's life and service in his inspiring DGA visual history on our website and in the following pages, which include poignant remembrances from the Guild leaders with whom he so closely worked. Let us all keep his spirit of dedication to this Guild and one another alive through the example of this extraordinary game changer. Thomas Schlamme DGA President A Message From DGA President Thomas Schlamme