DGA Monthly

4 0 I D G A M O N T H L Y See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Committee & Council Meeting Events Roundup On April 27, the Focus on Women Committee (FOWC) hosted a discussion, with DGA Award-winning Director Smriti Mundhra about how she transitioned from documentary work to episodic television. In a conversation moderated by FOWC Co-Chair Annetta Marion, Mundhra explained that though they are different genres, documentary directors possess valuable skills that can be utilized on a television set, such as how the ability to talk to subjects in a documentary is like directing actors in a scene. She also shared advice she was given before starting her first episode and answered questions from the audience to close the panel. Mundhra won the DGA Award for Outstanding directorial achievement in Children's Programs for her work on Through Our Eyes, "Shelter." Image: (Clockwise) Director Smriti Mundhra and FOWC Co-Chairs Annetta Marion (moderator), Maggie Greenwald and Joyce Thomas. From Documentary to Episodic A Focus on Women Committee Event For more information and photos from previous sessions, visit the Employer's section of www.dga.org. DGA Holds Orientation Course for First-Time Episodic Directors On May 7, the DGA's Orientation Course for Episodic Television Directors held another online session. Directors Kevin Dowling (Charmed), Valerie Weiss (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds) and Andy Wolk (Station 19) 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. On April 30, the Eastern AD/UPM Council's Location Manager (LM) Committee hosted a Location Manager Coffeetalk. The virtual event was an opportunity for LMs in New York and Chicago to discuss a wide array of topics and share valuable skills with each other. The event featured Committee Co-Chairs Ellen Athena Catsikeas and Ryan Ferguson and Committee members Christie Mullen, Lynn Powers and Morgan Roche in a series of discussions that covered topics including: best practices for negotiating one's individual rate and terms of employment on projects, working with Location Department team members affiliated with other unions, and the industry's ongoing dialogue with the New York Mayor's Office. Members also reviewed DGA contractual topics affecting LMs such as jurisdiction/ minimum staffing and Qualification List requirements. The Coffeetalk concluded with an open forum where attendees could ask questions or provide comments. Image: (Clockwise) LM Committee Co-Chairs Ellen A. Catsikeas & Ryan Ferguson and Committee members Christie Mullen, Lynn Powers & Morgan Roche. Location Managers Coffeetalk — An Eastern AD/UPM Council's LM Committee Event

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