Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1507954
2 2 I D G A M O N T H L Y See more detailed descriptions, additional photos, podcasts and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup In August, DGA members attended firearms safety training courses in Atlanta and Chicago. Hosted by the Guild in conjunction with the Assistant Director Training Plan of New York, these invitation-only sessions focused on safety concerns and procedures for the use of prop firearms on set, while allowing the production to achieve the desired visual effects. The Georgia sessions were hands-on trainings held at the Atlanta's IATSE Local 479 on August 16-17 and led by instructors Milot Krasniqi, Barbara Kastner and Joel Tarantino. The Midwest trainings took place at the MBS group in Chicago on August 30 and were organized in conjunction with IATSE Local 476 Training Coordinator Jim Harnett and taught by ISS Weapons Assistant Manager/Class Trainer Larry Zanoff. The trainings covered subjects including: Industry-wide Safety bulletin #1 & #2 and how and when to apply them; the types of firearms used as props in the entertainment industry; the types of blank ammunition used on set; how to protect the cast, crew and equipment from hazards associated with the use of firearms on set; compliance with local, state, federal and international laws; best practices for production meetings, safety meetings, rehearsals and handling actor/talent issues; security and transportation of firearms; the role of the on-set armorer and how to vet them; interacting with other departments such as SFX and stunts; and interacting with local law enforcement, fire marshals and other outside officials. photos: 1. DGA Members attend the firearms safety training course at the MBS group in Chicago, IL. 2. DGA Members attend the training course at the IATSE Local 479 in Atlanta, GA DGA Members Attend Firearms Safety Courses in Atlanta and Chicago For more information about the Guild's commitment to Safety issues, visit the Safety Initiatives section at www.dga.org/Initiatives/Safety-Issues 2 1 photos by DGA Staff On September 9, the Eastern AD/UPM Council's Eastern Regional Committee hosted the online event, Health, Wealth & Happiness: An Overview of the Health and Pension Plan. The event was designed to discuss opportunities and resources available to members that live outside of major production centers. In a conversation moderated by 1st AD Philip L. Hardage; UPM Mary Rae Thewlis; 1st ADs Stephen A. Glanzrock, Renee Hill-Sweet, Jason Inman and Michele A. Panelli-Venetis; and 2nd AD Lisa Mall shared their stories helpful tips for accessing and utilizing the DGA-Producer Pension & Health Plans. Mall covered the section on Qualifying for the Health Plan and Hill-Sweet gave an overview of Health Plan Benefits with Inman doing likewise for Pension Plan Benefits. Acting as guest speakers were Thewlis, who serves as a trustee of the DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plan, and Glanzrock and Panelli-Venetis lent the benefit of their personal experiences dealing with these benefits. Image: (Top Row) 1st AD Philip L. Hardage (moderator), UPM Mary Rae Thewlis, 1st ADs Stephen A. Glanzrock and Renee Hill-Sweet. (Bottom Row) 1st ADs Jason Inman and Michele A. Panelli-Venetis, 2nd AD Lisa Mall and Eastern Regional Committee Chair Alison Rosa. Eastern AD/UPM Council's Eastern Regional Committee Hosts Panel Discussion — Health, Wealth & Happiness: An Overview of the Health and Pension Plan DGA members in the New York Area can learn more about their benefits by scheduling a private meeting with a DGA-Producer Pension and Health Plans representative from October 11-13, or attending the DGA Health Fair in NY on October 14 (see page 8 for details). Los Angeles-based members can schedule an in-person meeting and any member can make an appointment for a phone meeting with a DGA-Producer Pension and Health representative at any time by calling (323) 866-2200.