Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1531609
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 5 I 5 Dear Members, As we enter 2025, we find our individual and collective wills facing yet another extraordinarily difficult challenge. The devastating wildfires across the Los Angeles area have left a profound mark on the communities in which so many of us live, work, and create. As Lesli said in her email to the membership, these communities – from the Palisades, Malibu, Altadena, Pasadena and beyond – are places we love and cherish, places in which we have strong roots, and to feel it is burning all around us has been heartbreaking. Yet, amid this heartbreak, both Lesli and I have been inspired by the strength, resilience, and humanity of our DGA family. It is no secret that the past several years have been challenging for our industry. Between the pandemic, industry strikes, and mounting economic pressures reshaping film and television, many of us had looked to 2025 to be a year of resurgence. It is in moments like these when the DGA's 19,000 members come together in unity to overcome shared challenges that we are at our best. Whether it's advocating for safe working conditions, ensuring members receive every dollar they deserve, or supporting personal and professional growth, we remain steadfast in our commitment to empowering our members. Because when DGA members thrive, our entire industry flourishes. Since the fires began, the Guild has mobilized to support those directly affected. Through this effort, led by Associate National Executive Director/Western Executive Director Rebecca Rhine, our response team has been working tirelessly to reach out personally to any member who has lost their home or been heavily impacted. We have also been in touch directly with members living in fire-impacted areas to provide them with information about financial, mental health and other resources available to them through the DGA, the Directors Guild Foundation and the enumerable industry, governmental, and private organizations available to them. For those impacted by this emergency, the Guild has established a centralized team to guide them to resources or answer questions. This team can be reached by email wildfireassistance@dga.org. We have also compiled and continue to update a comprehensive resource list, which is available on the DGA website. And, the Directors Guild Foundation has committed $250,000 to a new disaster relief fund to be administered by the MPTF that will provide immediate financial grants to those impacted by the wildfires. The DGA has authorized an additional $100,000 to support this effort. Together, these commitments underscore our dedication to helping our members rebuild their lives. For those who wish to help, we encourage you to donate to the Directors Guild Foundation at www.directorsguildfoundation.org. While this tragedy has underscored the fragility of our recovery, it has also strengthened our resolve to rebuild, protect, and grow our community. Thank you for your trust and resilience during these difficult times. The DGA is here for you, and we will continue to stand together, offering support and finding strength in one another. Here's to a year of rebuilding, growth, and hope. Sincerely, Russell Hollander National Executive Director Russell Hollander An Update from National Executive Director Russell Hollander