DGA Monthly

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 5 I 2 7 AD/UPM members gathered online on October 11 for a combination informative session and a new member orientation during "What's New, What's Happening" + Navigating the DGA. Presented by the Western AD/UPM Council's Education Committee, the event was designed to provide updates on the latest developments concerning the DGA contract, insights into current trends within the AD/UPM community and guidance on navigating the Guild for new members. Following a welcome by 1st AD Xochi Blymyer, the "What's New, What's Happening" session began with 1st AD Courtney M. Franklin giving a report on the results of the recent Biennial National Convention that resulted in the election of Director Christopher Nolan as president of the Guild along with a slate of officers and board members including Franklin herself and 1st AD Donald L. Sparks. 2nd AD Stephenie Galvan then spoke about the 2nd AD Committee's empowerment campaign that aims to highlight new enforcement to prevent non-union workers from taking responsibilities and work that belongs to DGA 2nd ADs. Galvan also discussed the guarantees for hiring and rights for our 2nd ADs and shared the avenues to voice concerns via the DGA Field Reps. The third section of the segment was hosted by Sparks, who gave information about the new Safety Advisor Pilot Program that establishes enhanced safety requirements for film and TV productions. Blymyer and Sparks ended the panel with a discussion on the California Tax Incentive Program and how the Safety Supervisor Program is involved with and affected by this new tax program. 2nd AD Michelle Musser then gave a brief overview of how to navigate the DGA website and take advantage of the services available therein. The day wrapped with 1st ADs and Education Committee Co-Chairs Jennie O'Keefe Armas and John Mattingly handling the Navigating the DGA segment where they overviewed the Guild's contracts that guarantee the rights of DGA members; gave a quick look at the history of negotiations; explained what the DGA staff does and how they enforce the contracts and support members both on-set and off; referenced the presentations and seminars that allow members to showcase their craft and incentivize creative sharing and exploring; covered the history of the DGA-Producer Pension & Health plan; and detailed how the Guild's constitution and government structures run. Following the presentation, the panelists fielded questions from the online audience. Image Top Row: 1st ADs Xochi Blymyer, Jennie O'Keefe Armas and John Mattingly (Committee Co-Chairs) and Courtney M. Franklin, Second Row: 1st AD Donald L. Sparks and 2nd ADs Stephenie Galvan and Michelle Musser. "What's New, What's Happening" + Navigating the DGA A Western AD/UPM Council Education Committee Event DGA members seeking advice on blocking and shot listing were treated to a variety of methods on September 25 during the Director Development Initiative (DDI) live workshop, Blocking & Shot Listing. Held in the atrium of the Guild's Los Angeles headquarters, Director Maggie Kiley moderated the session where Directors Damian Marcano, Salli Richardson- Whitfield and Viet Nguyen modeled different approaches aid the attendees in preparing for their next episodic directing assignment. Richardson-Whitfield offered practical advice for how Directors can be innovative in their shot lists, and shared tips for how to work collaboratively with a storyboard artist and choreographer when mapping out complicated sequences. Nguyen discussed his method to working as a guest Director across multiple shows, noting how the culture of each show is different and offering strategies for how Directors can assess expectations and balance maintaining the established feel and tone of the show while also contributing their own unique vision. Marcano explained how he prepares himself to direct, highlighting how he effectively navigates communicating his ideas and pivoting in real time without the use of a written shot list. He also shared how his process is informed by the locations where he is shooting, and gave advice for how Directors can creatively incorporate aspects of the location into their shot listing and blocking. Throughout the discussion, Kiley shared insight about her own process as a Director, while posing questions to each speaker to learn more about their individual approaches. She then facilitated an audience Q&A to provide members with an opportunity to further engage and to connect with each other and the speakers. Photo L-R: Directors Maggie Kiley (moderator), Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Damian Marcano and Viet Nguyen. Blocking & Shot Listing A Director Development Initiative Live Workshop photo by Elisa Haber See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. See more detailed descriptions, additional photos and video, where available, online at www.dga.org. DGA Events Roundup

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