Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/850798
4 I D G A M O N T H L Y "It is a tremendous honor to be chosen by my peers to lead our Guild, and I greatly look forward to taking on the challenges facing our membership and industry," said Schlamme to the assembled delegates after the vote. "We have a more than 80-year foundation of leadership. Our strength comes from our solidarity and our ability to anticipate the future. Regardless of what lies ahead, I'm optimistic that our approach assures we are well prepared to protect our creative and economic rights. I am committed to representing the entire membership, and optimistic about tackling the world of tomorrow together." "It has been a privilege to serve this extraordinary Guild as President, and with Tommy taking the reins, I am confident the DGA is in good hands," said outgoing President Paris Barclay. "We are the gold standard because of our strong leadership of active working directors, and Tommy is not only a leading television director who has helped shape the very landscape of the medium, he has served our Guild for years advancing our interests. I'm thrilled to see him take on this role, and know he'll do a tremendous job guiding us into the future." "Tommy's expertise in new media, and his in-depth understanding of new means of distribution were integral to the success of our negotiations, most recently when we achieved unprecedented gains in subscription video on demand residuals," said Secretary-Treasurer Michael Apted, who served as Schlamme's Co-Chair on the 2014 and 2017 Negotiating Committees. "He is the clear choice to lead our Guild through the obstacles of tomorrow." "The future is upon us and there is no room for complacency, that's why I want Tommy in the lead," said Betty Thomas when placing Schlamme's name in nomination. "Through nuance and guts he's led us to better and better contracts. There is nobody better prepared or better suited for this role than Tommy Schlamme." "We are proud to have Tommy as our new President; he represents the interests of all our members across every category and region," said National Vice President Vincent Misiano. Schlamme is known for his groundbreaking work in television dramas. He began his career directing cutting- edge music videos and concert films for Bette Midler in the 1980s, moving from there to directing Whoopi Goldberg and Robert Klein comedy specials for HBO. His feature film directing credits include So I Married an Axe Murderer, You So Crazy and Miss Firecracker. Movie for television credits include Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long and Crazy from the Heart. Shifting to episodic television, Mr. Schlamme produced and directed Tracey Ullman's critically acclaimed series Tracey Takes On..., for which he received an Emmy Award, after which he began directing numerous episodes of such hit television series as Mad About You, Friends, Ally McBeal, The Practice, Chicago Hope, and ER, for which he won an Emmy nomination for direction of his remarkable live episode. Mr. Schlamme's long lasting and productive collaboration with writer Aaron Sorkin led to his directing and executive producing three shows together: West Wing, Sports Night, and Studio 60. Thomas Schlamme Elected DGA President: National Board and Officers Elected Director Thomas Schlamme was elected President of the Directors Guild of America by acclamation at the Guild's National Biennial Convention held on June 24 at DGA National Headquarters in Los Angeles. Additionally, 147 delegates representing more than 17,000 members of the DGA elected a new slate of officers and members of the National Board of Directors. DGA President Thomas Schlamme