On April 24, nearly 30 Assistant Directors were introduced to some of New York's leading First Assistant Directors and Unit Production Managers working in episodic television and feature film during the Eastern Diversity Steering Committee’s (EDSC) and Eastern AD/UPM Council’s Employment and Diversity Mixer for ADs and UPMs. Held at the Guild's New York offices, the invitation-only event provided the opportunity for these qualified women and ethnic minority ADs for an evening of networking and conversation.
This event was an important part of the DGA’s diversity initiative and is geared toward creating more job opportunities for members hailing from sectors statistically underrepresented in the industry. It offered a unique occasion for these ADs to get personal time with the VIP participants.
The event kicked off with a cocktail reception held at the Guild’s New York offices that allowed everyone to get acquainted in an informal setting. Associate National Board member/Eastern AD/UPM Council member Louis J. Guerra introduced the participating UPMs and 1st ADs and spoke about the Guild's ongoing efforts to improve diversity in industry hiring practices by hosting events such as this.
Afterwards the invited ADs participated in interview sessions with a roster that featured:
- UPM Lynn Appelle (Maggie's Plan, Lizzie)
- UPM Tyson Bidner (The Americans)
- 1st AD H.H. Cooper (Star, Mozart in the Jungle)
- UPM Frank Covino (Succession)
- 1st AD Louis Guerra (Orange is the New Black)
- UPM Kati Johnston (Bull)
- 1st AD Karen Kane (Happy Valley)
- UPM Kathy McGill (X-Men: Dark Phoenix)
- 1st AD Howard McMaster (Limitless, Bull)
- UPM Dana Robin (Rampage, Logan)
- UPM April Taylor (Billions)
- UPM Mary Rae Thewlis (The Americans)
- UPM Tom Whelan (Gotham)
Each participating 1st AD and UPM also received an information packet on the participating ADs.
ABOUT THE EDSC
The Eastern Diversity Steering Committee represents the concerns of Guild members of African, Asian, Native American, Arab-Middle Eastern or Latino descent. The EDSC is committed to improving the employment opportunities, working conditions and the skills of ethnically diverse Guild members. The Committee's current Co-Chairs are Directors Alrick Brown and Lee Daniels and Associate Director Joyce A. Thomas.
ABOUT THE EASTERN AD/UPM COUNCIL
The Eastern AD/UPM Council is the elected body that represents the nearly 1,700 Assistant Director and Unit Production Manager members of the Guild who reside and/or work in film, television, commercials and new media the East and Midwest regions. The current Council Officers are: Lyn Pinezich, Chair; Alison Rosa, First Vice Chair; Joe C. Guest, Second Vice Chair; and Jennifer Truelove, Secretary-Treasurer.