On June 12, DGA 1st ADs received valuable information on the business aspects of their profession via virtual panel discussions with veteran 1st ADs and guest speakers during the Eastern AD/UPM Council’s 1st AD Committee’s event The Business of Being an Assistant Director.
Moderated by 1st AD Committee Co-Chairs Joseph Reidy, Karen Kane and Shelly Keiser, the event featured discussions with Accountant Shelly Jacobson Taylor - EA, CPA, the owner of SJ Associates NYC, LLC; and Agent Matt Coatsworth from the United Talent Agency.
The discussion broached subjects that included: working with an accountant, tax planning for the freelancer, considerations for incorporation, considerations for getting an agent, how an agent can work for an Assistant Director, the art of negotiating for oneself, and how to realize your worth.
The attendees were then given the opportunity to have their specific questions answered and share some of their own experiences on these subjects.
About the Committee
The Eastern AD/UPM Council First Assistant Directors Committee addresses issues that concern the members of this category and encourages dialogue amongst members in an effort to bring awareness, devise solutions to problems and continue education and growth. In addition to Co-Chairs Karen Kane, Shelly Keiser and Joseph Reidy, the Committee members are: Tim Bird, Julie Bloom, H.H. Cooper, Neil Daly, Charlie Foster, Jude Gorjanc, Louis Guerra, Mike Hausman, Michael Lerman, John Lowe, Amy Lynn, Colin MacLellan, Patrick Mangan, Mark McGann, Howard McMaster, Maggie Murphy, Francisco Ortiz, Rich Patrick, Tony Phillippe, Michelle Regina, Curtis Smith, Michael Steele, Rebecca Strickland, Chris Surgent, Chris Swartout and Shelly Ziegler.