July 26, 2022
DGA Eastern Executive Director Neil Dudich has been appointed Co-Chair of the first-ever New York Film, Television and Commercial Production Industry Council. Made up of leaders from SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, Teamsters, HBO, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Steiner Studios and the MPA, as well as other production organizations, the Council was created by New York City Mayor Eric Adams as part of his "Rebuild, Renew Reinvent" economic recovery blueprint to strengthen the film and television industry. The Council will serve as an important communication channel between the production industry and New York City government.
“It is an honor to be asked to help lead a group of distinguished film, television and commercial industry veterans to advise Mayor Eric Adams on policy recommendations which will reinforce New York City's place as a top production destination in the world,” said Dudich. “We thank Mayor Adams for his commitment to working New Yorkers and the arts and for recognizing the film, television and commercial industries as a key driver of economic growth and a provider of high-quality union jobs with outstanding compensation and benefits.”
Dudich will serve as co-chair alongside DGA UPM, Executive Producer and NY COVID Protection Response Alliance Co-Chair April Taylor. DGA Eastern AD/UPM Council Chair Canella Williams-Larrabee and DGA members Ryan Ferguson and Santiago Quinones will also serve as part of the Council.
The “Rebuild, Renew Reinvent” initiative also includes the appointment of former DGA member Kwame Amoaku as Deputy Commissioner in the Film Office of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) as well as the signing of Executive Order 21 in support of the film and television industry.
For more information and a complete list of Council members, click here.