February 1, 2010
DGA President Taylor Hackford announced today that Secretary-Treasurer Gil Cates has accepted the position of Chair of the Feature Film and Television Negotiating Committee. The DGA National Board approved the appointment at its board meeting on Sunday.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have the benefit of Gil's many years of experience as our chief negotiator once again," said Hackford. "We are in very good hands and trust Gil to guide us as he has in the past to a very successful negotiation."
"The Guild believes that preparation is key to a successful negotiation," said Cates. "Armed with our extensive, continually-updated research, we will be in good stead to begin negotiations when the time comes."
The DGA's current three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) expires on June 30, 2011.
Cates, who served two terms as DGA President from 1983-1987, most recently chaired the Negotiating Committee in the 2002, 2005 and 2008 rounds of contract talks with the AMPTP. He has been an active member of the DGA's National Board for 25 years. He is a distinguished feature film and television director who has also produced a record 14 Academy Awards® broadcasts. He also currently serves as the producing director of the Geffen Playhouse.
The Guild expects to appoint full Negotiating Committees in the spring of this year.