Western AD/UPM Council

The Western AD/UPM Council is the elected body that represents the more than 3,200 Assistant Director and Unit Production Manager members of the Guild who reside and/or work in film, television, commercials and new media the Western Region. In accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the DGA, the Council is comprised of 16 members and 10 alternate members who meet the criteria for these categories.

This section provides AD/UPM members with information that is specific to their categories; and the public with information about the activities of this council. Please click the "more" button for a welcome message from Western AD/UPM Council Chair Linda Montanti. DGA Members, log in for meeting times and other Council information.

Keep-It-Rolling
Keep it Rolling! Multicamera Sitcoms: Then, Now and What's Next
A Western AD/UPM and AD/SM/PA Councils Multi-Cam Committee Panel Discussion
See text and photos from this event featured a panel discussion led by Assistant Directors with deep experience in the multicamera television world.
Keep-It-Rolling
Republic of Zoom: Collective Trauma / Collective Trauma / Collective Healing

Jun 14, 2025

The DGA's first-ever membership meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii provided an opportunity for these members to network with their peers, meet staff, and learn what the Guild is doing to protect and extend their creative and economic rights.

May 3, 2025

See text and photos from this event featured a panel discussion led by Assistant Directors with deep experience in the multicamera television world.

Apr 19, 2025

This session featured a sit down with Dr. Jack Saul for a discussion covering concepts for how to manage, adapt, and heal from the traumatic events.

Feb 1, 2025

See video and coverage from this event that honored Director's team members of the DGA Award-Nominated Projects.

Jan 8, 2025

DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter announced the five nominees for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2024 Jacques Audiard (Emilia PĂ©rez), Sean Baker (Anora), Edward Berger (Conclave), Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) and James Mangold (A Complete Unknown). The nominees for the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film were also announced.

Jan 7, 2025

The DGA announced the nominees in nine categories honoring outstanding directorial achievement in television, commercials and documentary for 2024.

Nov 21, 2024

As part of the Guild’s ongoing efforts to elevate the importance of safety in your workplaces, the 2023-2026 Basic Agreement (BA) and Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement (FLTTA) include requirements for DGA employees to complete additional training courses.

Oct 11, 2024

New DGA members of all categories received vital information about the inner workings of the Guild.

Sep 28, 2024

First Assistant Directors gathered for their annual meeting online and in the Guild’s Los Angeles headquarters. This year’s event covered financial strategies and shared tips on how to film on location when you find yourself in a different state or country.

Sep 20, 2024

When working as a Distant Hire, it’s essential to understand your rights and benefits as the employer has responsibilities for your salary, travel, meals, incidentals, and accommodations

Sep 7, 2024

This event sought to empower members of this category by dispensing knowledge on the digital tools needed to thrive in their work world presented from the perspective of the 2nd AD’s role.

Aug 14, 2024

The DGA supports these programs which are available to help members navigate challenging times and maintain their well-being,

Aug 14, 2024

The DGF is bringing back its immensely popular free course: Financial Training for Freelance Employees.

Aug 3, 2024

The DGA's recent membership meeting and dinner in New Orleans, Louisiana provided an opportunity for these members to network with their peers, meet staff, and learn what the Guild is doing to protect and extend their creative and economic rights.

Jul 24, 2024

As part of the DGA’s ongoing efforts to educate members on recent contract gains, in this installment we highlight an episodic Director’s creative rights when it comes to electronic transmissions.

May 30, 2024

As part of the DGA’s ongoing efforts to educate members on recent contract gains, we’re exploring the new Paid Post-Production for TV Directors and the addition of Juneteenth as a paid holiday.

Mar 16, 2024

See photos and a recap from this panel discussion with members from the DGA and VFX team of Director Zack Snyder’s sci-fi epic, Rebel Moon.

Feb 21, 2024

As part of the DGA’s ongoing efforts to educate members on recent contract gains, the first section we’re highlighting is the Assistant Director workday changes.

Feb 3, 2024

See coverage from this event that honored Director's team members of the DGA Award-Nominated Projects.

Jan 25, 2024

Members: We are pleased to inform you that the DGA has achieved several new material enhancements in wages and working conditions for our members working under the 2023-2026 DGA Basic Agreement and FLTTA. These improvements will go into effect at various points during the term of the Agreements and will benefit members in every category.

Jan 20, 2024

See text and images from this event hosted jointly by the Eastern & Western AD/UPM Councils’ Education Committees.

Jan 10, 2024

DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter announced the five nominees for the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for 2023: Greta Gerwig (Barbie), Yorgos Lanthimos (Poor Things), Christopher Nolan (Oppenheimer), Alexander Payne (The Holdovers) and Martin Scorsese (Killers of the Flower Moon). The nominees for the Michael Apted Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film were also announced.

Dec 27, 2023

UPM Janet Knutsen will become the 38th recipient of the Frank Capra Achievement Award, which is given to an Assistant Director or Unit Production Manager in recognition of their career and service to the industry and the DGA.

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Reminder: New Mandatory Safety Requirements for AD/UPMs and AD/SMs
November 21, 2024
As part of the Guild’s ongoing efforts to elevate the importance of safety in your workplaces, the 2023-2026 Basic Agreement (BA) and Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement (FLTTA) include requirements for DGA employees to complete additional training courses.
Qualification Lists
The DGA Contract Administration (DGACA) maintains lists of individuals who have met the minimum requirements for work as Unit Production Managers, First Assistant Directors, and Second Assistant Directors in the Motion Picture Industry.
Phil Rawlins
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Visual History Interview
UPM and Assistant Director Phil Rawlins discusses how working as a stuntman on the sets of westerns of the 1950s led to a career working on the sets of big budget feature films.
Yudi Bennett
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Visual History Interview
Assistant Director Yudi Bennett shares stories from her extensive career from the early beginnings of the DGA’s Assistant Director Training Program in New York, to the sets of award-winning feature films and television movies.
Abby Singer
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Visual History Interview
Assistant Director and Production Manager Abby Singer talks about his career in features and television, his involvement in the Guild, and his personal perspective on changes in the entertainment industry spanning 50 years.

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