Austin co-creator and director Darren Ashton took over Rowan Woods as president of the Australian Director’s Guild (ADG) as the organization faces an increase in financial adversity.
In the back of the C21 article where ADG claimed it was “on the brink of collapse,” the guild announced the appointment of Ahston using the regular E-News Bulletin, and although the language was extreme, the storyline was The information is extreme. It was right.
In a joint statement, Woods, Ashton and executive director Sophie Harper said the rising costs coupled with reduced sponsorships and grants led the ADG. You shouldn’t continue.”
“Rowan Woods, Sophie Harper and the ADG Leadership Team have been working together for a year to reset the guild’s financial trajectory,” they said.
“We have reduced costs and consulted with industry and governments. We are seeking immediate support through donations and grants, investigating on ongoing fundraising mechanisms, such as taxation.”
They went on to highlight the production collections paid to support producers’ benefits through Australian producers. In turn, the wider industry.”
“Directors, writers and producers are in the connection between screen leadership and authors,” they said.
“As a group, our guild will be stronger in advocacy on streaming quotas, AI, and other issues affecting the industry as a whole. Everything will benefit.”
The trio also said the guild is looking for new ways to work with sister organizations. The Australian screen director author emphasizes that, before increasing support and streamlining costs, “emphasis on a full commitment to solving problems to provide the maximum value and impact of membership through industrial support.” “The Advocacy, Meetings, Awards and Career Support Programs” said.
“These arguments refer to successful AWG/AWGACS management models and take into account the governance structure of ADGs that sometimes function against efficiency,” they said.
“Your support for ADG as Australia’s screen director and our collective solidarity has become more important than ever as we work together towards a stronger, more sustainable future. .”
In another statement, Ashton honoured Woods’ “intelligent” leadership over the past three years, defending supervisory rights and creative expression, and saying he was “dismissed” to build a union.
“For 40 years, ADG has had a lot of industry and government support, but somewhere along the line, it fell,” he said.
“The rising tide lifts all the ships, so I am chasing it with passion, and it is time to lift the tide.
“We have extraordinary talent in this country, and our supervision is world class. To solve production problems, solve production problems and supply quality with less salaries than other crew members. , often on the shoulders of directors. I have enough and I know that many of our managers’ fellows have.”
Harper, who took over as executive director in 2023, did not write words in a statement, acknowledging that the guild was “in danger.”
“Without urgent support, the momentum we have established should be lost through defending fair wages, working conditions and creative rights,” she said.
“We are determined to ensure a strong and healthy future not only for ADG, but for Australian directors, screen stories and the industry,” she said.
