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In a sign of Hollywood’s escalating internal tensions, a prominent Directors Guild of America member openly advocated against the election of 10 writer-directors to the guild’s board earlier this month on the grounds that they were “primarily writers” and hailed from “fringe groups.”
In a leaked email that has been shared widely in the creative community, Linda Montanti, chair of the guild’s Western AD/UPM Council, urged a bloc of DGA voters to not support the board candidacies of a number of multihyphenates who are members of both the DGA and WGA — some of whom have been outspoken about strike issues. The list includes writer-producer Boots Riley, Oscar-winning “CODA” writer-director Sian Heder, actor-filmmaker Justine Bateman, actor-writer Paul Scheer and “Chernobyl” creator Craig Mazin. The unorthodox move prompted DGA president Lesli Linka Glatter to contact the members affected to assure them that Montanti’s move was not condoned by top DGA leaders.
DGA critics who are familiar with the flap over Montanti’s message say it points to rigidity within the guild and the aversion by its established players to the more “activist” stances taken by the WGA and, of late, SAG-AFTRA, sources said.
Montanti’s note specifically flagged “Sorry to Bother You” filmmaker Riley as “anti-DGA.” It also included “Queen Sugar” showrunner Shaz Bennett, “A Teacher” director Hannah Fidell, “Cat Person” director Susanna Fogel, “Vida” showrunner Tanya Saracho and “Little America” director Tara Miele.
A DGA spokesman called the message and its comments about members “unacceptable,” and he emphasized that it was not part of a coordinated effort by leaders to sway the Aug. 5 vote.
Five people who viewed Montanti’s email were dismayed to see Riley, the creator and showrunner behind this summer’s Amazon Prime Video series “I’m A Virgo,” characterized as “anti-DGA.” Riley has been vocal and visible in his support for the WGA and SAG-AFTRA work stoppages.
Another individual who read the email said Montanti’s advocacy was “union-on-union crime,” and noted that there’s a “real resistance to activism in the DGA.”