Three senior executives at the Directors Guild of America (DGA)–Russ Hollander, David Korduner and Bryan Unger–will take the title of associate national executive director, with each responsible for different areas related to representation, service and the management of the Guild. The announcement was made by Jay D. Roth, DGA national executive director.
The organizational changes are intended to provide greater clarity about leadership roles and responsibilities for each of the Guild’s core functions while also more clearly defining the role of the National Office and the regional offices.
Hollander’s full title will be associate national executive director/Eastern executive director. In this capacity, he will have national responsibility for administration and enforcement of the Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement; the National Commercial Agreement; all Non-Dramatic Programming (including Basic Cable); New Media; all Network News, Sports and Operations; and all Local Stations.
Hollander joined the DGA in 2001 as assistant Eastern executive director and was promoted to Eastern executive director in 2002. Prior to joining the DGA, he was a partner at Cohen, Weiss and Simon LLP, a law firm representing labor organizations and employee benefit plans. Hollander received his law degree from Harvard University and his undergraduate degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
Unger’s full title will be associate national executive director/Western executive director. In this capacity, he will have national responsibility for administration and enforcement of the Basic Agreement; Low Budget Agreement; all Dramatic Programming (including Basic Cable); Creative Rights; Diversity; and Agency Relations.
Unger began his career at the DGA in 1994 as an assistant executive director. He was promoted to associate Western executive director in 1999 and then to Western executive director in 2000. Prior to joining the DGA, Unger worked in film and television production for several years before becoming a labor executive at NABET Local 15 and then serving for five years as an International representative with the IATSE in New York. He graduated from the New York University Film School.
Additionally, Unger will be responsible for local service and representation related to the Western offices of the Guild, while Hollander will be responsible for local service and representation related to the Eastern offices of the Guild. These local duties include: responsibility to local councils and coordinating committees; field operations; monitoring member work, non-union work, discipline and local organizing; and geographical contract administration and enforcement.
Meanwhile Korduner’s full title will be associate national executive director/sr. general counsel. In this capacity, he will have responsibility for oversight and management of Guild departments including Residuals; Membership; Credits; Reports Compliance; Signatories; Human Resources; and Legal.
Korduner first joined the DGA as Associate General Counsel from 1995-2001 before becoming sr. counsel, Labor Relations at ABC/Touchstone Television and senior counsel, Legal Affairs at Disney/ABC Cable Networks. Korduner rejoined the Guild in 2005 and was promoted to general counsel in 2007. He received his B.A. with honors from UC-Santa Cruz, his M.Sc from the London School of Economics and his J.D. from the UCLA School of Law.
“I believe these well-deserved promotions and organizational changes will enhance the Guild’s ability to serve the membership with even greater excellence and commitment to representation and service,” stated Roth.
All three associate national executive directors will continue to report directly to the national executive director, as will the Communications, Finance, Government Affairs, Operations and Special Projects departments.
HBO Inks Two-Year First-Look Deal With Sharon Horgan and Her Production Company Merman
HBO has signed a two-year first-look television deal with BAFTA-winning and Emmy®-nominated actor, writer, and producer Sharon Horgan (“Bad Sisters,” “Catastrophe”) and her multi award-winning production company Merman. HBO has also given a straight-to-series order for a new original comedy series, the first project under this deal, from Horgan and produced by Merman, with Horgan serving as writer, star, and executive producer.
This comedy series follows a 50-year-old divorcee’s search for sex and love while juggling caring for her ailing parents and parenting her should-be grown up son.
Amy Gravitt, executive VP, HBO & Max Comedy Programming, said, “We’re thrilled to be reunited with Sharon. Her willingness to offer up her own experiences through the characters she creates makes us all feel a little less lonely, that is what sets her comedy apart so brilliantly. She also has such a sharp eye for material and a strong desire to shepherd other people’s stories, we’re looking forward to the new talent she will bring into the fold.”
Horgan said, “I’m so happy to once again be working with Casey [Bloys], Amy, Francesca [Orsi] and the team at HBO, and really excited that Merman get to continue to tell stories for a company that’s been home to some of the most iconic television shows ever created.”
Horgan has created and starred in such series as “Pulling,” “Catastrophe,” “Motherland,” “Amandaland” and BAFTA and Peabody winning series “Bad Sisters,” which recently released its second season. She received Emmy® nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (“Catastrophe”), Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (“Bad... Read More