FilmL.A., Inc.–the Los Angeles region’s private, nonprofit film office charged with facilitating on-location production–has elected entertainment industry and labor relations veteran Bryan Unger to chair its 2007 board of directors.
Unger, who serves as Western executive director of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), led his first FilmL.A. Board meeting this month. He joined FilmL.A.’s board shortly after it was restructured in ’03, and replaces outgoing chair Jean Prewitt of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA).
FilmL.A.’s board comprises 24 members representing L.A.-area neighborhoods, major studios, independent production companies, entertainment industry guilds, unions and vendors. The nonprofit’s services include one-stop on-location permit coordination, neighborhood notification, troubleshooting and data gathering/analysis.
FilmL.A. president Steve MacDonald noted that Unger’s experience in entertainment production and labor negotiation makes him well prepared to work with FilmL.A.’s diverse board and constituencies.
“Bryan is uniquely adept at building consensus,” said MacDonald. “He also brings a deep and nuanced understanding of the production process and the challenges the Los Angeles region faces in today’s global, highly competitive production marketplace.”
Unger is responsible for contract administration and enforcement of the DGA’s film and television agreements with major studios, as well as the Guild’s agreement with talent agencies. After working in film and television production, he began his career as a labor executive at Local 15 of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET). He then served for five years as international representative with the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (IATSE) before joining the DGA in ’94.
Directors Amy+Pilar and Jose Antonio Prat Join Reform School
Boutique content production company Reform has added comedy directing duo Amy+Pilar (Amy York Rubin and Pilar Boehm) and award-winning multicultural director Jose Antonio Prat to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded entertainment.
Partners in both life and art, Amy+Pilar are know for their sharp wit and comedic timing. Their synchronicity is evident in a body of work across TV, film and commercials. Prior to joining Reform School, Amy+Pilar had been repped in the ad market by production company Knucklehead.
Amy has directed high-profile comedy sketches featuring stars like Amy Schumer, Kate McKinnon, and Sarah Silverman. On the episodic front, Amy has helmed for series such as Fresh Off the Boat, Casual, Superstore and Angie Tribeca--as well as the pilot for the hit Netflix comedy Dead to Me.
Before joining forces with Amy behind the camera, Pilar was a psychotherapist, a background that informs her ability to create fascinating characters and stage irresistible, nuanced performances. Amy and Pilar’s shared passion for comedy brought them together. Their collaboration began with a Synchrony Bank campaign, starring cult-comedy favorite Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics), and they went on to direct the pilot of the Hulu series Love, Victor. Amy+Pilar’s ad fare also includes spots for Uber’s “Go-Get” campaign and “Shift,” starring Martin Starr.
“We have been fans of Amy and Pilar for a long time,” said Ryan Ennis, executive director at Reform School. “They excel at capturing comedic performances and dialogue. Coming from the TV and L.A. comedy scenes, they’ve built a strong following and collaborated with some of our favorite funny people.... Read More