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Dear Colleague,
As Co-Chairs of the DGA Creative Rights Committee, we spend a lot of time talking to Directors about their work problems. Often we find that trouble begins with those who are unclear about or unaware of creative rights protections they already have as members of the Directors Guild of America.
Some DGA Directors have voiced frustration over practices in the editing room; they did not know that the DGA Basic Agreement protects them from interference when they are preparing their cut. Some television Directors have expressed concern about being excluded from the looping and dubbing process; they were unaware that they, like feature Directors, have the right to participate in both. And many Directors did not realize that, because they are Guild members, they have a right to additional cutting time if necessary to incorporate temp effects for the preview of their Director’s Cut.
The purpose of this Creative Rights Handbook is to help raise awareness of your rights during all phases of production. It is important for every member to understand that these are “use them or lose them” rights; each time we choose not to exercise them, we further the chances of their erosion.
As you enjoy the benefits of DGA creative rights on your next directing assignment, hold a special thought for the Directors who have fought battle after battle for more than 40 years to win these protections for us all. And if you find yourself with any creative rights questions or problems, please call the DGA.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Mostow Steven Soderbergh
Co-Chairs
DGA Creative Rights Committee
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