DOCUMENTARIES
 
Directors Guild of America, Inc.
Documentary Contracts: Key Provisions

Please note that the following is a summary of DGA contract provisions for documentaries made for theatrical, free television, pay television, cable television and video release. For more detailed information, please contact the individuals listed at the bottom of this document.
Documentaries Intended for Theatrical Release
  • documentaries budgeted under $9.5 million must be made under the DGA Low Budget Theatrical Agreement which provides flexibility in staffing and salaries, while safeguarding members' creative rights and residuals
  • documentaries budgeted over $9.5 million are subject to the documentary provisions of the DGA Basic Agreement
  • waivers of mandatory staffing will be granted if the Director is able to perform all DGA-covered duties without assistance and if the project does not include re-enactments or re-creations
  • waivers of mandatory staffing on projects that include re-enactments or re-creations will be considered in good faith
  • there is no requirement for DGA members to work consecutive days
  • credit must be accorded in the form of "Directed by"
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Documentaries Made for Free Television
  • projects shot on film will utilize the show or daily rates as outlined in the Basic Agreement for either network prime-time or non-network/non-prime-time based on the length of the show, with the applicable included days. Waivers for consecutive days of work will be freely granted
  • projects shot on tape will utilize the show or daily rates as outlined in the FLTTA for "all other programs," either prime-time or non-prime time and based on the length of the show.  Consecutive work days are not required
  • compensation will include post production work
  • residuals as per the BA or FLTTA
  • waivers of mandatory staffing will be granted if the Director is able to perform all DGA-covered work without assistance and if the project does not include re-enactments or re-creations
  • waivers of mandatory staffing on projects that include re-enactments or re-creations will be considered in good faith
  • credit must be accorded in the form of "Directed by"
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Documentaries Made for Pay Cable and Basic Cable
"Arms Length" Employment (signatory company employs director for hire, and the director is not a principal of the company)
  • no minimum salaries - the Employer and the Director will negotiate the Director's salary
  • the Employer and Director must make an express agreement that the Director's compensation will be subject to Pension and Health contributions, and this agreement must be reflected in a deal memo or contract which is filed with the Guild
  • residuals are negotiable
  • waivers for consecutive days of work will be freely granted
  • waivers of mandatory staffing will be granted so long as the Director is able to perform all DGA-covered duties without assistance and the project does not include re-enactments or re-creations
  • waivers of mandatory staffing on projects that include re-enactments or re-creations will be considered in good faith
  • credit must be accorded in the form of "Directed by"
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"Projects Made by Companies in which the Director is a Principal" (signatory company is owned in part or in full by the director)
  • no minimum salaries - the Principal/Director will provide the DGA with a deal memo indicating the agreed-upon salary
  • the Principal/Director must make an express agreement that the Director's compensation will be subject to Pension and Health contributions. The Employer must make contributions in the amount of 14% on a presumed salary of $25,000 per half-hour of programming. This agreement must be reflected in a deal memo or contract which is filed with the Guild
  • residuals are negotiable
  • waivers for consecutive days of work will be freely granted
  • waivers of mandatory staffing will be granted if the Director is able to perform all DGA-covered work without assistance and if the project does not include re-enactments or re-creations
  • waivers of mandatory staffing on projects that include re-enactments or re-creations will be considered in good faith
  • waivers of consecutive day requirements will be considered, provided the director fully concurs
  • credit must be accorded in the form of "Directed by"
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Documentaries Made for PBS
  • documentaries shot on tape will use the rates as outlined in the KCET Agreement for Western Region projects or the EBC Agreement for Eastern Region projects
KCET Rates
7/1/06 - 6/30/07
7/1/07 - 6/30/08
7/1/08-6/30/09
Daily $ 893 $ 911 $ 929
Weekly $4,452 $4,541 $4,631
EBC Rates
1/1/08 - 12/31/08 1/1/09 - 12/31/09 1/1/10 - 12/31/10
Daily $1,080.57 $1,112.99 $1,146.38
Weekly $4,299.43 $4,428.41 $4,561.27
  • documentaries shot on film will use the network prime-time rates if aired in the prime time hours of 7pm - 11pm. The non-network, non prime-time rates will apply if aired outside of the prime time hours.
  • residuals are pursuant to the KCET and EBC Agreements
  • waivers for consecutive days of work will be freely granted
  • waivers of mandatory staffing will be granted so long as the Director is able to perform all DGA-covered work without assistance and so long as the project does not include re-enactments or re-creations
  • waivers of mandatory staffing on projects that include re-enactments or re-creations will be considered in good faith
  • waivers of consecutive days of work will be routinely granted
  • credit must be accorded in the form of "Directed by"
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For more information about the DGA Documentary Provisions please contact:
Los Angeles: Barbara Berman (310) 289-2008
New York:

Bart Daudelin

(212) 581-0370 ext. 223
Chicago: Dan Moore (312) 644-5050
To request the initial signatory forms for a company intending to become a DGA signatory for the first time, please contact the DGA Signatories/Reports Compliance Department Assistant
  • Telephone: (310) 289-5362
  • Fax: (310) 289-5393
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