Credit is a form of compensation. Most agents, directors and studios (however reluctantly) would agree that screen and paid ad credit is an important part of a Director's compensation package.

There are minimum requirements guaranteed by the Basic Agreement. For example, a Director is guaranteed credit on screen on a separate card on the last frame before the picture. This prominent placement is an appropriate acknowledgment of the creative contribution made by the Director. Commonly seen contractual language "Credit per the DGA BA" means that the Director will be accorded this prominent position on the film. It is the responsibility of the department to monitor and assure that such credit is accorded properly.

It also guarantees directors minimum advertising credits and publicity rights in both the theatrical and television arenas.

The BA also provides that DGA members have the right to negotiate for any credit in excess of the minimums, such as possessory credits which typically appear as a "Film By" or "a Julie Smith Film." But before delving into the subject of enhanced credits, we would like to briefly summarize the minimum Screen Credit, Advertising Credit and Publicity requirements for directors in both film and television.

Screen Credits

Screen Credits are regulated in regards to placement, position and size. For feature films, the director's screen credit shall be accorded on a separate card, which shall be the last title card appearing prior to principal photography. This credit shall be no less than 50% of the size of the displayed title of the motion picture, or of the largest size in which credit is accorded to any other person, whichever is greater.

For television, the director's screen credit shall be accorded on a separate card, which shall be the last title card before the first scene of the picture or the first title card following the last scene of the picture. However, in the case of split credits where credit is given to any person before the first scene of the picture, the director shall be given the last solo credit card before the first scene of the picture. Credit must be accorded in size no less than 40% of the episode or series title, whichever is larger. Television credits must also be clearly visible and displayed no less than 2 seconds for television films running less than 2 hours, and not less than 3 seconds if the television film is 2 hours or longer. In no event shall credit be displayed for a cumulative time less than the "Produced by" credit.

A director's credit may not be "reformatted" in prime-time television (i.e. squeezed to share the screen with promotional or other material. There are some non-prime time taped shows upon which a squeezed credit is permissible, subject to certain conditions.

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Advertising Credit

The employer generally has an obligation to accord credit to the director in all paid advertising with some exceptions. Common placements in which paid ads appear are print ads which include magazines, newspapers, billboards, bus-shelters and bus-sides, standees, banners and one-sheets. Print ads have minimum size requirements (the "Directed By" credit must appear in a size of not less than 15% of title) and are triggered by elements such as credit to other persons or a number of actors' credits. However outdoor ads, such as those placed on billboards, bus shelters and bus-sides have larger size requirements (the "Directed by" must appear in a size of not less than 35% of title) , often include the use of a "box" around the "Directed By" credit, and also may require a "Film By" credit to the Director.

In all such cases, the issue of legibility of credit is of great concern to the Guild. The contrast between the director's credit and the background must be such that the director's credit(s) can be read at a reasonable distance. Outdoor ads present the greatest challenge for legible credits. The Guild strives to ensure that when Directors are accorded such credit, it can be read.

A director of a television film must be given a credit in paid advertising issued or prepared by the employer and in some cases, networks as well.

These advertising credit requirements vary depending on the type of advertising. Agents and members may refer to the BA and/or contact the DGA Credits Department for additional information.

Publicity

The director must be named in any formal publicity release by the Employer whenever the name of the picture is mentioned for a feature film or televison film. Publicity for a TV series must mention the director(s) unless the only person(s) mentioned are employed on the entire series (and more than one director is employed to direct episodes of the series.)

Possessory Credits

Many directors choose to place a signature credit on their work commonly referred to as a "Film by" or "Possessory" credit. There is a long honored history of filmmakers being accorded such credit. The BA provides for the director's right to negotiate for such a credit and prohibits the companies from engaging in any agreement with any other guild or organization that interferes with that right. If you are not successful in getting the issue of the possessory credit on the table, please call the Guild. We are very interested in talking to any director who is having difficulty in this area.

Waivers

The Guild will consider waivers of the BA's minimum credit requirements on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes directors want to place their credits at the end of the film, change the mandated sequence of credits and/or utilize unusual credit references that could require a waiver of the BA's minimum credit requirements.

The Guild is committed to supporting the creative goals of the director, however it is important that all waiver requests be submitted as early in advance as possible as they may need the approval of the appropriate Director's Council. We seek to balance the director's personal request with the need to protect, for all directors, the privileged placement of the director's credit and other hard won prerogatives. Seeking early approval of a waiver request enables filmmakers to avoid the risk of incurring additional production costs if the waiver is not granted and already shot credit sequences need to be re-shot.

Enhanced Credits

The issue of directing credits is one of the most basic of the creative rights that the BA protects. Although the BA is clear on the basic minimum requirements described above, there are still possibilities to negotiate enhanced credits and options for members. These can include obtaining approval rights, consultation rights, or at least the right to input on the trailer or the whole marketing campaign for the project. Many directors have a unique insight as to exactly how their films might be marketed.

You may also be able to obtain preferred placement for the director's credit in print advertising.

The BA mandates that the director should be accorded credit on internet sites which advertise or promote their work. However, as internet technologies rapidly transform the marketing and distribution arenas, you may want to ensure that you receive some form of preferred placement for your credit on such sites.

The question of whether or not you should be included in "excluded ads" is one well worth considering. "Excluded ads" are those which are excluded from the requirement to include a "Directed by" credit and take the form of group ads, teasers, trailers and other ads on radio and television of one minute or less, and award or congratulatory ads. A "Directed by" credit on such ads is required if the ads mention more than two actors or in the case of the award or congratulatory ads, someone other than the recipient is mentioned. However, there is nothing precluding you from negotiating a tie of your credit to either of those two actors. If you have questions regarding these issues, call the Guild.

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This is a reminder of the basic requirements for credits of DGA represented individuals:

Basic Agreement

A. Directors' Credits

1. FORM: "Directed by...."
2. RESTRICTION ON THE USE OF WORD "DIRECTOR": No use of (other than for the director of the film), any credit which includes the word "director," "direction" or any derivation thereof.
3. CONTROVERSY OVER CREDITS: In the event of a dispute as to the person(s) to be accorded credit or the manner of according credit, the matter shall be submitted to the Guild for determination.

Theatrical Film

Screen Credit

4. PLACEMENT AND POSITION: Credit shall be accorded on a separate card, which shall be the last title card appearing prior to principal photography.

5. SIZE: No less than 50% of the size in which the title of the motion picture is displayed or of the largest size in which credit is accorded to any other person, whichever is greater.

6. SUBMISSION OF CREDITS: Employer shall furnish to the Guild copies of the main and end titles as soon as the same are prepared in final form but before the prints are made for the purpose of checking compliance with the credit provisions of the Basic Agreement. Fax # 310 289-5399

Advertising Credit

7. OBLIGATION: An obligation exists to credit directors of a motion picture in all paid advertising issued or prepared by the Employer. Requirements vary depending on the type of advertising. Refer to the Basic Agreement and/or contact the DGA for additional information.

8. POSSESSORY CREDIT: A "Film by" credit must be accorded to the director above the title in outdoor advertising when the ad contains 6 or more personal credits.

9. SUBMISSION OF PRESS BOOKS AND PAID ADVERTISING: All press books and paid advertising campaign material prepared by or under the supervision of the Employer or the Employer s distributor shall be submitted to the Guild for approval of the director's credit prior to public release.

10. LEGIBILITY: The contrast between the director's credit and the background must be such that the director's credit(s) can be read at a reasonable distance.

Publicity

11. OBLIGATION: In any formal publicity released by the Employer, the name of the director must be mentioned whenever the name of the picture is mentioned.

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Television Film

Screen Credit

12. PLACEMENT AND POSITION: Credit shall be accorded on a separate card, which shall be the last title card before the first scene of the picture or the first title card following the last scene of the picture. However, in the case of split credits where credit is given to any person before the first scene of the picture, the director shall be given the last solo credit card before the first scene of the picture.

13. SIZE: No less than 40% of the episode or series title, whichever is larger.

14. VISIBILITY: Credits must be in such contrast to the background and/or in such color as to be clearly visible and displayed no less than 2 seconds in the clear for television films of less than 2 hours duration, and not less than 3 seconds in the clear for television films of 2 hours duration or longer. In no event shall credit be displayed for a cumulative time less than the "Produced by" credit.

15. SUBMISSION OF CREDITS: Employer shall submit the proposed format for the final screen credits for each television episodic and anthology series (as distinguished from each segment), together with changes in such format of credits before prints are prepared. This provision likewise applies to each television special.

16. REFORMATTING OF CREDITS: The director's credit is not to be reformatted.

Advertising Credit

17. OBLIGATION: An obligation exists to credit directors of a television film in paid advertising issued or prepared by the Employer and/or a network. Requirements vary depending on the type of advertising. Refer to the Basic Agreement and/or contact the DGA for additional information.

18. LEGIBILITY: The contrast between the director's credit and the background must be such that the director's credit(s) can be read at a reasonable distance.

Publicity

19. OBLIGATION: In any formal publicity released by the Employer, the name of the director must be mentioned whenever the name of any person is mentioned. The foregoing does not apply if the publicity relates to a series and the person(s) mentioned rendered services in connection with the entire series and the episodes were directed by more than one director.

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B. Unit Production Managers' and Assistant Directors' Credits

Theatrical and Television Film

Screen Credit

1. FORM: Unit Production Manager, First Assistant Director and Second Assistant Director.

2. PLACEMENT AND POSITION: Credit shall be accorded in a prominent place, which means no less than a separate card, or its equivalent in a crawl, shared by no more than 3 names. The only "technical" credits which may receive a more prominent placement shall be those of the Director of Photography, the Art Director and the Film Editor. Order of names shall be Unit Production Manager in first position, First Assistant Director in second position and Second Assistant Director in third position.

3. SIZE: Each name on the card or crawl shall be of the same size and style of type.

4. REFORMATTING OF END TITLE CREDITS: Certain obligations exist in connection with the reformatting of credits to Unit Production Managers and Assistant Directors. Contact the DGA for additional information.

5. CONTROVERSY OVER CREDITS: In the event of a dispute as to the person(s) to be accorded credit or the manner of according credit, the matter shall be submitted to the Guild for determination. At which time, the Employer shall provide to the Guild the exact number of days of preparation and principal photography services rendered by DGA Unit Production Manager(s), First Assistant Director(s) and Second Assistant Director(s) who were employed on the principal unit of the film. This information should not include severance pay, vacation days, travel days or sick days. This information should include the start and end dates of each member's employment as well as principal photography.

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Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement

Prime Time Dramatic Programs

A. Directors' Credits

1. FORM: "Directed by...."

2. CONTROVERSY OVER CREDITS: In the event of a dispute as to the person(s) to be accorded credit or the manner of according credit, the matter shall be submitted to the Guild for determination.

Screen Credit

3. PLACEMENT AND POSITION: Credit shall be accorded on a separate title card which shall be the last title card before the first scene of the entertainment portion of the program or the first title card following the last scene of the entertainment part of the program. In the case of split credits when credit is given to any person before the first scene of the program, the director shall be given the last solo credit card before the first scene of the program.

4. SIZE: Equal in size to the most prominent credit appearing on the program.

5. VISIBILITY: The director's credit shall be in such contrast to the background and/or such color as to be clearly visible, and of not less than 2 seconds in the clear.

6. REFORMATTING OF CREDITS: The director's credit is not to be reformatted.

Advertising Credit

7. OBLIGATION: On a prime time entertainment program, whether or not produced by the Company, the Company agrees that whenever it gives credit in paid advertising to any person(s) other than the stars appearing in the program, the director(s) of the program shall receive credit. 8. SIZE: Equal in size to the credit accorded any person(s) other than the stars. 9. LEGIBILITY: The contrast between the director's credit and the background must be such that the director's credit(s) can be read at a reasonable distance.

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B. Associate Directors' and Stage Managers' Credits

1. FORM: Associate Director and Stage Manager.

2. CONTROVERSY OVER CREDITS: In the event of a dispute as to the person(s) to be accorded credit or the manner of according credit, the matter shall be submitted to the Guild for determination.

Screen Credit

3. PLACEMENT AND POSITION: Credit shall be accorded in a prominent place, i.e., on a separate card, or the equivalent in a crawl, shared by no more than 3 names. The only technical credits which may receive more prominent placement are those of the Lighting Director, Art Director and Editor.

4. SIZE: Discretionary.

5. REFORMATTING OF END TITLE CREDITS: Certain obligations exist in connection with the reformatting of credits to the Associate Directors and Stage Managers. Contact the DGA for additional information.

Other Than Prime Time Dramatic Programs

A. Directors' Credits

1. FORM: "Directed by...."

2. CONTROVERSY OVER CREDITS: In the event of a dispute as to the person(s) to be accorded credit or the manner of according credit, the matter shall be submitted to the Guild for determination.

Screen Credit

3. PLACEMENT AND POSITION: (a) Credit shall be accorded on a separate frame if the Producer (which term does not include the Executive Producer) receives credit on a separate frame and shall appear immediately before or immediately after one of the following: (i) the most prominent credit to the Producer; (ii) the most prominent credit to the Writer; (iii) the entertainment portion of the program. (b) On prime time variety programs, the director shall be accorded credit immediately before or immediately after the credit to the producer (which term does not include the executive producer).

4. SIZE: Equal in size to the most prominent credit appearing on the program.

B. Associate Directors' and Stage Managers' Credits

1. FORM: Associate Director and Stage Manager.

Screen Credit

2. PLACEMENT AND POSITION: Discretionary.

3. SIZE: Discretionary.

Submission of Credits

On dramatic programs of over 90 minutes, the Employer shall give notice to the Guild of the contents of main and end titles before copies are made. After notice is given, there can be no change relating to the term director, direction or any derivation thereof without first notifying the Guild of such proposed changes.

The Employer shall submit the proposed format for the final screen credits for each television episodic and anthology series (as distinguished from each segment), together with changes in such format of credits before prints are prepared. This provision likewise applies to each television special.

Contact:
Jeffrey Heimer, Credits Administrator
Nic Santiago, Credits Coordinator
Denise Mendoza, Credits Assistant

Please call (310) 289-2013 if you should have any questions. If you wish to send credits via fax, our number is (310) 289-5399.

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