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1
How do I join the DGA?

As a director, you must either be hired by a signatory company to direct a project or develop a project and make your company/project signatory, or sign a low budget or independent project you are going to direct under a DGA Agreement. On a very select, case-by-case basis, directors who have directed a feature film that has had a bona fide theatrical release in the United States and has received significant critical acclaim and/or commercial success, may be invited to join. In the latter case, the application is subject to extra-special review by the appropriate directors council.
2
How much is initiation?

The initiation fee for a director joining on a low-budget feature (under $9.5 million) is currently $3,500. Upon employment on a project other than another low budget theatrical motion picture or low budget television project, you would be obligated to pay the difference between the low budget initiation fee and the standard DGA initiation fee for membership in your category at the time you joined the Guild.
3
How much are dues?

Guild dues are based on DGA earnings. Earnings are reportable, and the corollary dues payable, quarterly. Each member pays basic dues of $50.00 per quarter. Basic dues are credited against each member's obligation to pay percentage dues equal to one and one-half percent (1½%) of his or her gross earnings from employment in any Guild category, provided that such dues shall be payable only on gross annual income of between $10,000 and $300,000. In addition to basic dues and percentage dues, each member of the Guild shall also pay one percent (1%) of the total residual payments of all types he or she receives pursuant to employment under a DGA collective bargaining agreement.
4
If I am a member of the DGA and want to make a low-budget or no-budget feature, does it have to be covered under a DGA contract?

Yes.

Do I have to hire a full DGA staff?

Usually. The DGA will consider reduced staffing on a case-by-case basis, but you must contact the Guild to discuss this issue before you start production.

What are the pay rates?

The pay rates are budget-dependent.

  • For directors working on projects:
    • No minimum salary requirement for films with budgets less than $2,570,000;
    • $75,000 for films budgeted between $2,570,000 and $3,605,000 for a minimum guarantee of 13 weeks;
    • 90% of scale for films budgeted between $7 million and $9,500,000 million dollars.
  • For AD/UPMs working on projects:
    • No minimum salary requirement for films budgeted under $500,000.
    • 33% of scale and no production fee for films budgeted for less than $1,030,000.
    • 50% of scale and a production fee of $25/week for films budgeted between $1,030,000 and $2,570,000; the daily production fee is $6 if employed on a daily basis.
    • 60% of scale, a production fee of $200/week for UPMs and 1ADs, and a production fee of $150/week for Key 2ADs for films budgeted between $2,570,000 and $3,605,000.
    • 70 % of scale and production fees for films budgeted between $3,605,000 and $5,150,000.
    • 80% of scale and production fees for films budgeted between $5,150,000 and $7 million.
    • 90% of scale for films budgeted between $7 million and $9,500,000 million.
5
If a feature is shot digitally, do the DGA requirements change?  

No.
6
I am a DGA member and plan to make a theatrical documentary budgeted under $9.5 million.  Does it have to be covered under a DGA Agreement?

Yes

Do I have to hire a full DGA staff? 

As stated earlier, the DGA will consider reducing staff on a case by case basis.

What are the pay rates?

As noted above, the pay rates are budget-dependent.
7
If I am a DGA member and plan to make a short film of less than 30 minutes in length which is budgeted under $50,000, does it have to be covered under a DGA agreement?  

Yes, it would be covered under the DGA Experimental Agreement.

What are the DGA staffing requirements?  

Any DGA member employed on the film must be covered under the Experimental Agreement and must execute a DGA deal memo.  However, non-Guild members may be employed on such projects.  If non-DGA members work on such projects, however, such work does not make them eligible for DGA membership.
8
If I am planning to direct a project that will go directly to the Internet.  Does this have to be covered under a DGA agreement?  

Yes.  

Do I have to hire a full DGA staff? 

Not necessarily.  The Guild will consider reduced staffing on a case-by-case basis. 

What are the pay rates? 

At this time, the rates are negotiable.
9
As a DGA member, I understand that I am only supposed to accept work for signatory companies.  Are there any types of projects that do not have to be done under DGA agreements?  

Yes, Music Videos only.
10
Under the DGA Low Budget Sideletter, how much time do I get for my director's cut?  

It depends on the project's budget:

  • For films under $2,570,000, the directors cut is the same number of days as the shoot, with a minimum of 20 days;
  • For films between $2,570,000 and $3,605,000, the directors cut is 8 weeks
  • For films between $3,605,000 and $9.5 million, the director's cut is the normal 10 weeks as per the BA