Are you thinking about making a short film to further your career or expand into a new category? While you have an obligation as a DGA member to work only on DGA–covered projects, the Experimental Agreement gives you the flexibility to make a "résumé piece" while keeping this obligation. So don't forget about the DGA Experimental Agreement (EA) — it was designed to protect YOU.
Use the DGA Experimental Agreement when:
- You make a short film that is not intended for commercial release in any medium (including but not limited to theatrical, free or pay television, DVD or videocassette, etc. Films made directly for the Internet should be made under the DGA Internet Sideletter).
- The total budget for the project is $50,000 or less and the running time of the film is no more than 30 minutes in length.
Did you know? The DGA Experimental Agreement does not require the use of a pure DGA crew. So it's a great way for members to gain experience at very little cost. If the project does get sold down the road, renegotiation with the Guild is required but payments may or may not be necessary (depending on the terms of the sale or license agreement). If the sale is substantial, then the individuals who worked on the project will have the DGA's clout behind them in the renegotiation process.
"The Experimental Agreement is something people constantly forget about or get confused about," says DGA Assistant Executive Director Elizabeth Stanley. "One source of confusion is that SAG has an agreement with the same name but it's more of a low-budget feature agreement. The DGA Experimental Agreement is for films that are not commercial product."
The EA is E-A-S-Y.
"It's a 2½-page document that's very simple," adds Stanley. "There's nothing due — no payments, no pension and health. If you hire non–DGA people in DGA–covered capacities, they don't join on the project. The only caveat is that if the film is sold, the producers have to come back to us."
DGA members who work on experimental or short film projects really need to make sure the projects are signed — both because it is an obligation of DGA membership, and also for their own benefit."
