The provisions of the BA and FLTTA currently cover DGA Reality TV shows. The current Pension and Health contribution rates, creative rights and credits provisions in the BA and FLTTA will remain unchanged.
However, the following are modifications the DGA is prepared to make to extend our coverage of Reality TV.
Definition of Reality Shows
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A reality series or special would be defined as an "unscripted" entertainment program that depicts actual people and with one or more of the following components:
- the program's premise, circumstances or situations are manipulated for the purpose of creating the program;
- the program uses contrived, manipulated or staged elements, including re-enactments or highly stylized production or editorial devices;
- the program may or may not include a prize and/or a competition.
- Examples: Survivor, Big Brother, Fear Factor, The Bachelor, The Simple Life, Crime and Punishment
- This definition would not apply to variety programs like Star Search or American Idol; to traditional quiz and game shows; or to programs like Entertainment Tonight which are covered by special agreements.
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- Current show director rates remain intact – a minimum of $ 5,497 per show for a maximum of four (4) days work (prep, tape, edit).
- Segment director rates will remain the same, however the show budget break will increase from $200,000 to $400,000.
- Mandatory staffing of a Show Director on each episode. Waivers may be granted in specific program situations which do not entail talent or performance instructions.
- Similar to network contracts, if the overall Show Director is not available to shoot segments, Segment or Field Directors would be required only when segments involve:
- re-enactments with professional performers portraying a role, and/or acting or performance instructions with non-professional principals
- major program events and/or ceremonies
- coordination of more than one camera
- In other cases, they would be discretionary
- Where the Director or Executive Producer do not edit a program for initial broadcast, the assignment of an Associate Director to editing shall be at the discretion of the company.
- Assignment of Associate Directors and/or Stage Managers would be required on host wrap around segments and whenever there are Associate Directors and/or Stage Manager duties to be performed performed on the set or in the field.
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- Show Director residuals would remain unchanged.
- In order to simplify the payment of residuals to Segment Directors, Reality TV producers will have a choice of paying residuals under the current system or paying a fee equal to the overall Show Director's residual rate, which will be allocated among all Segment Directors by the Guild.
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- Favored nations provisions would apply on low-budget ($400,000 or less per half-hour) programs.
Note: The terms and conditions for reality shows, as defined above, produced for basic cable are completely negotiable.
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BASIC CABLE REALITY SHOWS
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DGA shows made for basic cable are done under the FLTTA Sideletter #6 which requires– in the case of shows that fit under the All-Other Programming rubric–only that producers hire DGA members when there are Guild functions to be performed and that they pay Pension and Health contributions on our members' negotiated salaries.
The actual salaries, working conditions, credits and residuals of our members are completely negotiable in this arena.
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