Legal Representation

In today's complex entertainment industry, no one can escape the need for competent legal assistance. Members of the DGA have access to current legal information within the industry and when the need arises, can be advised about contracts and negotiations, labor laws, working conditions and compensation. If you have a dispute with a producer, you may contact the residuals department, or credits department. All other situations may be handled by a DGA executive. If the problem cannot be resolved at that level, the dispute will be turned over to the legal department for resolution. Many DGA departments play a role in enforcing the Guild's collective bargaining agreements and your personal services agreements, but it is the legal department that takes claims to arbitration and court. The Guild may arbitrate any claim arising from a Guild collective bargaining agreement. If the claim can be arbitrated, you will receive free representation from experienced advocates familiar with issues particular to Guild members. You will also avoid the expense and delay of court litigation.

Members of the Guild are also backed with the confidence of knowing that the Residuals Department monitors industry compliance with the reuse provisions of Guild agreements. Members are entitled to additional compensation whenever their pictures are reused on videocassette, pay television, basic cable or free television. Enforcement of these provisions are accurately handled by computerized policing systems, audit programs, and arbitration proceedings when necessary. Claims personnel within the department are always available to speak with members about residual obligations.

In the mid-eighties, the DGA developed the Low Budget Agreement to assist young and new filmmakers in pursuing their art. At the time, the cost of making a film had risen to levels that intimidated newcomers, or those with "track records" looking for new projects. Since the agreement was forged, filmmakers have realized their vision with the full backing of the DGA and other parties despite lower budgets. It's an important arrangement that has become a rewarding new source of security for filmmakers of all ages.

Special Projects is the educational and cultural component of the Directors Guild of America. It provides programs for members, the industry, and the academic community that celebrate the achievements of the past, the professionalism of the present, and the technological changes of the future.

Filmmakers have always struggled to be seen and heard above the forces that attempt to regulate. It's a hindrance to the creative process. The DGA instituted the Film Foundation (formerly the Artists Rights Foundation) to ensure that each director be heard and given access to legal protection under our auspices. For more information, please visit the Film Foundation website.

There are six Guild committees dedicated to protected classes: Affirmative Action Committee, African-American Steering Committee, Asian-American Committee, Director Mentor Committee, Latino Committee and Women's Steering Committee. Each of these committees consists of DGA members only.

• Affirmative Action Committee

The Affirmative Action Committee of the Guild is comprised of the African-American Steering Committee, the Asian-American Committee, the Latino Committee and the Women's Steering Committee. The committee meets intermittently to further efforts in the hiring of women and other ethnic minorities and to eliminate discrimination in the Hollywood Community. Efforts include watch-dogging the industry and encouragement to industry professionals to consider hiring women and minorities through events and mailings. Additionally two "Contact Lists" have been created listing women and ethnic minority members of the Guild who wish to be considered for employment in specified categories.

• African-American Steering Committee

The African-American Steering Committee was born of a desire to address the specific needs of the African-American members of the Directors Guild. Clearly, the greatest concern among members is in the area of employment. One of the primary goals of the committee is to establish a productive line of communication between African-American members and the creative community. With that in mind, the committee meets monthly planning events throughout the year celebrating the achievements of African-Americans, as well as forums with industry executives pro-actively addressing what can be done to hire more African-Americans.

• Asian-American Committee

The Asian American Committee of the Guild was created as a networking group to provides a forum for interests and problems that concern Asian-American Guild members. Through outreach efforts in the entertainment industry that emphasize career development and skills enhancement, the committee provides a variety of networking opportunities as well as screenings, seminars and discussions with industry professionals. As representatives of the fastest growing segment of the American population and as evidenced by the growing number of prominent Asian-American feature film directors, the AAC anticipates a growing influence and stature of the Asian community within the entertainment industry and seeks to take a positive and active leadership role in empowering Asian American DGA members to make significant contributions to the Guild and American film and television.

• Director Mentor Committee

The Director Mentor Committee began as a subcommittee of the Women's Steering Committee. Its intent is to provide women, and ethnic minority director members of the Guild, with access to top-notch directors who, as their mentors, can guide them to further their careers.

• Ethnically Diverse Steering Committee

The Ethnically Diverse Steering Committee is a newly formed provisional committee of the Eastern Region of the Guild that represents present and future concerns of ethnically diverse -(African/Asian/Native/Latino-American) members of the Guild. It is the EDSC's mission to sponsor workshops, seminars, round-table discussions and networking events to showcase the talents of its members, recognize their contributions and increase their visibility in the industry.

Latino Committee

The Latino Committee of the Guild was created as a networking group to advance career and job opportunities for Latino DGA members by improving craft skills, networking, and making Latinos better known to the Hollywood creative community. Latinos comprise approximately 23 million people in the United States, and in Los Angeles, the center of film production, make up 40% of the population. Nonetheless, we are often overlooked when it comes to hiring for industry-related jobs. A Directory of Latino Members of the Guild was created to aid industry executives, producers and others in identifying qualified Latinos for employment in the motion picture and TV industry as directors, assistant directors, stage managers, unit production managers, and other categories of the Directors Guild of America. The committee meets monthly, and schedules two to three special events throughout the year.

• Women's Steering Committee

The mission of the Women's Steering Committee is to represent the interests and needs of the women members of the Directors Guild to help promote employment of women and achieve parity in the workplace. The committee successfully strives to develop opportunities for all women members to have a broader exposure to industry activities and employers. All women members of the Guild are invited to attend WSC meetings and events and to share in the benefits that come from cooperative activity.   At  its monthly meetings,  women DGA members can get together to hear industry guest speakers, share insights, and meet their peers.  The WSC also presents networking events three times a year.

For information on becoming a DGA member, click here.