The Directors Guild of America represents more than 14,000 members throughout the U.S. and abroad. The Guild protects the creative and economic rights of members working in feature film, television, documentary, new media and other forms of production. These members include Directors, Assistant Directors, Unit Production Managers, Associate Directors, Stage Managers and Production Associates. Following is a brief history of the Guild.

2008
DGA negotiates and members overwhelmingly ratify the 2008 Basic Agreement and FLTTA Agreement five months before the expiration of the 2005 contracts. Agreement sets series of important precedents including jurisdiction in new media, establishing an enhanced residual rate for electronic sell-through and payments in ad-supported streaming, along with substantial wage and residual base increases. Legislation passed to modify and extend federal tax incentive for domestic film production (Section 181). Membership surpasses 14,000.

2007
Michael Apted re-elected DGA President for a third term. The Guild prepares for upcoming negotiations on its Basic Agreement and Freelance Live & Tape Television Agreements which are set to expire in June 2008. Gil Cates and Negotiations Committee appointed. Expert consultants hired to conduct research and develop forecasts on the potential of new media. DGA reaches an agreement with ABC, CBS and NBC on news, sports and operations in November. Collected residuals reach $253 million. Combined assets of the Basic and Supplemental Pension Plans total $2.2 billion.

2006
DGA marks its 70th Anniversary, including a special issue of DGA Quarterly profiling the Guild’s founders, history, long-time leaders, members and staff. Guild also celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the Movie for Television, culminating in a gala featuring many of the genre’s most distinguished directors. DGA prevails in lawsuit filed in 2002 against four companies that mechanically edit and distribute “sanitized” versions of movies. DGA completes a multi-year overhaul of its computer infrastructure with a system integrating databases covering membership, signatories, credits, residuals and other departments.

2005
Michael Apted re-elected DGA President. The Guild negotiates and ratifies a new four-year national commercials contract with substantial increases in health plan contributions and in minimum rates for Directors and Assistant Directors. The DGA institutes a new award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs. The first issue of the DGA Quarterly, the craft journal of the DGA, is published. Collected residuals reach $250 million.

2004
DGA negotiates and ratifies the 2005 Basic Agreement, FLTTA and Network Agreement nine months before the expiration of the 2002 contracts, resolving the crisis facing the DGA Health Plan and protecting the health benefits of DGA members, retirees and their families. The Guild negotiated the largest total economic benefits package in its history, along with significant gains in creative rights. DGA’s five-year legislative campaign to reduce runaway film and television production reaches fruition when Congress signs into law The American Jobs Creation Act — the first-ever federal tax-incentive legislation to stimulate film and television production in the United States. DGA Monthly launched to offer expanded coverage of Guild news and events.

2003
Michael Apted elected DGA President. Collected residuals reach $200 million. DGA New York Theater and Headquarters completely renovated. DGA “late script” initiative in episodic television reduces the number of scripts delivered late to Directors, according to tracking at mid-season. DGA joins seven other English speaking Directors’ organizations in setting forth the Dublin Declaration — a unified joint declaration asserting the creative and economic rights of film and television directors worldwide — and forms a new affiliate organization (The International Association of English Speaking Directors Organizations) to advance and protect the rights of Directors.

2002
The membership ratifies new three-year collective bargaining agreements between the DGA and the AMPTP. The new Agreements include the Interim Settlement Agreement (also known as the “blended contract”) which adapted outmoded agreements to new technologies that were modernizing television production. The ISA covered all primetime dramatic programming regardless of whether it was shot on film, traditional videotape, or digital video. The DGA National Board elects Martha Coolidge first female president of the Guild. The Film Foundation and The Artists Rights Foundation consolidate under The Film Foundation, Inc. with Martin Scorsese serving as chair. Guild represents 16 Director members in lawsuit filed by companies engaged in unauthorized editing of films. DGA joins National Coalition on Health Care.

2001
The Guild negotiates the 2002 Basic Agreement and Freelance Live and Tape Television Agreement contracts more than six months before the expiration of the 1999 contracts. Significant gains include an historic interim agreement that adapts outmoded agreements to new technologies, modernizing the method of television production. The AMPTP agrees to convene a meeting to discuss remedies for runaway production with the DGA and other affected guilds and unions. A Department of Commerce Report is released concluding runaway production threatens U.S. Economy. DGA Honors postponed due to the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. DGA donates $100,000 to assist the victims of the attacks. DGA holds the first International Conference of English Speaking Directors. Residuals reach $180 million.

2000
The DGA's Task Force on Violence and Social Responsibility calls for an overhaul of the current ratings system and a “zero-tolerance” policy towards underage admissions by theatre owners. A 5-year extension of the foreign levies agreement is negotiated, increasing the Guilds’ portion of revenues. National Board unanimously approves new 4-year national commercial contract. DGA continues to monitor and encourage increased diversity in the industry. DGA Foundation becomes sole underwriter for DGA-Motion Picture Industry Conservation Collection at UCLA. Residuals exceed $165 million.

1999
DGA members ratify new three-year film, tape and network contracts. The DGA, in conjunction with SAG, releases the Monitor Company report on The Economic Impact of U.S. Film and Television Runaway Production, and spearheads efforts to pass state and federal runaway production legislation. Over 800 people attend the inaugural DGA Honors in New York, celebrating the value and importance of American film and television production. The first DGA Honors Filmmaker Award given to Martin Scorsese. The Guild’s Independent Directors Committee establishes The Director’s Finder, a screening series of unreleased independent films made under DGA agreements.

1998
The Guild celebrates 50th anniversary of DGA Awards for outstanding directorial achievement. The DGA successfully champions historic legislation in the US Congress that ensures that when films are transferred to new owners or distributors, directors, performers and writers are legally guaranteed payment of residuals as provided by their collectively bargained agreements. The Guild creates an Independent Directors Committee and participates more widely in film festivals. Residuals exceed $150 million. Robert E. Wise library is dedicated in the Guild’s Los Angeles headquarters.

1997
Jack Shea elected DGA President. The DGA holds its first Diversity Summit, bringing top industry executives and Directors together to discuss the employment situation facing women and minorities in DGA categories. DGA Diversity Award, honoring producers or employers in the industry who have demonstrated consistent commitment to and leadership in the hiring of women and ethnic minorities in DGA categories, goes to Bruce Paltrow and the team of John Wells and Christopher Chulack. National Board adopts revisions to the Low Budget Agreement. Membership exceeds 11,000 and residuals exceed $130 million.

1996
DGA members overwhelmingly approve new three-year film, tape and network contracts, including a Code of Preferred Practices for Creative Rights. National Board designates “year of diversity” as theme for Guild’s 60th anniversary celebration. Guild publishes first Creative Rights Handbook. The Guild sponsors the first Sundance Film Festival Directing Award and the first Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Directing Award. DGA News re-launched as DGA Magazine, a bimonthly publication.

1995
Jay D. Roth named National Executive Director. The Guild achieves its first contracts covering interactive media. Membership exceeds 10,000 and residuals exceed $100 million. Roth begins the process of developing new staff departments and initiatives to raise the sophistication and effectiveness of the Guild’s approach to its core functions: representation in collective bargaining, organizing and jurisdiction and member support. These efforts lead to the creation of the present-day Credits, Communications, Government Affairs and Research departments.

1994
The DGA reaches out to prospective members among the independent filmmaking community at the Sundance, Toronto and Hampton Film Festivals and Independent Feature Film Market. DGA-supported Artist Rights Foundation presents the first annual John Huston Award for Artists Rights to Fred Zinnemann. DGA Latino Committee celebrates Hollywood’s Hispanic Heritage. DGA African-American Steering Committee founded.

1993
Gene Reynolds elected DGA President. In early negotiations, the Guild successfully negotiates a three-year contract which includes increased ceilings for health fund contributions and a qualification list for the Third Area. Improvements are made with respect to the Guild’s jurisdiction and to employment criteria for Associate Directors and Stage Managers.

1992
The Guild initiates a campaign to rejuvenate production in New York. The first annual Meet the DGA Feature Nominees Symposium held in March. Residuals reach $82 million.

1991
AD/UPMs and Women/Minority members create mentor program. DGA Latino Committee approved by National Board. Residuals reach $76 million. DGA receives first foreign levies payment. First presentation of Preston Sturges Award to Billy Wilder for outstanding achievements in both writing and directing, presented jointly with the WGAw. 

1990
The 1990 DGA Basic Agreement, FLTTA and Network Contracts are negotiated a full four months prior to the expiration of the 1987 Agreement, avoiding an industry production slowdown. DGA reaches settlement with studios over sharing of foreign levies revenue, ensuring members share in monies collected in foreign territories. The Artists Rights Foundation is created with initial donations from the Getty Foundation, Steven Spielberg and Fred Zinnemann with the mission to continue the fight to protect artists’ works throughout the world.

1989
Arthur Hiller elected DGA President. The Guild moves into the new home of its national headquarters, a Hollywood landmark with three state-of-the-art theatres. The fight for moral rights charges ahead with congressional hearings on copyright issues. Membership surpasses 9,000. Total assets of Pension and Health Plans exceed $500 million.

1988
The moral rights movement achieves a victory on Capitol Hill with the passage of the National Film Preservation Act. Glenn Gumpel named National Executive Director.

1987
The Guild's first industry-wide strike lasts three hours, five minutes in the East and five minutes in the West before negotiations yield an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Despite pressure from the major studios to roll back minimum residual compensation and other minimum terms and conditions, the Guild gains three-year freelance contracts in film and television. Franklin Schaffner elected president. Groundbreaking on new Guild headquarters in Hollywood.

Construction of the new Directors Guild headquarters at 7920 Sunset Boulevard. President Gilbert Cates stands with Robert Wise, Franklin J. Schaffner, Delbert Mann, George Schaefer and George Sidney

1986
The Guild celebrates its 50th anniversary with a Golden Jubilee birthday party, retrospective, and the commissioning of “Precious Images,” a montage showcasing some of the finest works made by directors over the past 50 years. Eight years of difficult, sometimes acrimonious negotiations result in a collective bargaining agreement with Home Box Office. National Board votes unanimously to oppose colorization of black and white movies.

1985
Membership approves construction for a dramatic new six-story Hollywood headquarters at 7920 Sunset Boulevard. Residuals collected surpass $44 million.

1984
The Guild successfully negotiates new freelance and staff contracts with significant gains in all membership categories. Special Projects launches classes and seminars to help members polish existing skills, or acquire new ones. National Board approves Low-Budget Theatrical Contract to provide for unilateral reduction in minimum compensation, an industry first, and to enable members to do low-budget features under a Guild contract. Robert B. Aldrich Award for extraordinary Guild service is established.

1983
Gilbert Cates elected DGA President. The Guild begins preparation for intensive negotiations with major studios and production companies with a goal of eliminating discriminatory hiring practices. Warner Bros.’ refusal to negotiate affirmative action program with timetable triggers Guild legal action. Pension assets exceed $200 million.

1982
Despite a national recession that reduces industry employment rates, growth continues: Pension assets hit a record $150 million; membership rises to more than 6,700; assets exceed $10 million and residuals collections surpass $25 million.

1981
Jud Taylor elected DGA President. Negotiations in film, and live and tape television yield not only significant monetary and creative gains, but also affirmative action provisions for women and ethnic minorities. Residuals collections climb to more than $23 million. Membership reaches 6,500. 

1980
Administrative improvements result in record residual collections of $20 million. Additional computer upgrades address membership needs. The Guild prepares for 1981 collective bargaining negotiations. National Board approves formation of Women’s Steering Committee and Ethnic Minority Committee. Frank Capra Achievement Award established to recognize outstanding contributions of AD/UPM members.

1979
George Schaefer elected DGA President. The Guild strictly enforces new contract through newly-negotiated grievance and arbitration procedures, drawing a record $3 million. First Guild computer system goes online. Residuals collections reach $12 million, 60% more than in 1978.

1978
Film negotiations conclude. Tape negotiations yield agreement with independent producers and networks. Both contracts scheduled to expire on the same date in 1981. Michael Franklin named National Executive Secretary. At Franklin’s recommendation, Board approves creation of new staff departments to serve the Guild’s growing membership including: Legal, Membership, Residuals and Signatories.

1977
The Guild begins difficult film negotiations, working to address economic inequities and obtain artistic rights. Membership reaches 5,500.

1976
The National Board approves the creation of a Special Projects program to inspire members to learn about their peers and more about the craft. Robert Wise is named chairman of Special Projects committee and holds that post through 2000.

1975
Robert Aldrich elected DGA President. The Guild negotiates first industry-wide live and tape television contract covering employment with independent production companies.

1973
Film agreement provides for payments for supplemental markets, a separate scale for network prime-time shows, and representation of Technical Coordinators.

1972
The Guild renegotiates motion picture and television contracts, gaining jurisdiction over U.S.-backed foreign film production. In its continuing effort to honor members and encourage young people to pursue film careers, the Guild programs retrospective screenings and seminars.

1971
Robert Wise elected DGA President. Features and free television residuals extended to pay television and videocassettes. After six years of negotiations, the Guild achieves a cultural exchange with the Soviet Union’s Association of Film Makers. DGA Awards for television expand to represent five categories.

1969
The establishment of the DGA Health Plan which, like the Pension Plan, is a separate trust administered independently by representatives of the Guild and the signatory companies.

1968
With the cooperation of New York signatory companies, an Assistant Directors Training Plan is established on the East Coast.

1967
Delbert Mann elected DGA President. Guild publishes annual Directory of Members for the first time. Guild membership reaches 3,300.

1966
The Guild purchases a building at 110 West 57th Street in New York that serves as East Coast headquarters. Publication of the first Guild magazine, Action, begins.

1965
The eight-year-old Screen Directors International Guild in New York merges with the DGA.

1964

Unit Production Managers merge with the Directors Guild. The Guild institutes a training program on the West Coast for potential Assistant Directors.

1963
Assistant Directors Local 161, IATSE, which formed in New York in 1944, merges with the Directors Guild. DGA establishes Bill of Creative Rights, establishing landmarks such as the right to a “Director’s Cut” and to receive final credit on main titles.

1960
The merger of the Screen Directors Guild and the Radio and Television Directors Guild forges the Directors Guild of America, Inc. The RTDG, formed in 1947 as the Radio Directors Guild, had grown to include television Directors, Associate Directors, Stage Managers and Production Assistants working in live and taped television. This year also marks the establishment of the DGA Producer Pension Plan and the first residuals for features aired on free television. Frank Capra elected DGA President for second time.

1955
The Directors Guild sets up headquarters in its own building, which includes a private theatre, in Hollywood.

1954
Groundbreaking for the construction of the new Screen Directors Guild headquarters at 7950 Sunset Boulevard is held on September 17, 1954.

September 17, 1954: President George Sidney, with shovel, makes the ceremonial dig. Others in the photograph include Paul Guilfoyle, Milton Bren, Clarence Brown, Fred Guiol, William Seiter, Reginald LeBorg, George Stevens, Lesley Selander, Claude Binyon, Joseph Mankiewicz, Stuart Heisler, Frank Borzage, Norman McLeod, Rouben Mamoulian, George Marshall, Leo McCarey, Rudolph Mate, Alfred Santell, L.B. Mayer and Howard W. Koch, kneeling.