Recognizing that reality television will remain a part of the programming schedule, the DGA has shaped policies to ensure that members working on these shows may continue to enjoy Guild protections and benefits. The Guild has also been working hard to bring more shows under its umbrella and, to that end, created the Reality Television Committee (RTC). The RTC, which recently elected Directors Craig Borders, Tony Croll and J. Rupert Thompson as co-chairs, play a guiding role for the Guild in reaching out to the reality community. One of the Committee’s highest priorities is to find ways to get a key message across to producers in the genre: that the Guild recognizes the unique nature of these shows and creates individualized agreements for each reality program. (see sidebar below)
Since the Guild’s reality organizing efforts began in September 2003, DGA Reality Television Agreements have successfully provided employment to members on over ninety (90) programs, and have been well received by many production companies.
“LMNO Productions became signatory to the Guild in 1992, and since then the demands from the networks have changed countless times,” said Ed Horwitz, Senior Vice President of Production. “We have found that the DGA has always been extremely flexible and open to finding ways to work together. Because of this, I am able to utilize talented DGA Directors on all my network reality shows.” Recognizing that reality television will remain a part of the programming schedule, the DGA has shaped policies to ensure that members working on these shows may continue to enjoy Guild protections and benefits. The Guild has also been working hard to bring more shows under its umbrella and, to that end, created the Reality Television Committee (RTC). The RTC, which recently elected Directors Craig Borders, Tony Croll and J. Rupert Thompson as co-chairs, play a guiding role for the Guild in reaching out to the reality community. One of the Committee’s highest priorities is to find ways to get a key message across to producers in the genre: that the Guild recognizes the unique nature of these shows and creates individualized agreements for each reality program.
Since the Guild’s reality organizing efforts began in September 2003, DGA Reality Television Agreements have successfully provided employment to members on over ninety (90) programs, and have been well received by many production companies.
“LMNO Productions became signatory to the Guild in 1992, and since then the demands from the networks have changed countless times,” said Ed Horwitz, Senior Vice President of Production. “We have found that the DGA has always been extremely flexible and open to finding ways to work together. Because of this, I am able to utilize talented DGA Directors on all my network reality shows.”
“The Guild understands that each reality show has its own particularities and is prepared to tailor its agreements to address the specific needs of each production. I think that’s why they’ve made substantial inroads in their organizing efforts,” stated Andrew Jebb, Vice President of Production at Nash Entertainment. “And working with DGA members makes for a better experience all around.”
Added DGA RTC Co-Chair J. Rupert Thompson: “All DGA members benefit from the Reality Agreement because they have access to jobs being created in the reality genre and, as a result, can be assured of economic protections, such as health and pension benefits, that DGA contracts offer.”
“Ours has been a grassroots, show-by-show approach to the issue,” concluded Apted. “Although organizing reality television is not easy and we have our work cut out for us, we’re pleased to have made some real progress.”
DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs
The DGA recently announced the creation of a DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs. The Award, given to a DGA director of a reality program produced under a DGA Agreement, will be bestowed for the first time at the 58th Annual DGA Awards Dinner on January 28, 2006.
“Over the past several years, reality television has radically transformed the television landscape and now comprises a substantial portion of the prime-time schedule,” said DGA President Michael Apted. “It is time to publicly acknowledge the director’s role in reality television and to recognize, with a DGA Award, the outstanding directorial achievements of DGA members who work in this genre.”
For purposes of the DGA Award, a Reality Program is defined as a nonfiction series or special. Shows featuring dramatic or variety performance are excluded, but are included in other award categories. Only programs made under a DGA Agreement that originally aired during the calendar year 2005 are eligible. Shows exhibited theatrically prior to television exhibition are not eligible.
All eligible Reality Programs entries will be viewed by a Director Member Nominating Committee, which votes by secret ballot. The five entries that receive the highest number of votes will be announced as the 2005 DGA Reality Programs Nominees. These five nominated programs will then be viewed by Director Member Blue Ribbon Panels that will, by secret ballot, select the winner of the 2005 DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs.
For more information on The Guild’s Reality Television Award contact the DGA Awards Coordinator Laraine Savelle at 310-289-2038.
Members May Not Perform DGA-Covered Duties on Non-Signatory Reality Programs
The Guild’s strength rests with its members who collectively have agreed not to work for an employer who refuses to negotiate an agreement with the DGA. The Guild is able to achieve strong contracts only because employers know that to utilize the talents of Guild members they have to provide DGA benefits and conditions of employment. That is why the fundamental rule of Guild membership is that members cannot perform DGA-covered work without a DGA agreement. Members sacrifice potential opportunities on individual projects because they understand that this is necessary in order to have the protections and advantages that a career under DGA Agreements allows.
Therefore, Guild members must not accept employment in a DGA capacity on a non-DGA reality television show. In particular, members may not perform the following duties for a non-signatory employer, regardless of the credited job title:
DIRECTOR
- Direction of both professional and non-professional talent, i.e., giving acting or performance suggestions or notes to talent.
- Staging.
- Deciding the placement and/or switching of multiple cameras.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR and/or STAGE MANAGER
- Perform timing functions and give time cues.
- Give cues from the floor (in studio or location).
- Prepare call sheets and production reports, if needed
- Relay information to persons directly involved on the stage, a studio floor or on location when it includes:
(a) Relaying stage directions of the Associate Director, Director or Producer.
(b) Responsible for notifying on set talent of the time for rehearsals and rehearsal breaks.
(c) Marking positions on the set for talent. - Supervising editing other than as a Producer.
