The Directors Guild of America moved closer to a new contract on Friday after its National Board of Directors unanimously voted to recommend ratification of a tentative four-year agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
The deal now heads to the full DGA membership for a ratification vote expected before the end of June. The guild's current contract expires June 30.
DGA President Christopher Nolan outlined the agreement in a memo to members. He said the union entered negotiations with priorities to secure the health plan, protect jobs, and address AI impacts on the industry. The pact includes higher employer contributions to the health plan, wage and residual increases, and new rules on artificial intelligence.
Key provisions limit the number of episodes that can be directed by actors or other multi-hyphenates without directing experience. The agreement also gives directors control over AI-generated footage and creates an employer-funded program to train members on new technology.
Additional terms include a sideletter on lobbying for a federal production tax incentive and a new “Pilot Directed by” credit on television episodes. Studios also agreed to a bulletin prohibiting exclusion of DGA members from directing work outside the United States and Canada.
