During the 2023 negotiations, the DGA secured an expanded role in post-production for Directors on most Pay TV & SVOD series. Below are the essential details regarding the nature of the changes, the new rules and resources.
WHAT IS EXPANDED PAID POST?
Following delivery of the Director’s Cut, the Producer will provide notes which will be implemented by the Director on qualifying series. This new, cooperative step creates a more efficient and productive transition between the Director’s Cut and the Producers’ Cut.
WHY UPDATE THE POST PROCESS?
Collaboration. Previously, Directors were often not included in post after submitting their cut. This new process brings Directors into the initial phase of the Producer’s Cut where their familiarity with the footage will support executing the Producer’s notes. In turn, Directors extended participation in post will result in stronger Director’s Cuts over time.
DOES MY SHOW QUALIFY?
A season must meet ALL the below criteria:
- Beginning Principal Photography on or after July 1, 2024
- Made for either:
All Pay TV, or
SVOD services with ≥20 million subscribers
- Budgeted at:
≥$5million for Half-Hour (20-35 min), or
≥$7million for One-Hour (36-65 min)
HOW DOES THIS NEW PROCESS WORK?
The traditional phase of the Director's Cut is unchanged. Following delivery of the Director's Cut, the Producer will have 24 hours to provide feedback on the Director’s Cut. After which, the Director will then have an additional (1) day for HALF-HOUR series or (2) days for ONE-HOUR series to implement the Producer notes with the Editor.
WHO WILL PROVIDE NOTES?
In most cases the Writer/EP should review the Director’s Cut and provide notes. If the Writer/EP is unable to do so, another high-level Producer may be delegated this responsibility. This could be a Producer-Director or Co-Executive Producer.
HOW WILL NOTES BE PROVIDED?
The Producer’s notes should be provided as a single set of notes either in-person (if a screening takes place), in writing, or verbally (via phone, video chat).
WILL THE DIRECTOR BE PAID?
The Director will be paid the applicable pro rata salary for the additional day(s) of work (e.g., 1 day for half-hour series; 2 days for one-hour series).
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
If you have additional questions regarding Post you may contact your studio or the DGA’s Episodic Post Production Coordinator:
Jess Haber at jhaber@dga.org or call 310-289-5376.