February 21, 2024
As part of the DGA’s ongoing efforts to educate members on recent contract gains, the first section we’re highlighting is the Assistant Director workday changes.
2023 Basic Agreement Workday Changes
In preparation for the 2023 Basic Agreement Negotiations, and based on considerable input from working ADs and UPMs, the top priority identified for the categories this cycle was to address excessive and unsafe working hours. The negotiating committee set out to address this in multiple ways and succeeded in achieving the following:
- Modified hourly triggers for Assistant Directors’ extended workday payments, intended to dis-incentivize long days and short turnarounds
- Added a half hour to the on-the-clock wrap time for 2nd ADs working in the studio, to better reflect the realities of their working hours
These changes are meant to aid in a shift in this industry’s culture of long hours and start to recalibrate what is considered to be a “normal” length of day on productions. However, until or unless this change occurs, ADs will be compensated more for these long days.
As with all contract rules, these gains are only as effective as they are enforced: the Guild – your fellow members – needs you to do your part by standing firm with the contract’s requirements and submitting for additional payment when it is due.
Below is an overview of the defined workday and extended workday payment structures that apply to each category, with areas of 2023 improvement in red. If you have questions about the application of any of these rules or assistance in pursuing payment that is due to you, please contact the DGA at contracts@dga.org or (310) 289-2010.
2nd AD Shooting Workday – Single Camera
Workday Begins*: Earlier of General Crew Call, Make-up or Hair Dressing Personnel Call*
Workday Ends*: 1 hour after Camera Wrap for Wrapping 2AD (+ travel time on distant location or “bus-to” local location)
*Staggering: When more than one 2nd AD is employed, the 2nd ADs may have staggered start and/or end times to avoid excessive hours, as long as there is a 2nd AD present at the start and at the end of the workday.
If only one 2nd AD employed
Extended Day pay due when workday exceeds:
- 13 hours: additional ½ day’s salary
- 15 hours: another additional full day’s salary
- 19 hours: another additional full day’s salary
If two or more 2nd ADs employed
Extended Day pay due when workday exceeds:
- 15 hours: an additional full day’s salary
- 19 hours: another additional full day’s salary
1st AD Shooting Workday – Single Camera
Workday Begins: General Crew Call
Workday Ends: Camera Wrap (+ travel time on distant location or “bus-to” local location)
Extended Day payments due when workday exceeds:
- 13 hours: additional ½ day’s salary
- 15 hours: another additional ½ day’s salary
- 19 hours: another additional full day’s salary
Multi-Camera AD Shooting Workday
2AD & Associate Directors Defined Workday: Same as for single camera 2ADs (see above)
1AD Defined Workday: Same as for single camera 1ADs (see above)
Extended Day pay due to 1ADs, 2ADs, & Associate Directors in Multi-Cam when workday exceeds:
- 15 hours: an additional full day’s salary
- 19 hours: another additional full day’s salary
1st AD & 2nd AD Workday in Prep – Single or Multi Camera
When an AD works “other than in conjunction with a shooting company,” there is no defined workday, so the AD’s workday should reflect actual hours worked.
For both 1st ADs and 2nd ADs in prep, payments are due when workday exceeds:
- 15 hours: an additional full day’s salary
- 19 hours: another additional full day’s salary
UPM Workday – Single or Multi Camera
The UPM’s workday does not change in the new agreement: the day will remain undefined, and UPMs are entitled to an additional day’s pay when their work exceeds 16 hours, and then again if it exceeds 20 hours.
While the undefined structure of the UPM’s workday presents challenges in addressing their excessive hours, it is important that UPMs submit for extended day payments when appropriate. Particularly in situations in which the length of the UPM’s workday is not in their control, work in excess of 16 hours must be addressed.
In order to shift the culture and avoid long hours for all – including UPMs – it is it is essential that these rules be honored and enforced for all categories.
Want to help other DGA members learn more about their rights and contracts? Join the Outreach Team. To find out more about the Outreach Team, please email outreachteam@dga.org