July 21, 2020
Los Angeles – The Directors Guild of America made the following statement upon learning of the passing of Michael Franklin:
“As National Executive Director of the Guild from 1978 to 1987, Michael was a leader who, in partnership with the National Board, worked steadily towards improving the modern infrastructure of the DGA. He founded the legal, residuals, membership and signatories departments, and established the Guild’s ability to enforce contracts through the arbitration process. As national executive director, he oversaw the negotiations that secured pay TV formulas for members working in what was, at that time, a nascent but rapidly growing genre, and also established the current formula for home video residuals. Michael was a dedicated leader in the fight against hiring discrimination, and it was during his tenure that the Guild’s first diversity committees were formed. In recognition of his work for the DGA, the Guild named Michael an Honorary Life Member in 1988.”