1987

The Guild's first industry-wide strike lasts three hours, five minutes in the East and five minutes in the West before negotiations yield an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Despite pressure from the major studios to roll back minimum residual compensation and other minimum terms and conditions, the Guild gains three-year freelance contracts in film and television. Franklin Schaffner elected president. Groundbreaking on new Guild headquarters in Hollywood.

The Man Who Would Be King

King Vidor

King Vidor helped bring directors together to form the Guild and became its first president during the early, perilous years. His legacy as a great filmmaker and fighter for directors' rights continues today.

Director's Cut - 75th Anniversary Video Compilation

Director’s Cut commemorates 75 years of directing history through the compilation of hundreds of clips illustrating the entire range of our members’ work. The focus is on images of directors working—not just the work itself—underscoring to audiences that these lasting images are the result of a director’s vision.

Explore the DGA Visual History Program

In-depth peer-to-peer interviews of veteran Guild members sharing the journey of their artistic and professional careers.