Definition of Directors Guild of America (DGA)

independent union, founded in 1959 by a merger of the Screen Directors Guild of America and the Radio and Television Directors Guild; headquartered in Hollywood, California. The Directors Guild of America represents directors, assistant directors, floor managers, and some production assistants. The union functions primarily in the negotiation of work agreements for its members. It also sets the minimum wage (scale) for directors and stipulates acceptable working and traveling conditions for its members. Additionally, the DGA has established clearly defined guidelines for the director's creative rights on a production. More than 10,000 members of the DGA are involved with theatrical, industrial, educational, and documentary films as well as television, radio, video, and commercial productions. The Artists' Rights Foundation was created by the DGA in 1990 to protect artists' works worldwide. The DGA can be reached at www.dga.org.