DGA Board Backs New Studio Deal with AI Guardrails

The Directors Guild of America's national board has unanimously endorsed a four-year contract with major studios, recommending its members vote in favor. This proposed agreement significantly enhances director compensation and benefits. Minimum salaries will see increases of 2.5% in the first year, followed by 3% for subsequent years. Additionally, studio contributions to the DGA's health plan will rise by 24.4% over the contract's duration, the largest increase since its founding.

A key provision of the contract addresses the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. The agreement mandates that footage created by AI will be treated the same as traditional camera-shot footage, ensuring it remains under the director's control. Studios are also required to notify the DGA if they intend to license a director's work to train generative AI systems. Furthermore, an employer-funded program will be established to help directors enhance their AI skills.

The DGA also secured a commitment from major studios to actively advocate for a federal production incentive. This initiative aims to counter the trend of U.S. entertainment jobs moving overseas due to lower production costs. The proposed contract runs through June 30, 2030, with DGA members having until June 25 to cast their votes.