The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to protect job opportunities for career directors amid a prolonged industry slump. After a 40% drop in production jobs over the past four years, the union negotiated a provision limiting actors and other cast or crew members from directing TV episodes unless they have an established directing track record. The move aims to preserve episodic directing roles for professional directors, even as some performers continue to cross over into directing.

The new contract also addresses broader concerns, including international production trends and artificial intelligence. A joint committee will study how DGA rules apply to U.S. productions filmed overseas, and studios have agreed to support federal lobbying efforts aimed at bringing more productions back to the U.S. On AI, the deal ensures that directors retain control over AI-generated footage and includes transparency requirements for AI training data, mirroring agreements previously secured by the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA.

Additional terms include higher employer contributions to the DGA health plan and increased wage caps for contributions, though the union agreed to scale back certain benefits, such as introducing monthly premiums. A new employer-funded program will also help directors build AI-related skills. The four-year contract now awaits ratification by DGA membership.