S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 6
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3
• Budget tiers have been revised as follows:
Level 1a: $500K and under
Level 1b: $500K-$1.1M
Level 2: $1.1M-$3M
Level 3: $3M-$4M
Level 4a: $4M-$5.5M
Level 4b: $5.5M-$8.5M
Level 4c: $8.5M-$11M
• Director salary for Level 3 is now 33% of the BA minimum
with a 13-week guarantee, for a total of $108,168.
Previously a flat fee structure applied.
• Basic Agreement prep time requirements now apply for
BTL at Level 3 and above
• Wrap supervision allowance is now required at Levels
2-4b, at 50% of the BA rate
• Completion of assignment pay is now required at Level 2,
computed at 50% of the BA requirement
• Production fees at Level 2 increased from $25/week to
$100/week for all eligible categories
• Premium salary is now due for work on a 7th day at Level
2, at time and a half (150%)
• And before the start of principal photography, the
Employer must submit to the DGA a Final Cost Statement
(as defined in the agreement).
New FLTTA Deal Memos Online
The DGA has posted new FLTTA deal memos online for Director
and AD/SM members. These new deal memos should be used for
any FLTTA project.
The new deal memos have two key changes:
1. They have been updated to reflect the High-Budget Subscription Video on
Demand (SVOD) terms, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 high-budget thresholds,
and;
2. The Associate Director/Stage Manager deal memo now has a "First-Assigned" and "Additional" designation to indicate the
Lead ("First-Assigned") Associate Director and Stage Manager on a particular project. The designation will assist the Guild
in tracking and administering residuals where there is more than one Associate Director or Stage Manager on a project
since the Lead is entitled to 60% of the respective residual share, with additional Associate Directors and Stage Managers
sharing the remaining 40% based on days worked.
See the new FLTTA Director & AD/SM Deal Memos online at www.dga.org/Employers/DealMemos.
If you have questions about which deal memo should be used for your production, please contact the Reports Compliance
Department at 310-289-5375 or ssanchez@dga.org.
2026 Changes to the Low Budget
Theatrical Sideletter
The DGA Low Budget Theatrical Sideletter covers scripted films
intended for theatrical release with budgets of up to $11 million.
This contract provides modified terms and conditions that address
producing lower budget features under a DGA contract. The entire
agreement can be found on the DGA website.
From July 1, 2026, until June 30, 2027, the following modified terms are now in effect:
To see the details on the DGA Low Budget Agreements, visit the contract section of www.dga.org.
For more information contact the DGA Contracts Department at (310) 289-2010 or email contracts@dga.org.
