DEGNZ Launches Young Creators and Web Series Director Agreement

DEGNZ launched its new Young Creators initiative with its first event Before You Say Yes to Web Series.

Young Creators is a programme of events with a mission to inform and inspire younger or emerging directors and editors to build successful, sustainable careers in the screen industry.

The Young Creators initiative will be more career and business focused, while the Guild will continue to provide its craft-based professional development programme to members.

At Before You Say Yes to Web Series, Executive Director Tui Ruwhiu spoke in depth about the current issue of digital platforms expecting quality online series at rock-bottom prices.

Problems directors have faced include below minimum wages and a lack of creative rights and copyright. Another issue is that directors have signed contracts without properly understanding the agreement or knowing that they can negotiate for better conditions. And in some instances, directors have not received contracts until long after they have begun working on projects.

In response, DEGNZ outlined a proposed Standard Online Series Director Agreement at the Young Creators event. Tui and Tim Riley from Dominion Law highlighted and provided explanation of sections in the agreement. They also received valuable feedback that will shape the final document.

Because of the many problems that DEGNZ has heard about both directly and anecdotally, the Guild has decided to make the agreement available to both members and non-members on request.

DEGNZ will notify once the standard agreement is ready for release, and filmmakers will be able to receive a free copy by contacting DEGNZ directly.

The Guild encourages everyone to negotiation terms and conditions and get signed contracts before any work is undertaken. Everyone has a right to be compensated fairly either through purely financial terms, or a mixture of fees and retaining copyright, at the same time receiving creative control and rights for the work undertaken.

Thanks to our speakers and everyone who attended and helped make the event a success.

Last updated on 20 March 2020