A nine-point set of principles outlining how production companies should support and protect directors has been drawn up by the Directors and Producers Forum.
The industry group, which consists of Pact, Directors UK, BBC Studios and ITV Studios, has today published its ‘Engagement Guidelines for Ways of Working Between Producers and Directors’ to reflect the “essential creative nature” of the role of a principal director and encourage productions to run smoothly.
Designed to foster collaboration and ensure that directors are treated with respect, the guidelines emphasise the value of involving a director early in a production to gain their input in shaping narratives and appointing key creatives, crew and contributors.
It outlines the importance of giving directors sufficiently time and resources for effective preparation, as well as avoiding long working hours.
Directors UK chief executive Andy Harrower said: “These principles underpin the director’s role as one of the key creative leads on a production, ensuring that their craft is respected and understood. By setting a standard of working practices that everyone agrees to, directors and producers can make great television, together.”
The principles are:
- Effective communication at an early stage is vital.
- The director has a right to consultation.
- The director’s creative role is to be respected.
- Prep time is vital.
- Health and safety and safeguarding are paramount.
- Producers and directors must comply with policies addressing respectful working conditions.
- The director has a right to the appropriate credit.
- Producers and directors will collaborate to deliver sustainability on production.
- Producers and directors will work together to deliver the production’s commitment to Diversity and Inclusion and production training.
The forum will review the guidelines annually.
