A new set of guidelines has been agreed, laying out how production companies work with directors across all genres of production.
The Directors and Producers Forum has agreed the guidelines “to ensure the director’s role is clear and respected.”
Directors UK, Pact, BBC Studios and ITV Studios established The Directors and Producers Forum back in December 2023. The forum is made up of senior representatives and members of Directors UK and representatives of UK studios and production companies.
The new guidelines will be used as a reference point by directors working for UK broadcasters “to ensure they are being treated in a manner that reflects the agreed practices.”
The guidelines 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.
Andy Harrower, Directors UK CEO said: “The best television is made when everyone in a production team works well together. 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.”
Zai Bennett, Chief Creative Officer & CEO BBC Studios Productions, said: “Directors are a vital part of the team that help us to deliver our fantastic productions. I am really pleased that we have agreed these new engagement guidelines and that across the industry we are committing to best practice.”
Julian Bellamy, MD ITV Studios, said: “Best practice is at the heart of ITV Studios and we are delighted to be part of, and support these new guidelines. Great television is the result of great collaboration, and these guiding principles create a mutually respectful working environment for all. We look forward to working with Directors UK and their members, with the guidelines at the heart of each engagement.”
Max Rumney, Deputy CEO and Director of Business Affairs, Pact, said: “Pact has always promoted engagement between its members and those who collaborate with them to create innovative and engaging programmes and films. We welcome these guidelines which sit alongside our other forms of industry dialogue and agreements.”
The guidelines are intended to reflect current practice, and will be reviewed by the Directors and Producers Forum periodically.
Jon Creamer
Share this story
