Introduction

The Directors Guild supports, trains and celebrates directors across all media - by directors, for directors. We increase recognition and appreciation of the art, craft and expertise of directing within industry, government and amongst the general public. The Guild is the only organisation in the UK representing directors across all media - theatre, film, TV, radio, opera, animation, commercials, music video, corporate and multimedia. We promote, train, advise, celebrate, publish, inform and educate. Formerly a trade union, the DGGB is now both charity and professional organisation, allowing us to expand and channel our public activities through the Directors Guild Trust whilst maintaining professional services for director members. We are a Craft Guild, offering unrivalled opportunities for members to meet, share and exchange expertise and skills at a wide variety of events: from informal drinks to group discussions and seminars on creative development and artistic techniques to high profile master classes, screenings and forums.

Provenance

We train directors; the Guild is a leading national voice, working with Skillset and other industry and educational bodies to improve standards, helping emerging directors develop their craft and working directors to further their skills and cross media. Our long-running and very successful Observer Scheme allowed a member to observe a colleague at work, giving directors the opportunity to develop new skills and expertise, often in different media. This invaluable initiative has been much copied and has been developed into our currently-running Direct Access Feature Film Observer Scheme, in conjunction with the Directors Guild Trust, Skillset and Film Four. We plan to extend Direct Access to other media in the years to come.

Professional Experience

Campaigns: The Guild has campaigned for 25 years on behalf of directors, offering a voice in developing policy and influence the future of the industry and the protection of creative rights in every sectors. Festivals: Guild has a presence at industry events and festivals, promoting British directors and the craft of directing on a national and international level. Recognition of the DGGB enables professional members to access accreditation for international events and festivals across the globe. In the past, our members have attended Cannes, Edinburgh IFF, Sundance, AFM, Berlin and LFF. The Guild sustains active contact with leading theatre, film and television organisations - FERA (Federation of European Film Directors), IETM (Informal European Theatre Meeting), the International Theatre Institute - ensuring that British directors contribute at the highest level to international developments and legislation.

Career Apex

We honour directors' work, through awards and celebrations to recognise outstanding contribution to the craft. Past Lifetime Achievement Award recipients include: Fred Zinnemann, Roy Boulting, Joan Littlewood, Christopher Morahan, Sir Richard Eyre, Sir Alan Parker CBE, Stanley Kubrick, Peter Brook CH, John Schlesinger CBE, Sir Trevor Nunn, and Sam Mendes. Guild Blue Plaques celebrating great directors of the past and the buildings/locations they inhabited. Alexander McKendrick and Michael Powell have been honoured - the plaque for David Lean will be inaugurated in 2008 and one for John Schlesinger is planned.

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TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE DIRECTORS GUILD - Membership subscription for professional directors is a recommended 1% of income from directing, with a minimum of 60 pounds to a maximum of 900 pounds. (Pro-rata rates may apply, please contact the office for more information.). The subscription is in the form of a Gift Aid donation to the Directors Guild Trust, with 10 pounds subtracted for your discount membership card. Professional directors with at least two professional credits are eligible for voting membership as a limited guarantor of the Directors Guild CIC Ltd. Your guarantee is strictly limited to just one pound and your membership enables us to provide you with specific services, support and advice and guarantees a full entry in the Directory of Members, an internationally consulted Who's Who of British directors.