MOVIES - March 26, 1987

The Directors Guild of America--maneuvering for bargaining power in coming contract talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)--has offered independent producers a special contract. The DGA’s offer to non-AMPTP companies would allow them to continue filming without fear of a work stoppage in the event that the guild strikes for a new contract with the producers’ alliance, which represents the major studios and larger production companies. Daily Variety said that the contract, if accepted, would be a “powerful wedge to be driven into the AMPTP’s resolve to take a protracted strike.” Last month, the DGA refused to issue a waiver guaranteeing the same protection to AMPTP members.