Southern California Application Process

Every application must include the supporting documentation listed below. Each hard-copy applicant must also submit a printed application form for the area in which they are seeking placement and a Document Return Form, both available on this website.

Documentation required for each project:

• Deal Memo or contract with job title (DGA Deal Memos are available through their Reports Compliance department)
• Pay documents substantiating payment for every day worked (see notes below)
• Production Reports for each day of work with the shooting company
• Call Sheets
• Crew Lists

Per the DGA contract, it is the applicant's responsibility to demonstrate to DGACA's satisfaction that he or she has met the requirements for placement. DGACA reserves the right to request original documents if they are needed to verify the application claim; however, applicants are urged to submit photocopies of their documents. DGACA assumes no responsibility for the loss and/or damage to any documents (original or duplicate) that are submitted.

Applicants are expected to thoroughly organize their documents. Please see question #17 under the FAQ for guidance with document organization. DGACA reserves the right to refuse disorderly applications. 

DGACA staff reviews all submitted documentation, so it is helpful if the applicant highlights his or her name as well as the call time on each document submitted. Check that photocopies are legible; they should not be too light, and should not be cut off.

Notes regarding pay documentation: To receive credit for any days worked, the applicant must prove he or she was compensated. Unpaid/volunteer work is not accepted. In most cases, pay stubs are sufficient evidence of payment. DGACA will also consider copies of checks, earning summaries, W-2 or 1099 forms, earnings summaries from DGA Pension & Health, and printouts from the payroll company. Invoices and letters from production companies are not accepted as proof of payment. DGACA must be able to link payment received by you from the project or production company. Please contact us with any questions.

Applications for placement or upgrade on the QLs must be submitted to the DGACA within six months of the last qualifying work assignment.

All work qualifying applicants for placement on QLs must be performed in the United States except that work performed in a foreign country will be credited if an American First Assistant Director worked on the project or if there are no labor restrictions, laws or quotas that would have prevented an American First Assistant Director from working on the project. Please contact us for more information about foreign labor restrictions.

Please refer to the “Placement Process” tab at the top of our website for additional information.

We request that all applicants read through our Frequently Asked Questions before contacting DGACA.