To fall under the rubric "Reality TV Show," the agreement stipulates that the program be an unscripted, entertainment program, depicting actual people. Among other considerations, the show must use contrived, manipulated or staged elements, including re-enactments.
According to the agreement, scale payment for DGA members will be $5,337 per show, based on four days of work. This includes preparation, taping and editing.
The agreement stipulates the terms and conditions under which members of the DGA may work. Conditions regarding pension and health contributions, creative rights and crediting will be the same as non-reality TV shows (the DGA basic agreement).
On shows made for basic cable, the DGA reality television agreement allows for salary and residual negotiation, as long as pension and health contributions are made on those negotiated salaries.
The agreement requires that a show director be used on each episode. However, exceptions may be made when "specific program situations" do not include talent or performance instructions.