ADG & Fremantle reach deal over Neighbours directors

The Australian Directors Guild (ADG) and Fremantle have signed an agreement covering all directors working on Neighbours.

The agreement comes after some rumblings from the Guild and encompasses a revised tiered wage structure that now considers factors such as experience. It also ensures the potential for review.

It is the first agreement of its type in Australia for directors and follows an agreement between the ADG with Disney late last year for the US show Reef Break and precedes a major agreement with Screen Producers Australia (SPA) for TV Drama.

“This is an historic moment for the ADG as it is the first industrial agreement for directors in Australian television,” said Kingston Anderson CEO of the ADG.

“We have been negotiating with Fremantle for some time and, with new CEO Chris Oliver-Taylor at the helm, the company has worked with constructively with the ADG for the best outcome for both directors and this iconic show.

“The ADG hopes this will be the beginning of a series of agreements in the industry that will benefit both directors and producers of Australian television,” Anderson continued. “We hope that other production companies producing television dramas with engage with the ADG to ensure the best possible outcomes for all.”

This week the show received nominations for both Most Popular and Most Outstanding Drama at the Logie Awards.