Do you think you qualify for a category upgrade? Below please find the requirements for upgrading to each category. If you have any questions, or think you qualify for a category upgrade, please contact membership@dgcbc.com.

I am interested in upgrading to the job category of:

• Production Manager
• Unit Manager
• 1st Assistant Director
• 2nd Assistant Director
• 3rd Assistant Director
• Additional Assistant Director - Background Coordinator
• Location Manager
• Assistant Location Manager
• Location Scout

Please Note: Associate Members are unable to upgrade from Production Assistant to the job category of 2nd Assistant Director, Location Manager or Production Manager without first upgrading to the category of 3rd Assistant Director, Assistant Location Manager, or Unit Manager.

To upgrade to the job category of Production Manager you must:

• Work a minimum of 150 days, with at least 75 shoot days, as a Production Manager over three separate productions.
  Please Note: two seasons of the same TV Series will count as two productions; any additional seasons of that TV Series will not be eligible as a third production.
• Complete the DGC BC PM Budgeting Essentials Course (or the 2018-2019 PM Upgrade Course).
• Complete the Actsafe Motion Picture Safety for Supervisors Workshop (if not completed for a previous upgrade).
• *Complete the Joint Health & Safety Committee Fundamentals Course.

*Completion of the Joint Health & Safety Committee Fundamentals Course is mandatory for any PM or UM Member to be eligible to list on the Full Member Weekly Availability List. This is a provincially mandated course for any supervisor.

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To upgrade to the job category of Unit Manager you must:

• Work a minimum of 150 days, with at least 75 shoot days, as a Unit Manager over three separate productions.
  Please Note: two seasons of the same TV Series will count as two productions; any additional seasons of that TV Series will not be eligible as a third production.
• Complete the Actsafe Motion Picture Safety for Supervisors Workshop (if not completed for a previous upgrade).
• *Complete the Joint Health & Safety Committee Fundamentals Course.

*Completion of the Joint Health & Safety Committee Fundamentals Course is mandatory for any PM or UM Member to be eligible to list on the Full Member Weekly Availability List. This is a provincially mandated course for any supervisor.

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To upgrade to the job category of 1st Assistant Director you must:

• Work a minimum of 150 days, with at least 115 shoot days, as a 1st Assistant Director over three separate productions. 
  Please Note: two seasons of the same TV Series will count as two productions; any additional seasons of that TV Series will not be eligible as a third production.
• Complete the DGC BC 1st Assistant Director Course.
• Complete the Actsafe Motion Picture Safety for Supervisors Workshop (if not completed for a previous upgrade).
• As of November 1, 2023: Complete the 1st Assistant Director upgrade exam.

Once you have completed all the requirements, please email membership@dgcbc.com to book your exam. 

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To upgrade to the job category of 2nd Assistant Director you must:

• Work a minimum of 150 days, with at least 115 shoot days, as a 2nd Assistant Director over three separate productions.
  Please Note: two seasons of the same TV Series will count as two productions; any additional seasons of that TV Series will not be eligible as a third production.
• Complete the DGC BC 2nd Assistant Director Course.
• Complete the Actsafe Motion Picture Safety for Supervisors Workshop (if not completed for a previous upgrade).
• Complete the 2nd Assistant Director upgrade exam.

Once you have completed all the requirements, please email membership@dgcbc.com to book your exam. 

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To upgrade to the job category of 3rd Assistant Director you must:

• Work a minimum of 300 days as a 3rd Assistant Director over three separate productions. Up to 150 days worked as a Trainee Assistant Director (TAD) will count towards the requirement.
  Please Note: two seasons of the same TV Series will count as two productions; any additional seasons of that TV Series will not be eligible as a third production.
• Provide a form, signed by a supervisor (Production Manager, 1st Assistant Director or 2nd Assistant Director) verifying a minimum of 100 days of Trailer AD work, including the DPR and contracts. Completed forms can be emailed to membership@dgcbc.com or faxed to 604-688-2610. If you fax the form, please call the office at 604-688-2976 to verify that we have received it.
• Complete the DGC BC 3rd Assistant Director Course.
• Complete the Actsafe Motion Picture Safety for Supervisors Workshop (if not completed for a previous upgrade).
• Complete the 3rd Assistant Director upgrade exam.

Once you have completed all the requirements, please email membership@dgcbc.com to book your exam. 

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To upgrade to the job category of Additional Assistant Director - Background Coordinator you must:

• Work a minimum of 150 days, as an Additional Assistant Director - Background Coordinator over three separate productions. 
  Please Note: two seasons of the same TV Series will count as two productions; any additional seasons of that TV Series will not be eligible as a third production.
• Complete the DGC BC Additional Assistant Director - Background Coordinator Course.
• *As of March 1, 2024: Complete the DGC BC Art of Setting Background Course.
• Complete the Actsafe Motion Picture Safety for Supervisors Workshop (if not completed for a previous upgrade).

*As of January 1, 2025, completion of the Art of Setting Background Course is mandatory for any Additional Assistant Director - Background Coordinator Member to be eligible to list on the Full Member Weekly Availability List.

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To upgrade to the job category of Location Manager you must:

• Work a minimum of 150 days, with at least 115 shoot days, as a Location Manager over three separate productions. 
  Please Note: two seasons of the same TV Series will count as two productions; any additional seasons of that TV Series will not be eligible as a third production.
• Complete the DGC BC Location Manager course.
• Complete the Actsafe Motion Picture Safety for Supervisors Workshop (if not completed for a previous upgrade).
• Complete the Location Manager upgrade exam*.

Once you have completed all the requirements, please email membership@dgcbc.com to book your exam. 

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To upgrade to the job category of Assistant Location Manager you must:

• Work a minimum of 300 days as an Assistant Location Manager over three separate productions. Up to 150 days worked as a Trainee Assistant Location Manager (TAL) will count towards the requirement.
  Please Note: two seasons of the same TV Series will count as two productions; any additional seasons of that TV Series will not be eligible as a third production.
• Complete the DGC BC Assistant Location Manager Course.
• Complete the DGC BC Location Scouting Course.
• Complete the Actsafe Motion Picture Safety for Supervisors Workshop (if not completed for a previous upgrade).
• Complete the Assistant Location Manager upgrade exam.

Once you have completed all the requirements, please email membership@dgcbc.com to book your exam. 

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To upgrade to the job category of Location Scout you must:

• Work a minimum of 150 days as a Location Scout over three separate productions.
  Please Note: two seasons of the same TV Series will count as two productions; any additional seasons of that TV Series will not be eligible as a third production.
• Complete the DGC BC Location Scouting Course.
• Complete the Actsafe Motion Picture Safety for Supervisors Workshop (if not completed for a previous upgrade).

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