Producers Guild of America Expands Access to Free Set Etiquette Training for Independent Productions

PGA and the Hollywood Commission collaboration extends free harassment prevention training and resources to independent productions to support safer sets across the U.S.

LOS ANGELES — Today, the Producers Guild of America (PGA) and the Hollywood Commission announced a collaboration to expand access to the PGA’s Set Etiquette Training program, which provides participating productions with free harassment-prevention training. The program, previously available only to independent U.S.-based productions with at least 20 cast and crew members, now extends access to U.S. independent productions signatory to the I.A.T.S.E. Low Budget Theatrical Agreement.

The PGA worked in coordination with the Hollywood Commission on the expanded initiative to strengthen training access for smaller productions, particularly those without dedicated HR or compliance infrastructure, offering a unified set of resources that help producers establish safe, respectful, and accountable workplaces.

“Producers play a critical role in establishing the culture of a production,” said Susan Sprung, CEO of the Producers Guild of America. “Set Etiquette Training gives producers clear guidance and resources they can implement immediately-supporting safer, more professional working environments for every member of the production team.”

With this unified and expanded training, the PGA and the Hollywood Commission are providing a versatile, interactive framework that independent producers can introduce to help reduce risk, improve communication, and support a culture where cast and crew can perform their best work.

“The Hollywood Commission is committed to ensuring that every worker has a safe and respectful workplace, regardless of a production’s size or budget,” said Malia Arrington, Executive Director of the Hollywood Commission. “We are proud to work alongside the PGA to make it easier for independent producers to set expectations early and establish clear standards on set.”

Designed to support the realities of independent filmmaking, the Set Etiquette Training program offers producers, department heads, cast, and crew a structured, flexible approach to preventing harassment and other abusive conduct on set. Training sessions are conducted virtually or in-person during pre-production by an experienced attorney and adapted to the needs of each production.

The PGA and the Hollywood Commission now operate within a unified framework, sharing a Code of Conduct, using a common set of definitions, and offering easy-to-adapt policy templates. Participating productions receive a suite of practical resources, including:

• Guide for Independent Production Companies: A step-by-step reference for production leadership outlining core responsibilities and recommended practices.
• Guidelines for a Safer Workplace: An overview of expectations and procedures that support a safe, professional working environment.
• Code of Conduct: A customizable template that productions can distribute to cast and crew before training to clarify behavioral standards.
• Guidelines for Set Responders: A description of the roles and obligations of designated responders who handle concerns on set.
• Incident Log: A structured tool for documenting, tracking, and addressing complaints or reported issues.
• Glossary of Terms: A shared set of definitions and industry language developed jointly by the Producers Guild of America and the Hollywood Commission.

The Set Etiquette Training program reflects the Guild’s continued commitment to supporting safer and more respectful working environments across productions of all sizes. Past participants credit Set Etiquette Training with strengthening morale, improving professionalism, and establishing clear standards across departments.

Producers may apply to participate at producersguild.org/set.

For more information, contact set@producersguild.org.