Rules for Theatrical Submissions
Rules for Television Series Submissions
Television-Radio Writing Awards Rules & Special Instructions
WGAW Paul Selvin Award
Videogame Writing Award

RULES FOR THEATRICAL SUBMISSIONS

Theatrical screenplays produced under the jurisdiction of the WGA or of an affiliate Guild are no longer automatically deemed submitted for the award. A completed entry form must be submitted for WGA awards consideration.

To be eligible, a theatrical motion picture must have been written under the WGA MBA or under a bona fide collective bargaining agreement of the Australian Writers Guild, Writers Guild of Canada, Writers Guild of Great Britain, Irish Playwrights & Screenwriters Guild or the New Zealand Writers Guild (collectively, “affiliate Guilds”).

Submissions for films written under the jurisdiction of an affiliate guild must include a letter from the affiliate guild verifying awards eligibility. Please note that an affiliate Guild may impose additional requirements for a writer to be considered covered by its collective bargaining agreement.

ELIGIBILITY & SUBMISSION RULES

The screenplay awards are for films that were or will be exhibited theatrically in the Los Angeles area for at least one week during 2010.

Theatrical screenplays are classified as Original or Adapted. The WGA will make the final determination of the proper classification for a screenplay.

For screenplays produced under the WGA MBA, a Notice of Tentative Writing Credits must be on file with the WGA and the credit determination must be final. Writers of source material are not eligible for awards consideration.

Films that that had their initial exhibition on television (broadcast, pay or cable) or were released directly on DVD are not eligible for screenplay awards.

The production company or any writer who received writing credit for the theatrical screenplay may submit the screenplay for awards consideration. Writers representatives (e.g. agents, managers or publicists) may also submit on the writer‘s behalf.

Only online submissions will be accepted. A receipt will automatically be sent to the email address of the entrant upon successful completion of the submission. The deadline for submission is 5:30 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, November 19, 2010. No late or incomplete submissions will be accepted.

RULES FOR TELEVISION SERIES SUBMISSIONS

Please note the following for the 2011 Writers Guild Awards:

Television series produced under the jurisdiction of the WGA are no longer automatically deemed submitted for the WGA Series award. An entry form for each series must be submitted to the WGA for awards consideration.

ELIGIBILITY & SUBMISSION RULES

The television awards in the Drama, Comedy and New Series categories are for series that were produced by a WGA signatory company and aired between December 1, 2009 and November 30, 2010 (regardless of how many episodes aired during this period). Shows eligible for the New Series award must have been broadcast for the first time during the eligibility period.

For a series to be eligible, the WGA must have determined writer credits upon submission of a Notice of Tentative Writing Credits. Only those individuals employed as writers on the series--including “writers also employed in an additional capacity” under MBA Article 14--will be eligible for the series award. Eligibility will be verified by the WGA.

The production company or any writer who received writing credit on the series may submit the series for awards consideration. Writers representatives (e.g. agents, managers or publicists) may submit on the writer‘s behalf.

Only online submissions will be accepted. A receipt will automatically be sent to the email address of the entrant upon successful completion of the submission process. The deadline for submission is 5:30 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, October 15, 2010. No late or incomplete submissions will be accepted.

WGA 2011 TELEVISION-RADIO WRITING AWARDS

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for entry, scripts must have been produced under the jurisdiction of the WGA and broadcast as follows: Long form, episodic, animation and children’s script categories first broadcast between December 1, 2009, and November 30, 2010; all other script categories (comedy/variety, documentary, daytime, news, radio and on-air promotion) first broadcast between October 1, 2009, and September 30, 2010. (Programs written under the Writers Guild of Canada agreement pursuant to Working Rule #8 waivers or Sideletter Agreements are not eligible.)

Nominations will be based on outstanding achievement. If no script in a category is deemed outstanding, no nomination or award will be made. If there are insufficient entries in any category, those entries may be placed in another category.

WHICH SCRIPT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED?

If two or more writers are credited, they may agree upon the draft to be submitted, but if they are unable to agree, then the “as broadcast” script will be the only one to be considered. If one writer is credited, he/she must submit a draft which contains substantially his/her own writing. See “Special Instructions” for animation on page 2.

You may submit in one, several or all categories, but not more than one script in any single category. Please see “Episodic Drama and Episodic Comedy” in the “Special Instructions” section on page 2 for further clarification.

WRITER REPRESENTATIVES' SUBMISSIONS

Writer representatives (e.g., agents, managers and publicists) may submit scripts on behalf of their clients. Representatives' submissions must include a copy of the script, a completed entry form and the writer's written permission for the entry. Online submission is not available to representatives.

ONLINE SUBMISSIONS

Writers may now submit scripts online for competition in any category by going to www.wga.org and clicking on the awards link in the spotlight section. Follow the instructions to complete the entry form online, then upload the script in either Word or PDF format where indicated. Upon successful completion of the submission, a receipt will be automatically sent to the preferred e-mail address.

Members who wish to submit multiple scripts for judging in different categories must complete separate entry forms for each script submitted online.

Entry forms can also be downloaded at www.wga.org for your convenience.

THE JUDGING PROCEDURE

The preliminary judging will be by panels of volunteer Guild members. Scripts will be coded and anonymity maintained. The final judging will be by special panels of Guild members selected for their prominence in the particular fields of competition.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

TELEVISION CATEGORIES

#1 (A) LONG FORM – ORIGINAL and

#1 (B) LONG FORM – ADAPTED

A long form television motion picture is a motion picture, over one hour in length, including MOWs and miniseries. A pilot script exceeding one hour will also be considered a long form television motion picture.

An original long form teleplay is a teleplay that is not based on any source material of a story nature. An adapted long form teleplay is a teleplay that is based on previously exploited material of a story nature (e.g. a novel, a produced play or a series of published articles) or any other material written outside of the Guild’s jurisdiction. Sequels and remakes will be considered adapted teleplays.

A mini-series is defined as two or more episodes with a total running time of at least three broadcast hours that is based on a single theme or story line, which is resolved within the piece. A limited run series with a “Created by” credit cannot be entered as a mini-series.

Mini-series that are four hours or less may be submitted in their entirety or in part (i.e., one part, one airing time), and a synopsis, if any, may be submitted for the remainder. In the case of mini-series over four hours, up to four hours may be submitted and a synopsis permitted for the remainder.

Scripts produced and initially exhibited in the made-for-videocassette/DVD market will be eligible if they are next shown on television (i.e., there has been no previous theatrical exhibition).

Long form animated motion pictures must be entered in Category #2. Long form children’s scripts must be entered in Category #9B.

Multi-part episodes of Episodic Drama and Episodic Comedy series must be entered in Category #3 or #4.

#2 ANIMATION – Any length, one airing time

To be eligible for entry, television animation scripts must be broadcast for the first time between December 1, 2009, and November 30, 2010. Work that was not produced under WGA jurisdiction may be submitted.

A writer who wrote the script and received credit on the program or episode may submit a script for consideration. At the time the script is submitted, all credited writers on the program or episode must be, or apply to become, members of the Animation Writers Caucus.

The submitted script must be in writing and in a standard teleplay format – it need not be the final script. A recording script may be submitted for consideration if it is a full script of the program or episode. In addition, the program or episode as broadcast from which the script is submitted must have had a writing credit (i.e., a “written by” or a “story by” and “teleplay by” credit, as appropriate) related to the writing of the program or episode. While there is no limit on the number of credited writers a particular program or episode may have, gang credits – not specifically tied to the writing on the episode – are not acceptable.

A writer (or each member of an established team) may submit only one (1) script in the TV Animation category. The script may be of any length or type (i.e., long form original, long form adaptation, specials or episodic). Scripts produced and initially exhibited in the made-for-video market will be eligible if they are next shown on television (i.e., there has been no previous theatrical exhibition).

If two or more writers are credited, they may agree upon the draft to be submitted, but if they are unable to agree, then the “as broadcast” script will be the only script to be considered. If one writer is credited, he/she must submit a draft containing substantially his/her own writing.

THE JUDGING PROCEDURE FOR ANIMATION.

The final judging will be by special panels of Guild members selected for their prominence in the animation field. The AWC Steering Committee will make recommendations of qualified animation writers eligible to serve as judges in this category. A writer serving as a judge may not submit a script for award consideration in this category.

Nominations will be based on outstanding achievement. If no script is deemed outstanding, no nomination or award will be made. If a script is chosen to receive the award, all credited writers on the program or episode will receive the award.

#3 EPISODIC DRAMA and

#4 EPISODIC COMEDY — Any length, one airing time (synopsis, if any, permitted for remainder)

No writer may submit a script if his/her credit does not reflect at least 50 percent of the on-screen credit. In the case of three or more credited writers, they may “pool” their percentage of the script to arrive at 50 percent if they have not submitted another script. Each member of an established two-member team may submit one team-written script (or one sole-credit script) in each category. Multi-part Episodic Dramas originally broadcast as more than one hour must be entered in category #3; and Episodic Comedies originally broadcast as over 30 minutes must be entered in category #4.

Anthology Episode/Single Episode scripts (one hour or less—one part, one airing time) must be entered in category #3 or #4.

A Pilot Script (not to exceed one hour in length) must be entered in category #3 or #4.

#5 (A) COMEDY/VARIETY (including Talk) – Series and

#5 (B) COMEDY/VARIETY - MUSIC, AWARDs, TRIBUTEs – SPECIALS — Any length

5(A) Series (including Talk): (a) The headwriter(s) will submit five sketches and/or monologues that best represent a series’ overall quality of writing; (b) Include with the entry form the names of all writers who participated in 25 percent of all programs telecast during the eligibility period and those who were credited on the shows from which the submitted sketches were selected. Do not include writers’ names on the individual scripted segments.

5(B) Specials: Submit one script (no special instructions).

#6 (a) DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT - CURRENT EVENTS and

#6 (b) DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT - OTHER THAN CURRENT EVENTS — Any length, one part, one airing time (synopsis, if any, permitted for remainder)

#7 (A) NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT and

#7 (B) NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE OR COMMENTARY — One air date

Material originally produced for the internet will be eligible only if it was produced under the jurisdiction of the WGA. If you have questions, please contact your business agent.

#8 DAYTIME DRAMA

(a) Furnish, through the head writer, a precis (covering an integrated period of time) which describes what has been happening on the program and the relationships of the characters. This should not exceed 1,000 words.

(b) Furnish three scripts (not necessarily in sequence) together with outlines for same which the head writer and second writer(s) agree should be submitted for the award.

Each of the three scripts is judged as a part of a coherent whole; the award is given accordingly. It should be noted that often several writers collaborate on the writing of a single script in this category. When submitting the material to be judged, include on the entry form the names of all writers who participated a minimum of 13 weeks in writing the show during the eligibility period.

#9 (A) CHILDREN’S SCRIPT – EPISODIC AND SPECIALS — Up to one hour, one part, one airing time, intended primarily for children

#9 (B) CHILDREN’S SCRIPT – LONG FORM OR SPECIAL — Over one hour, one or two parts, one or two airing times, intended primarily for children

RADIO CATEGORIES

#10 DOCUMENTARY — Any length

#11 NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN OR BREAKING REPORT and

#12 NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE OR COMMENTARY — Submit up to five scripts and a CD with a cumulative air time of not more than 15 minutes. Please delete all written and audio references to the name of the submitting writer.

TELEVISION AND RADIO CATEGORY

#13 ON-AIR PROMOTION

Submit the scripts and a VHS or DVD (radio - CD) and include not less than three parts nor more than eight, or one or two parts, each being a minimum of two minutes in length. Material originally produced for the internet will be eligible only if it was produced under the jurisdiction of the WGA. If you have questions, please contact your business agent.

WGAW PAUL SELVIN AWARD

The Board of Directors has established the Paul Selvin Award to be given “to that member whose script best embodies the spirit of the constitutional and civil rights and liberties which are indispensable to the survival of free writers everywhere and to whose defense Paul Selvin committed his professional life.”

Entries are now being accepted and must be received no later than 5:30 p.m. Friday, October 15, 2010. Members may enter as many scripts in each field as they believe are appropriate.

TELEVISION

To be eligible for entry, scripts must have been produced under the jurisdiction of the WGA and broadcast as follows:

Long form, episodic, animation and children’s script categories first broadcast between December 1, 2009, and November 30, 2010; all other script categories (comedy/variety, documentary, daytime, news, radio and on-air promotion) first broadcast between October 1, 2009, and September 30, 2010.

Programs written under the Writers Guild of Canada agreement pursuant to Working Rule #8 waivers or Sideletter Agreements are not eligible.

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

To be eligible, entries must have been exhibited theatrically in the Los Angeles area for at least one week during 2010. The theatrical motion picture must have been written under the WGA MBA or under a bona fide collective bargaining agreement of the Australian Writers Guild, Writers Guild of Canada, Writers Guild of Great Britain, Irish Playwrights & Screenwriters Guild or the New Zealand Writers Guild (collectively, “affiliate Guilds”). Submissions for films written under the jurisdiction of an affiliate guild must include a letter from the affiliate guild verifying awards eligibility. Please note than an affiliate guild may impose additional requirements for a writer to be considered covered by its collective bargaining agreement.

ALL SCRIPTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENTRY FORM WHICH INCLUDES A ONE-PARAGRAPH STATEMENT ON HOW THE SCRIPT EMBODIES THE PRINCIPLES OF THE PAUL SELVIN AWARD.

Previous winners of the Paul Selvin Award and two members of the Board of Directors comprise the Paul Selvin Award Committee. The credited writers of eligible scripts and members of the Committee may nominate scripts for the award. The Committee may recommend one winner from among the television and theatrical motion picture scripts submitted or declare a tie. The Board of Directors will approve or reject the recommendation in whole or in part. (If no script is recommended, or if the Board rejects the Committee’s recommendation, no award will be given.)

The winner will be announced at the Guild’s 63rd Annual Awards on February 5, 2011.

WRITER REPRESENTATIVES' SUBMISSIONS

Writer representatives (e.g., agents, managers and publicists) may submit scripts on behalf of their clients. Representatives' submissions must include a copy of the script, a completed entry form and the writer's written permission for the entry. Online submission is not available to representatives.

ONLINE SUBMISSIONS

Scripts may be submitted online to be judged for the WGAW Paul Selvin Award. Go to www.wga.org and click on the awards link in the spotlight section. Then click on the Paul Selvin link, complete the entry form including the one-paragraph statement on how the script embodies the principles of the Paul Selvin Award, and then upload the Word or PDF script where indicated. A receipt will be sent automatically to the preferred e-mail address confirming the submission.

WGA VIDEOGAME WRITING AWARD

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for entry, games must have been originally released between 12/1/2009 and 11/30/2010; subsequent release dates for different platforms do not qualify. The submission deadline is 5:00p.m. on Tuesday, November 23, 2010.

Work that was not produced under WGA jurisdiction may be submitted.

Submitted games must have separate credit for writing (i.e. Written By, Story By, Writer, Story Designer, etc.). Writing credits must be verified by their inclusion in the game manual. If writing credits are not printed in the game manual, the publisher must fax or email screenshots of the game’s complete writing credits directly to Melissa Gage at the WGAW (fax: 323-782-4810, email: Melissa Gage). Alternate proof of writing credit will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

While there is no limit on the number of credited writers a particular game may have, credits not specifically tied to videogame writing are not acceptable (i.e. Lead Designer, Designed By, Produced By, etc.) User Experience writing credits do not qualify for the WGA Videogame Writing Award.

If more than one writer is credited (either through a shared “Written By” credit, or through separate acceptable writing credits as described above), all writers will be nominated as a unit. Note: Writers of source material are not eligible for awards consideration.

All submissions must be made in the name of the credited writer(s), and not the game itself. Only one entry form will be evaluated per game. In the case of multiple writers, a submitting writer must serve as the point person and complete a single entry form for consideration. All writers’ names must appear in the Final Writing Credit(s) field on the entry form.

Scripts may also be submitted by the developer/publisher of the game, or by writer representatives (e.g., agents, managers, and publicists.) Entries submitted by anyone other than the writer(s) must contain an entry form signed by the submitting writer.

At the time the script is submitted, the credited writer(s) of the game must be, or apply to become, a member of the WGA’s Videogame Writers Caucus.

Scripts must be submitted in a reasonable approximation of a standard film or TV script format, and must clearly demonstrate the progression of the story. The submission must represent a linear play-through of the game; it should only contain scenes and dialogue that are critical to telling the story, and must not include multiple beginnings, middles or endings. In the case of multiple story pathways, it is acceptable to choose a single path.

In addition to the script, a story synopsis (1-2 pages) is required. The synopsis should describe the flow of the storyline and serve to clarify the game experience. The synopsis should not detail the process of creating the game, or list awards and accomplishments associated with the title.

Submitted scripts should be no longer than 350 pages and printed on 8½ X 11 white paper. Abridged submissions that maintain the integrity of the narrative are acceptable in order to comply with the maximum page limit.

Any script consisting solely of random, in-game dialogue will not be considered.

THE JUDGING PROCEDURE

Preliminary and final judging will be done by panels of volunteer Videogame Writers Caucus and/or Guild members active in the field of videogame writing. Nominations will be based on outstanding achievement. If no script is deemed outstanding, no award will be given for that year. If a script is chosen to receive the award, all credited writers on the game will receive the award.

The five nominated scripts will be retained at The Writers Guild Foundation Shavelson-Webb Library.

WHERE TO SEND YOUR SUBMISSION

Please mail your script, synopsis, signed entry form, game manual (or alternate proof of writing credit) to:

Writers Guild of America, West
Attn: Melissa Gage
7000 West 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90048

If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Gage at (323) 782-4571 or Melissa Gage.