SPECIAL EVENTS
The Diversity Department is creating online directories of writers from diverse backgrounds to be used as a resource for producers, executives, directors and other industry professionals. To be included in these directories, you must update your member information and grant permission for publication of your information. Initial directories will be published online in early 2010 – so act now! The online form is now available on your MyWGAW Account on www.wga.org. Use the Member Sign-in link on the main page to sign in or create an account. Go to the "change attributes" link at the bottom of your myWGAW homepage. For help with your My WGAW Account, call (323) 782-4885, M-F, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesdays, 2/3, 2/10. Info/Registration: http://www.marshall.usc.edu/execed/programs/media-and-entertainment/digital-media-technology-management-program.htm. Cost: $975 (WGA members receive a 15% discount on all RUI/USC programs, use discount code MEWGA).
Continuing program which started 1/20. Gain
a competitive advantage by focusing on four major components of
creating and implementing a successful digital strategy. This
three-session program provided by the University of Southern
California’s Marshall School of Business and Really Useful Information,
Inc., focuses on four major components of creating and implementing a
successful digital strategy: 1. Digital media & technology – the
process of monetization; 2. Streaming media – how to use it
effectively; 3. Distribution platforms – which work best and why; and
4. Social media marketing campaigns.
Thursday, 2/4, 6:45 p.m. – WGAW Second Floor. Info/RSVP: www.wgfoundation.org or (800) 838-3006. WGA member cost: $15 (general admission $20; students $10).
An evening of discussion with writers as they discuss how they have tackled the subject of war. Speakers include Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker), Alessandro Camon (The Messenger), Kimberly Peirce (Stop Loss) and Evan Wright (Generation Kill). Moderated by John Horn from the Los Angeles Times. Presented by Humanitas to benefit the Writers Guild Foundation Shavelson-Webb Library and other Foundation programs. Wine & cheese to begin; dessert reception to follow.
Saturday, 2/6, 2 p.m. – WGAW Second Floor. Info/Mandatory RSVP: Jayson Pope or (323) 782-4714. Free to WGA and Caucus members in good standing only. No guests. Limited seating.
The Writers Guild of America, West, is partnered with the Mobile Entertainment Forum to bring together studio executives, mobile producers, and several successful mobile content creators for two panel discussions designed to explain to WGA members strategies to propel your career by creating content for mobile devices. Panels to include Alex Barkaloff (executive producer of Digital Media, Lionsgate), Calvin Lin (director of mobile sales at Universal Pictures Partnerships, licensing and digital group, NBC Universal), Frank Chindamo, (president and chief creative officer of Fun Little Movies), Bill Sanders (president, Pervasive Media).
Thursday, 2/11, 7:30 p.m. – WGAW Second Floor. Info/RSVP: www.wgfoundation.org or (800) 838-3006. WGA member cost: $15 (general admission $20).
Speakers will include Bill Condon (Chicago, Dreamgirls), Leslie Dixon (Hairspray), Winnie Holzman (Wicked), Bill Kelly (Enchanted), Irene Mecchi (The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, teleplay for Annie), and Stephen Schwartz (Wicked). Proceeds go to the Writers Guild Foundation Shavelson-Webb Library and other Foundation programs. Dessert reception to follow.
Wednesday, 2/17, 7 p.m. – WGAW Second Floor. RSVP: Videogames.
The Videogame Writers Caucus Steering Committee presents the VWC Annual Meeting: An Evening Honoring the 2010 WGA Videogame Award Nominees. Come and celebrate videogame writing excellence from last year, and hear what’s happening in 2010! Open to Guild and Caucus members.
Thursday, 2/18, 7:30 p.m. – Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills 90211. The event is SOLD OUT.
Celebrated screenwriters in this year’s Original and Adaptation award categories share stories about their WGA-nominated scripts. Panelists include Mark Boal (The Hurt Locker), James Cameron (Avatar), Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart), Geoffrey Fletcher (Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire), Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek, co-written with Roberto Orci), Jon Lucas & Scott Moore (The Hangover), Scott Neustadter ((500) Days of Summer, co-written with Michael H. Weber), and Jason Reitman and Sheldon Turner (Up in the Air). Moderated by Judd Apatow (Knocked Up; The 40-Year-Old Virgin; Funny People). Light reception follows.
Saturday, 2/20, 4 p.m. cocktail reception; 5 p.m. ceremony; 7 p.m. dinner – Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel, 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles 90067. Tickets (members only): $150/each; parking: $16 valet (with validation); $12 self-parking. Guild and Caucus members must reserve by Feb. 8 deadline; contact Jennifer Burt at (323) 782-4569.The WGAW is host of the 2010 Writers Guild Awards’ West Coast ceremony honoring the year’s outstanding writing in film, television, videogames, and other creative categories. In addition to presenting the Guild’s honorary/service awards,
Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Larry David (Television Laurel) and screenwriter Barry Levinson (Screen Laurel) will receive lifetime achievement awards, and
Family Guy’s Seth MacFarlane will be host of the Los Angeles show. Black-tie preferred.
Saturday & Sunday, 2/20, 2/21– Writers Guild Theater, 135 South Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, 90211. Discount tickets of $24.50 offered to WGA members by entering code “WGA”: www.tix.com or (800) 595-4849. Information: www.soapfanmysterytheatre.com.
On Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Agatha Christie's The Unexpected Guest will be performed in a staged reading at the Writers Guild Theater with a cast featuring Hollywood and daytime television favorites. In this rarely performed play written for the stage by Agatha Christie, Stefanie Powers (Hart to Hart) plays Laura Warwick, who is standing over her husband's dead body holding a smoking gun when "the unexpected guest" (played by Emmy-winning All My Children actor Vincent Irizarry) wanders in to use the phone because his car has gotten stuck in a ditch. Even though Laura is holding the gun, Christie supplies a houseful of additional suspects, portrayed by actors including Emmy-winning Jacob Young (All My Children) and Broadway veteran Constance Towers (General Hospital). Robert Newman (The Guiding Light) appears as the Police Inspector. Soap Fan Mystery Theatre will present a second set of readings for Christie's Spider's Web on March 13-14. Christie is the most widely published author in history (more than four billion copies), second only to The Bible. This series is produced by Mark Rozzano, a former associate producer of Disney's Beauty and the Beast on Broadway and Jacob Young.
Monday, 2/22, 7 p.m. – WGAW Second Floor. RSVP: Diversity with “The Up System” in subject line. Info: (323) 782-4589.
Following the lives of several people who intersect on the floor of a woman’s shoe salon, The Up System explores the death of retail and how the loss of this simple human interaction is a reflection of a society becoming more isolated from itself. The Seasoned Readings program promotes and celebrates the work of writers age 50 and over. It is presented by the WGAW Career Longevity Committee.
Monday, 2/22, 8:00 p.m. – Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills, 90211. Info/RSVP: www.wgfoundation.org or (800) 838-3006. WGA member cost: $15 (general admission $20)
Legendary writer-director Barry Levinson (writing credits include Silent Movie; High Anxiety; ...And Justice for All; Diner; Tin Men; Avalon; Sleepers; Liberty Heights; Man of the Year) is the recipient of the WGA’s 2010 Screen Laurel Award, the Guild’s highest honor in screenwriting. In a rare Los Angeles appearance he will discuss his long career and field questions from the audience. Proceeds go to the Writers Guild Foundation Shavelson-Webb Library and other Foundation programs. Dessert reception to follow.
Wednesday evenings, 2/24-3/31, start times vary; check www.wgfoundation.org – WGAW Second Floor. Info/Registration: www.wgfoundation.org or (800) 838-3006. WGA member cost: $180/series or $35/class, with light refreshments (general admission $195/series or $45/class).
Robin Schiff and Winnie Holzman lead an in-depth seminar series for six consecutive Wednesday evenings, examining the development of projects from first idea to finished film or program, with emphasis on the writing process. Guest speakers: 2/24 – Matthew Weiner, Mad Men; 3/3 – Vince Gilligan, Breaking Bad; 3/10 – Callie Khouri, Thelma and Louise; 3/17 – Laeta Kalogridis, Shutter Island; 3/24 – Paul Wernick & Rhett Reese, Zombieland; 3/31 – Nancy Meyers, Something’s Gotta Give. Proceeds go to the Writers Guild Foundation Shavelson-Webb Library and other Foundation programs.
Tuesday-Sunday, 4/20-4/25 – Directors Guild of America theaters, 7920 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. Full program announced March 25 on www.colcoa.org. Free to WGA members in good standing and a guest. RSVP details to be announced late March.
The Writers Guild, in partnership with the DGA, MPA and SACEM, proudly present the 14th annual City of Lights, City of Angels French film festival. COLCOA is the largest festival in Hollywood exclusively dedicated to foreign French-language films and a prominent global event focused on French cinema. Showcasing the latest in French film production with 30 features and 20 shorts, including several U.S., international and world premieres, COLCOA also features Happy Hour Talks, a series of complimentary one-hour panels followed by wine and cheese receptions.
ONGOING EVENTS
Wednesday, 2/3, 7:30 p.m. – WGAW Room 4A. Info: (323) 782-4589.
This committee actively represents the professional, creative, social and economic interests of Latino Guild members. Its mandate is to encourage Latino writers to become more active within the Guild; and to raise the profile and perception of Latino writers in the industry at large by creating forums that foster networking, collaboration, education, information exchange, employment opportunities and creative expression. WGA and Caucus members in good standing only.
Wednesday, 2/10, 7 p.m. – WGAW Room 4A. Info: (323) 782-4589.
This committee encourages African-American writers to become more active within the Guild and to raise the profile and perception of African-American writers in the industry at large by creating forums that foster networking, collaboration, education, information exchange, employment opportunities and creative expression. All WGA and Caucus members in good standing welcome.
Wednesday, 2/10, 7 p.m. – WGAW Room 4B. Info: (323) 782-4589.
Formerly the Age Awareness Committee, the mission of the Career Longevity Committee is to assist writers of all ages in planning for long and successful careers by giving them the tools and knowledge to adapt to changes in the marketplace. WGA and Caucus members of all ages in good standing are encouraged to attend.
Tuesday, 2/16, 7:30 p.m. – WGAW 4th Floor Boardroom. Info: (323) 782-4589
The Gay and Lesbian Writers Committee seeks to provide a resource to writers portraying lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) in their work, nurture an understanding of how sexual orientation affects the lives of writers, provide committee members with networking and social activities, create a greater awareness within the Guild of sexual orientation as a minority, articulate instances of homophobia and/or discrimination within the industry, and encourage all LGBT members to become more active in the Guild. WGA and Caucus members in good standing only.
Thursday, 2/18, 7:30 p.m. – WGAW Room 2B. RSVP: Membership or (323) 782-4532.
Held eight times a year, these informal get-togethers offer new members a chance to interact with veteran New Members Committee writers. The atmosphere is casual, friendly, and geared toward helping new members succeed both as writers and as members of the Guild. There are no set speeches, just talk among people with common interests and aspirations. Attendees set the agenda. Each session is different. All WGA and Caucus members in good standing are welcome. Refreshments are served. RSVP required.
Friday, 2/26, 2:00 p.m. – WGAW Room 2B. Info: (323) 782-4589
The Writers with Disabilities Committee is looking for ways to aid disabled writers in pursuing their careers in Hollywood and to encourage accurate portrayals of the disabled in film and television. Please come, shake hands and talk about expanding opportunities for all of us. WGA and Caucus members in good standing only.
BUZZ
The WGA does not endorse any particular method or approach to screenwriting. Classes listed below are not Guild-sponsored events.
In memory of late WGAW member and television writer-producer Dick Berg, whose writing credits included Kraft Television Theatre, Playhouse 90, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Third Man, Five Fingers and Checkmate, and whose producing credits in both series (Checkmate, Key West) and long-form (The Martian Chronicles, Wallenberg: A Hero’s Story) were legion, donations may be made to the Writers Guild Foundation, 7000 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90048.
The Stanley Dyrector Show presents "Spy Smasher," a matinee 12-chapter serial from the 1940s on the City of Los Angeles's Channel 36 starting in February. Please consult www.la36.org for specific times when these shows air.
In memory of late WGAW member and television writer-producer George Eckstein, whose writing credits included The Untouchables, Gunsmoke, The Fugitive, The Invaders and Perry Mason, and whose producing credits include Death Takes a Holiday, Duel (directed by a young Steven Spielberg), Banacek and Love Sidney, donations may be made to the Writers Guild Foundation, 7000 W. Third St., Los Angeles, CA 90048.
In memory of iconic, award-winning writer Larry Gelbart, donations can be made payable to SHARE! (www.shareselfhelp.org, (310) 305-8878), Attn: Libby Hartigan, 5521 Grosvenor Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066. Gelbart developed the long-running television series M*A*S*H, wrote for The Bob Hope Show, Caesar’s Hour, and The Danny Kaye Show, penned WGA Award-winning films Oh, God! and Tootsie (co-written with Murray Schisgal), as well as garnered Tony Awards for Broadway favorites City of Angels and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (co-written with Burt Shevelove).
Member Michael A. Hoey's new book, Inside “Fame” on Television: A Behind the Scenes History will be published by McFarland Publishing and available through www.mcfarlandpub.com on Feb. 1. Hoey was a writer/director/associate producer on the hugely popular NBC/syndicated series for five of its six years on television and has written a detailed account of the making of the series, interviewing many of the creative principals as well as recounting his own experiences.
Member Robert Illes’ radio show about the TV writing business called Funny Is Money is heard nightly at 8 p.m. on www.shokusradio.com. February guests include comedian/actor Frank Payne, host of Big!, and Susan Olsen, who played “Cindy” on The Brady Bunch.
Member Syrie James' award-winning novel The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë has been optioned by Cool Hand International, a British production company, who plan to turn the book into a major UK/US theatrical film. Additionally, James’ novel Dracula, My Love has received offers from seven foreign publishers to date, and will be published by HarperCollins in the U.S. in summer 2010. For more information, please visit www.syriejames.com.
Member Sandor Stern's story, "My Grandfather Clock," is included in the newly published anthology Canadian Voices from Bookland Press.
Member Kirby Timmons announces the recent holiday publication of his book, The Unopened Stocking: A New Holiday “Yarn” For Dads & Families Who Love Them. For more information and to order the AuthorHouse book, go to www.unopenedstocking.com.