Welcome to the first edition of Connect.

Here you’ll find a variety of brief articles that will help inform you on how writers are coping personally and professionally with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. You’ll also get updates on important Guild matters and resources that can help you navigate through these times.

We’d like to hear from you about what kind of stories you’d like to see in Connect. Please send an email to Connect with your suggestions or comments.

Much like many of you, Guild staff is working remotely and will continue to provide offsite support to writers until we get official clearance to reopen WGAW headquarters.

We will come through this together.

Writers Lend a Hand and Find Help During COVID-19 Pandemic

During these unprecedented times when many writers are working remotely and others in the industry are out of work entirely, writers are coming together to help each other, help other industry workers in need, and spread the word about where to turn for assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more >>

Business as Unusual: Residuals Department

The staff of the Residuals Department have adapted quickly to continue to work hard for you.

There are four areas of the Residuals Department: Policing, Collections, Estates & Trusts, and Processing. For the most part, the core functions of Collections, Policing, and Estates & Trusts are being done remotely, since department staff have virtual access to the Guild’s various internal systems and databases, a good internet connection, and email. Read more >>

Upcoming Upgrades to the WGA Platform

Despite the uncertainty of this moment, we know that when production starts again, it will begin with the work of writers. During this shutdown and beyond, WGA tools are available to connect writers with those who want to hire them. Since the WGA Platform launched last year, the Guild’s staff and Board have fine-tuned it into a streamlined tool that puts power in the hands of writers. We are continuing to invest in the future. Upgrades will go live next month, and writers, executives, and showrunners will have an enhanced—and virtual—way to connect with each other.

Upgrades include: Grids, a dynamic database tool that allows showrunners and executives to track and sort their favorite writers; multiple season and archiving capabilities; a re-envisioned “Contact Writers” function; and much more.

Keep your profile up to date, or start a new one, by visiting wgaplatform.org.

Resources

For a full list of COVID-19 resources for writers, visit the WGAW’s resource page here. Writers who have questions about workplace safety or about contractual or employment rights in these extraordinary circumstances can contact the Guild’s Legal Department and get answers to their COVID-19 employment and benefit questions here.

Writers Guild of America West • 7000 W. Third Street • Los Angeles, CA 90048

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