Your Business Affairs Questions Answered

Who are they, what do they do, and why does it take so long?

All writers’ deals go through a company’s “business affairs” department—but many don’t know who they are, and what exactly do they do. Presented by the Writers Education Committee, a November 17 Zoom panel aimed to demystify the Business Affairs departments at studios, networks, and production companies by exploring their key objectives, how they collaborate with network and studio executives, and their communication with writers’ lawyers and reps. Connect listened in to capture the biggest takeaways. Read more >>

Revised Schedule of Minimums Includes Rewrites, Polishes of Formats and Bibles

The 2020 MBA requires employers to pay minimums on these early series documents.

The Guild recently published the third version of the Schedule of Minimums for the 2020 MBA. In this version, some minimums for the third period (5/2/22–5/1/23) have changed based on the Guild’s decision to increase contributions to the Pension Plan.

In addition, the Guild has taken the opportunity to include minimums for rewrites and polishes of formats and bibles (see page 14). Read more >>

WGA’s 101 Greatest Screenplays of the 21st Century (*so far)

This contemporary list, as voted on by WGAW and WGAE members, honors outstanding screenwriting over the last two decades.

Fifteen years ago, when the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) compiled the 101 Greatest Screenplays of all time, the list was nothing short of a 20th century canon. The romantic wartime spy thriller Casablanca (written by the brothers Julius J. & Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch) was voted number 1; 99 screenplays later, at 101, was another romantic wartime spy thriller, Notorious (written by Ben Hecht). Read more >>

Screenwriters, Streamline Your Development Communication with Producers

Use the Project Page to request information and make informed decisions about pursuing job opportunities.

The Guild has introduced a new pre-employment tool for screenwriters called the Project Page, a document that writers or their reps can send to a producer or executive to request the information they need before deciding to engage on a feature project. This includes how many other writers are pitching; how long the project has been in development; if there is a director, actor or other talent attached; and whether IP rights have been secured. It’s a practical solution to the frustrations screenwriters often experience during the initial phase of a project. Read more >>