WGAW Connect: 2022 Dashboard Dashboard

Welcome to Connect.

Here you’ll find a variety of brief articles to help you navigate the industry, understand Guild priorities, and stay connected fellow writers.

2022 Streaming Service Subscriber Tiers
As streamers add subscribers, increases in script fees and residuals are coming for writers on many high budget programs.

WGAW PAC Midterm Election Recap
Writers’ political donations helped maintain Democratic majority in the Senate.

FYC Done Your Way
Receive FYC campaign materials in your preferred format.

Signatory Alert: Boomtown Media Partners LLC
Do not work for bad actors on the Strike/Unfair List.

In Memoriam 2022

Read this issue

Fight Against Media Consolidation: Share Your Story
If your project has been cut by a media merger, the WGAW wants to hear from you.

Take the Hollywood Commission Entertainment Survey
The survey closes November 27.

DOJ Challenges Corporate Merger Based on Harms to Authors
Here’s what this rare case could mean for writers in the entertainment industry.

Reminder: Protect Your myWGA Credentials
Don’t fall prey to scams or security threats from third parties.

Read this issue

God Bless the Damned: A Reacquisition Success Story
Arbitration win for screenwriter on original, unproduced script paves the way for more similar rulings.

Animation Writers Have Been Paying the Price for Studio Greed
The Animation Writers Organizing Committee wants to change that.

Comedy Saves Democracy
WGAW PAC event successfully raises funds for PAC-endorsed candidates.

Read this issue

When “Neutral is White”
Techno-Orientalism and Afro-Futurism in science fiction, and how to promote inclusivity in fictional future societies in TV and film.

Hispanic/Latine Heritage Month Celebration Panel
Weds, 9/21 at 7 p.m. (PT) over Zoom.

Are Your Characters Catching COVID?
Let UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health be a resource when writing about public health issues.

The Woman King Screening and Q&A with Dana Stevens
Spend Sunday at the Writers Guild Theater.

Read this issue

Contract Enforcement Paid Writers Millions in 2021
Guild Residuals and Legal Departments enforce the MBA to combat studios’ problematic payment practices.

How LGBTQ+ Writers Helped Expand Transgender Health Benefits for Guild Members
In their own words, hear from two members who advocated for, and helped to secure, inclusion of gender-affirming care in the PWGA Health Plan.

Signatory Alert: Tool Films Limited, Back to Baltimore Movie Inc
Do not work for bad actors on the Strike/Unfair List.

Read this issue

“The Impossible Job:” 14 Secrets to Successful Showrunning
Tips and takeaways from the Showrunner Training Program Virtual Crash Course.

All About Series Formats
Writers, reps, and execs discuss the industry’s increasingly prevalent series formats, what makes them most effective, and how they can impact the decision to buy a project.

Signatory Alert: Lotus Entertainment, Crescendo LLC, and Anthill, Inc.
Do not work for bad actors on the Strike/Unfair List.

Read this issue

How, and Why, to Get Latinx Representation Right On Screen
Writers discuss how accurate representation makes for good storytelling.

Ask a Mentor: Switching from Drama to Comedy Rooms
If you’re a drama writer who’s made the switch to a comedy room, Nastaran Dibai has tips for a smooth transition.

Money Matters: Managing Debt & Credit
Entertainment Community Fund Webinar June 14

Read this issue

WGF Library Reopens June 1
Patrons can visit the library by appointment only, with proof of vaccination and booster.

Reminder to Complete WGA Negotiations Survey

Past Lives: When Lightning Strikes
An Air Force pilot whose cockpit loses power in a storm goes on to fuel Army Wives.

Signatory Alert: Sovereign Film Production Limited
Do not work for bad actors on the Strike/Unfair List.

Read this issue

“Same Show, New Characters—Investigating the Anthology Series”
Anthology writers on the challenges and opportunities in the genre-forward medium.

Behind the Tweet: “Lessons From the Writers’ Room”
Shaquayla Mims shares lessons learned from her first writers’ room experience in this column unpacking topics from Writer Twitter.

The Actors Fund Changes Name to Entertainment Community Fund
The new name is designed to be more inclusive and representative of the diverse professions the fund serves.

History Regained
Soo Hugh brings Pachinko, Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel about a Korean family living under Japanese rule, to life on Apple TV+ and unearths largely forgotten tragic chapters of history.

Read this issue

Ukrainian Film and TV Writers Talk Horrors of War in Recent Panel
Panelists offer harrowing glimpse into life, and writing, amid devastation of Russian attacks.

Consolidation Ruins Everything
WGAW Board member Adam Conover spoke at a recent FTC and Department of Justice listening forum on the destructive impacts of mergers and acquisitions.

Writing About LGBTQ+ Migrants and Refugees
LGBTQ+ Writers Committee and partners give guidance on authentic representation.

New MBA Improvements In Effect
2020 MBA begins third year this week.

Read this issue

Know Your Creative Rights
A reminder for screen- and long-form TV writers of your rights during production.

Ask a Mentor: Duly Noted
Paul Redford has advice for the writer asked to give notes on a script.

Seeking Submissions for Past Lives Column
Did you have an interesting “past life” before you became a professional writer? Connect wants to hear from you.

Read this issue

Member-to-Member: Women in the Room
A conversation between TV writers Kelechi Urama and Charmaine DeGraté.

Guild Theater Announces April Reopening
For member Adam Schwartz, this means a return to matinees and daddy-daughter days.

WGAW Congratulates 74th Annual Writers Guild Awards Winners
Watch clips from the virtual awards show, hosted by Ashley Nicole Black.

Women’s History Month: Meet Me at 3rd & Fairfax
Guild sisters talk shop and craft on the WGAW’s podcast.

Read this issue

Introducing the Screenwriters Handbook
This new resource helps writers get acquainted with life as a Guild screenwriter.

Behind the Tweets: “Rewrite Map”
Jeffrey Lieber tackles rewrites in this column unpacking topics from Writer Twitter.

Ask a Mentor: Are Generals, In General, a Waste of Time?
Denise Moss outlines how to get the most out of general meetings—career-starter or not.

Writer Access Project Honorees Announced
Congrats to this diverse group of writers.

Celebrate Outstanding Writing With Ashley Nicole Black
Have you registered for your complimentary ticket to the virtual Writers Guild Awards on March 20?

Read this issue

What Every Screenwriter Needs to Know About P&H
New to the Writers’ Deal Hub, this resource can help screenwriters maintain WGA health coverage and build toward retirement.

Marissa Jo Cerar Adapts Historical Injustice into Anthology Series Women of the Movement
Listen to her conversation with Committee of Black Writers Co-Chair Hilliard Guess on 3rd & Fairfax.

Ask a Mentor: It Takes Two
Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett know a thing or two—or more—about navigating writing partnerships.

Read this issue

'He Was our Elegant Fist'
Members reflect on TV writer John Bowman’s career and WGAW legacy.

Understanding the Additional Literary Material Credit
Guidance on the recent change to screen credits rules.

NEW Special Offers from IMDb and LA Times
Members can cash in on these exclusive discounts and more.

Congrats to 2022 Writers Guild Awards Nominees
And the nominees are...

Read this issue

How to Book and Nail Meetings
Tips for meeting prep, etiquette, and how to follow up.

Ask a Mentor: What’s My Job as a Staff Writer?
Jordana Arkin reframes the question and offers up some do’s and don’ts.

View Your Non-residuals Payments with This New Tool
Members can now search their payments not related to residuals, including foreign levies, legal settlements, contract settlements, and late payment claims.

Signatory Alert
Do not work for these bad actors on the Strike/Unfair List.

Read this issue

ICYMI: Guild Releases Report on Media Mega-Mergers
Broken Promises details the harms of five recent mergers to consumers and labor.

Perfecting the Pitch
Billy Ray offers these 11 tips to pitch your script.

Here for Your Support Staff Needs
New WGF program trains emerging writers from underrepresented groups for assistant and script coordinator roles.

In Memoriam 2021

Read this issue