Members
Do you have questions about WGA coverage of “verticals,” “microdramas,” or other made for streaming short-form programs?
Writing work on these projects is generally covered by the MBA under the classification of “original new media.” The “original new media” classification is important to note because these projects have different terms than other MBA-covered programs.
The major terms for short-form and low-budget original new media programming are outlined below:
- Compensation: Initial compensation is fully negotiable.
- Pension, health, and paid parental leave payments: These payments are due in addition to the compensation negotiated with the writer.
- The current rates are Health (16.25%), Pension (11.25%), and Paid Parental Leave (0.25%).
- Residuals and Reuse on the New Media Platform: For all original new media projects, initial compensation constitutes payment for 26 weeks of use on any consumer pay platform (e.g. SVOD) and all use on a free to consumer platform (e.g. AVOD). Following that 26-week period, no payment is due for continued use after 26 weeks on an SVOD platform for projects budgeted below $25,000 per minute of exhibited program material. For projects with higher budgets, residuals are due in the amount of 1.2% of accountable receipts for use on an SVOD platform after 26 weeks. Residuals are also due for any reuse in traditional media (e.g. free TV, basic cable, pay TV).
- Credits: Producers must submit a Notice of Tentative Writing Credits as soon as practicable upon completion of principal photography and properly display the WGA-determined writing credit in the program.
Full terms can be found within Paragraph 3 of the New Media Sideletter.
We routinely work with new media and vertical companies to cover these projects, and have created a template “Original New Media” agreement for writers and companies to use.
As a reminder, Working Rule 8 establishes that members cannot accept employment, or option or sell literary material to, any non-signatory entity. Uncovered work for non-signatory entities is not protected by any MBA terms or Guild enforcement.
If You Need Support
- For general questions on verticals and the Guild’s organizing in this area, please contact the Member Organizing Department.
- For questions regarding WGA coverage of verticals/microdramas or applicable terms, please contact the Contracts Department. Please specify in your inquiry that your question relates to verticals or microdramas to ensure that you are provided the correct MBA terms.
- Companies interested in becoming signatory to the MBA should contact the Signatories Department.