Why the Writers Guild of the West closed its programs for emerging writers

Miguel J. Doherty was new to Los Angeles in 2010, after completing a Masters in Screenwriting in Ireland, when he learned about the Writers Guild of America’s West Group program.

While attending open Disabled Writers Guild Committee meetings, Dougherty, who has spina bifida, heard about a program that welcomes qualified non-WGA members, providing guild resources and networking opportunities, including the opportunity to attend WGA West committee meetings, for a small fee. annual fee. He applied to a freelance writers group open to established and established writers and was accepted. “From the moment I got my card until this year, I think I’ve built 95% of my life, both professionally and personally, outside of this organization,” says Dougherty.

But last December, in a decision that was not widely publicized at the time, WGA West suddenly told members that three of its four group programs (the Freelance Writers Group, the Nonfiction Writers Group and the Video Game Writers) would be disbanded. . potential participants. The caucuses ended December 31, 2021 and alumni can participate in WGA West membership programs through the end of 2022. the hollywood reporterThe question is why. The Writers Guild of America East also holds caucuses on independent films, new media, documentaries and animated spaces and “will not change our caucus schedule,” a spokesperson said.) An email some members of the group received in 2021 explained that these programs, which largely promote the interests of writers in areas not largely covered by the guild, “have not proven to be an effective means of organization.”

This sudden decision left the group members – some of them say THR that it was clear that their caucuses were meant to help organize their constituents, while others say this was not reported. – Confused, some formed their own writing groups to preserve the community once sheltered in WGA West. As a screenwriter early in his career, Dougherty says, “You have to fight and move on, but it was always comforting to know that I had a place. [in the caucus] It was safe to go back there, where I could regroup and talk to people and get advice if needed. Now they are removing. “

on appeal THRThe Guild said, “It is understandable that there are writers who are disappointed that they are no longer able to participate in Guild membership committees, but board members and staff have reached out to everyone contacted to ensure they stay tuned. of the Guild. This will help writers who are ready and willing to organize their work or projects.”

Since being founded in the 1990s, WGA West caucuses have offered emerging and established writers, many of whom work outside the union’s core coverage area, networking opportunities and industry resources. At the end of the Guild, the hope was that “organizations in areas of work not traditionally covered by the Guild MBA would facilitate meetings with Guild members through non-union writers and members-only programs and communications,” he said. an affirmation. . The guild adds that the structure ended up not working, saying that “over the decades, only a handful of writers were eligible for guild membership”. Guild continues, “The end of business leaves room for more dynamic and timely approaches to organization.”

For $100 a year, group members had access to WGA West committee meetings, screenings, the guild’s discounted script registration service, and the Los Angeles headquarters. The Animation Writers Group presents an annual award for writers in the field. Eligibility requirements varied by group, but as of 2021, the guild’s website indicated that the Video Game Writers, Animation Writers, and Nonfiction Writers Group required certain writing or employment credits in writing from members. , whereas a candidate for the Freelance Writers Group might have. A film they wrote premiered at an “industry-acclaimed” American film festival, their screenplay was nominated for a prestigious screenwriting award, or they wrote a screenplay for a major educational screenwriting program.

For some participants, the caucus program acted as a critical conduit for career opportunities and guild membership. Dougherty, a self-styled emerging writer, founded the Los Angeles section of the ReelAbilities Film Festival after speaking at a committee meeting of writers with disabilities, and says she has produced two different television series based on connections through the group. David Radcliffe (waffle + mochi), a former member of the Independent Writers Group, now a member of the WGA West and co-chair of the Writers with Disabilities Committee, recalls being asked to create a panel for the committee while he was a member of the group: he gave and some connections What I did through events like this led me to apply and be accepted into the Disney Writing Program the following year. Radcliffe says this program He then got his first job at ABC. noob Another former member of the band, who became a member of the WGA and asked to remain anonymous, also cites the connections they made through the band along with their participation in the first show.

While many program supporters say that not all group members identify with larger guild gatherings, they believe a significant number of them participate in WGA West committees focused on marginalized groups. (WGA West did not respond THR’(inquiring if the organization had the demographics of the group). After the group members leave at the end of the year, Radcliffe estimates that 17% of the Disabled Writers Committee will be gone. Rob Forman, WGA West member and co-chair of the guild’s LGBTQ+ Writers Committee, notes that he doesn’t have specific numbers, but that “many” of the committee members who regularly attend are caucus members: “Losing them is a blow. Of course,” he says, adding that when he joined the committee, his vice president was a member of parliament.

Members say events organized under the stands have been uneven in recent years. Former Vice President of the Steven-Elliott Altman Video Game Writers Caucus (Terminator: Dark Fate) wrote in a statement that the group helped create the WGA West Interactive Program Contract (IPC), a unique contract that provides employer-paid health and pension contributions per project and allows video game authors to join the guild. . (Several other members of the video game writers group recall being encouraged to ask employers to approve the IPC, but added that it was a difficult task because individual writers had little clout and most non-union game companies resisted. ) Union agreement. .) Altman also writes . that the group has sponsored some industry events like GDC San Francisco, “where we act as WGA ambassadors for game publishers, explaining the benefits of hiring professional writers for their games, allaying their fears about unions, and throwing happy holidays.”

Meanwhile, members of the Independent Writers Group say they had no idea WGA West wanted to host them: “If I knew I could do a show, I’d have plenty of opportunity to try,” says a former Independent member. Member of the Glenn Gaylord Writers Group (put it on the floor).

The Video Game Writers Caucus has met irregularly in recent years, but many members believe it would be shortsighted for WGA West to join the group now. “Video games are only going to have more game writers in the future as more and more studios make games that make more and more money, so it’s frustrating and weird,” says former band member and writer Nick Folkman (huge girl, neo cabin). points to titles like Netflix’s 2018 interactive movie Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, Film director and writer Graham Resnick (before dawn), argues that the boundaries between video games and writing for film/television are “blurred”. During his time at the caucus, Resnick says, “It’s become clear that if the WGA doesn’t move forward to figure out how to set some precedents in video game writing, it’s very likely that in the next few years it will simply do so.” This doesn `t happen. If it’s a video game problem, it’s an industry-wide problem.”

Meanwhile, as the Writers Guild finalizes that program, another union, Communications Workers of America, is pushing ahead with organizing video game writers. The newly formed CWA merger with independent studio Vodeo Games (beast crusher) includes writing members; The team at the art and game studio Tender Claws (virtual virtual reality) asked the National Labor Relations Board to merge with the CWA, a negotiating unit that also includes writers. According to a source from the Video Game Writers Group, “We’ve asked a million times for a Writers Guild with the CWA”, where WGA West represented the writers and CWA represented the other roles, “the guild. approach. So now they are on the side.” (THR Please contact CWA for comments. (WGA West did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations.)

With the end of 2022 and its commission’s privileges looming, several alumni say they expect the board to reconsider. Meanwhile, some are forming new communities outside the guild: more than 100 groups meet monthly on Zoom and recently hosted a face-to-face meeting; The group also held meetings with industry executives. Some ex-members of the Videogame Caucus have also joined in and are trying to get in touch with other game authors. An initial idea was to present a new proposal to the guild that would be mutually beneficial to WGA West and video game authors.

With WGA West gearing up to renegotiate its primary film and television contract, which expires in 2023, with studios and broadcasters, and with the WGA West board election coming in September, it’s unclear whether the deals will materialize. . . Still, says Radcliffe, “Writing can be such an isolated experience that the more opportunities we have to build community and conversation in these guild spaces, and especially to bring more attention to underrepresented and marginalized groups that can only benefit the industry . great.”

Added by Moira McMahon (teenage wolf), former member of the Independent Writers’ Group and now a member of WGA West, “if board members were closer to how someone in Los Angeles who is not working on their script feels, hoping to draw attention to the work they you are fighting for me. I really wonder if they would even consider doing that. The caucus is very important at this stage of your life. I must say that it was very important to me at that moment in my life. ”