|
The writers strike has left many aspiring writers a bit confused about where they stand and what they’re allowed to do. In the days leading up to the strike, and especially in the days since, dozens of questions have popped up on message boards, in live chats, and some have even been emailed directly to our offices. CS Weekly has spent the past week prodding experts and gnawing through the WGA’s block of strike rules (available for download here) to provide our readers with simple, straightforward answers to their questions.
It’s worth noting that all of these answers are geared towards screenwriters who are Guild members or hope to someday become Guild members.
Why is the WGA striking? What’s the issue?
There are two main issues that the WGA wants addressed. First is the residuals paid to writers for the sale of DVDs (established after the 1988 strike at four cents per sale), which they would like increased to eight cents. It’s worth noting that just before the strike, the WGA removed this proposal from the table, but negotiations ceased almost immediately afterwards.
The second issue is the increasing use of the internet as a medium for both viewing and sales. At present, since this is new territory, writers are paid nothing when their work is “aired” online. The WGA wants to establish payment and residual guidelines for material used or sold in this way.
Does the strike affect every studio in Hollywood?
No, it does not. The WGA is striking against the specific studios that it has signatory agreements with, a complete list of which is available here on the Guild’s website. There are still several production companies that operate independent of the WGA, which are often referred to as non-signatory companies.
What is a signatory company?
Signatory companies have agreed to the terms of the WGA’s Basic Agreement. These terms include minimum pay rates, pension and health plan contributions, and residuals. All of the major studios and networks have signed this agreement with the Guild. During the strike, all signatory companies are being struck.
What is a scab?
Anyone who performs screenwriting services of any kind for a struck company is considered a scab, whether they are a Guild member or not. Guild members who scab write will be punished, while non-members will be barred from future membership.
Can I sell to a non-signatory company?
WGA writers cannot write or sell work during the strike, but non-guild writers can still sell to non-signatory companies, since this violates neither side of the signatory agreements.
I'm not a member. Can I still sell to struck companies, or does that make me a scab?
Non-member writers who sell scripts or perform any sort of screenwriting work for struck companies will be considered scabs and barred from future membership.
I won a screenwriting contest that promises money and production as their prize, but what if they don't pay me until after the strike starts? Am I a scab?
If the production company that would make the movie is one of the struck companies, then, yes, this would be scab work.
I’m a non-guild member, someone bought my first script and I've already signed a contract. Can I still do rewrites?
If the purchasing company is a struck company, doing rewrites would violate the strike and be considered scab work. Guild members who perform scab writing will be punished, while non-members will be barred from future membership.
A company in another country wants to buy one of my scripts. Would that make me a scab?
There are signatory companies outside of the country. If the purchasing company is a struck company, selling a script would violate the strike and be considered scab work. Guild members who perform scab writing will be punished, while non-members will be barred from future membership.
Can I just work for free now and get paid later?
The point of the strike is not to perform any work, not to avoid being paid for work. Anyone who performs screenwriting services of any kind for a struck company is considered a scab. Guild members who scab write will be punished, while non-members will be barred from future membership.
Can I still try to get an agent or a manager during the strike?
Yes, you can. Some reps have even said they’ll be using the time they aren’t working on deals or contracts to catch up on their reading and submissions.
However, others warn that they are focusing even harder on their existing clients to be ready once the strike ends. In short, the challenge will still be attracting someone’s attention with good writing.
If I do any writing at all, does that make me a scab?
No. Writers can still write spec scripts, but they have to be true, honest spec scripts. They must be independent of any contractual relationship or obligation, expressed or implied, with a producer of a struck company.
Can non-members still take general meetings with "struck" executives?
Again, technically yes. However, the WGA strike rules strictly forbid discussing any current or future work. While a “meet and greet” meeting may not involve any of this, it does put a writer in the very dangerous position of being able to prove that they did not discuss any writing assignments.
Can a non-member submit a script to a struck producer in order to bring attention to their writing and (hopefully) be considered for work after the strike is over?
No. Submitting any writing to struck companies is considered scab work during the course of the strike. Guild members who perform scab writing will be punished, while non-members will be barred from future membership.
What happens to those prizes in screenwriting contests that involve promotion of the winning/finalist scripts?
The WGA rules specifically mention having representatives promoting your work to struck companies as a violation. If the contest directors have not already addressed the issue themselves, it's probably in the winner's best interest to request that they do not send materials to any struck companies until the strike ends. Aspiring screenwriters should also be mindful of managers who often also work as producers and make sure they do not fall under the umbrella of struck companies.
The WGA says if I scab I can never be a member, but aren't all the studios allowed to buy specs from non-members anyway?
Technically, this is true.
Even if you are barred from membership for selling scripts during the strike, you can still sell specs to studios after the strike ends.
However, non-guild members cannot be hired for any assignments or other writing work once the strike ends, receive no benefits, and have no retirement plan. So, yes, you can still sell specs, but those sales are very, very rare things.
Will joining picket lines get me into the WGA?
No. While the writers appreciate any support, the normal rules and requirements for WGA membership are still in effect.
How long will the strike last?
No one can say for sure. Many industry experts are already predicting five or six months, while some hold out hope for a quicker resolution. At the moment, neither side has announced plans to resume negotiations.
Does this mean I'll never learn how Sylar lost his powers?
Possibly. Several television series have already stopped filming for both political and practical reasons, while others will continue to make episodes as long as they still have scripts. Some showrunners (such as Tim Kring of Heroes) made last minute changes before the strike began so their shows can have a degree of closure if there is an extended work stoppage. |
