Writers Strike (WGAW and WGAE)
Unless you live under a rock then you’ve heard about the writers guild union strike wherein screenwriters are simply requesting equity (and maybe a back pay on acknowledgment).
Without writers and their creativity, flexibility, agility and elocution there would be no streaming, there would be no motion pictures and there’d be nothing worth bingeing.
Whats being requested:
An increase in guild weekly minimums for Staff Writers and Story Editors/Executive Story Editors
Revamp of the streaming residuals formula to pay writers more for hit shows
Expansion of “span protection”
Establishment of minimums for streaming based on viewership
Preserving the writers’ room
Longevity in weeks of work
Prohibiting the use of Artificial Intelligence on MBA-covered projects (which, WOW, we’re really here in life?)
And more (in detail here)
Stricken companies (Alliance of motion picture and television producers):
Disney
Amazon
Paramount
Warner Brothers Discovery
Apple
Netflix
Sony
NBC Universal
how doees this Affect early-career screenwriters
Well, our bread and butter is constant fellowship submission packets! With the WGA strike, we literally cannot submit at all to the stricken entities, otherwise this would be considered scab work and we’d never be able to join the guild when our time comes. I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t want to play about this rule. Here’s the text in case you don’t trust my word:
Heres what we can do in the meantime
Well, of course, continue writing and, for me, reading the scripts that inspire the most!
Also, there is certain work that is not prohibited but be very careful about where you submit any work to! The safest bet may be keeping the creative juices flowing by writing in the comfort of your home (or vacation home).
If not this, then hit the streets with your fellow writers in solidarity! Get to know people that you don’t already know and rub elbows with future colleagues! The camaraderie felt by these days will be unmatched [hopefully] for years to come! Although these are scary times for writers, scarier times were ahead if a stand were not taken. I’m huge on advocating for those who are experiencing injustice and disparity at the hands of others, so stand up and fight!
In whatever spare time you find, you should definitely take a look at the WGA Strike Rules and the FAQs as these are very helpful in answering any lingering questions that you may have about what you can and cannot do.
Writers, Producers, Directors: stand together, stand strong.
Bree talks about New York and creativity. What creative person can go to New York and leave uninspired? Bree’s guess: none.