Glad you asked because the Guild has a wonderful answer in Writers Connect, a short newsletter members get every week. (See? Another good reason to bust your butt to qualify and join.)
WGAW Members Work to #RaiseThePercentage
How Black Lives Matter sparked a week of virtual coffees between staffed writers and the underrepresented.
In early June, Ashley Soto Paniagua (Vida) started texting writers she knew, asking if they wanted to participate in a campaign called #RaiseThePercentage. The hashtag was the brainchild of Soto Paniagua’s co-organizer, actor and producer Jessie B. Evans (who founded Hollywood Here, which seeks to make the larger creative community more inclusive). At the time, Black Lives Matter protests had exploded nationwide after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, and social media was a hotbed of rage and sorrow. Read more >>
Ask a Mentor: One Step Forward…
Jeff Stockwell explains what’s wrong with one-step deals and suggests what writers can do about them.
For a number of reasons, screenwriters consider one-step deals to be problematic. But what should you do if you’re offered one? Jeff Stockwell (A Wrinkle in Time, Bridge to Terabithia) breaks down why one-steps aren’t good for writers or executives and offers some advice on how to deal with them.
Send your questions about the craft, job hunting, your career, or Guild service to Connect (under 100 words, please) with the subject “Mentor,” and we’ll send them to an established screen or TV writer to answer. Questions might be edited for space or clarity and will be published Aanonymously. Read more >>
Interest in New Committee of Middle Eastern Writers Emerges
Inclusion and Equity Department hosts upcoming meeting to gauge member interest.
The WGAW’s Inclusion and Equity Department has been approached by self-identifying Middle Eastern members regarding the formation of a Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Writers Committee. With more and more self-identified Middle Eastern writers joining the union, it is time to explore forming a committee dedicated to the careers and creative interests of this community. Read more >>
WGAW CAP Committees
The WGAW’s wide range of CAP (Committee Advisory Panel) committees offers members unique “hands-on” opportunities to get involved with the Guild, build relationships within a community of writers, and benefit from informative programs and networking opportunities. Read more >>
Good morning! Welcome to another week of TV (and other) writing and production tips at TVWriter™. Here’s a look at the most popular blog posts and resource pages during the last 7 days.
Big thanks to everybody for helping us have another terrific week at TVWriter™. Don’t forget to click above and read what you missed and re-read what you loved!
We are pleased to announce that our joint memberships have ratified our new contract with the AMPTP by an overwhelming majority of 98%. Of the 4,155 valid votes cast, there were 4,068 “yes” votes and 87 “no” votes (2%). The term of the new deal is May 2, 2020 through May 1, 2023.
We achieved many important gains in this agreement, including: needed funding for our Pension Plan; increases to our minimum compensation rates; increased residuals and lowered budget breaks for High Budget Subscription Video on Demand (HBSVOD); a first-ever Portable Paid Parenting Benefit Fund; eliminating “new writer” discounts for screen and television writers and the writers’ training program that disproportionately impacted writers in underrepresented groups; improved options, exclusivity, and span protections; a higher script publication fee; and strengthening the right to meet with employers about their inclusion and equity programs and anti-harassment measures. You can find an FAQ about the terms of the 2020 MBA here and a summary of the new contract here.
Despite the challenges to this negotiating cycle posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to achieve a forward-looking contract with improvements that will serve writers’ interests for the next three years. This would not have been possible without the hard work of the Negotiating Committee (led by co-chairs Michele Mulroney, Shawn Ryan, and Betsy Thomas), member volunteers, and Guild staff. Our thanks go out to all who contributed to the process and to the members who participated in the ratification vote.
In Solidarity,
David A. Goodman, President, WGAW
Beau Willimon, President, WGAE
The 2020 Emmy nominees were announced yesterday, and here in TVWriter™World, the awards that mean the most are the ones given to writers.
Which means that here, right now, are all of this year’s writing nominees.
EDITOR’S NOTE:If you’re interested in directors, or actors, or shows, well, you can always click on the same site we got this list from: Wikipedia.
Nominations
Writing For A Comedy Series
The Good Place • Whenever You’re Ready • NBC
Universal Television in association with Fremulon and 3 Arts Entertainment
Michael Schur, Written by
The Great • The Great • Hulu
Civic Center Media / MRC Television
Tony McNamara, Written by
Schitt’s Creek • Happy Ending • Pop TV
Not A Real Company Productions, Inc.
Daniel Levy, Written by
Schitt’s Creek • The Presidential Suite • Pop TV
Not A Real Company Productions, Inc.
David West Read, Written by
What We Do In The Shadows • Collaboration • FX Networks
FX Productions
Sam Johnson, Written by
Chris Marcil, Written by
What We Do In The Shadows • Ghosts • FX Networks
FX Productions
Paul Simms, Written by
What We Do In The Shadows • On The Run • FX Networks
FX Productions
Stefani Robinson, Written by
Writing For A Drama Series
Better Call Saul • Bad Choice Road • AMC
High Bridge, Crystal Diner, Gran Via Productions and Sony Pictures Television
Thomas Schnauz, Written by
Better Call Saul • Bagman • AMC
High Bridge, Crystal Diner, Gran Via Productions and Sony Pictures Television
Gordon Smith, Written by
The Crown • Aberfan • Netflix
Left Bank Pictures in association with Sony Pictures Television
Peter Morgan, Written by
Ozark • All In • Netflix
Media Rights Capital
Chris Mundy, Written by
Ozark • Boss Fight • Netflix
Media Rights Capital
John Shiban, Written by
Ozark • Fire Pink • Netflix
Media Rights Capital
Miki Johnson, Written by
Succession • This Is Not For Tears • HBO
HBO Entertainment in association with Project Zeus, Hyperobject Industries and Gary Sanchez Productions
Jesse Armstrong, Written by
Writing For A Limited Series, Movie Or Dramatic Special
Mrs. America • Shirley • FX Networks
FX Productions
Tanya Barfield, Written by
Normal People • Episode 3 • Hulu
Hulu Originals in association with BBC
Sally Rooney, Written by
Alice Birch, Written by
Unbelievable • Episode 1 • Netflix
CBS Television Studios
Susannah Grant, Teleplay by
Michael Chabon, Teleplay by
Ayelet Waldman, Teleplay by
Unorthodox • Part 1 • Netflix
Studio Airlift and RealFilm
Anna Winger, Written by
Watchmen • This Extraordinary Being • HBO
HBO Entertainment in association with White Rabbit, Paramount Television, Warner Bros. Television & DC Comics
Damon Lindelof, Written by
Cord Jefferson, Written by
Writing For A Variety Series
The Daily Show With Trevor Noah • Comedy Central
Central Productions, LLC
Dan Amira, Head Writer
Lauren Sarver Means, Senior Writer
Daniel Radosh, Senior Writer
David Angelo, Writer
Devin Delliquanti, Writer
Zach DiLanzo, Writer
Geoff Haggerty, Writer
Josh Johnson, Writer
David Kibuuka, Writer
Matt Koff, Writer
X Mayo, Writer
Christiana Mbakwe, Writer
Dan McCoy, Writer
Trevor Noah, Writer
Joseph Opio, Writer
Randall Otis, Writer
Zhubin Parang, Writer
Kat Radley, Writer
Scott Sherman, Writer
Full Frontal With Samantha Bee • TBS
Jax Media with Randy and Pam’s Quality Entertainment
Samantha Bee, Writer
Pat Cassels, Writer
Kristen Bartlett, Head Writer
Mike Drucker, Head Writer
Melinda Taub, Head Writer
Nicole Silverberg, Writing Supervised By
Joe Grossman, Writing Supervised By
Sean Crespo, Writer
Mathan Erhardt, Writer
Miles Kahn, Writer
Sahar Rizvi, Writer
Alison Zeidman, Writer
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver • HBO
HBO Entertainment in association with Sixteen String Jack Productions and
Avalon Television
John Oliver, Written by
Tim Carvell, Written by
Daniel O’Brien, Written by
Owen Parsons, Written by
Charlie Redd, Written by
Joanna Rothkopf, Written by
Ben Silva, Written by
Seena Vali, Written by
Late Night With Seth Meyers • NBC
Universal Television and Broadway Video
Jermaine Affonso, Written by
Alex Baze, Written by
Karen Chee, Written by
Bryan Donaldson, Written by
Sal Gentile, Written by
Matt Goldich, Written by
Dina Gusovsky, Written by
Jenny Hagel, Written by
Allison Hord, Written by
Mike Karnell, Written by
John Lutz, Written by
Seth Meyers, Written by
Ian Morgan, Written by
Seth Reiss, Writing Supervised by
Amber Ruffin, Written by
Mike Scollins, Written by
Mike Shoemaker, Written by
Ben Warheit, Written by
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert • CBS
CBS Television Studios
Ariel Dumas, Head Writer
Jay Katsir, Head Writer
Stephen Colbert, Written by
Michael Brumm, Written by
River Clegg, Written by
Aaron Cohen, Written by
Nicole Conlan, Written by
Paul Dinello, Written by
Glenn Eichler, Written by
Django Gold, Written by
Gabe Gronli, Written by
Barry Julien, Written by
Daniel Kibblesmith, Written by
Eliana Kwartler, Written by
Matt Lappin, Written by
Felipe Torres Medina, Written by
Opus Moreschi, Written by
Asher Perlman, Written by
Tom Purcell, Written by
Kate Sidley, Written by
Brian Stack, Written by
John Thibodeaux, Written by
Steve Waltien, Written by
Writing For A Variety Special
Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones • Netflix
Lathan TV | Pilot Boy
Dave Chappelle, Written by
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas • Netflix
Irwin Entertainment
Hannah Gadsby, Written by
John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch • Netflix
3 Arts Entertainment
John Mulaney, Written by
Marika Sawyer, Written by
Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything • Netflix
Jax Media
Patton Oswalt, Written by
Seth Meyers: Lobby Baby • Netflix
Irwin Entertainment
Seth Meyers, Written by
Writing For A Nonfiction Program
Beastie Boys Story • Apple TV+
Pulse Films Mike Diamond, Written by
Adam Horovitz, Written by
Spike Jonze, Written by
The Cave • National Geographic
A Danish Documentary Production in co-production with Ma.Ja.De Hecat Studio Paris Madam Films
Alisar Hasan, Written by
Feras Fayyad, Written by
Circus Of Books • Netflix
A FutureClown Production in association with Passion Pictures and Neon Heart Productions
Rachel Mason, Written by
Kathryn Robson, Written by
Don’t F**k With Cats: Hunting An Internet Killer • Closing The Net • Netflix
A RAW Production
Mark Lewis, Written by
McMillion$ • Episode 1 • HBO
HBO Documentary Films and Unrealistic Ideas in association with Fun Meter
James Lee Hernandez, Written by
Brian Lazarte, Written by
WGAW Members Work to #RaiseThePercentage
