Category: News

by Larry Brody

Here’s the latest official news on the WGA-ATA Battle of the Writing & Writers’ Agent Stars, direct from the WGA Negotiating Committee.

Here’s how Deadline.Com has reported it:

WGA Makes Its Case For Requiring Agencies To Turn Over Writers’ Contracts and Invoices

Here’s how Deadline.Com has reported the ATA’s response:

Association Of Talent Agents Calls Out WGA Over Demand That Agencies Turn Over Writers’ Contracts

I find the phrase “calls out,” which by its very definition is a statement that what’s being “called out” is a lie, insulting to the Guild and its members. And I know I’m not the only one.

More to come, of course.

In Solidarity,

LB

by Larry Brody

Here’s the latest official news on the WGA-ATA Battle of the Writing & Writers’ Agent Stars, direct from the WGA Negotiating Committee.

I’ve deliberately refrained from interpreting or even re-framing it because these folks are, you know, writers and definitely can speak for themselves.

October 4, 2019

Dear Members,

Some of you have asked about the WGA’s recent contact with agencies. We’ve had negotiation conversations over the past two months with a number of unsigned agencies, including major agencies. It is clear these agencies very much want to represent writers again. We’ve listened to their pitches and will continue to meet with any unsigned agency willing to talk, while respecting their requests for confidentiality.

Nonetheless, nothing any agency has proposed or floated with regard to packaging makes us change our firm position, reaffirmed by the election results, that agencies should make 10% of writer earnings. Furthermore, our position remains that agency-controlled production studios are bad for writers, and that agencies must share with the WGA writers’ deal memos, payment invoices and all relevant information regarding how much agencies make for representing us.

We will continue to move the negotiation process forward and sign additional agencies under fair deals for writers as soon as possible.

In Solidarity,

WGA-Agency Agreement Negotiating Committee

Chris Keyser, Co-Chair
David Shore, Co-Chair
Meredith Stiehm, Co-Chair
Lucy Alibar
John August
Angelina Burnett
Zoanne Clack
Kate Erickson
Jonathan Fernandez
Travon Free
Ashley Gable
Deric A. Hughes
Chip Johannessen
Michael Schur
Tracey Scott Wilson
Betsy Thomas
Patric M. Verrone
Nicole Yorkin
David A. Goodman, President WGAW, ex-officio
Marjorie David, Vice President WGAW, ex-officio
Michele Mulroney, Secretary-Treasurer WGAW, ex-officio
Beau Willimon, President WGAE, ex-officio
Kathy McGee, Vice President WGAE, ex-officio
Bob Schneider, Secretary-Treasurer WGAE, ex-officio

Writers Guild of America West
7000 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone (323) 951-4000 • Fax (323) 782-4800 • www.wga.org

More to come, of course.

In Solidarity,

LB