A Public Service Announcement if ever there was one. Here’s what going on, socially and professionally, at the Writers Guild of America West this month:
October 2021
Until further notice, the Guild has suspended in-person committee meetings and events, member meetings, and screenings at the Writers Guild Theater. Virtual events are listed below. Members must RSVP in advance to receive access info to participate in online events.
Unless otherwise stated within the event, committee activities and events are open to WGAW Current, Post Current, Associate, and Associate Caucus members in Active status. If you have questions about your member status, please contact the Membership Department or call (323) 782-4532
To see the live calendar, click here. (Member Login required for that, sorry.)
Events listed are current at time of publication. Dates and details are subject to change during the month.
Monday 04
Committee of Women Writers Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: CWW 10-2021. Guest speaker: Emily Rasenick, Director of Development, Lean Machine. The Committee of Women Writers represents the professional interests of the women-identifying Guild members who are seeking WGA-covered work. The CWW sponsors events designed to increase access to employment and to foster networking and collaboration between the women-identifying members of all Guilds. The goal is to improve the profile and perception of women-identifying writers in our industry in order to achieve equal access and financial parity in the workplace.
Tuesday 05
Genre Committee Meeting
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Genre
RSVP: Genre. The WGAW’s Genre Committee was formed with the purpose of attracting writers interested in a certain genre, to meet, discuss and exchange information in a peer-to-peer setting. Our mission is to push education, diversity and camaraderie amongst all writers no matter their background. The Committee welcomes all writers because writers work in all genres.
Wednesday 06
Committee of Black Writers Meeting
7-9 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: CBW 10-2021. The WGAW Committee of Black Writers’ mission is to empower, increase visibility, and create career and networking opportunities for Black writers in Hollywood.
Thursday 07
Inclusion Through An Animated Lens: Balancing the Brand with the Story
4-5 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
Info/RSVP: WGFoundation.org. WGF joins forces with the Muslim Public Affairs Council’s Hollywood Bureau and Women in Animation for a discussion about how diversity is not only an integral part of storytelling, but essential, from the cast to the crew. Panelists Paul Abadillo (Art Director, Soul), Camille Eden (VP of Recruiting and Talent Development, Nickelodeon), Yoriaki Mochizuki (Director, Sony Pictures Animation), Kristine Songco (Co-Executive Producer, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous) and moderator Irma Ikram (Production Coordinator, Octopie Studios) will explore the landscape of animation and how we can create authentic and nuanced stories while still complimenting studios’ brands, creating a reciprocal relationship. Free with suggested donation of $10.
Thursday 07
Activities Committee Meeting
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Activities
RSVP: Activities. Join us to plan events for the upcoming year! The Activities Committee is an open committee that brings members together for networking, educational, and fun events to build community within the membership. Past events include Port of L.A. tour, Storytelling Night, Escape Rooms, hikes, and the Guild’s biennial Craft Conference & Retreat.
Wednesday 13
Superheroes: Genre or Medium?
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Genre
RSVP: Superhero. While superhero stories are often referred to as a genre of TV and film, they are more like a medium for genre storytelling – each one uniquely inspired by its own specific genre. Join us for this virtual panel, as screenwriters and showrunners discuss why their genre was best for telling their characters’ story, which works influenced them, how to reference genre tropes while updating them to keep them fresh, and more. Panelists include writers Dave Callaham (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Eric Kripke (The Boys), Jac Schaeffer (WandaVision), and more TBA; moderator: Elliott David. Presented by WGAW’s Genre Committee.
Thursday 14
Writers Education Committee Meeting
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Ed
RSVP: WEC. WGAW’s Writers Education Committee brainstorms and develops events and programs, which provide WGA members with practical, inside knowledge about how the industry works and how it is changing, emphasizing tips and tools to help writers succeed. We strive to provide working knowledge for writers and invite you to contribute your ideas.
Thursday 14
Middle Eastern Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: MEWC 10-2021. Special Guest: Jason Caparaz, VP, Development, DreamWorks Animation TV. The mission of the Middle Eastern Writers Committee is to boost visibility and employment of Middle Eastern writers within the film and television industry, while celebrating and promoting accurate portrayals of Middle Eastern characters in all areas of media. We also serve as an expert resource for productions on issues related to the vast and diverse Middle Eastern community in the United States and abroad.
Thursday 21
Asian American Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: AAWC 10-2021. The Asian-American Writers Committee represents the professional and creative interests of Asian-American Guild members. Its mandate is to be dedicated to the encouragement, empowerment and employment of writers of Asian heritage. Join us for an informative and fun evening in a relaxed environment.
Sunday 24
Trivia Night
5-6:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Activities
RSVP: Trivia. Join your friends and peers for a fun-filled virtual “Trivia Night” to test your knowledge of entertainment trivia. Presented by WGAW’s Activities Committee and hosted by Steven Brandon, Guild members will be assigned teams at random to compete in several rounds of entertainment-themed trivia, including a round of Writers Guild-centric trivia. Winning team will receive gift card prizes. Make this weekend event part of your #SundayFunday!
Tuesday 26
Making A Splash: The Art of Building Relationships Through Publicity and Marketing
6-8 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity
RSVP: Splash. What can a publicist do for you? Find out as the Committee of Women Writers presents a powerhouse lineup of publicity and marketing execs sharing tips and tricks in the art of PR. Topics include: best ways to promote your name and projects; when to hire a PR firm; how to work with your rep; awards season/film festival/premiere strategies; use of social media and more. Whether writing for big or small screens, learn how publicists can put the industry’s focus on you to boost your brand throughout your career. Panelists: Annie Jeeves (Cinematic Red), Jane LaBonte (awards publicist), Mark Pogachefsky (MPRM), Dustin P. Smith (Smithhouse Strategy), Toni Thompson (awards publicist) and others TBA. Moderated by Virtic Emil Brown, Devra Maza (Childhood Sweetheart?), Sharon Soboil (After We Fell). *The WGAW does not endorse the product or services of event sponsors or panelists who provide professional advice, products or services.
Wednesday 27
Nightmare on Our Street: Social Commentary in Modern Horror
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Genre
RSVP: Horror. Just in time for Halloween, this virtual panel spotlights how writers explore a diverse array of issues involving race, gender, sexuality, identity, culture, and politics – from racism and misogyny to xenophobia and homophobia, and more – through the lens of the horror genre in film, TV, and streaming projects. Beyond the drive to scare audiences, why is horror such an ideal genre to tackle such complex, charged issues, and how do writers approach narratives and characters, both embracing and subverting traditional tropes within the horror realm? Panelists include writers James De Monaco (The Purge franchise), Bryan Fuller (Hannibal), and more TBA; moderator: Lori Rosene-Gambino. Presented by WGAW’s Genre Committee.