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:
Febuary 2022
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.
Tuesday
01
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
02
Committee of Black Writers Meeting
7-9 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: CBW 2-2022. The WGAW Committee of Black Writers’ mission is to empower, increase visibility, and create career and networking opportunities for Black writers in Hollywood.
Thursday
03
Between the Lines 2022: Episodic Drama and Episodic Comedy
4-5:30 p.m., 6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
RSVP: WGFoundation. For this special live double panel event, WGF takes a closer look inside script pages from TV shows nominated for a 2022 Writers Guild Award for Episodic Drama and Episodic Comedy. Writers will walk us through their process for crafting memorable scenes from their nominated series and how their words were given life on screen. WGAW members receive complimentary admission to both panels by clicking “WGA Member Tickets” at the event page.
Wednesday
09
Clinicians in Crisis: Healthcare Workers Are Suffering; TV Stories Can Help
5-6:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Hollywood, Health
RSVP: hhs@usc.edu or Clinicians in Crisis. Hollywood, Health & Society presents a panel on healthcare workers being overwhelmed before the latest surge in the Covid-19 pandemic fueled by the highly contagious Omicron, the virus’ newest mutation. Now, reports of crowded hospitals coupled with staffing shortages have doctors, nurses and other essential workers “living in constant crisis.” Speakers include Phil Mattingly, CNN’s senior White House correspondent (moderator); David Schulner, Creator, showrunner and writer of NBC medical series New Amsterdam; Nathalie Douge, M.D., Board-certified internist affiliated with Long Island Jewish Medical Center in N.Y.; J. Corey Feist, Healthcare executive and the co-founder of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation; and Vivek Murthy, M.D., U.S. surgeon general (invited).
Thursday
10
Beyond Words 2022: Adapted and Original Screenplay
4-5 p.m., 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
RSVP: WGFoundation. The Writers Guild Foundation, in partnership with Final Draft, Variety and The Black List, present Beyond Words, our annual celebration of the 2022 Writers Guild Award nominees for screenwriting. Join us for a lively double-panel virtual discussion about this year’s acclaimed films. WGAW members receive complimentary admission to both panels by clicking “WGA Member Tickets” at the event page.
Thursday
10
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
10
Middle Eastern Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: MEWC 2-2022. 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.
Monday
14
Committee of Women Writers Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: CWW 2-2022. 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.
Thursday
17
Asian American Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: AAWC 2-2022. 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
20
You Don’t Know My Life! Game Night
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Activities
RSVP: GAME. Join your friends and Guild members for a special You Don’t Know My Life! virtual game night that lets members get to know each other by guessing and discovering details about each other’s lives. Presented by WGAW’s Activities Committee and hosted by YDKML game creator Dennis Hensley, this fun-filled, eye-opening game acts as both an ice-breaker and fun way to bond with fellow writers. Top winners will receive gift card prizes. Bring your favorite beverage and make this weekend event part of your #SundayFunday! (Maximum 20 total players; spots are limited; wait list available.)
Thursday
24
From Writer to Writer-Director: A Conversation with Radha Blank
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Ed
RSVP: WEC. Join us for a one-on-one, in-depth conversation with filmmaker Radha Blank to explore her creative, personal, and professional process of transitioning from writer to multi-hyphenate writer-director-actor to create her acclaimed feature film debut, The Forty-Year-Old Version. This is the first event of a planned WEC series to spotlight writer-directors to share their journey and pass along wisdom to writers who want to make the move to directing their work. We’ll talk about their experience, how they made the jump, what that first opportunity was like, and how directing has impacted their writing, and vice versa. Moderated by Daniel Zucker (Blood Drive) and presented by WGAW’s Writers Education Committee.