Here’s what going on, socially and professionally, at the Writers Guild of America West this month:
February 2021
Members must RSVP in advance to receive access info to participate in online events.
Events listed are current at time of publication. Dates and details are subject to change during the month.
Unless otherwise states 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.)
08
Committee of Women Writers Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: CWW 02-2021. 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.
Thursday 11
WGF x Business of Creating x Brain & Bullish: Crisis-Focused Storylines
4-5:15 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
Info/RSVP: WGFoundation.org. WGF teams up with Business of Creating and Brain & Bullish for a panel on creating and producing crisis-focused storylines. Topics include what writers and producers get right, what they get wrong, and what resources are available to ensure authenticity at all stages. Panelists: Aaron Rahsaan Thomas (Showrunner, S.W.A.T.), Lorraine Schneider (Global Crisis Management, The Walt Disney Co.), Kate Hutton (Emergency Manager, City of Seattle). Moderated by Jennifer Mangan (writer/producer, Beautiful Day Productions) and Gabrielle Almon (Founder, Brain & Bullish). Free with suggested donation of $10.
Thursday 11
Writers Education Committee Meeting
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Ed
RSVP: WritersEd. This WGAW 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 11
Middle Eastern Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: MEWC 02-2021. 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.
Wednesday 17
Write Inclusion: African Americans
6-7:30 p.m. – BlueJeans
Category: Writers Ed
RSVP: Inclusion. In partnership with the Think Tank for Inclusion and Equity and Storyline Partners, join us for the first event in a six-part series to unpack cultural narratives surrounding TTIE’s #WriteInclusion: Tips for Accurate Representation factsheet initiative. These talks will delve into authentic and nuanced storytelling in practice, not just in theory, examining culture creation and how we shape stories. How do creators find the balance between creative expression and lived reality? We will also discuss the benefits of using cultural consultants to help ensure accurate and authentic narratives in film and TV. To coincide with Black History Month, the first panel will focus on African American representation. Panelists: WGAW Board member Deric A. Hughes (Arrow), Joy Kecken (Motherland: Fort Salem), LaToya Morgan (The Walking Dead), Kirk Moore (Marvel’s Runaways), Bianca Sams (Don’t Look Deeper), and Kristen Marston (Culture & Entertainment Advocacy Director, Color of Change). Moderator: Angela Harvey (Station 19). Presented by WGAW’s Writers Education Committee and Committee of Black Writers.
Thursday 18
PR 101: Using Social Media to Build Your Brand + Navigating Industry Publicity
6-7:30 p.m. – BlueJeans
Category: Communications
RSVP: PR 101. Co-presented by WGAW’s Publicity & Marketing + Writers Education Committees, this panel will explore how you can use social media to build your brand, raise your profile, and bolster career opportunities, along with navigating industry PR to generate media coverage for yourself and your projects. Panelists slate to include: Showrunners-series creators Julie Plec (Legacies) and Tanya Saracho (Vida), writer-producer LaToya Morgan (The Walking Dead), screenwriter John August (Aladdin), Cynthia Littleton (Variety, Co-Editor-in-Chief), publicist Alison Rou (Anchor Strategy), Candice Ashton (Hulu, Vice President, Originals Publicity), and Jenna Harris (Twitter). Moderator: Screenwriter/Los Angeles Times film reviewer Gary Goldstein.
Thursday 18
Asian American Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: AAWC 02-2021. 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.
Tuesday 23
The State of the Fourth Estate
1-2:30 p.m – BlueJeans
Category: Genre
RSVP: Genre. Presented by WGAW’s Genre Committee, this timely panel brings together a diverse group of those who work in journalism and those who adapt news for film/TV to discuss the role of the Fourth Estate in media and entertainment, covering topics like: What role do real-life stories play in the arts – and what responsibility, if any? How important is truth? And how can stories be adapted and changed for dramatic effect? How do you balance news/social issues with entertainment? What’s the role of the journalist/editor/news person as protagonist? With police stories being re-examined, are newsmen/women the new heroes? How has social media helped, hindered or polluted the role of the journalist? What is the role of the amateur journalist in today’s media landscape? Panelists TBA. Moderator: Writer Jesse Peyronel (Dig).