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:
March 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
Member Login required for live calendar, sorry. Events listed are current at time of publication. Dates and details are subject to change during the month.
Wednesday 02
Career Longevity Committee Meeting
7-9 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: CLC 3-2022. The mission of the Career Longevity Committee is to advocate for writers over forty to obtain equal access to the job market with equal opportunity for sustained professional growth.
Thursday 03
CWW Women’s History Month Retrospective: Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion – In Conversation with Robin Schiff
7-8:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity
RSVP: RomyAndMichelle. In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Committee of Women Writers commemorates the 25th year anniversary of Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion with screenwriter Robin Schiff; moderated by Winnie Holzman (Wicked stage play). In addition to honoring the film’s legacy, this conversation will explore how the script was adapted from an original stage play, what inspired these bold and unforgettable female characters, and the lasting cultural impact of the film. WGA members +1 guest.
Monday 07
Mock Comedy Writers’ Room with Jessica Gao
7-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity
RSVP: AAWC Mock Comedy Room. The Asian American Writers Committee is excited to continue its mock writers’ room series, where eight guild members will get to role play as writers breaking story for an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm followed by joke punch-up of a pre-selected sitcom scene. Jessica Gao (Corporate) will be acting as showrunner, leading the room and giving advice on how to thrive as a comedy writer. Audience members will be allowed to watch the room and engage in the post Q&A session. Audience RSVPs will be taken on a first come, first serve basis. In the event there are limitations on capacity, priority will be given to applicants who have attended at least one AAWC meeting in the last 12 months.
Tuesday 08
Writer Salon: Anatomy of Social & Political Satire – A Conversation with Adam McKay
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Genre
RSVP: SALON. Join us for a special, one-on-one virtual “writer salon” with screenwriter-director-producer Adam McKay, who will discuss structure and story techniques of such acclaimed films as Don’t Look Up, Vice, The Big Short, and Anchorman, and series such as Succession, as well as his creative process, career and more. Moderated by John Alan Simon (Radio Free Albemuth) and presented by WGAW’s Genre Committee.
Tuesday 08
Native American & Indigenous Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: NAIWC 2-2022. This Committee represents the professional and creative interests of Native American & Indigenous writers. It works to mentor, encourage, empower and increase the visibility and employment of writers of Native American & Indigenous heritage, and serves as a cultural and educational resource for all Guild member-writers seeking to portray Native American & Indigenous Peoples in their work.
Wednesday 09
WGF Library Script Breakdown with CODA’s Siân Heder
4-5:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
RSVP: WGFoundation. For this session, we take a look inside the screenplay pages of Apple Original Film CODA with writer and director Siân Heder. She’ll take us through how she approached adapting the English-language version of the French film La Famille Bélier, how she crafted specific scenes, and how she translated the dialogue on the page to American Sign Language on the screen. An ASL interpreter will be provided for this event. Free with suggested RSVP, $10.
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.
Monday 14
Disabled Writers Committee Meeting
7-9 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: DWC 2-2022. This Committee seeks to enhance the visibility and employment of writers with all types of disabilities, and encourage, celebrate, and endorse accurate portrayals of disabled people in all areas of the media. We also serve as an expert resource for all issues related to the disabled community.
Tuesday 15
Power Pitching, Power Networking—Become a Master at Both
4-5:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
RSVP: WGFoundation. This interactive workshop will give you career coach/talent agent consultant Jim Arnoff’s secrets to networking and pitching with results. Learn the tools to make the strongest connection quickly, create the most memorable interaction and how to follow up effectively. You’ll also learn what it really takes to make a powerful pitch. Hear tips on how to prepare, how to read the person you’re pitching, how to pitch as a team, how to engage, how to anticipate every question. Free with suggested RSVP, $10.
Tuesday 15
LGBTQ+ Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: LGBTQ 2-2022. Guest speaker: Justin Noble, co-creator/showrunner of Sex Lives of College Girls (HBO Max). The Writers Guild of America West’s LGBTQ+ Writers Committee seeks to utilize its constituency as a resource to all writers who include LGBTQ+ characters in their work. Its members also wish to provide cultural and educational opportunities for WGAW members to nurture an understanding of how sexual orientation and gender identity affect the lives of writers; endeavor to provide networking and social activities enabling the WGAW membership to better know one another and create a greater demand for the writing services of LGBTQ+ WGAW members; and strive to generate a greater awareness within the Guild of sexual orientation (and gender identity) as a minority and, where appropriate, to identify and advocate against instances of homophobia, transphobia and/or discrimination within our industry.
Monday 28
Latinx Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: LWC 1-2022. This committee actively represents the professional, creative, social and economic interests of Latino Guild members. Its mandate is to encourage Latino writers to become more active within the Guild; and to raise the profile and perception of Latino writers in the industry at large by creating forums that foster networking, collaboration, education, information exchange, employment opportunities and creative expression.
Thursday 31
Navigating Discrimination: What do I do?
7-8:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity
RSVP: Navigating. What are your options when you are faced with discrimination in your writing career? Whether it’s based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or disability, discrimination denies access to job opportunities and can often lead to psychological and emotional issues. In this zoom panel, we will learn what legally falls under the definition of “discrimination” and receive practical information on what solutions are available to the writer, including their possible ramifications. Advice on mental health resources for writers going through the stress of discrimination will also be covered. Guest speakers (an employment attorney and a trauma specialist) will be coordinated with the help of Anita Hill’s Hollywood Commission. This event is co-sponsored by the Asian American Writers Committee, the Career Longevity Committee, Committee of Black Writers, Committee of Women Writers, Disabled Writers Committee, Latinx Writers Committee, LGBTQ+ Writers Committee, the Middle Eastern Writers Committee and the Native American & Indigenous Writers Committee. WGA members +1 guest.