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:
April 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.
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 4-2022. The WGAW Committee of Black Writers’ mission is to empower, increase visibility, and create career and networking opportunities for Black writers in Hollywood.
Monday 11
Committee of Women Writers Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: CWW 4-2022. 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.
Tuesday 12
Showrunner Sessions with Yellowjackets’ Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson and Jonathan Lisco
4-5 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
RSVP: WGFoundation. Yellowjackets showrunners Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson and Jonathan Lisco chat with moderator Julie Plec (Legacies) about the journey of bringing the original drama pilot to Showtime, how they shaped (and ran) their writers room, and the unique challenges of producing the first season of a new show. Free with suggested RSVP, $10.
Tuesday 12
It’s Not Too Late to be a Doctor: An Evening with Middle Eastern Comedy Writers
7-9 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity
RSVP: Late. Making up only .3% of writers’ rooms, Middle Eastern representation is hard to find. For MENA comedy writers, that number is almost non-existent. The good news is, we found some and convinced them to join us for a conversation about their experiences being the unicorns of the comedy world. Join Middle Eastern comedy writers Mitra Jouhari (Big Mouth), Kira Kalush (Ghosts), and John Aboud (Home Economics) for a virtual evening of laughs and real-talk, as they discuss the paths that led them to lend their perspectives, literal voices, and humor to live-action and animated television comedies. Topics will include navigating comedy room politics, cultural and familial pressure, tips for pitching projects and staffing, and how much rice is too much. Moderated by Julian Kiani (First Wives Club). WGA Members +1.
Wednesday 13
Same Show, New Characters – Investigating The Anthology Series
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Genre
RSVP: Anthology. Join us for a conversation with creators/showrunners and network executives to discuss the anthology series. With an unprecedented number of anthologies finding their way onto platforms, more writers are developing and staffing these genre-forward programs than ever before. We aim to discuss the development and execution of varied anthologies, both episodic (e.g., The Twilight Zone) and seasonal (e.g., True Detective), with questions like: How are anthologies built differently than traditional narrative series? How do you keep the audience coming back without an unresolved narrative question? What are networks looking for when buying, developing, and producing anthology series? Panelists include: Women of the Movement creator Marissa Jo Cerar, American Horror Story co-creator Brad Falchuk, Fargo creator Noah Hawley, and Two-Sentence Horror Stories creator Vera Miao, execs and more TBA. 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 4-2022.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.
Thursday
21
Asian American Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: AAWC 4-2022. 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.
Saturday 23
Operation Mincemeat Q&A with Michelle Ashford
After 3 p.m. screening – Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills
Category: Guild Screenings
Q&A with Operation Mincemeat writer Michelle Ashford begins immediately after the screening (TRT: 128 minutes). WGAW members only with two guests. Guild membership and proof of COVID vaccination plus a booster required.
Wednesday 27
LGBTQ+ Global Immigration Issues
7-8:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity
RSVP: LGBTQ+. This panel explores current LGBTQ+ issues in global hotspots, including at our southern border. Sponsored by the LGBTQ+ Committee, Storyline Partners, Human Rights Campaign and Amnesty USA. Panelists include Justin Spitzer (Superstore) and Amrou Al-Kadhi (Little America) who will discuss how current LGBTQ+ and immigration issues were explored in their show, as well as representatives (TBA) from HRC, Amnesty and Storyline Partners who will shed light on the current stats and the challenges facing LGBTQ+ immigrants as they take on the process of relocating and redefining their lives. WGA members +1.
Saturday 30
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent Q&A with Tom Gormican
After 3 p.m. screening – Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills
Category: Guild Screenings
Q&A with The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent writers Tom Gormican & Kevin Etten begins immediately after the screening (TRT: 105 minutes). WGAW members only with two guests. Guild membership and proof of COVID vaccination plus a booster required.