Here’s what going on, socially and professionally, at the Writers Guild of America West this month:
May 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.)
Monday 03
Disabled Writers Committee Meeting
7-9 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: WDC 05-2021. 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. You will be emailed the Zoom ID and meeting logistics on the day of the meeting.
Wednesday 05
Career Longevity Committee Meeting
7-9 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: CLC 05-2021. The mission of the Career Longevity Committee is to advocate for writers of all ages to obtain equal access to the job market with equal opportunity for sustained professional growth. You will be emailed the Zoom ID and meeting logistics on the day of the meeting.
Thursday 06
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 06
Subverting Stereotypes: Re-Writing Asian American Narratives in Film and TV
4-5:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
Info/RSVP: WGFoundation.org. This panel, in partnership with the Asian American Writers Committee, the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) and Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity (TTIE), will briefly review historic portrayals of Asian Americans in film and television to understand how Hollywood has contributed to harmful characterizations of the community, and we’ll discuss how Asian American film and TV writers are updating and revising onscreen and behind-the-screen narratives to be more inclusive, multi-dimensional, and authentic. Panelists: Liz Hsiao Lan Alper (Day of the Dead), Teresa Hsiao (Awkwafina is Nora From Queens), Adele Lim (Crazy Rich Asians), Y. Shireen Razack (New Amsterdam), Alexander Woo (The Terror: Infamy). Moderated by Tawal Panyacosit, Jr. (Life After First Failure). Free with suggested donation of $10.
Thursday 06
The Black Birth Experience: Challenges, Joys and Justice
4:30-6 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Hollywood, Health
RSVP: BlackBirthExperience. Hollywood, Health & Society will present a frank discussion on the issues surrounding Black maternal health. Black women in the United States are more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth than women in any other race group, and their heightened risk of pregnancy-related death spans income and education levels. Think Serena Williams or Beyonce. We’ll look at the causes of these maternal health discrepancies, share joyful Black birthing stories, and explore how both the positive and negative can be depicted on TV. Panelists: Dr. Joia Crear-Perry (National Birth Equity Collaborative founder-president), Erika Green-Swafford (New Amsterdam), Helen Krieger (Grown-ish), Esa Lewis (Black-ish), Kay Matthews (Shades of Blue Project founder). Moderator: Priska Neely (Gulf States Newsroom managing editor).
Tuesday 11
WGF x Business of Creating Presents From Pitch to Production: The Evolution of Animated Projects
4-5:15 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
Info/RSVP: WGFoundation.org. This panel, in partnership with Business of Creating and BRIC Foundation, features seasoned animation executives who’ll discuss the four stages of a project’s life cycle: Pitching, Development, Marketing, and Production. Panelists: Jay Francis (VP of Current Series and Diversity, Disney Animated Television), Maia Glikman (Animation Producer, Co-Founder of GoKidGo), Alison Mann (VP of Creative/Strategy, Sony Pictures Animation). Moderated by Jennifer Mangan (producer/writer, Beautiful Day Productions). Free with suggested donation of $10.
Tuesday 11
Native American & Indigenous Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: NAIWC 05-2021. 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. You will be emailed the Zoom ID and meeting logistics on the day of the meeting.
Thursday 13
In the Line of Fire: Inside the Diplomatic Security Service
6-7:30 p.m. – BlueJeans
Category: Writers Ed
RSVP: DSS. Join us for this virtual event, as special agents from the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), the federal law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Department of State, present an overview of the work they do as the lead U.S. law enforcement organization abroad, tailored specifically for writers. When an emergency arises, the DSS shifts into action, and when the State Department dials 911, the DSS responds first. Given the recent insurrection of the U.S. Capitol and other current events, the DSS’ security detail is more topical than ever. This panel will be valuable to writers by supplying insider information to ensure accurate narratives and portrayals are integrated in procedural TV and film projects. Topics to include embassy security, mobile security deployment teams, protective detail, and more. Moderated by Brian Gary. Presented by WGAW’s Writers Education Committee.
Tuesday 18
LGBTQ+ Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: LGBTQ+ 05-2021. 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. You will be emailed the Zoom ID and meeting logistics on the day of the meeting.
Wednesday 19
Write Inclusion: Muslims
6-7:30 p.m. – BlueJeans
Category: Writers Ed
RSVP: Inclusion. Presented by WGAW’s Writers Education and Middle Eastern Writers Committees, in partnership with the Think Tank for Inclusion and Equity and Storyline Partners, join us for the latest virtual panel event in the Guild’s multi-part series to unpack cultural narratives surrounding TTIE’s #WriteInclusion: Tips for Accurate Representation factsheet initiative. These talks delve into authentic and nuanced storytelling, examining culture creation, how we shape stories, and how to ensure accurate and authentic characters and narratives in film and TV. This panel will focus on the portrayals and representation of Muslims. Panelists/moderator TBA.
Thursday 20
In Conversation with Oscar Nominee Ramin Bahrani
6 p.m. – Zoom or BlueJeans
Category: Inclusion and Equity
RSVP: MEWC-Event. Join WGAW Middle Eastern Writers Committee Co-chairs, Cameron Fay and Paiman Kalayeh as they discuss being MENA in Hollywood with Oscar nominated writer and director, Ramin Bahrani (Fahrenheit 451, 99 Homes). Ramin will discuss his career writing and directing for film and TV, including adapting his latest critically acclaimed Netflix film, The White Tiger, which is nominated for an 2020 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. WGAW members plus one guest.
Monday 24
Telling Your Own Story: A Workshop for Writers on Creating Your Personal Archive
6-7:30 p.m. – BlueJeans
Category: Writers Ed
RSVP: Archive. Just in time for spring cleaning, this informational workshop, presented by WGAW’s Writers Education Committee and Writers Guild Foundation, will focus on the best approaches and methods for writers to care for their work. WGF Library Archivist Hilary Swett will lead writers step-by-step through the archive process. Why should you create a personal archive? What are your goals and how do you achieve them? Swett will detail how to make a plan, take inventory, appraise and prioritize materials, and decide what to keep (and what to toss), focusing on principles of preservation, organization, while drilling-down on special supplies, digital files, metadata, long-term storage, and more. Don’t miss this valuable how-to seminar to organize, secure, and preserve your work now for the future.
Monday 24
Latinx Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
RSVP: LWC 05-2021. 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. You will be emailed the Zoom ID and meeting logistics on the day of the meeting.
Wednesday 26
Writer Salon: Anatomy of Biopics – John Lee Hancock
6-7:30 p.m. – BlueJeans
Category: Genre
RSVP: Genre. Join us for a special, one-on-one “writer salon” featuring John Lee Hancock (screenwriter-director: Little Things, The Blind Side, The Alamo; director: The Founder, Saving Mr. Banks). This virtual conversation with filmmaker Hancock, moderated by John Alan Simon (Radio Free Albemuth), will focus on writing, producing, and directing biopics, as well as his creative process, career, and more. Presented by WGAW’s Genre Committee.