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:
August 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 02
Genre Committee Meeting
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: 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 03
WGF x Business of Creating present Graphic Novels: Creating, Selling and Cross-Platforming Intellectual Property
4-5 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
WGF teams up with Business of Creating for an interactive panel and Q&A about graphic novels with speakers David Booher (Author, Canto, Killer Queens), Michael Fisk (Studio Marketing Exec and Owner, InterMark Strategy), Dinesh Shamdasani (Co-CEO & Co-Chief Creative Officer, BAD IDEA) and moderator Jennifer Mangan (writer/producer, Beautiful Day Productions). They’ll cover how to create a graphic novel, how to pitch it to publishers, and how to translate a live-action script to a graphic novel format (and vice versa). Free with suggested RSVP, $10.
Wednesday 03
Committee of Black Writers Meeting
7-9 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
The WGAW Committee of Black Writers’ mission is to empower, increase visibility, and create career and networking opportunities for Black writers in Hollywood.
Friday 05
More Than The New 30: Writing Female Characters Over 50
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
WGF joins forces with Stephens College MFA in TV and Screenwriting for a virtual panel with writers Cindy Chupack (Otherhood), Meg DeLoatch (Family Reunion), Marta Kauffman (Grace And Frankie), and Lisa Seidman (General Hospital). They will discuss their experiences developing characters over the age of 50, how characters have been depicted in the past, and how shows and films are combating ageist stereotypes and subverting expectations. Moderated by Dr. Rosanne Welch, Executive Director, Stephens College MFA in TV and Screenwriting. Free with suggested RSVP, $10.
Sunday 07
¡Viva Maestro!: Guild Screenings Q&A with Theodore Braun
After 3 p.m. screening – Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills.
Category: Guild Screenings
Q&A with ¡Viva Maestro! writer Theodore Braun begins immediately after the screening (TRT: 99 minutes). WGAW members only with two guests. Guild membership card + proof of Covid-19 vaccination and booster required for entry.
Monday 08
Committee of Women Writers Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
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
Writers Education Committee Meeting
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Ed
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 11
Middle Eastern Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
Guest speaker: Manal Hammad (Verve). 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.
Saturday 13
Emily The Criminal: Guild Screenings Q&A with John Patton Ford
After 3 p.m. screening – Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills.
Category: Guild Screenings
Q&A with Emily The Criminal writer John Patton Ford begins immediately after the screening (TRT: 93 minutes). WGAW members only with two guests. Guild membership card + proof of Covid-19 vaccination and booster required for entry.
Sunday 14
Bullet Train: Guild Screenings Q&A with Zac Olkewicz
After 7 p.m. screening – Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills.
Category: Guild Screenings
Q&A with Bullet Train writer Zac Olkewicz begins immediately after the screening (TRT: 152 minutes). WGAW members only with two guests. Guild membership card + proof of Covid-19 vaccination and booster required for entry.
Tuesday 16
Between the Lines, Emmy Edition: Writing for Limited or Anthology Series, Movie
4-5:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
For this special live event, we take a closer look inside script pages from TV shows nominated for a 2022 Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie. Writers will walk us through their process for crafting memorable scenes from their nominated series and how their words were given life on screen. Panelists include Sarah Burgess (American Crime Story: Impeachment), Molly Smith Metzler (Maid), Patrick Somerville (Station Eleven), Danny Strong (Dopesick). Moderated by WGF’s Lauren O’Connor. WGAW members receive free admission. Click “WGA Member Tickets” on the event page to reserve tickets.
Thursday 18
Sublime Primetime Online 2022
4-6:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Guild Foundation
The annual event co-presented by the Writers Guild Foundation and the Writers Guild of America West, in partnership with Final Draft and Variety, celebrates the 2022 Emmy-Nominated writers for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. This year, we’re hosting two live back-to-back Zoom panels. Drama panelists include Jesse Armstrong (Succession), Dan Erickson (Severance), Jonathan Lisco, Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson (Yellowjackets), and Thomas Schnauz (Better Call Saul), and hosted by Julie Plec (Vampire Academy). Comedy panelists include Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky (Hacks), Jane Becker (Ted Lasso), Duffy Boudreau (Barry), John Hoffman (Only Murders in the Building), Sarah Naftalis and Stefani Robinson (What We Do In The Shadows), and hosted by Jenny Yang (The Gordita Chronicles). WGAW members receive free admission to both panels. Redeem by clicking “WGA Member Tickets” on event page.
Thursday 18
Asian American Writers Committee Meeting
7:30-9:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity Committee Meetings
This committee actively 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.
Monday 22
Find A Writer Demo
7-8:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity
Over the course of one hour, this informational session will focus on educating members about the Find A Writer database and showing them how to edit their public profiles. Presented by the Inclusion & Equity department in partnership with the Online Services department.
Tuesday 23
Thrice Upon a Time: Working with Fairy Tales
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Genre
IP is king, and this panel will unpack adapting the original IP: fairy tales. They’ve graced screens in several mediums: hour dramas (Once Upon a Time), police procedurals (Grimm), TV anthologies (Tell Me A Story), horror (Gretel & Hansel), period romances (Ever After), jukebox musicals (Amazon’s Cinderella), action movies (The Huntsman: Winter’s War), and more. We’ll explore the craft of pitching, developing, and twisting…
Wednesday 24
Treat Yo Self: Self-Care for Writers
7-8:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Inclusion and Equity
During this virtual panel, we’ll discuss the importance of self-care and mental health as it pertains to writers. Studies have shown that writers can be prone to depression, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse. This has only been exacerbated by the stress and isolation caused by the recent pandemic. We’d like to raise awareness of mental health issues common among writers and what can be done to prevent or address them. We’ll cover everything from professional treatment (therapy, medication) to self-maintenance (meditation, spiritual practices, mental health apps) to alternative/eastern medicine (acupuncture, Ayurveda). We’ll also discuss methods to overcome writer’s block, rejection, and other mental obstacles so that writers can perform at their highest potential. Panelists include Laverne McKinnon (Career & Leadership Coach), Alan Dybner (Therapist/ Writer), and Linda Shing (Therapist/Academic). WGA Members +1.
Thursday 25
Civic Storylines: Creating Change Through Our Characters
6-7:30 p.m. – Zoom
Category: Writers Ed
Presented by WGAW’s Writers Education Committee in conjunction with the Civic Leadership Stories Project, this panel will explore civic leadership character types from the local level to the federal government, focusing on common stereotypes, story ideas, and how a new generation of civic leaders are changing communities. This virtual event will offer resources for stories and characters, spotlighting new ways to approach characters and storylines to help writers develop characters and…