Leaders of the Writers Guild of America have told members that the guild will press on in its legal battle with Wme, CAA and UTA over packaging fees in the wake of a federal judge’s decision to dismiss most of the guild’s lawsuit against the talent agencies.
The WGA sent a message to members Tuesday, a day after U.S. District Judge Andre Birotte dismissed eight of the 14 claims brought by the WGA in its countersuit, including claims that packaging fees amount to illegal kickbacks and were a form of racketeering.
In a message sent to members by the WGA’s agency negotiating committee and the WGA West board of directors, guild leaders emphasized that the claims involving breach of fiduciary duty and price-fixing among agencies over packaging fees were allowed to proceed and will be the crux of the guild’s case. A trial date has been...
The WGA sent a message to members Tuesday, a day after U.S. District Judge Andre Birotte dismissed eight of the 14 claims brought by the WGA in its countersuit, including claims that packaging fees amount to illegal kickbacks and were a form of racketeering.
In a message sent to members by the WGA’s agency negotiating committee and the WGA West board of directors, guild leaders emphasized that the claims involving breach of fiduciary duty and price-fixing among agencies over packaging fees were allowed to proceed and will be the crux of the guild’s case. A trial date has been...
- 4/28/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Leaders of the Writers Guild of America have told members that they may need to extend to current contract beyond its current May 1 expiration due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Members received the message on Tuesday afternoon, a day after Variety reported that the WGA was evaluating its options for conducting contract talks with Hollywood’s major studios that were to have started on March 23. The coronavirus prevention measures appear to have made it untenable for the sides to hold a face-to-face bargaining session.
The WGA and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are trying to come to terms on an extension date for the guild’s existing Minimum Basic Agreement that covers most film and TV work. The current pact is set to expire May 1. But given the upheaval to regular business brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the sides need more time to negotiate what is sure to...
Members received the message on Tuesday afternoon, a day after Variety reported that the WGA was evaluating its options for conducting contract talks with Hollywood’s major studios that were to have started on March 23. The coronavirus prevention measures appear to have made it untenable for the sides to hold a face-to-face bargaining session.
The WGA and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are trying to come to terms on an extension date for the guild’s existing Minimum Basic Agreement that covers most film and TV work. The current pact is set to expire May 1. But given the upheaval to regular business brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, the sides need more time to negotiate what is sure to...
- 3/24/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America on Friday tapped more than 30 members to serve on the guild’s negotiating committee for the upcoming contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
The current three-year collective bargaining agreement, which covers most of the work done by WGA writers, is set to expire on May 1, 2020.
The looming contract negotiations have been a source of much anxiety in Hollywood as fears of a potential strike have bubbled in recent months. The negotiations are especially interesting for the WGA, which is still in a stand off with Hollywood talent agencies over how they are represented and the packaging fees agents collect for bundling talent together for networks and studios.
Also Read: How Hollywood's Guilds Are Bracing for Crucial Negotiations in 2020
Prominent names appointed to the WGA’s negotiating committee include “Aladdin” screenwriter John August, Patti Carr, Adele Lim (“Crazy Rich Asians”), Meredith Stiehm...
The current three-year collective bargaining agreement, which covers most of the work done by WGA writers, is set to expire on May 1, 2020.
The looming contract negotiations have been a source of much anxiety in Hollywood as fears of a potential strike have bubbled in recent months. The negotiations are especially interesting for the WGA, which is still in a stand off with Hollywood talent agencies over how they are represented and the packaging fees agents collect for bundling talent together for networks and studios.
Also Read: How Hollywood's Guilds Are Bracing for Crucial Negotiations in 2020
Prominent names appointed to the WGA’s negotiating committee include “Aladdin” screenwriter John August, Patti Carr, Adele Lim (“Crazy Rich Asians”), Meredith Stiehm...
- 11/8/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
The WGA has appointed the members to its negotiating committee in the run-up to its talks with management’s Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for a new film and TV contract. See the list below.
The current pact expires on May 1. No date has been set for the talks to begin, and it’s not clear whether the WGA will begin bargaining before the Directors Guild, whose contract doesn’t expire until two months later. In years past, the DGA has gone first, reaching deals that have set the pattern of bargaining for the WGA and SAG-AFTRA to follow.
In the upcoming WGA talks, WGA West executive director David Young will serve as the guild’s chief negotiator, with Michele Mulroney, Shawn Ryan and Betsy Thomas serving as co-chairs. Ex-officio members of the negotiating committee include WGA West president David A. Goodman, WGA East president Beau Willimon,...
The current pact expires on May 1. No date has been set for the talks to begin, and it’s not clear whether the WGA will begin bargaining before the Directors Guild, whose contract doesn’t expire until two months later. In years past, the DGA has gone first, reaching deals that have set the pattern of bargaining for the WGA and SAG-AFTRA to follow.
In the upcoming WGA talks, WGA West executive director David Young will serve as the guild’s chief negotiator, with Michele Mulroney, Shawn Ryan and Betsy Thomas serving as co-chairs. Ex-officio members of the negotiating committee include WGA West president David A. Goodman, WGA East president Beau Willimon,...
- 11/8/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
With Hollywood already fearing a strike, the Writers Guild of America has appointed more than two dozen members to serve on its negotiating committee for upcoming negotiations on its master contract.
The current three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) expires on May 1. The guild’s seven-month standoff with agencies has heightened worries that the WGA will go on strike after the contract expires.
The WGA is required to seek approval of its “pattern of demands” before meeting with the companies. WGA West executive director David Young, who orchestrated the bitter 2007-08 strike, will serve as chief negotiator. Michele Mulroney, Shawn Ryan and Betsy Thomas are the co-chairs.
Notable names on the committee include “Crazy Rich Asians” writer Adele Lim; Meredith Stiehm, one of the plaintiffs in the WGA’s suit over the legality of CAA, UTA and Wme charging packaging fees; Patric Verrone, who...
The current three-year deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) expires on May 1. The guild’s seven-month standoff with agencies has heightened worries that the WGA will go on strike after the contract expires.
The WGA is required to seek approval of its “pattern of demands” before meeting with the companies. WGA West executive director David Young, who orchestrated the bitter 2007-08 strike, will serve as chief negotiator. Michele Mulroney, Shawn Ryan and Betsy Thomas are the co-chairs.
Notable names on the committee include “Crazy Rich Asians” writer Adele Lim; Meredith Stiehm, one of the plaintiffs in the WGA’s suit over the legality of CAA, UTA and Wme charging packaging fees; Patric Verrone, who...
- 11/8/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Good Friday has put Hollywood on pause for tomorrow, but today the Writers Guild said it has a very big Easter delivery for the uberagencies coming on Monday.
It’s been nearly a week after talks completely broke down between the WGA and the Association of Talent Agents over the new anti-packaging Agency Code of Conduct and scribes started pink-slipping their agents as the Guild leadership instructed. And today the Negotiating Committee sent a memo to members with news about some big numbers and big names.
Claiming that “over 92% of the members who signed the Statement of Support have already fulfilled their pledge and signed letters terminating their unfranchised agencies,” the memo warns the Ata that a forest full of official letters will be arriving at the likes of UTA, CAA, ICM Partners and Wme on April 22. The guild added that “several thousand other writers” also have canned their now-ex-reps...
It’s been nearly a week after talks completely broke down between the WGA and the Association of Talent Agents over the new anti-packaging Agency Code of Conduct and scribes started pink-slipping their agents as the Guild leadership instructed. And today the Negotiating Committee sent a memo to members with news about some big numbers and big names.
Claiming that “over 92% of the members who signed the Statement of Support have already fulfilled their pledge and signed letters terminating their unfranchised agencies,” the memo warns the Ata that a forest full of official letters will be arriving at the likes of UTA, CAA, ICM Partners and Wme on April 22. The guild added that “several thousand other writers” also have canned their now-ex-reps...
- 4/19/2019
- by Dominic Patten and David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The WGA and the ATA have averted — at least temporarily — a looming crisis and they have agreed to push tonight’s midnight deadline five days to try and figure out a compromise. Sources said that the agents initiated a meeting with WGA that lasted three and led to an extension as their 43-year-old franchise agreement was set to expire at midnight. The new deadline is Friday.
Numerous members of the WGA negotiating committee were away including Chris Keyser, and sources said that on the WGA side were David Young, Mike Schur, Michelle Mulroney and David Shore. Meeting for the Ata and the agencies were Wme’s Rick Rosen, CAA’s Bryan Lourd, UTA’s Jay Sures, who reportedly helped organize the sit-down, and Apa’s Jim Gosnell, who serves as Ata President.
This is the first sign of any kind of thaw in this protracted battle. The meeting was described...
Numerous members of the WGA negotiating committee were away including Chris Keyser, and sources said that on the WGA side were David Young, Mike Schur, Michelle Mulroney and David Shore. Meeting for the Ata and the agencies were Wme’s Rick Rosen, CAA’s Bryan Lourd, UTA’s Jay Sures, who reportedly helped organize the sit-down, and Apa’s Jim Gosnell, who serves as Ata President.
This is the first sign of any kind of thaw in this protracted battle. The meeting was described...
- 4/7/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva, Mike Fleming Jr and David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV’s problems with the Writers Guild of America East (Wgae) won’t go away after the union threatened to protest at the company’s annual general meeting next week.
The union is supporting a group of employees and former employees, who claim that there is “systematic discrimination and harassment” against women and people of color at the company.
The group has sent ITV Management, now including CEO Carolyn McCall and recently installed ITV America CEO David George, a letter outlining its concerns.
Producer Tiffany Magby, who has worked on shows including The First 48, who has since left ITV, said: “We wrote to ITV management as a group of women of color to inform them about what we consider systematic discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and overtime violations that we experienced while working on two of the company’s most prominent programmes. We called for both equal pay with our white...
The union is supporting a group of employees and former employees, who claim that there is “systematic discrimination and harassment” against women and people of color at the company.
The group has sent ITV Management, now including CEO Carolyn McCall and recently installed ITV America CEO David George, a letter outlining its concerns.
Producer Tiffany Magby, who has worked on shows including The First 48, who has since left ITV, said: “We wrote to ITV management as a group of women of color to inform them about what we consider systematic discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and overtime violations that we experienced while working on two of the company’s most prominent programmes. We called for both equal pay with our white...
- 5/3/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
WGA, AMPTP reach “tentative” three-year deal.
The Writers Guilds of America West and East (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached a “tentative” last-minute agreement to avert the impending writers strike.
The old contract expired at midnight Pacific Time on May 1. The new deal will now need to be ratified by the WGA’s board and eventually its members.
In a statement, the WGA confirmed that the teams have “concluded negotiations and have reached a tentative agreement on terms for a new three-year collective bargaining agreement” which it said was worth “$130m more than the pattern we were expected to accept”.
The WGA cited contribution increases to the organisation’s health plan, as well as expanded protections in options and exclusivity, and an increase in Pay TV residuals, as terms that it had made gains in.
Further details of the agreement will be provided in the coming days.
Read the statement...
The Writers Guilds of America West and East (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached a “tentative” last-minute agreement to avert the impending writers strike.
The old contract expired at midnight Pacific Time on May 1. The new deal will now need to be ratified by the WGA’s board and eventually its members.
In a statement, the WGA confirmed that the teams have “concluded negotiations and have reached a tentative agreement on terms for a new three-year collective bargaining agreement” which it said was worth “$130m more than the pattern we were expected to accept”.
The WGA cited contribution increases to the organisation’s health plan, as well as expanded protections in options and exclusivity, and an increase in Pay TV residuals, as terms that it had made gains in.
Further details of the agreement will be provided in the coming days.
Read the statement...
- 5/2/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
WGA, AMPTP strike “tentative” three-year, eleventh-hour deal.
The Writers Guilds of America West and East (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached a “tentative” last-minute agreement to avert the impending writers strike.
The old contract expired at midnight Pacific Time on May 1. The new deal will now need to be ratified by the WGA’s board and eventually its members.
In a statement, the WGA confirmed that the teams have “concluded negotiations and have reached a tentative agreement on terms for a new three-year collective bargaining agreement”. Read the statement in full below.
Dear Colleagues –
Your Negotiating Committee is pleased to report that we have reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP that we can recommend for ratification.
In it, we made gains in minimums across the board – as well as contribution increases to our Health Plan that should ensure its solvency for years to come. And we further...
The Writers Guilds of America West and East (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached a “tentative” last-minute agreement to avert the impending writers strike.
The old contract expired at midnight Pacific Time on May 1. The new deal will now need to be ratified by the WGA’s board and eventually its members.
In a statement, the WGA confirmed that the teams have “concluded negotiations and have reached a tentative agreement on terms for a new three-year collective bargaining agreement”. Read the statement in full below.
Dear Colleagues –
Your Negotiating Committee is pleased to report that we have reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP that we can recommend for ratification.
In it, we made gains in minimums across the board – as well as contribution increases to our Health Plan that should ensure its solvency for years to come. And we further...
- 5/2/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
WGA, AMPTP strike “tentative” three-year, eleventh-hour deal.
The Writers Guilds of America West and East (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached a “tentative” last-minute agreement to avert the impending writers strike.
The old contract expired at midnight Pacific Time on May 1. The new deal will now need to be ratified by the WGA’s board and eventually its members.
In a statement, the WGA confirmed that the teams have “concluded negotiations and have reached a tentative agreement on terms for a new three-year collective bargaining agreement”. Read the statement in full below.
Dear Colleagues –
Your Negotiating Committee is pleased to report that we have reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP that we can recommend for ratification.
In it, we made gains in minimums across the board – as well as contribution increases to our Health Plan that should ensure its solvency for years to come. And we further...
The Writers Guilds of America West and East (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) have reached a “tentative” last-minute agreement to avert the impending writers strike.
The old contract expired at midnight Pacific Time on May 1. The new deal will now need to be ratified by the WGA’s board and eventually its members.
In a statement, the WGA confirmed that the teams have “concluded negotiations and have reached a tentative agreement on terms for a new three-year collective bargaining agreement”. Read the statement in full below.
Dear Colleagues –
Your Negotiating Committee is pleased to report that we have reached a tentative agreement with the AMPTP that we can recommend for ratification.
In it, we made gains in minimums across the board – as well as contribution increases to our Health Plan that should ensure its solvency for years to come. And we further...
- 5/2/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
The Writers Guild of America is inching a step closer toward a potential writers’ strike.
The WGA’s negotiating committee sent a letter to members on Friday, recommending that the guild’s 12,000 members take a vote on strike authorization. It did not give a timetable for such a vote, however, and such a vote would not automatically lead to a strike.
Negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Pictures & Television Producers started March 13, but without any movement, the guild is looking to take the next step.
Read More: Another Writers’ Strike May Be Looming — Report
“On the last day of these two weeks, the companies’ proposal has barely a single hard-dollar gain for writers,” the letter said. “$51 billion in profits and barely a penny for those of us who make the product that makes the companies rich. But that’s not all. In response to our proposal to...
The WGA’s negotiating committee sent a letter to members on Friday, recommending that the guild’s 12,000 members take a vote on strike authorization. It did not give a timetable for such a vote, however, and such a vote would not automatically lead to a strike.
Negotiations between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Pictures & Television Producers started March 13, but without any movement, the guild is looking to take the next step.
Read More: Another Writers’ Strike May Be Looming — Report
“On the last day of these two weeks, the companies’ proposal has barely a single hard-dollar gain for writers,” the letter said. “$51 billion in profits and barely a penny for those of us who make the product that makes the companies rich. But that’s not all. In response to our proposal to...
- 3/25/2017
- by Michael Schneider
- Indiewire
Ron Hogan Sep 15, 2016
A well-crafted script and brilliant zombie invasion scene make this week's Fear The Walking Dead a great hour's entertainment...
This review contains spoilers.
2.11 Pablo And Jessica
The stand-out characters of Fear The Walking Dead's first season were pretty obvious. Nick, the stringy, nervous junkie trying to scratch out a life on the edges, is a great survivor because he's used to living rough. Strand, the mysterious man in the suit, is a cool and dangerous customer, a great survivor because he knows how to read people and how to use their greed and weakness to his own advantage. They're a great pair. Strand and Nick are both experts at feeling their way through dangerous situations, Nick with drug dealers and Strand in boardrooms and hotel bars.
While Madison and Travis and others not named Tobias have been forced to shift on the fly and find some new way to live,...
A well-crafted script and brilliant zombie invasion scene make this week's Fear The Walking Dead a great hour's entertainment...
This review contains spoilers.
2.11 Pablo And Jessica
The stand-out characters of Fear The Walking Dead's first season were pretty obvious. Nick, the stringy, nervous junkie trying to scratch out a life on the edges, is a great survivor because he's used to living rough. Strand, the mysterious man in the suit, is a cool and dangerous customer, a great survivor because he knows how to read people and how to use their greed and weakness to his own advantage. They're a great pair. Strand and Nick are both experts at feeling their way through dangerous situations, Nick with drug dealers and Strand in boardrooms and hotel bars.
While Madison and Travis and others not named Tobias have been forced to shift on the fly and find some new way to live,...
- 9/15/2016
- Den of Geek
Read More: 7 Best Screenwriting Apps to Make Life Easier
New York Women in Film & Television (Nywift) and Iris , a collective of women filmmakers, have officially announced the 10 selected screenwriters who will participate in this year’s The Writers Lab. Now in its second year, The Writers Lab is a program where emerging female screenwriters team up with industry mentors to help develop their screenplays. The lab is open to women over the age of 40 and is funded by Meryl Streep. This year’s participants include:
Carol Carpenter, “The Guadalupe”
Melody Cooper, “The Sound of Darkness”
Meredith DePaolo, “Devil’s Eye””
Nancy Duff, “Dead Drop”
Kate Erickson, “Roll With It”
Tina Field Howe, “Drone War”
Christina Hulen, “A Gentleman of Good Hope”
Christine Toy Johnson, “Jumping the Third Rail”
Nanci Katz-Ellis, “Blink”
Leslie Longworth, “One Bad Astronaut”
Barbara Nunberg, “Willful Blindness”
Stephanie Stanley, “The Radical”
The mentors who will be included...
New York Women in Film & Television (Nywift) and Iris , a collective of women filmmakers, have officially announced the 10 selected screenwriters who will participate in this year’s The Writers Lab. Now in its second year, The Writers Lab is a program where emerging female screenwriters team up with industry mentors to help develop their screenplays. The lab is open to women over the age of 40 and is funded by Meryl Streep. This year’s participants include:
Carol Carpenter, “The Guadalupe”
Melody Cooper, “The Sound of Darkness”
Meredith DePaolo, “Devil’s Eye””
Nancy Duff, “Dead Drop”
Kate Erickson, “Roll With It”
Tina Field Howe, “Drone War”
Christina Hulen, “A Gentleman of Good Hope”
Christine Toy Johnson, “Jumping the Third Rail”
Nanci Katz-Ellis, “Blink”
Leslie Longworth, “One Bad Astronaut”
Barbara Nunberg, “Willful Blindness”
Stephanie Stanley, “The Radical”
The mentors who will be included...
- 8/4/2016
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
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With more episodes in its second season, Fear The Walking Dead has the time to slow down and let plot developments breathe...
This review contains spoilers.
2.4 Blood In The Streets
With an expanded second season, Fear The Walking Dead seems to be able to let things breathe a little more than we got in the first season. The beginning felt kind of rapid fire, things happening one after the other after the other until we end up in a burning mansion on the California coast with a mysterious guy in a suit and his $10 million dollar boat. It made for interesting television, and it kept things moving reasonably well, even if they didn't linger enough on the things I wanted to see for reasons of time or budget.
However, the second season seems to be taking a different pace. It wasn't all that long ago that Alicia...
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With more episodes in its second season, Fear The Walking Dead has the time to slow down and let plot developments breathe...
This review contains spoilers.
2.4 Blood In The Streets
With an expanded second season, Fear The Walking Dead seems to be able to let things breathe a little more than we got in the first season. The beginning felt kind of rapid fire, things happening one after the other after the other until we end up in a burning mansion on the California coast with a mysterious guy in a suit and his $10 million dollar boat. It made for interesting television, and it kept things moving reasonably well, even if they didn't linger enough on the things I wanted to see for reasons of time or budget.
However, the second season seems to be taking a different pace. It wasn't all that long ago that Alicia...
- 5/2/2016
- Den of Geek
The Writers Guild of America has just announced the nominations for their annual awards for Best Screenplays (by writers who are guild signatories). That’s right, before you get nervous thinking that your favorite may have been left off the list, you must remember that the WGA is the group that is not all-inclusive and leaves out several of the top contenders each year due to them not being part of the guild or not following their very specific rules. For this reason, you won’t see Inside Out, The Hateful Eight, and Ex Machina in the Original Screenplay category or Room, Brooklyn, or Anomalisa in the Adapted screenplay category.
Taking a look at what’s left over for the nominations, we find many that were expected to make a showing, including Spotlight and Bridge of Spies for Original Screenplay, though they apparently had to sink to really low depths...
Taking a look at what’s left over for the nominations, we find many that were expected to make a showing, including Spotlight and Bridge of Spies for Original Screenplay, though they apparently had to sink to really low depths...
- 1/6/2016
- by Jeff Beck
- We Got This Covered
The Writers Guild of America announced some of its nominees for its 2015 awards on Thursday, including television, new media, and radio, and among the TV nominees are series both new and old, and all beloved.
In the comedy series category, freshman Netflix show "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" scored a nomination for best series, as well as an overall best new series nod. "The Last Man on Earth" also landed in that latter category, and was singled out for its pilot episode writing, too.
On the drama side of the equation, lauded "Breaking Bad" spinoff "Better Call Saul" also got best series and best new series nominations, in addition to a an episode writing nod. Newly-minted Emmy winner "Game of Thrones" also scored a best drama citation, as well as an episodic writing nomination.
The full list of nominees released this week are below. Nominations in the theatrical and documentary categories will...
In the comedy series category, freshman Netflix show "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" scored a nomination for best series, as well as an overall best new series nod. "The Last Man on Earth" also landed in that latter category, and was singled out for its pilot episode writing, too.
On the drama side of the equation, lauded "Breaking Bad" spinoff "Better Call Saul" also got best series and best new series nominations, in addition to a an episode writing nod. Newly-minted Emmy winner "Game of Thrones" also scored a best drama citation, as well as an episodic writing nomination.
The full list of nominees released this week are below. Nominations in the theatrical and documentary categories will...
- 12/3/2015
- by Katie Roberts
- Moviefone
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