After mounting a strike threat that was later averted, Sesame Workshop writers have ratified a new five-year labor contract that their union president is touting as “groundbreaking.”
Twenty-eight out of the group of 35 workers voted to support a tentative deal reached on April 19, while the remaining seven abstained from voting. The Writers Guild of America East and West, which represent the workers, who write shows including Sesame Street, Helpsters and The Not Too Late Show With Elmo, announced the results on Friday.
The new agreement expands work that is covered under the union contract to include writing for all projects distributed on SVOD platforms, educational programs, new media videos that are shared on TikTok and YouTube and animated titles.
WGA East president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement that the new contract contains “groundbreaking protections.” She added, “Make no mistake — these historic gains mark an important step in organizing animation.
Twenty-eight out of the group of 35 workers voted to support a tentative deal reached on April 19, while the remaining seven abstained from voting. The Writers Guild of America East and West, which represent the workers, who write shows including Sesame Street, Helpsters and The Not Too Late Show With Elmo, announced the results on Friday.
The new agreement expands work that is covered under the union contract to include writing for all projects distributed on SVOD platforms, educational programs, new media videos that are shared on TikTok and YouTube and animated titles.
WGA East president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement that the new contract contains “groundbreaking protections.” She added, “Make no mistake — these historic gains mark an important step in organizing animation.
- 5/10/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s official: Writers Guild members at the Sesame Workshop have got a new contract.
The writers “overwhelmingly” approved the five-year collective bargaining agreement, the guild announced on Friday.
Sesame Workshop writers reached a tentative deal in April, but not before unanimously voting to authorize a strike against the nonprofit organization. The deal was struck just in time to avoid a work stoppage.
The WGA says that members won “historic” jurisdiction and minimum rates for animation and new media programs produced by Sesame, protections against artificial intelligence, paid parental leave benefits and substantial improvements to new media residuals.
“Congratulations to our Sesame Workshop writers, who won groundbreaking protections that will allow them to continue creating children’s media,” Wgae President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “Make no mistake — these historic gains mark an important step in organizing animation. Writing for children’s media and animation isn’t easier than other forms of screenwriting,...
The writers “overwhelmingly” approved the five-year collective bargaining agreement, the guild announced on Friday.
Sesame Workshop writers reached a tentative deal in April, but not before unanimously voting to authorize a strike against the nonprofit organization. The deal was struck just in time to avoid a work stoppage.
The WGA says that members won “historic” jurisdiction and minimum rates for animation and new media programs produced by Sesame, protections against artificial intelligence, paid parental leave benefits and substantial improvements to new media residuals.
“Congratulations to our Sesame Workshop writers, who won groundbreaking protections that will allow them to continue creating children’s media,” Wgae President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “Make no mistake — these historic gains mark an important step in organizing animation. Writing for children’s media and animation isn’t easier than other forms of screenwriting,...
- 5/10/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Sesame Workshop writers have made a tentative agreement with management, the Writers Guild of America announced on Friday, narrowly skirting what would’ve been one of the first strikes spearheaded by unionized Sesame Workshop writers had they not reached a deal today.
Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit organization that produces Sesame Street. Unionized writers at Sesame Workshop, represented by the Writers Guild of America East and Writers Guild of America West, write scripts on shows like Sesame Street, Helpsters, and The Not Too Late Show With Elmo.
“We are so...
Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit organization that produces Sesame Street. Unionized writers at Sesame Workshop, represented by the Writers Guild of America East and Writers Guild of America West, write scripts on shows like Sesame Street, Helpsters, and The Not Too Late Show With Elmo.
“We are so...
- 4/20/2024
- by Kalia Richardson and Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
Writers at Sesame Workshop reached a five-year agreement with the production company behind “Sesame Street,” averting the possibility of picket lines popping up in the show’s friendly neighborhood.
The Writers Guild of America confirmed the deal late Friday. The group of 35 writers employed by the nonprofit organization voted unanimously to support a strike authorization vote last week.
“We are so proud to work for an organization that values its writers, and we believe this new contract will positively impact writers throughout the children’s media landscape. ‘S’ truly is for Solidarity. We are glad to have a contract in place that allows Sesame to do what it does best – lead,” the WGA’s Sesame Workshop Negotiating Committee said in a statement.
The union sought to ensure that writing for the show’s animated segments and social media content would be covered by minimum rates. According to the guild, the deal includes those provisions.
The Writers Guild of America confirmed the deal late Friday. The group of 35 writers employed by the nonprofit organization voted unanimously to support a strike authorization vote last week.
“We are so proud to work for an organization that values its writers, and we believe this new contract will positively impact writers throughout the children’s media landscape. ‘S’ truly is for Solidarity. We are glad to have a contract in place that allows Sesame to do what it does best – lead,” the WGA’s Sesame Workshop Negotiating Committee said in a statement.
The union sought to ensure that writing for the show’s animated segments and social media content would be covered by minimum rates. According to the guild, the deal includes those provisions.
- 4/20/2024
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
Members of the Writers Guild of America at Sesame Workshop and management avoided a strike after reaching a tentative agreement on a new five-year collective bargaining agreement, the guild announced on Friday.
According to their press release, the writers, who include members of WGA East and WGA West, won historic jurisdiction and minimum rates for animation and new media programs produced by Sesame, protections against artificial intelligence, paid parental leave benefits and substantial improvements to new media residuals.
The 35 members of the bargaining unit will vote to ratify the agreement in the next few days.
“We are so proud to work for an organization that values its writers, and we believe this new contract will positively impact writers throughout the children’s media landscape. ‘S’ truly is for Solidarity. We are glad to have a contract in place that allows Sesame to do what it does best – lead,” the WGA...
According to their press release, the writers, who include members of WGA East and WGA West, won historic jurisdiction and minimum rates for animation and new media programs produced by Sesame, protections against artificial intelligence, paid parental leave benefits and substantial improvements to new media residuals.
The 35 members of the bargaining unit will vote to ratify the agreement in the next few days.
“We are so proud to work for an organization that values its writers, and we believe this new contract will positively impact writers throughout the children’s media landscape. ‘S’ truly is for Solidarity. We are glad to have a contract in place that allows Sesame to do what it does best – lead,” the WGA...
- 4/20/2024
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Updated, 4:53 Pm: Writers Guild members at Sesame Workshop have reached a tentative deal with management to avoid a threatened strike. A ratification vote on the new five-year collective bargaining agreement will be held in the coming days.
The WGA said its 35 Sesame Workshop writers won “historic” jurisdiction and minimum rates for animation and new media programs produced by Sesame, protections against artificial intelligence, paid parental leave benefits and substantial improvements to new media residuals.
The writers had voted this week to authorize a strike against the nonprofit organization, and picketing would have begun April 24 outside Sesame Workshop’s offices in New York City, had a deal not been struck.
“Sesame Workshop writers won a new agreement that recognizes the value of the incredible work they do to educate and enlighten children around the world,” Wgae President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said. “This contract could not have been achieved without the...
The WGA said its 35 Sesame Workshop writers won “historic” jurisdiction and minimum rates for animation and new media programs produced by Sesame, protections against artificial intelligence, paid parental leave benefits and substantial improvements to new media residuals.
The writers had voted this week to authorize a strike against the nonprofit organization, and picketing would have begun April 24 outside Sesame Workshop’s offices in New York City, had a deal not been struck.
“Sesame Workshop writers won a new agreement that recognizes the value of the incredible work they do to educate and enlighten children around the world,” Wgae President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said. “This contract could not have been achieved without the...
- 4/19/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Unionized writers at Sesame Workshop have unanimously voted to authorize a potential strike as their negotiations over a new labor contract continue.
Thirty-five workers at the nonprofit organization that produces Sesame Street have greenlit a potential work stoppage to begin on April 24 if a new contract deal isn’t reached by its current expiration date, April 19. The workers, who are members of the Writers Guild of America East and Writers Guild of America West, work on writing Sesame Street, Helpsters and The Not Too Late Show With Elmo.
“The writers that Sesame Workshop hires are deeply committed to the work that we do. Like the Workshop itself, we are mission-driven and child-focused, and we work hard at telling stories that contribute to the Workshop’s curricula inspired by heart, curiosity, community, kindness, diversity, equity, and inclusion,” the union’s negotiating committee said in a statement about the decision. “We are...
Thirty-five workers at the nonprofit organization that produces Sesame Street have greenlit a potential work stoppage to begin on April 24 if a new contract deal isn’t reached by its current expiration date, April 19. The workers, who are members of the Writers Guild of America East and Writers Guild of America West, work on writing Sesame Street, Helpsters and The Not Too Late Show With Elmo.
“The writers that Sesame Workshop hires are deeply committed to the work that we do. Like the Workshop itself, we are mission-driven and child-focused, and we work hard at telling stories that contribute to the Workshop’s curricula inspired by heart, curiosity, community, kindness, diversity, equity, and inclusion,” the union’s negotiating committee said in a statement about the decision. “We are...
- 4/16/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Writers employed by “Sesame Street” producer Sesame Workshop have voted unanimously to support a strike authorization vote from the Writers Guild of America East as the April 19 expiration of the current contract approaches.
The 35 writers represented by the union have been in negotiations with the production company behind “Sesame Street” and other children’s programs since February. If the sides can’t reach a deal by April 19, picketing will begin outside Sesame Workshop’s Manhattan headquarters on April 24, the WGA East said Tuesday.
“We are committed to working with Sesame Workshop to codify a fair contract for writers that embodies these values, and which allows the Workshop to continue to attract top-level talent who can artfully create stories that successfully balance entertainment, playfulness, and joy with education and enrichment,” the union’s Sesame Workshop negotiating committee said in a statement. “Our demands would be extremely meaningful for the affected writers,...
The 35 writers represented by the union have been in negotiations with the production company behind “Sesame Street” and other children’s programs since February. If the sides can’t reach a deal by April 19, picketing will begin outside Sesame Workshop’s Manhattan headquarters on April 24, the WGA East said Tuesday.
“We are committed to working with Sesame Workshop to codify a fair contract for writers that embodies these values, and which allows the Workshop to continue to attract top-level talent who can artfully create stories that successfully balance entertainment, playfulness, and joy with education and enrichment,” the union’s Sesame Workshop negotiating committee said in a statement. “Our demands would be extremely meaningful for the affected writers,...
- 4/16/2024
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
The Holdovers, American Fiction and Succession were among the winners at the 2024 Writers Guild Awards, which were handed out Sunday night in simultaneous ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles.
Best adapted screenplay was presented to American Fiction, the winner for the best adapted screenplay Oscar, while The Holdovers won the award for best original screenplay. (The winner of the best original screenplay Oscar, Anatomy of a Fall, was deemed ineligible for the WGA Awards.)
Accepting his award in L.A., Holdovers writer David Hemingson thanked “a brilliant cast and a brilliant director” for bringing the story to life and accepted “in memory of my mother who raised me, my uncle who saved me, and my father, who gave me my love of the written word and taught me the value of integrity.”
In the TV categories, The Bear won best comedy series, while Succession was named best drama series.
Best adapted screenplay was presented to American Fiction, the winner for the best adapted screenplay Oscar, while The Holdovers won the award for best original screenplay. (The winner of the best original screenplay Oscar, Anatomy of a Fall, was deemed ineligible for the WGA Awards.)
Accepting his award in L.A., Holdovers writer David Hemingson thanked “a brilliant cast and a brilliant director” for bringing the story to life and accepted “in memory of my mother who raised me, my uncle who saved me, and my father, who gave me my love of the written word and taught me the value of integrity.”
In the TV categories, The Bear won best comedy series, while Succession was named best drama series.
- 4/15/2024
- by Hilary Lewis, Kirsten Chuba and Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SAG-AFTRA, IATSE the WGA, and the DGA have united behind a legislative move to put up some new and slightly punitive guardrails around Artificial Intelligence.
“Everything generated by AI ultimately originates from a human creative source, says Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, of a new bill proposed today by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-ca). “That’s why human creative content—intellectual property—must be protected. SAG-AFTRA fully supports the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act, as this legislation is an important step in ensuring technology serves people and not the other way around.”
Deep into his race to be California’s new junior Senator, Schiff introduced the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act into the 118th Congress (read it here) Tuesday. If passed by the House and Senate and signed by President Joe Biden, the succinct act would require companies and corporations that use copyrighted works in the...
“Everything generated by AI ultimately originates from a human creative source, says Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator, of a new bill proposed today by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-ca). “That’s why human creative content—intellectual property—must be protected. SAG-AFTRA fully supports the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act, as this legislation is an important step in ensuring technology serves people and not the other way around.”
Deep into his race to be California’s new junior Senator, Schiff introduced the Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act into the 118th Congress (read it here) Tuesday. If passed by the House and Senate and signed by President Joe Biden, the succinct act would require companies and corporations that use copyrighted works in the...
- 4/9/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
As generative artificial intelligence tools push into the entertainment industry, Hollywood is throwing its weight behind a bill that will require heightened transparency from AI companies.
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Tuesday, will require firms to disclose copyrighted works used to train generative AI systems. If the bill passes, OpenAI, for example, would be forced to reveal videos and other content used to create Sora.
It’s a long-shot bid to provide some ammunition to companies and creators across the industry that are threatened by the rise of generative AI tools that could play a significant role in the production pipeline. If it’s made known that companies used copyrighted works from filmmakers, writers and artists, among others, in the creation of AI systems, there could be cause to sue.
Trade groups and unions across the industry are cheering on the bill. Most maintained that their...
The legislation, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) on Tuesday, will require firms to disclose copyrighted works used to train generative AI systems. If the bill passes, OpenAI, for example, would be forced to reveal videos and other content used to create Sora.
It’s a long-shot bid to provide some ammunition to companies and creators across the industry that are threatened by the rise of generative AI tools that could play a significant role in the production pipeline. If it’s made known that companies used copyrighted works from filmmakers, writers and artists, among others, in the creation of AI systems, there could be cause to sue.
Trade groups and unions across the industry are cheering on the bill. Most maintained that their...
- 4/9/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Major unions representing U.S. journalists, writers and other creative professionals are calling on Congress to make these workers’ needs a “core priority” in any upcoming artificial intelligence legislation.
Presidents of the Writers Guild of America East and West, The NewsGuild and the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians wrote to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-ny) on Wednesday, urging that Congress “recognize the human ingenuity and creativity essential to a free press, the media and entertainment industry, and our members’ livelihoods” in its work to regulate AI.
The unions collectively represent journalists across print, online media and broadcast, as well as film and television writers. “AI will never be a total replacement for the work of reporters, investigators, editors, podcasters, on-air anchors or film and television writers,” the letter continued.
Between September and December 2023, Schumer convened nine “AI Insight Forums” that brought together tech leaders, heads of unions and other...
Presidents of the Writers Guild of America East and West, The NewsGuild and the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians wrote to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-ny) on Wednesday, urging that Congress “recognize the human ingenuity and creativity essential to a free press, the media and entertainment industry, and our members’ livelihoods” in its work to regulate AI.
The unions collectively represent journalists across print, online media and broadcast, as well as film and television writers. “AI will never be a total replacement for the work of reporters, investigators, editors, podcasters, on-air anchors or film and television writers,” the letter continued.
Between September and December 2023, Schumer convened nine “AI Insight Forums” that brought together tech leaders, heads of unions and other...
- 3/28/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) and other unions representing film and TV writers and journalists sent a letter to Congress Thursday urging protections for their industries in any legislation regarding Artificial Intelligence.
Addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the letter was co-signed by the NewsGuild-cwa, Writers Guild of America East (Wgae), Writers Guild of America West (Wgaw), and National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (Nabet-cwa).
“So far this year, our members have witnessed the impact of unregulated AI on their jobs,” the letter, obtained by Variety, states. “Major news media companies, including Gannett and G/O Media sites, deployed AI articles with fake bylines to replace the work of hardworking local and digital journalists and writers. Film and television writers won critical protections in their collective bargaining agreement, but their work continues to be used by AI developers without their consent.”
WGA was on strike from May 2-Sept.
Addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the letter was co-signed by the NewsGuild-cwa, Writers Guild of America East (Wgae), Writers Guild of America West (Wgaw), and National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (Nabet-cwa).
“So far this year, our members have witnessed the impact of unregulated AI on their jobs,” the letter, obtained by Variety, states. “Major news media companies, including Gannett and G/O Media sites, deployed AI articles with fake bylines to replace the work of hardworking local and digital journalists and writers. Film and television writers won critical protections in their collective bargaining agreement, but their work continues to be used by AI developers without their consent.”
WGA was on strike from May 2-Sept.
- 3/28/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The WGA East has penciled in Emmy winner Wanda Sykes for its 2024 Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence. She’ll be presented with the honor during the East Coast presentation of the strike-delayed Writers Guild Awards on April 14 at the Edison Ballroom in Manhattan.
Sykes, a 17-time Emmy nominee who co-created, writes for and stars on Netflix’s The Upshaws, has nearly 90 films and credits stretching from The Chris Rock Show and The Drew Carey Show and her Wanda at Large to The New Adventures of Old Christine, Black-ish and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her most recent work includes The Other Two and History of the World: Part II, also writing for the latter.
Her writing credits also include Wanda at Large, The Wanda Sykes Show, Premium Blend, several stand-up specials and the 2002 Oscars.
“Wanda Sykes is a master storyteller with a heart of gold,” Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, President of WGA East,...
Sykes, a 17-time Emmy nominee who co-created, writes for and stars on Netflix’s The Upshaws, has nearly 90 films and credits stretching from The Chris Rock Show and The Drew Carey Show and her Wanda at Large to The New Adventures of Old Christine, Black-ish and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her most recent work includes The Other Two and History of the World: Part II, also writing for the latter.
Her writing credits also include Wanda at Large, The Wanda Sykes Show, Premium Blend, several stand-up specials and the 2002 Oscars.
“Wanda Sykes is a master storyteller with a heart of gold,” Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, President of WGA East,...
- 3/19/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Ron Nyswaner will soon be traveling to New York to reunite with his Writers Guild of America East fellows for a grand occasion. The Oscar-nominated screenwriter, producer and showrunner has been selected to receive the Walter Bernstein Award at the 76th Writers Guild Awards at New York’s Edison Ballroom on April 14.
The honor — named after the late screenwriter who was blacklisted for his political views only to persevere and get his career back on track with such credits as Fail-Safe, Semi-Tough and Yanks — is presented to writers “who have demonstrated with creativity, grace and bravery a willingness to confront social injustice in the face of adversity,” per the organization.
Nyswaner has been doing that for pretty much his entire career. A prime example is Jonathan Demme’s 1993 film Philadelphia. Penned by Nyswaner, the Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington-starrer was the first major Hollywood film to dramatize the real-world...
The honor — named after the late screenwriter who was blacklisted for his political views only to persevere and get his career back on track with such credits as Fail-Safe, Semi-Tough and Yanks — is presented to writers “who have demonstrated with creativity, grace and bravery a willingness to confront social injustice in the face of adversity,” per the organization.
Nyswaner has been doing that for pretty much his entire career. A prime example is Jonathan Demme’s 1993 film Philadelphia. Penned by Nyswaner, the Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington-starrer was the first major Hollywood film to dramatize the real-world...
- 3/14/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ron Nyswaner, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter behind films including Philadelphia and The Painted Veil and most recently the Matt Bomer-starring Showtime miniseries Fellow Travelers, is receiving this year’s Walter Bernstein Award from the Writers Guild of America East.
The honor will be bestowed April 14 at the WGA Awards’ East Coast ceremony in New York, which takes place concurrently with the WGA’s West Coast ceremony in Los Angeles.
The Bernstein award goes to writers “who have demonstrated with creativity, grace and bravery a willingness to confront social injustice in the face of adversity.” Nyswaner becomes the second person to win the award, after Jelani Cobb won in 2017 for his Frontline documentary Policing the Police.
Nyswaner penned the original screenplay for Philadelphia, which was groundbreaking when the Jonathan Demme-directed film starring Tom Hanks debuted in 1993; it was the first major motion picture to focus on the discrimination suffered by people with AIDS,...
The honor will be bestowed April 14 at the WGA Awards’ East Coast ceremony in New York, which takes place concurrently with the WGA’s West Coast ceremony in Los Angeles.
The Bernstein award goes to writers “who have demonstrated with creativity, grace and bravery a willingness to confront social injustice in the face of adversity.” Nyswaner becomes the second person to win the award, after Jelani Cobb won in 2017 for his Frontline documentary Policing the Police.
Nyswaner penned the original screenplay for Philadelphia, which was groundbreaking when the Jonathan Demme-directed film starring Tom Hanks debuted in 1993; it was the first major motion picture to focus on the discrimination suffered by people with AIDS,...
- 3/14/2024
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The WGA East is honoring Tony Gilroy at the upcoming Writers Guild Awards with the Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement.
With the award, which was established in 1992, the Andor creator will be following in the footsteps of his father Frank D. Gilroy, who was honored with the Hunter Award in 2011.
“Tony embodies the best of what it means to be a Writers Guild member. He is an extraordinary talent who has written some of the most thought-provoking and exciting screenplays of the last 30 years,” Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, President of the Writers Guild of America East, said in a statement. “He is also a staunch union ally, one of our most trusted voices when it comes to advocating for writers’ rights, and he gave one of the best damn speeches on the picket lines last summer. We all wish we were Tony, but short of that we are...
With the award, which was established in 1992, the Andor creator will be following in the footsteps of his father Frank D. Gilroy, who was honored with the Hunter Award in 2011.
“Tony embodies the best of what it means to be a Writers Guild member. He is an extraordinary talent who has written some of the most thought-provoking and exciting screenplays of the last 30 years,” Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, President of the Writers Guild of America East, said in a statement. “He is also a staunch union ally, one of our most trusted voices when it comes to advocating for writers’ rights, and he gave one of the best damn speeches on the picket lines last summer. We all wish we were Tony, but short of that we are...
- 2/27/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America East has tapped Sam Wheeler as the union’s new executive director.
Chosen by the WGA East council as successor to longtime WGA East leader Lowell Peterson, who exited his post last October after the conclusion of the writers strike, Wheeler enters the role after serving as the national executive director of the American Guild of Musical Artists (Agma) since 2022.
He will begin as executive director to WGA East April 1.
“In keeping with our transformative times, we looked for a transformative leader — and we believe we’ve found such a leader in Sam Wheeler,” Writers Guild of America East president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said. “His clear strategic vision impressed our Search Committee and Council, as did his reputation for working closely with members and staff, leading tough negotiations and diligently administering collective bargaining agreements. He has already proven himself to be a forward-thinking labor leader...
Chosen by the WGA East council as successor to longtime WGA East leader Lowell Peterson, who exited his post last October after the conclusion of the writers strike, Wheeler enters the role after serving as the national executive director of the American Guild of Musical Artists (Agma) since 2022.
He will begin as executive director to WGA East April 1.
“In keeping with our transformative times, we looked for a transformative leader — and we believe we’ve found such a leader in Sam Wheeler,” Writers Guild of America East president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen said. “His clear strategic vision impressed our Search Committee and Council, as did his reputation for working closely with members and staff, leading tough negotiations and diligently administering collective bargaining agreements. He has already proven himself to be a forward-thinking labor leader...
- 2/26/2024
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America East has named Sam Wheeler executive director after its previous staff leader announced his departure last fall.
Wheeler, currently the national executive director of the American Guild of Musical Artists, will start at the writers’ union on April 1. The union’s council announced the hire on Monday, saying that Wheeler’s appointment came after a “months-long search.”
“I am honored to join the Wgae as Executive Director,” Wheeler said in a statement. “I want to thank President Cullen, the Officers, and the Council for placing their trust in me. Wgae members have built a dynamic, member-led, fighting union and I am thrilled to be part of the work ahead.
Wheeler has held his current leadership position at the Agma, which represents staging staffers, singers and dancers in the fields of opera, ballet and choral performance, since 2022. He joined the union originally in 2019 as its eastern counsel,...
Wheeler, currently the national executive director of the American Guild of Musical Artists, will start at the writers’ union on April 1. The union’s council announced the hire on Monday, saying that Wheeler’s appointment came after a “months-long search.”
“I am honored to join the Wgae as Executive Director,” Wheeler said in a statement. “I want to thank President Cullen, the Officers, and the Council for placing their trust in me. Wgae members have built a dynamic, member-led, fighting union and I am thrilled to be part of the work ahead.
Wheeler has held his current leadership position at the Agma, which represents staging staffers, singers and dancers in the fields of opera, ballet and choral performance, since 2022. He joined the union originally in 2019 as its eastern counsel,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Writers Guild of America East has tapped Sam Wheeler as executive director.
Beginning in his new position on April 1, Wheeler joins the Wgae from his previous position as the national executive director of the American Guild of Musical Artists (Agma).
“I am honored to join the Wgae as Executive Director. I want to thank President Cullen, the Officers, and the Council for placing their trust in me. Wgae members have built a dynamic, member-led, fighting union and I am thrilled to be part of the work ahead,” Wheeler said in a statement.
In his previous role, Wheeler led negotiations for workers at the Metropolitan Opera, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Boston Lyric Opera, Chautauqua Opera, and Pittsburgh Opera. He also played a part in revising the guild’s governing documents, leading to a constitutional referendum in 2020.
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, President of the Writers Guild of America East, said: “In keeping with our transformative times,...
Beginning in his new position on April 1, Wheeler joins the Wgae from his previous position as the national executive director of the American Guild of Musical Artists (Agma).
“I am honored to join the Wgae as Executive Director. I want to thank President Cullen, the Officers, and the Council for placing their trust in me. Wgae members have built a dynamic, member-led, fighting union and I am thrilled to be part of the work ahead,” Wheeler said in a statement.
In his previous role, Wheeler led negotiations for workers at the Metropolitan Opera, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Boston Lyric Opera, Chautauqua Opera, and Pittsburgh Opera. He also played a part in revising the guild’s governing documents, leading to a constitutional referendum in 2020.
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, President of the Writers Guild of America East, said: “In keeping with our transformative times,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
The Hollywood unions are throwing their support behind the American Federation of Musicians as it begins its contract negotiations with the studios.
The AFM entered into negotiations with the AMPTP for its new collective bargaining agreement on Monday, fighting for many of the same things the WGA and SAG-AFTRA did during last year’s dual strikes, including AI protections, increased wages, and improved streaming residuals.
“All of Hollywood labor deserves to share in the value of what they create. Wgaw members stand with AFM as they bargain for a fair contract,” WGA West President Meredith Stiehm said in a statement of solidarity on Tuesday.
Her WGA East counterpart Lisa Takeuchi Cullen added: “We will never forget how AFM musicians used their incredible talent to uplift our members on picket lines throughout our 148-day strike. Now, as they head into negotiations with the AMPTP, we stand firmly by the side of every musician who records,...
The AFM entered into negotiations with the AMPTP for its new collective bargaining agreement on Monday, fighting for many of the same things the WGA and SAG-AFTRA did during last year’s dual strikes, including AI protections, increased wages, and improved streaming residuals.
“All of Hollywood labor deserves to share in the value of what they create. Wgaw members stand with AFM as they bargain for a fair contract,” WGA West President Meredith Stiehm said in a statement of solidarity on Tuesday.
Her WGA East counterpart Lisa Takeuchi Cullen added: “We will never forget how AFM musicians used their incredible talent to uplift our members on picket lines throughout our 148-day strike. Now, as they head into negotiations with the AMPTP, we stand firmly by the side of every musician who records,...
- 1/23/2024
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
IATSE international president Matthew Loeb did not rule out a potential 2024 crew strike when several of his union’s contracts come due this year in an appearance on Tuesday.
“Nothing is off the table, and we’re not going to give up our strength and our ability because they [studios] think they sapped us and everybody’s bank account got sapped because they were unreasonable for months and months,” asserted the crew union leader of his organization’s upcoming Basic Agreement negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, set to start in early March. “My folks aren’t going to just settle.” He added, “Folks are fed up … People are ready to fight and the studios would be ill-advised to assume that they’ve weakened us to the point where we can’t .”
Teamsters motion picture division head Lindsay Dougherty, whose Local 399 has several contracts expiring in 2024, added,...
“Nothing is off the table, and we’re not going to give up our strength and our ability because they [studios] think they sapped us and everybody’s bank account got sapped because they were unreasonable for months and months,” asserted the crew union leader of his organization’s upcoming Basic Agreement negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, set to start in early March. “My folks aren’t going to just settle.” He added, “Folks are fed up … People are ready to fight and the studios would be ill-advised to assume that they’ve weakened us to the point where we can’t .”
Teamsters motion picture division head Lindsay Dougherty, whose Local 399 has several contracts expiring in 2024, added,...
- 1/9/2024
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Writers Guild of America is escalating its pressure on the Television Academy after the organization removed the outstanding writing for a variety series/special award from the Emmys telecast.
On Tuesday the union sent a letter from major variety series and specials hosts and a petition signed by more than 1,400 members to Television Academy chairman Cris Abrego, calling on the organization to reinstate the category in the awards ceremony primetime broadcast. Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Jon Stewart, Amber Ruffin, Colin Jost and Michael Che were among the members signing on to the letter to Abrego, which stated that the decision “devalues their [writers’] work, and our series, by sidelining writers from being honored during the Emmys’ main telecast.”
The petition, signed by members including Leslie Jones, Bill Nye, Ray Romano, John Water, Roy Wood Jr., Rachel Bloom and Raphael Bob-Waksberg, meanwhile says the change...
On Tuesday the union sent a letter from major variety series and specials hosts and a petition signed by more than 1,400 members to Television Academy chairman Cris Abrego, calling on the organization to reinstate the category in the awards ceremony primetime broadcast. Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Jon Stewart, Amber Ruffin, Colin Jost and Michael Che were among the members signing on to the letter to Abrego, which stated that the decision “devalues their [writers’] work, and our series, by sidelining writers from being honored during the Emmys’ main telecast.”
The petition, signed by members including Leslie Jones, Bill Nye, Ray Romano, John Water, Roy Wood Jr., Rachel Bloom and Raphael Bob-Waksberg, meanwhile says the change...
- 12/19/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Writers Guild of America continues to express its displeasure with the exclusion of some writing categories from the 75th Emmy Awards.
The guild sent out a petition on Tuesday signed by more than 1,400 members, urging the Television Academy to reinstate the “Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series/Special” categories in the primetime Emmy Awards telecast.
Along with the petition was a letter signed by several comedians who are eligible for these categories, including Michael Che, Stephen Colbert, Adam Conover, Jimmy Fallon, Sam Jay, Bomani Jones, Colin Jost, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, Trevor Noah, John Oliver, Amber Ruffin, Jon Stewart, and Robin Thede.
In a collective statement, the group of comedians wrote: “As hosts of series eligible for the Emmy Awards’ ‘Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series/Special’ categories, we are profoundly disappointed by the Television Academy’s decision to not present this award during the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards...
The guild sent out a petition on Tuesday signed by more than 1,400 members, urging the Television Academy to reinstate the “Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series/Special” categories in the primetime Emmy Awards telecast.
Along with the petition was a letter signed by several comedians who are eligible for these categories, including Michael Che, Stephen Colbert, Adam Conover, Jimmy Fallon, Sam Jay, Bomani Jones, Colin Jost, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, Trevor Noah, John Oliver, Amber Ruffin, Jon Stewart, and Robin Thede.
In a collective statement, the group of comedians wrote: “As hosts of series eligible for the Emmy Awards’ ‘Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series/Special’ categories, we are profoundly disappointed by the Television Academy’s decision to not present this award during the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards...
- 12/19/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
The TV Academy is being slammed by the Writers Guild of America for apparently making the decision to remove the presentation of the outstanding writing for a variety series/special award from the Primetime Emmys telecast that will take place on Jan. 15, 2024.
In a missive sent on Tuesday to members of the WGA East and West, the guild’s top leadership — including WGA East president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and WGA West president Meredith Stiehm — calls the TV Academy’s move a “regrettable decision” and one “without any justification or defensible reason” which “devalues our profession.”
They go on to note that the guild has raised its objections directly with the TV Academy and is “strongly advocating to have the category remain in the primetime televised program.”
The TV Academy and its 2024 Emmys broadcasting partner Fox are presumably facing pressure to deliver higher telecast ratings by making the show shorter and...
In a missive sent on Tuesday to members of the WGA East and West, the guild’s top leadership — including WGA East president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and WGA West president Meredith Stiehm — calls the TV Academy’s move a “regrettable decision” and one “without any justification or defensible reason” which “devalues our profession.”
They go on to note that the guild has raised its objections directly with the TV Academy and is “strongly advocating to have the category remain in the primetime televised program.”
The TV Academy and its 2024 Emmys broadcasting partner Fox are presumably facing pressure to deliver higher telecast ratings by making the show shorter and...
- 11/28/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Writers Guild of America is doubling down on the Television Academy’s plans to cut the number of writing awards given out on the main Emmys telecast.
The guild has urged writers to “express your feelings” about the “regrettable” decision to remove the Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series/Special from the main primetime awards.
In a memo to members, the WGA said that the TV Academy made the decision “without any justification or defensible reason.”
It comes after the Emmys unveiled the category breakdown this month. Later that day, the WGA told Deadline that the decision to reduce the number of writing categories on the main telecast from four to three was “misguided given the essential role writers play in the creative process of variety series and generating value for this industry.”
The move means that Outstanding Variety Special (Live) will return to the live telecast as Outstanding...
The guild has urged writers to “express your feelings” about the “regrettable” decision to remove the Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series/Special from the main primetime awards.
In a memo to members, the WGA said that the TV Academy made the decision “without any justification or defensible reason.”
It comes after the Emmys unveiled the category breakdown this month. Later that day, the WGA told Deadline that the decision to reduce the number of writing categories on the main telecast from four to three was “misguided given the essential role writers play in the creative process of variety series and generating value for this industry.”
The move means that Outstanding Variety Special (Live) will return to the live telecast as Outstanding...
- 11/28/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Workers at the powerhouse audio production company behind podcasts The Happiness Lab and The Dream, Pushkin Industries, have unionized after management voluntarily recognized their bargaining unit.
A group of producers, editors and engineers are joining the Writers Guild of America East after a card check conducted by a third party found that the majority of the group was supportive of unionizing. Co-founded by star author Malcolm Gladwell and former Slate Group CEO Jacob Weisberg, Pushkin Industries has also produced the podcasts Revisionist History, Against the Rules with Michael Lewis, Broken Record, Getting Even with Anita Hill and Well-Read Black Girl.
“We are thrilled that Pushkin Management has decided to voluntarily recognize our union, and eager to include our voices in company decision making,” the company’s organizing committee said in a statement. “This year, our small but mighty unit has been impacted by three rounds of layoffs, and we believe...
A group of producers, editors and engineers are joining the Writers Guild of America East after a card check conducted by a third party found that the majority of the group was supportive of unionizing. Co-founded by star author Malcolm Gladwell and former Slate Group CEO Jacob Weisberg, Pushkin Industries has also produced the podcasts Revisionist History, Against the Rules with Michael Lewis, Broken Record, Getting Even with Anita Hill and Well-Read Black Girl.
“We are thrilled that Pushkin Management has decided to voluntarily recognize our union, and eager to include our voices in company decision making,” the company’s organizing committee said in a statement. “This year, our small but mighty unit has been impacted by three rounds of layoffs, and we believe...
- 11/16/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As part of New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ “Working People’s Tour,” Adams was joined Wednesday in Sunnyside, Queens by labor leaders and film and TV partners to break ground on a new production studio that will create almost 1,000 construction jobs and around 750 permanent, full-time jobs.
The construction on East End Studios Sunnyside commences following the end of both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which shut down the film and TV industry for months, and just after construction began on Sunset Pier 94 Studios in Manhattan.
The production campus will be 340,000 square feet with three full-service, ground floor soundstages adding up to 75,000 square feet. It will also include a 15,000-square-foot rooftop flex stage boasting views of the Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines.
The project comes at a cost of about $275 million and is slated for completion by the first quarter of 2025.
“Thanks to SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America...
The construction on East End Studios Sunnyside commences following the end of both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, which shut down the film and TV industry for months, and just after construction began on Sunset Pier 94 Studios in Manhattan.
The production campus will be 340,000 square feet with three full-service, ground floor soundstages adding up to 75,000 square feet. It will also include a 15,000-square-foot rooftop flex stage boasting views of the Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines.
The project comes at a cost of about $275 million and is slated for completion by the first quarter of 2025.
“Thanks to SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America...
- 11/15/2023
- by Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
Over 1,000 members of the Writers Guild of America East union have signed a petition in support of introducing ways to protect journalists from artificial intelligence. The open letter demands that they be included in the decision-making process concerning AI tools in their places of employment.
The writers signing on include WGA East members at Bdg, CBS News, Chalkbeat, CNET, Crooked Media, Fast Company, Financial Times Specialist, Frontline, Future Plc, Gimlet, G/O Media, GroupNine, Inc., The Intercept, Hearst, HuffPost, iHeartMedia Podcasts, MSNBC, Parcast, Pineapple Street Studios, Slate, The Ringer, Vice, Vox Media, and more.
Among the film and television writers signing the petition are Robert Carlock, Patricia Cornwell, Tom Fontana, Mary Harron, Soo Hugh, Natasha Lyonne, Julie Martin, Adam McKay, Stephen O’Donnell, Michael Rauch, Diana Son, Jim Taylor, and Wgae President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen.
The petition reads:
“We, the members of the Writers Guild of America East, recognize that digital...
The writers signing on include WGA East members at Bdg, CBS News, Chalkbeat, CNET, Crooked Media, Fast Company, Financial Times Specialist, Frontline, Future Plc, Gimlet, G/O Media, GroupNine, Inc., The Intercept, Hearst, HuffPost, iHeartMedia Podcasts, MSNBC, Parcast, Pineapple Street Studios, Slate, The Ringer, Vice, Vox Media, and more.
Among the film and television writers signing the petition are Robert Carlock, Patricia Cornwell, Tom Fontana, Mary Harron, Soo Hugh, Natasha Lyonne, Julie Martin, Adam McKay, Stephen O’Donnell, Michael Rauch, Diana Son, Jim Taylor, and Wgae President Lisa Takeuchi Cullen.
The petition reads:
“We, the members of the Writers Guild of America East, recognize that digital...
- 10/30/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
The Writers Guild of America East is petitioning employers to ensure that protections are in place for journalists as AI technology develops.
The petition, signed by more than 1,000 members, calls for “immediate, good faith negotiations on AI,” including outside of scheduled contract bargaining, as well as “a guarantee that AI protections will be on the table in future bargaining.”
The petition also calls on employers to “publicly commit to never replacing a human worker with an AI tool,” something that has been a big concern among journalists, as well as film and TV writers in their recent strike.
President Joe Biden issued an executive order to try to establish protections for safety and security around AI, as well as an effort to mitigate its displacement of workers. But the labor provisions are limited to creating a set of best practices and principles, as further steps to preserve jobs likely would take congressional action.
The petition, signed by more than 1,000 members, calls for “immediate, good faith negotiations on AI,” including outside of scheduled contract bargaining, as well as “a guarantee that AI protections will be on the table in future bargaining.”
The petition also calls on employers to “publicly commit to never replacing a human worker with an AI tool,” something that has been a big concern among journalists, as well as film and TV writers in their recent strike.
President Joe Biden issued an executive order to try to establish protections for safety and security around AI, as well as an effort to mitigate its displacement of workers. But the labor provisions are limited to creating a set of best practices and principles, as further steps to preserve jobs likely would take congressional action.
- 10/30/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
After weeks of outrage from members about its silence over the terror attack against Israel, the Writers Guild is finally speaking out.
“All of us in Guild leadership are horrified by the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th,” said WGA West boss Meredith Stiehm, VP Michele Mulroney and Treasurer Betsy Thomas in an email sent to members Tuesday morning.
Read the full WGA West letter below.
The surprise attacks left over 1,400 dead and hundreds taken hostage, with only four released so far in recent days. In response, with strong U.S. backing, Israel has hit Gaza repeatedly with heavy airstrike bombardments that have left thousands killed. Additionally, as the Idf amass on the border for an expected ground invasion, the government in Jerusalem has told Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City, creating a deeper humanitarian crisis.
“The murder of so many innocent people in Israel is an abomination, the WGA...
“All of us in Guild leadership are horrified by the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th,” said WGA West boss Meredith Stiehm, VP Michele Mulroney and Treasurer Betsy Thomas in an email sent to members Tuesday morning.
Read the full WGA West letter below.
The surprise attacks left over 1,400 dead and hundreds taken hostage, with only four released so far in recent days. In response, with strong U.S. backing, Israel has hit Gaza repeatedly with heavy airstrike bombardments that have left thousands killed. Additionally, as the Idf amass on the border for an expected ground invasion, the government in Jerusalem has told Palestinians to evacuate Gaza City, creating a deeper humanitarian crisis.
“The murder of so many innocent people in Israel is an abomination, the WGA...
- 10/24/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
A 56-year veteran of the Writers Guild of America West is becoming a Financial Core (Fi-Core) non-member over the union’s lack of official statement about Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel.
Dan Gordon, the writer of Wyatt Earp with Kevin Costner and The Hurricane with Denzel Washington, is intending to inform the WGA West on Tuesday that he is renouncing his membership as a result of the guild’s silence on the Oct. 7 assault on the country that killed 1,400 people, many of them civilians.
“When you sit there and say there has not been an act of this magnitude, a tragedy of this magnitude befall Jewish people since Nazi Germany and you can’t find language to condemn it? And you’re writers? It’s staggering,” Gordon told The Hollywood Reporter. The scribe, who counts Highway to Heaven among his lengthy list of credits, said his adopted sister “just escaped...
Dan Gordon, the writer of Wyatt Earp with Kevin Costner and The Hurricane with Denzel Washington, is intending to inform the WGA West on Tuesday that he is renouncing his membership as a result of the guild’s silence on the Oct. 7 assault on the country that killed 1,400 people, many of them civilians.
“When you sit there and say there has not been an act of this magnitude, a tragedy of this magnitude befall Jewish people since Nazi Germany and you can’t find language to condemn it? And you’re writers? It’s staggering,” Gordon told The Hollywood Reporter. The scribe, who counts Highway to Heaven among his lengthy list of credits, said his adopted sister “just escaped...
- 10/24/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg and Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Writers Guild of America East is offering an explanation for why it hasn’t made a statement about Hamas’ attack on Israel, while also emphasizing that it stands against antisemitism and Islamophobia, amid criticism of the WGA’s silence.
In a message sent to members on Monday, union officers noted that a recent restructuring of the guild had led to a change in policy on public statements. The organization pointed out this referendum was spurred by the fact that journalists now make up 40 percent of its membership.
“In doing so, we in leadership agreed to move away from public statements that did not directly involve our Guild, our industries or the labor movement,” read the note attributed to president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, film/TV/streaming vp Erica Saleh, online media vp Sara David, broadcast/cable/streaming news vp Kathy McGee and secretary-treasurer Chris Kyle. “Such statements hindered journalist members...
In a message sent to members on Monday, union officers noted that a recent restructuring of the guild had led to a change in policy on public statements. The organization pointed out this referendum was spurred by the fact that journalists now make up 40 percent of its membership.
“In doing so, we in leadership agreed to move away from public statements that did not directly involve our Guild, our industries or the labor movement,” read the note attributed to president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, film/TV/streaming vp Erica Saleh, online media vp Sara David, broadcast/cable/streaming news vp Kathy McGee and secretary-treasurer Chris Kyle. “Such statements hindered journalist members...
- 10/24/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny and Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mere minutes after some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and executives issued a letter condemning the terror attacks on Israel and the taking of hundreds of hostages, The WGA East has publicly joined the Guild’s West Coast leadership in deciding to stay silent on the murderous siege of the Jewish state two weeks ago.
Admitting this “will strike some of you as inadequate,” Wgae president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and others in the leadership said officially the Guild would be saying nothing on the matter – as a point of policy. At the same time they did note calling out “the atrocities in Israel committed by Hamas on October 7 and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza” on their personal social media feeds.
“We hope you are holding up in these difficult times,” the correspondence to members begins “A number of you have reached out to us in recent weeks about whether...
Admitting this “will strike some of you as inadequate,” Wgae president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and others in the leadership said officially the Guild would be saying nothing on the matter – as a point of policy. At the same time they did note calling out “the atrocities in Israel committed by Hamas on October 7 and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza” on their personal social media feeds.
“We hope you are holding up in these difficult times,” the correspondence to members begins “A number of you have reached out to us in recent weeks about whether...
- 10/24/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Lowell Peterson is stepping down as executive director of the Writers Guild of America East after 15 years.
Peterson’s tenure will end with the expiration of his current contract on November 15 — one month after the ratification of the WGA’s latest contract with the AMPTP that brought a 148-day strike to an end.
“I am proud of my work to transform the Wgae into a more powerful force for writers,” Peterson said in a statement. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such extraordinary leaders, members, and staff. Their activism, creativity, and diligence have been essential to our success.”
During Peterson’s time as executive director, the union’s membership doubled, growing both its core of television and film writers as well as expanding into formerly non-union sectors such as nonfiction TV, podcasting, and online media.
“We thank Lowell for his years of service to the...
Peterson’s tenure will end with the expiration of his current contract on November 15 — one month after the ratification of the WGA’s latest contract with the AMPTP that brought a 148-day strike to an end.
“I am proud of my work to transform the Wgae into a more powerful force for writers,” Peterson said in a statement. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such extraordinary leaders, members, and staff. Their activism, creativity, and diligence have been essential to our success.”
During Peterson’s time as executive director, the union’s membership doubled, growing both its core of television and film writers as well as expanding into formerly non-union sectors such as nonfiction TV, podcasting, and online media.
“We thank Lowell for his years of service to the...
- 10/10/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
WGA East Executive Director Lowell Peterson is stepping down from his post at the expiration of his contract on Nov. 15. Peterson was with the guild for 15 years.
During Peterson’s tenure, the guild says the union’s membership doubled among television and movie writers as well as with formerly non-union sectors such as nonfiction TV, podcasting, and online media. Most recently, Peterson led the Wgae staff’s efforts in the strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and signatory employers.
“I am proud of my work to transform the Wgae into a more powerful force for writers,” Peterson said in a statement. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such extraordinary leaders, members, and staff. Their activism, creativity, and diligence have been essential to our success.”
“We thank Lowell for his years of service to the Writers Guild of America East and...
During Peterson’s tenure, the guild says the union’s membership doubled among television and movie writers as well as with formerly non-union sectors such as nonfiction TV, podcasting, and online media. Most recently, Peterson led the Wgae staff’s efforts in the strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and signatory employers.
“I am proud of my work to transform the Wgae into a more powerful force for writers,” Peterson said in a statement. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such extraordinary leaders, members, and staff. Their activism, creativity, and diligence have been essential to our success.”
“We thank Lowell for his years of service to the Writers Guild of America East and...
- 10/10/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
One day after the Writers Guild of America ratified its 2023 strike-ending contract, Lowell Peterson has announced that he is stepping down from the post of WGA East executive director.
“I am proud of my work to transform the Wgae into a more powerful force for writers,” Peterson said in a statement on Tuesday. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such extraordinary leaders, members, and staff. Their activism, creativity, and diligence have been essential to our success.” Peterson will leave his post after his deal expires on Nov. 15, following 15 years of leadership at the union.
The guild’s director of contract enforcement and credits, Geoff Betts, will lead on an interim basis as the labor group searches for a new executive director. Variety was the first to report the news.
Starting in 2008, Peterson headed up the union at a time when it aggressively pursued organizing efforts in digital media,...
“I am proud of my work to transform the Wgae into a more powerful force for writers,” Peterson said in a statement on Tuesday. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with such extraordinary leaders, members, and staff. Their activism, creativity, and diligence have been essential to our success.” Peterson will leave his post after his deal expires on Nov. 15, following 15 years of leadership at the union.
The guild’s director of contract enforcement and credits, Geoff Betts, will lead on an interim basis as the labor group searches for a new executive director. Variety was the first to report the news.
Starting in 2008, Peterson headed up the union at a time when it aggressively pursued organizing efforts in digital media,...
- 10/10/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lowell Peterson’s tenure as executive director of the Writers Guild of America East was destined to be bookended by strikes. After 15 years at the helm, Peterson will step down from his post as of Nov. 15 when his current three-year contract expires.
WGA East leaders credited Peterson with nearly doubling the size of its membership and rebuilding the union’s staff and infrastructure since he took the helm in May 2008. That was three months after the Writers Guild of America concluded a 100-day strike against Hollywood’s largest employees. News of his resignation comes one day after members of the WGA West and WGA East overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract that was the byproduct of a 148-day strike. The hard-won pact delivers enormous gains for union members, albeit at great cost after a five-month work stoppage.
“We thank Lowell for his years of service to the Writers Guild of...
WGA East leaders credited Peterson with nearly doubling the size of its membership and rebuilding the union’s staff and infrastructure since he took the helm in May 2008. That was three months after the Writers Guild of America concluded a 100-day strike against Hollywood’s largest employees. News of his resignation comes one day after members of the WGA West and WGA East overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract that was the byproduct of a 148-day strike. The hard-won pact delivers enormous gains for union members, albeit at great cost after a five-month work stoppage.
“We thank Lowell for his years of service to the Writers Guild of...
- 10/10/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
WGA members voted in favor of a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) that ended one of Hollywood’s longest strikes.
The union reached an almost unanimous decision of the three-year Minimum Basic Agreement. Members of both the WGA West and WGA East cast their votes, with 99% of those who voted approving the now sealed deal that will run from Sept. 25, 2023 to May 31, 2026.
“Through solidarity and determination, we have ratified a contract with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of our combined membership,...
The union reached an almost unanimous decision of the three-year Minimum Basic Agreement. Members of both the WGA West and WGA East cast their votes, with 99% of those who voted approving the now sealed deal that will run from Sept. 25, 2023 to May 31, 2026.
“Through solidarity and determination, we have ratified a contract with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of our combined membership,...
- 10/9/2023
- by Charisma Madarang and Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com
It’s officially over: The Writers Guild of America has ratified the three-year contract deal that ended the second-longest strike in the union’s history.
Ninety-nine percent of union members voted to support the contract in a vote that ended on Monday; the WGA says of the 8,525 valid votes cast there were 8,435 “yes” votes and 90 “no” votes (1 percent). The term of the new agreement is from Sept. 25, 2023, through May 1, 2026.
“Through solidarity and determination, we have ratified a contract with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of our combined membership,” said Wgaw president Meredith Stiehm. “Together we were able to accomplish what many said was impossible only six months ago. We would not have been able to achieve this industry-changing contract without WGA chief negotiator Ellen Stutzman, negotiating committee co-chairs Chris Keyser and David A. Goodman, the entire WGA negotiating committee, strike captains, lot coordinators, and the staff...
Ninety-nine percent of union members voted to support the contract in a vote that ended on Monday; the WGA says of the 8,525 valid votes cast there were 8,435 “yes” votes and 90 “no” votes (1 percent). The term of the new agreement is from Sept. 25, 2023, through May 1, 2026.
“Through solidarity and determination, we have ratified a contract with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of our combined membership,” said Wgaw president Meredith Stiehm. “Together we were able to accomplish what many said was impossible only six months ago. We would not have been able to achieve this industry-changing contract without WGA chief negotiator Ellen Stutzman, negotiating committee co-chairs Chris Keyser and David A. Goodman, the entire WGA negotiating committee, strike captains, lot coordinators, and the staff...
- 10/9/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny and Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Writers are overwhelmingly in favor of the new contract its guild has won from the studios. WGA members have voted in favor of ratifying the new minimum basic agreement, with an enormous 99 percent of members who voted approving the contract. The strike is officially over.
The guild said of the 8,525 valid votes cast, there were 8,435 “yes” votes and 90 “no” votes. Back in 2020, the last time the contract came up for a ratification vote, 98 percent of members approved it, but only 4,155 valid votes were cast.
Writers will now work under this contract effective through May 1, 2026.
“Through solidarity and determination, we have ratified a contract with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of our combined membership,” said Wgaw president Meredith Stiehm. “Together we were able to accomplish what many said was impossible only six months ago. We would not have been able to achieve this industry-changing contract without WGA Chief Negotiator Ellen Stutzman,...
The guild said of the 8,525 valid votes cast, there were 8,435 “yes” votes and 90 “no” votes. Back in 2020, the last time the contract came up for a ratification vote, 98 percent of members approved it, but only 4,155 valid votes were cast.
Writers will now work under this contract effective through May 1, 2026.
“Through solidarity and determination, we have ratified a contract with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of our combined membership,” said Wgaw president Meredith Stiehm. “Together we were able to accomplish what many said was impossible only six months ago. We would not have been able to achieve this industry-changing contract without WGA Chief Negotiator Ellen Stutzman,...
- 10/9/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
The writers’ strike officially ended Monday as the Writers Guild of America announced that its members overwhelmingly voted to ratify the contract negotiated by guild leaders after 148 days on the picket lines.
The WGA announced the result of the ratification vote on Monday, with 8,435 out of 8,525 votes received in favor of ratification for a vote percentage of 99%. The voter turnout was significantly above the ratification vote for the 2020 contract, in which 4,155 votes were received.
The term of the new agreement is from Sept. 25 through May 1, 2026.
“Through solidarity and determination, we have ratified a contract with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of our combined membership,” WGA West president Meredith Stiehm said in a statement. “Together we were able to accomplish what many said was impossible only six months ago. We would not have been able to achieve this industry-changing contract without WGA chief negotiator Ellen Stutzman, negotiating...
The WGA announced the result of the ratification vote on Monday, with 8,435 out of 8,525 votes received in favor of ratification for a vote percentage of 99%. The voter turnout was significantly above the ratification vote for the 2020 contract, in which 4,155 votes were received.
The term of the new agreement is from Sept. 25 through May 1, 2026.
“Through solidarity and determination, we have ratified a contract with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of our combined membership,” WGA West president Meredith Stiehm said in a statement. “Together we were able to accomplish what many said was impossible only six months ago. We would not have been able to achieve this industry-changing contract without WGA chief negotiator Ellen Stutzman, negotiating...
- 10/9/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
The Writers Guild of America has voted overwhelmingly to ratify its new contract, formally ending one of the longest labor disputes in Hollywood history.
The membership voted 99% in favor of ratification, with 8,435 voting yes and 90 members opposed.
In a statement, WGA West president Meredith Stiehm thanked leadership, strike captains, and WGA staff for working to deliver the contract.
“Through solidarity and determination, we have ratified a contract with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of our combined membership,” she said. “Together we were able to accomplish what many said was impossible only six months ago.”
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios in bargaining, congratulated the WGA on ratifying the contract, “which represents meaningful gains and protections for writers.”
“It is important progress for our industry that writers are back to work,” the studio group said.
The WGA ended its strike on Sept.
The membership voted 99% in favor of ratification, with 8,435 voting yes and 90 members opposed.
In a statement, WGA West president Meredith Stiehm thanked leadership, strike captains, and WGA staff for working to deliver the contract.
“Through solidarity and determination, we have ratified a contract with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of our combined membership,” she said. “Together we were able to accomplish what many said was impossible only six months ago.”
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the studios in bargaining, congratulated the WGA on ratifying the contract, “which represents meaningful gains and protections for writers.”
“It is important progress for our industry that writers are back to work,” the studio group said.
The WGA ended its strike on Sept.
- 10/9/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
This is Day 78 of the SAG-AFTRA strike.
It was everything everywhere all at once Thursday in New York City: Striking actors getting ready for contract talks were joined by writers who have just wrapped up theirs at a rally in Manhattan that also highlighted Asian American Pacific Islander culture in film and television.
On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated by Asian communities worldwide, about 200 people gathered outside the Manhattan offices of Warner Bros. Discovery for pickets and speeches that marked the official end of one strike against the major studios and the continuation of another whose end might be in sight.
Speakers including Joel de la Fuente of Hemlock Grove, Perry Yung of The Knick, Celia Au of Wu Assassins and Ivory Aquino of When We Rise hailed the growing visibility of Asian-Americans onscreen and said that their strike demands — including sustainable wages and limits on the use...
It was everything everywhere all at once Thursday in New York City: Striking actors getting ready for contract talks were joined by writers who have just wrapped up theirs at a rally in Manhattan that also highlighted Asian American Pacific Islander culture in film and television.
On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrated by Asian communities worldwide, about 200 people gathered outside the Manhattan offices of Warner Bros. Discovery for pickets and speeches that marked the official end of one strike against the major studios and the continuation of another whose end might be in sight.
Speakers including Joel de la Fuente of Hemlock Grove, Perry Yung of The Knick, Celia Au of Wu Assassins and Ivory Aquino of When We Rise hailed the growing visibility of Asian-Americans onscreen and said that their strike demands — including sustainable wages and limits on the use...
- 9/28/2023
- by Sean Piccoli
- Deadline Film + TV
The strike is over, but the fight is not yet won.
On Wednesday, as the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike formally ended after 148 days, Variety spoke with newly elected WGA East president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and WGA East executive director Lowell Peterson about the end of the work stoppage at the East coast guild’s membership meeting to discuss their tentative three-year Mba agreement with the Hollywood studios.
While the deal still needs to be ratified following a member vote to be held from Oct. 2-9, the details revealed about the pact with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) are points the WGA East leadership is immensely proud of and has every hope will be cleared by the union.
“That’s one of the realizations that’s gonna settle into a lot of members as we go forward — is that, not only did we achieve these gains,...
On Wednesday, as the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike formally ended after 148 days, Variety spoke with newly elected WGA East president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and WGA East executive director Lowell Peterson about the end of the work stoppage at the East coast guild’s membership meeting to discuss their tentative three-year Mba agreement with the Hollywood studios.
While the deal still needs to be ratified following a member vote to be held from Oct. 2-9, the details revealed about the pact with the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) are points the WGA East leadership is immensely proud of and has every hope will be cleared by the union.
“That’s one of the realizations that’s gonna settle into a lot of members as we go forward — is that, not only did we achieve these gains,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Writers Guild of America East announced Thursday that Lisa Takeuchi Cullen has officially been elected as its new president after running unopposed to succeed outgoing president Michael Winship.
Takeuchi Cullen is now the third woman and the first person of color to be elected president of WGA East. Secretary-treasurer Christopher Kyle will continue in the same position after also running unopposed.
“I am honored to become the next president of the Writers Guild of America East. Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over,” Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight...
Takeuchi Cullen is now the third woman and the first person of color to be elected president of WGA East. Secretary-treasurer Christopher Kyle will continue in the same position after also running unopposed.
“I am honored to become the next president of the Writers Guild of America East. Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over,” Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight...
- 9/21/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, running unopposed, has been elected president of the WGA East. Cullen, who until now had been VP of the guild’s Film/TV/Streaming sector, succeeds Michael Winship, who chose not to seek re-election.
In the WGA East’s other officer elections, two other candidates also ran unopposed. Chris Kyle was re-elected secretary-treasurer, and Erica Saleh, a member of the guild’s Council, will be the next VP of Film/TV/Streaming – the post previously held by Cullen.
Votes were cast by 13.3% of total eligible voters for president and secretary-treasurer.
In the guild’s other races, six Council members representing the Film/TV/Streaming sector also elected: Sofia Alvarez, incumbent Josh Gondelman, incumbent Liz Hynes, incumbent Greg Iwinski, Sarah Montana, and incumbent Sasha Stewart.
Three candidates were also elected to the Council representing the Online Media sector: incumbent Caitlin Cruz, Sie Morley, and Samantha Smylie.
In Film/TV/Streaming,...
In the WGA East’s other officer elections, two other candidates also ran unopposed. Chris Kyle was re-elected secretary-treasurer, and Erica Saleh, a member of the guild’s Council, will be the next VP of Film/TV/Streaming – the post previously held by Cullen.
Votes were cast by 13.3% of total eligible voters for president and secretary-treasurer.
In the guild’s other races, six Council members representing the Film/TV/Streaming sector also elected: Sofia Alvarez, incumbent Josh Gondelman, incumbent Liz Hynes, incumbent Greg Iwinski, Sarah Montana, and incumbent Sasha Stewart.
Three candidates were also elected to the Council representing the Online Media sector: incumbent Caitlin Cruz, Sie Morley, and Samantha Smylie.
In Film/TV/Streaming,...
- 9/21/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America East (Wgae) members have elected Lisa Takeuchi Cullen as its new president. Cullen, who was an unopposed candidate for the posititon, takes over for outgoing president Michael Winship, who announced his decision to not seek reelection of his longtime post over the summer.
“I am honored to become the next President of the Writers Guild of America East,” Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over. The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight continues for all labor to put human rights over corporate profits. As the...
“I am honored to become the next President of the Writers Guild of America East,” Takeuchi Cullen said in a statement. “Even when we negotiate a fair deal with the Hollywood studios — and it is a when, not an if — I know the fight is not over. The fight continues for all of our members, TV and screenwriters as well as journalists and podcasters, to achieve compensation commensurate to the value of our important work. The fight continues for all workers to earn a life of dignity. The fight continues for all labor to put human rights over corporate profits. As the...
- 9/21/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America East has re-elected a host of incumbents and two new leaders in film, television and streaming in its latest council election.
After running unopposed, current vp for film/TV/streaming Lisa Takeuchi Cullen is ascending into the president’s seat after current president Michael Winship decided not to run for re-election. She will be joined by incumbent secretary-treasurer Christopher Kyle, who is retaining the role, and Erica Saleh, a sitting council member who has been elected to the role of vp for film/TV/streaming; both ran unopposed.
Out of the 12 candidates who ran for council seats in the film/TV/streaming sector, six were elected, including incumbents Josh Gondelman, Liz Hynes, Greg Iwinski and Sasha Stewart and new candidates Sofia Alvarez and Sarah Montana. The new leaders’ terms begin Friday.
Takeuchi Cullen noted in a statement Thursday that she is the first woman of...
After running unopposed, current vp for film/TV/streaming Lisa Takeuchi Cullen is ascending into the president’s seat after current president Michael Winship decided not to run for re-election. She will be joined by incumbent secretary-treasurer Christopher Kyle, who is retaining the role, and Erica Saleh, a sitting council member who has been elected to the role of vp for film/TV/streaming; both ran unopposed.
Out of the 12 candidates who ran for council seats in the film/TV/streaming sector, six were elected, including incumbents Josh Gondelman, Liz Hynes, Greg Iwinski and Sasha Stewart and new candidates Sofia Alvarez and Sarah Montana. The new leaders’ terms begin Friday.
Takeuchi Cullen noted in a statement Thursday that she is the first woman of...
- 9/21/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Meredith Stiehm has been re-elected president of the WGA West, defeating Rich Talarico in a landslide.
A total of 3,783 valid ballots were cast, and Stiehm received 3,354 to Talarico’s 300. Stiehm’s running mates were also easily elected. Michele Mulroney, a member of the guild’s negotiating committee, was re-elected as vice president, and Betsy Thomas was re-elected as secretary-treasurer. Mulroney defeated Isaac Gómez, who’s currently serving as a strike captain, by a vote of 3,235 to 411. Thomas beat Jeffrey Thompson 3,182 to 421.
Stiehm’s re-election, which in effect was a referendum on the guild’s ongoing strike, comes the day before the Writers Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are scheduled to resume negotiations for a deal that, if successful, would end the WGA’s strike, which is in its 141st day.
Related: WGA West President Meredith Stiehm Says “Fair Deal” For Writers & Actors That “Shares The...
A total of 3,783 valid ballots were cast, and Stiehm received 3,354 to Talarico’s 300. Stiehm’s running mates were also easily elected. Michele Mulroney, a member of the guild’s negotiating committee, was re-elected as vice president, and Betsy Thomas was re-elected as secretary-treasurer. Mulroney defeated Isaac Gómez, who’s currently serving as a strike captain, by a vote of 3,235 to 411. Thomas beat Jeffrey Thompson 3,182 to 421.
Stiehm’s re-election, which in effect was a referendum on the guild’s ongoing strike, comes the day before the Writers Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are scheduled to resume negotiations for a deal that, if successful, would end the WGA’s strike, which is in its 141st day.
Related: WGA West President Meredith Stiehm Says “Fair Deal” For Writers & Actors That “Shares The...
- 9/19/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
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