Sixteen fellows with a dozen projects will be headed to the mythic bunk beds and cabin life of Utah just prior to the upcoming Sundance Film Festival. Here their words on paper will be tested, tried and nurtured with valuable input from the likes of Michelle Satter, Ilyse McKimmie, Jessie Nelson and creative advisors Ritesh Batra, Linda Yvette Chávez, Scott Frank, Phil Hay, Marielle Heller, Walter Mosley, Nicole Perlman, Kemp Powers, Dee Rees, Howard Rodman, Dana Stevens, Joan Tewkesbury, Bill Wheeler, Tyger Williams, Virgil Williams, and Doug Wright. This year’s Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab folks include: Nikesh Shukla & Himesh Patel (Brown Baby), Kaitlin Fontana & Franchesca Ramsey (Cover Girl), Sylvia Khoury (Heather), Jane Casey Modderno (Here for the Weekend), Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs (High Steel), Kristine Gerolaga (Lamok), Francesca Canepa & Miguel Ángel Papalini (La Otra Orilla), Diana Peralta (No Love Lost), Christian Moldes (Quince Kings), Hanna Gray Organschi (Rubber Hut), Sara Crow...
- 1/12/2024
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
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
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
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
Writers on the "Existential Fight" of the Hollywood Strike: "Streamers Have Been Screwing [Us] Over"
Imagine pouring blood, sweat, and tears into a creative project only to be compensated with pennies on the dollar. Or barely being able to afford a roof over your head while employed by an industry that makes billions of dollars a year - largely thanks to your hard work. That is the reality for many TV writers and Writers Guild of America members who are striking to change the current state - and future - of their livelihood.
On May 2, the labor union - made up of over 11,500 members - called for a strike after failing to come to an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) following many months of negotiating their next three-year contract. The decision was largely fueled by changes that have yet to be made to writers' compensation, but it's evolved into more.
The heart of the strike points to the lucrative streaming boom,...
On May 2, the labor union - made up of over 11,500 members - called for a strike after failing to come to an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) following many months of negotiating their next three-year contract. The decision was largely fueled by changes that have yet to be made to writers' compensation, but it's evolved into more.
The heart of the strike points to the lucrative streaming boom,...
- 6/8/2023
- by Njera Perkins
- Popsugar.com
Exclusive: On the third day of its first strike in 15 years, the Writers Guild of America closed down Wall Street drama Billions for several hours Thursday.
The shuttering of the Showtime series started on a chilly, gray Thursday morning in New York after a tow truck hauling a prop Jeep to the set pulled up to a parking lot near the Brooklyn waterfront and came to a stop in the street amid picket signs and WGA members. Elsewhere in the Big Apple, Teamsters showed solidarity with another group of picketing scribes and turned their trucks around outside where American Horror Story‘s latest season is filming.
Over at the Billions studio, an entryway was blocked. A line of picketers — several dozen sign-waving film and television writers and their supporters — were not making way as the tow truck driver tried in vain to ease forward, with help from a New York City police officer.
The shuttering of the Showtime series started on a chilly, gray Thursday morning in New York after a tow truck hauling a prop Jeep to the set pulled up to a parking lot near the Brooklyn waterfront and came to a stop in the street amid picket signs and WGA members. Elsewhere in the Big Apple, Teamsters showed solidarity with another group of picketing scribes and turned their trucks around outside where American Horror Story‘s latest season is filming.
Over at the Billions studio, an entryway was blocked. A line of picketers — several dozen sign-waving film and television writers and their supporters — were not making way as the tow truck driver tried in vain to ease forward, with help from a New York City police officer.
- 5/4/2023
- by Dominic Patten, Sean Piccoli and Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
The members of the Writers Guild of America East have appointed three vice presidents to oversee the union’s key work sectors and elected four new members to their council, realizing recent changes to the Guild’s constitution.
During the Guild’s 2022 council election, Sara David was elected vice president of the online media constituency and Kathy McGee was elected vice president of the broadcast, cable and streaming news sector (both are already council members), the WGA East announced Thursday. Incumbent WGA East vice president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen will now act as the delegate for the film, television and streaming sector.
Also elected to council seats were incumbents Monica Lee Bellais, Kaitlin Fontana, Gina Gionfriddo, Tian Jun Gu, A.M. Homes and Erica Saleh, who will act on behalf of the Guild’s film, television and streaming sector. New members Susan Rinkunas and Jessica Schulberg...
The members of the Writers Guild of America East have appointed three vice presidents to oversee the union’s key work sectors and elected four new members to their council, realizing recent changes to the Guild’s constitution.
During the Guild’s 2022 council election, Sara David was elected vice president of the online media constituency and Kathy McGee was elected vice president of the broadcast, cable and streaming news sector (both are already council members), the WGA East announced Thursday. Incumbent WGA East vice president Lisa Takeuchi Cullen will now act as the delegate for the film, television and streaming sector.
Also elected to council seats were incumbents Monica Lee Bellais, Kaitlin Fontana, Gina Gionfriddo, Tian Jun Gu, A.M. Homes and Erica Saleh, who will act on behalf of the Guild’s film, television and streaming sector. New members Susan Rinkunas and Jessica Schulberg...
- 9/15/2022
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sara David, running unopposed, has been elected vice president of the WGA East representing online media members, and Kathy McGee beat two other candidates to become vice president representing members working in the broadcast/cable/streaming news sector.
David, a digital editor at Paramount+/Viacom CBS for unscripted series, currently serves on the WGA East Council, the guild’s governing body. McGee, a news writer at Wcbs New York City, has served on the guild’s Council and on its Committee for Inclusion and Equity.
This is the guild’s first election since its members voted overwhelmingly in June to amend the Wgae constitution and restructure the guild to ensure a more “balanced representation” among its three work sectors: film/television/streaming, broadcast/cable/streaming news, and online media. Election of the guild’s president, secretary-treasurer and vice president representing the film/TV/streaming sector will be held next year.
David, a digital editor at Paramount+/Viacom CBS for unscripted series, currently serves on the WGA East Council, the guild’s governing body. McGee, a news writer at Wcbs New York City, has served on the guild’s Council and on its Committee for Inclusion and Equity.
This is the guild’s first election since its members voted overwhelmingly in June to amend the Wgae constitution and restructure the guild to ensure a more “balanced representation” among its three work sectors: film/television/streaming, broadcast/cable/streaming news, and online media. Election of the guild’s president, secretary-treasurer and vice president representing the film/TV/streaming sector will be held next year.
- 9/15/2022
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Next year’s negotiations for a new WGA film and TV contract – and a possible writers’ strike – were front and center in campaign statements posted by several candidates in the WGA East’s ongoing Council elections. The WGA’s current contract, known as the Minimum Basic Agreement (Mba), expires on May 1, 2023.
This is the guild’s first election since its members voted overwhelmingly in June to restructure the guild to ensure a more “balanced representation” among its three newly-designated work sectors: film/television/streaming, broadcast/cable/streaming news and online media.
In one of only two contested races, seven candidates – including six incumbents – are vying for six seats on the Council representing the film/TV/streaming work sector. Here are excerpts from their campaign statements:
“As we approach the 2023 Mba negotiations, we face the serious threat of a potential strike,” wrote incumbent Monica Lee Bellais, noting that if reelected she...
This is the guild’s first election since its members voted overwhelmingly in June to restructure the guild to ensure a more “balanced representation” among its three newly-designated work sectors: film/television/streaming, broadcast/cable/streaming news and online media.
In one of only two contested races, seven candidates – including six incumbents – are vying for six seats on the Council representing the film/TV/streaming work sector. Here are excerpts from their campaign statements:
“As we approach the 2023 Mba negotiations, we face the serious threat of a potential strike,” wrote incumbent Monica Lee Bellais, noting that if reelected she...
- 8/26/2022
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The WGA East is holding its first election since its members voted overwhelmingly in June to restructure the guild to ensure a more “balanced representation” among its three work sectors: film/television/streaming, broadcast/cable/streaming news, and online media.
In the vice presidential elections, Sara David, running unopposed, will be elected vice president representing online media members, while Matt Nelko, Philip Pilato and Kathy McGee are vying for the vice presidency representing broadcast/cable/streaming news.
Related Story WGA East Members Approve Changes To Guild’s Constitution To Ensure "Balanced Representation" Amid Digital Gains Related Story WGA East Members Overwhelmingly Ratify New Contract With ABC News Related Story NowThis Workers Unanimously Ratify Their First-Ever WGA East Contract
The only other contested race involves seven candidates running for six seats on the Council representing the film/TV/streaming work sector: Gene Koprowski and incumbents Erica Saleh, A.M. Homes, Monica Lee Bellais,...
In the vice presidential elections, Sara David, running unopposed, will be elected vice president representing online media members, while Matt Nelko, Philip Pilato and Kathy McGee are vying for the vice presidency representing broadcast/cable/streaming news.
Related Story WGA East Members Approve Changes To Guild’s Constitution To Ensure "Balanced Representation" Amid Digital Gains Related Story WGA East Members Overwhelmingly Ratify New Contract With ABC News Related Story NowThis Workers Unanimously Ratify Their First-Ever WGA East Contract
The only other contested race involves seven candidates running for six seats on the Council representing the film/TV/streaming work sector: Gene Koprowski and incumbents Erica Saleh, A.M. Homes, Monica Lee Bellais,...
- 8/1/2022
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The WGA East has unveiled the candidates for its upcoming election of 20 council seats, which will mark the guild’s first vote since it was restructured around three distinct work sectors.
The Sept. 15 election will divide governance of the guild among 12 members from the Film/TV/Streaming sector representing writers of narrative scripted movies and TV series; five from the Online Media sector covering digital news and media writers; and three from the Broadcast/Cable/Streaming sector covering broadcast and cable news programming.
The governing body for the Writers Guild of America East also includes five officer positions: president, secretary-treasurer and three vice presidents, representing one from each work sector. Online and mail-in voting begins Sept. 1 and ends Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. Et.
The election follows the compromise agreement reached in April to address the WGA East’s rapid growth in recent years through its success in organizing digital media and digital news operations.
The Sept. 15 election will divide governance of the guild among 12 members from the Film/TV/Streaming sector representing writers of narrative scripted movies and TV series; five from the Online Media sector covering digital news and media writers; and three from the Broadcast/Cable/Streaming sector covering broadcast and cable news programming.
The governing body for the Writers Guild of America East also includes five officer positions: president, secretary-treasurer and three vice presidents, representing one from each work sector. Online and mail-in voting begins Sept. 1 and ends Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. Et.
The election follows the compromise agreement reached in April to address the WGA East’s rapid growth in recent years through its success in organizing digital media and digital news operations.
- 8/1/2022
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
Former Writers Guild of America East president Michael Winship has been re-elected to the guild’s governing council as a freelance rep along with four other incumbents: Monica Lee Bellais, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Kaitlin Fontana and A.M. Homes.
Gina Gionfriddo and Eric Saleh were also elected to open freelance seats. Jason Kim and Benjamin Rosenblum were also seeking freelance seats. Incumbents Gail Lee, Ashley Feinberg and Kelly Stout were re-elected to staff seats of the council.
The seats are for two-year terms. Freelance members work in screen, television and new media, and staff members work in television, radio/audio and digital news shops under the guild’s jurisdiction. New York-based digital news shops have boosted the membership of the WGA East significantly by more than 2,000 with unionization victories in recent years with Vox Media, Onion Inc., HuffPost, Vice, the Intercept, ThinkProgress, MTV News, Salon and Slate.
Votes were cast by 12.09% of the 6,208 eligible voters.
Gina Gionfriddo and Eric Saleh were also elected to open freelance seats. Jason Kim and Benjamin Rosenblum were also seeking freelance seats. Incumbents Gail Lee, Ashley Feinberg and Kelly Stout were re-elected to staff seats of the council.
The seats are for two-year terms. Freelance members work in screen, television and new media, and staff members work in television, radio/audio and digital news shops under the guild’s jurisdiction. New York-based digital news shops have boosted the membership of the WGA East significantly by more than 2,000 with unionization victories in recent years with Vox Media, Onion Inc., HuffPost, Vice, the Intercept, ThinkProgress, MTV News, Salon and Slate.
Votes were cast by 12.09% of the 6,208 eligible voters.
- 9/18/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Women writers carried the day in the WGA East’s Council elections, winning nine of the ten seats up for grabs. The only man to win a seat was former WGA East president Michael Winship. It was also a good day for incumbents, who won eight of the ten contests. Votes were cast by just over 12% of the guild’s 6,208 eligible members. The Wgae does not release numerical voting results. All ten of the winning candidates will serve two-year terms.
Incumbents Gail Lee, Ashley Feinberg and Kelly Stout were elected to the three seats representing staff writers who work in television, radio/audio and digital news shops.
Newcomers Gina Gionfriddo and Erica Saleh were elected to seats representing freelance writers who work in film, television and new media. In addition to Winship, the other four freelance incumbents returned to office are Monica Lee Bellais, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Kaitlin Fontana and A.M. Homes.
Incumbents Gail Lee, Ashley Feinberg and Kelly Stout were elected to the three seats representing staff writers who work in television, radio/audio and digital news shops.
Newcomers Gina Gionfriddo and Erica Saleh were elected to seats representing freelance writers who work in film, television and new media. In addition to Winship, the other four freelance incumbents returned to office are Monica Lee Bellais, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Kaitlin Fontana and A.M. Homes.
- 9/17/2020
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Amid a busy year for newsroom unionization, the Writers Guild of America East unveiled its new council leadership.
The union revealed the results of its election on Thursday, which determined seven freelance seats and three staff seats on the 19-person council. The guild reelected incumbents Monica Lee Bellais, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Kaitlin Fontana, A.M. Homes and Michael Winship and elected candidates Gina Gionfriddo and Erica Saleh to the freelance seats for two-year terms.
And incumbents Gail Lee, Ashley Feinberg and Kelly Stout were reelected as staff members on the council. About 12 percent of the guild’s 6,208 members ...
The union revealed the results of its election on Thursday, which determined seven freelance seats and three staff seats on the 19-person council. The guild reelected incumbents Monica Lee Bellais, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Kaitlin Fontana, A.M. Homes and Michael Winship and elected candidates Gina Gionfriddo and Erica Saleh to the freelance seats for two-year terms.
And incumbents Gail Lee, Ashley Feinberg and Kelly Stout were reelected as staff members on the council. About 12 percent of the guild’s 6,208 members ...
- 9/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amid a busy year for newsroom unionization, the Writers Guild of America East unveiled its new council leadership.
The union revealed the results of its election on Thursday, which determined seven freelance seats and three staff seats on the 19-person council. The guild reelected incumbents Monica Lee Bellais, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Kaitlin Fontana, A.M. Homes and Michael Winship and elected candidates Gina Gionfriddo and Erica Saleh to the freelance seats for two-year terms.
And incumbents Gail Lee, Ashley Feinberg and Kelly Stout were reelected as staff members on the council. About 12 percent of the guild’s 6,208 members ...
The union revealed the results of its election on Thursday, which determined seven freelance seats and three staff seats on the 19-person council. The guild reelected incumbents Monica Lee Bellais, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, Kaitlin Fontana, A.M. Homes and Michael Winship and elected candidates Gina Gionfriddo and Erica Saleh to the freelance seats for two-year terms.
And incumbents Gail Lee, Ashley Feinberg and Kelly Stout were reelected as staff members on the council. About 12 percent of the guild’s 6,208 members ...
- 9/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, three projects — “The Culling,” “Atlantis” and “A Savannah Haunting” — are unveiled; “Transhood” wins the Audience Award at AFI Docs; the WGA East announces 15 candidates; and the Visual Effects Society honors five members.
Project Launches
Universal Pictures is developing the thriller “Atlantis with “Jurassic World” director Colin Trevorrow and his Metronome Film Co. with Trevorrow directing and producing.
The project is based on a story about the mythical city of Atlantis by Trevorrow and Matt Charman. Dante Harper, who wrote the original spec script that became Tom Cruise’s “Edge of Tomorrow,” will write the script for “Atlantis.”
Metronome and Universal are also collaborating on “Space Opera,” a musical with producer Marc Platt based on Catherynne Valente’s book.
Treverrow’s directing credits include “Safety Not Guaranteed,” “The Book of Henry” and the upcoming “Jurassic World: Dominion.” The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
Project Launches
Universal Pictures is developing the thriller “Atlantis with “Jurassic World” director Colin Trevorrow and his Metronome Film Co. with Trevorrow directing and producing.
The project is based on a story about the mythical city of Atlantis by Trevorrow and Matt Charman. Dante Harper, who wrote the original spec script that became Tom Cruise’s “Edge of Tomorrow,” will write the script for “Atlantis.”
Metronome and Universal are also collaborating on “Space Opera,” a musical with producer Marc Platt based on Catherynne Valente’s book.
Treverrow’s directing credits include “Safety Not Guaranteed,” “The Book of Henry” and the upcoming “Jurassic World: Dominion.” The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
- 6/23/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The 15th annual Black List survey was revealed Monday December 16, and it includes 66 un-produced screenplays from up-and-coming literary talent. Results were pooled from a survey of more than 250 film executives, each of whom contributed the names of up to 10 favorite scripts that were written in, or are somehow uniquely associated with, 2019 and will not have begun principal photography during this calendar year. This year, scripts had to receive at least six mentions to be included on the Black List.
Since 2005, more than a third of the screenplays included in the annual Black List surveys have become produced films, and often to notoriety — such as “Argo,” “American Hustle,” “Juno,” “The King’s Speech,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Spotlight,” “The Revenants,” “The Descendants,” and “Hell or High Water.” Melina Matsoukas’s 2019 film “Queen & Slim,” written by Lena Waithe with a story co-authored by James Frey, was featured on the 2018 Black List.
Below is the...
Since 2005, more than a third of the screenplays included in the annual Black List surveys have become produced films, and often to notoriety — such as “Argo,” “American Hustle,” “Juno,” “The King’s Speech,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Spotlight,” “The Revenants,” “The Descendants,” and “Hell or High Water.” Melina Matsoukas’s 2019 film “Queen & Slim,” written by Lena Waithe with a story co-authored by James Frey, was featured on the 2018 Black List.
Below is the...
- 12/16/2019
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Former Writers Guild of America East president Michael Winship has won one of the seven open freelance seats on the WGA East Council.
Others elected as freelance members on the council included newcomers Monica Lee Bellais and Kaitlin Fontana along with incumbents Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, A.M. Homes, Christopher Kyle, and Kyle Bradstreet. Incumbents Gail Lee and Kathy McGee were elected to the staff seats along with newcomer Kelly Stout.
The guild, which represents about 5,000 members, announced the winners Thursday. The terms for the newly elected council members will run for two years beginning Friday.
Freelance members work in screen, television and new media; and Staff members work in television, radio, and digital news shops.
Winship was elected president of the WGA East’s governing council in 2007, less than two months before a 100-day strike that began on Nov. 5, 2007. After serving five consecutive terms — making him the second-longest tenured president in...
Others elected as freelance members on the council included newcomers Monica Lee Bellais and Kaitlin Fontana along with incumbents Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, A.M. Homes, Christopher Kyle, and Kyle Bradstreet. Incumbents Gail Lee and Kathy McGee were elected to the staff seats along with newcomer Kelly Stout.
The guild, which represents about 5,000 members, announced the winners Thursday. The terms for the newly elected council members will run for two years beginning Friday.
Freelance members work in screen, television and new media; and Staff members work in television, radio, and digital news shops.
Winship was elected president of the WGA East’s governing council in 2007, less than two months before a 100-day strike that began on Nov. 5, 2007. After serving five consecutive terms — making him the second-longest tenured president in...
- 9/20/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Former WGA East president Michael Winship, who guided the guild through the tumultuous 2007-08 writers strike, has been elected to its Council, along with nine others. Winship served as president for five consecutive two-year terms – starting just before the strike and ending in September 2017.
Winship, a veteran news and documentary writer, was one of 11 candidates vying for seven freelance seats on the Council. The other freelancers elected are Monica Lee Bellais and Kaitlin Fontana, along with incumbents Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, A.M. Homes, Christopher Kyle and Kyle Bradstreet.
Elected as staff members are incumbents Gail Lee and Kathy McGee, and Kelly Stout. The guild did not release the vote totals.
The Council elections are divided into two categories: freelance and staff. Freelance members work in film, television and new media, while staff members work in TV, radio and digital news shops. Those elected will serve two-year terms.
Winship, a veteran news and documentary writer, was one of 11 candidates vying for seven freelance seats on the Council. The other freelancers elected are Monica Lee Bellais and Kaitlin Fontana, along with incumbents Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, A.M. Homes, Christopher Kyle and Kyle Bradstreet.
Elected as staff members are incumbents Gail Lee and Kathy McGee, and Kelly Stout. The guild did not release the vote totals.
The Council elections are divided into two categories: freelance and staff. Freelance members work in film, television and new media, while staff members work in TV, radio and digital news shops. Those elected will serve two-year terms.
- 9/20/2018
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
WGA East announced the results of its 2018 council election on Thursday, with former president Michael Winship earning a freelance seat.
Joining Winship in the freelance seats are incumbents Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, A.M. Homes, Christopher Kyle, and Kyle Bradstreet; as well as newcomers Monica Lee Bellais and Kaitlin Fontana. Gail Lee and Kathy McGee were re-elected to their staff seats, and will be joined by Kelly Stout.
Also Read: Nearly Two-Thirds of Female Writers Have Been Sexually Harassed, Wgaw Survey Finds
Freelance members work in screen, television and new media, and Staff members work in television, radio and digital news shops under the Guild’s jurisdiction. The new council’s tenure will begin on Friday and continue for two years.
Winship, a longtime writer for Bill Moyers, was president of WGA East from 2007-2017, being elected just two months before the guild initiated a writers’ strike that lasted 100 days. He chose...
Joining Winship in the freelance seats are incumbents Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, A.M. Homes, Christopher Kyle, and Kyle Bradstreet; as well as newcomers Monica Lee Bellais and Kaitlin Fontana. Gail Lee and Kathy McGee were re-elected to their staff seats, and will be joined by Kelly Stout.
Also Read: Nearly Two-Thirds of Female Writers Have Been Sexually Harassed, Wgaw Survey Finds
Freelance members work in screen, television and new media, and Staff members work in television, radio and digital news shops under the Guild’s jurisdiction. The new council’s tenure will begin on Friday and continue for two years.
Winship, a longtime writer for Bill Moyers, was president of WGA East from 2007-2017, being elected just two months before the guild initiated a writers’ strike that lasted 100 days. He chose...
- 9/20/2018
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
“Hammerhead,” the story of a cunning young man trying to make his way in New York City, took top awards at the New York Television Festival.
The festival, which concludes today, features a competition for independently produced pilots, a script contest and a competition to land development deals with major cable networks and production banners. “Hammerhead,” created by New York-based filmmaker Dean Imperial, won the best of the fest award as well as the critics kudo. This year’s gathering featured screenings of 59 pilots.
“Independent television hasn’t only arrived – it is stronger than ever,” said Nytvf founder and executive director Terence Gray. “Each year, I am floored by how much the quality of the work submitted by the independent television community continues to improve — having received more than 3,300 submissions for the third year in a row. I’m honored that our partners have embraced the Festival as a go-to...
The festival, which concludes today, features a competition for independently produced pilots, a script contest and a competition to land development deals with major cable networks and production banners. “Hammerhead,” created by New York-based filmmaker Dean Imperial, won the best of the fest award as well as the critics kudo. This year’s gathering featured screenings of 59 pilots.
“Independent television hasn’t only arrived – it is stronger than ever,” said Nytvf founder and executive director Terence Gray. “Each year, I am floored by how much the quality of the work submitted by the independent television community continues to improve — having received more than 3,300 submissions for the third year in a row. I’m honored that our partners have embraced the Festival as a go-to...
- 7/20/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Former WGA East president Michael Winship, who led the guild during the tumultuous 2007-08 writers strike, is making a return to guild politics. The veteran news and documentary writer is tossing his hat into the ring as one of 11 candidates vying for seven freelance seats on the guild’s council.
Winship served as president for five consecutive two-year terms – starting just before the strike and ending in September.
Council elections are divided into two categories: freelance and staff. Freelance members work in film, television and new media, while staff members work in TV, radio and digital news shops.
Freelance incumbents seeking re-election to the council include Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, A.M. Homes, Chris Kyle and Kyle Bradstreet. The other freelance candidates are Monica Lee Bellais, Larry J. Cohen, Michael Rauch, Kaitlin Fontana, Andy Rheingold and David Angelo.
In the staff races, five candidates are competing for three open seats, including incumbents Gail Lee,...
Winship served as president for five consecutive two-year terms – starting just before the strike and ending in September.
Council elections are divided into two categories: freelance and staff. Freelance members work in film, television and new media, while staff members work in TV, radio and digital news shops.
Freelance incumbents seeking re-election to the council include Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, A.M. Homes, Chris Kyle and Kyle Bradstreet. The other freelance candidates are Monica Lee Bellais, Larry J. Cohen, Michael Rauch, Kaitlin Fontana, Andy Rheingold and David Angelo.
In the staff races, five candidates are competing for three open seats, including incumbents Gail Lee,...
- 6/27/2018
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Writers Guild of America East President Michael Winship is one of the 16 candidates for a WGA East Council seat.
The guild, which represents about 5,000 members, announced the candidates Wednesday with 11 seeking seven open freelance seats and five candidates seeking three open staff seats. The terms for newly elected Council members will run for two years beginning Sept. 21, the day after the election. Voting online and by mail will begin on Aug. 23.
In addition to Winship, four incumbents are seeking freelance seats — Kyle Bradstreet, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, A.M. Homes and Chris Kyle. The other six candidates are David Angelo, Monica Lee Bellais, Larry J. Cohen, Kaitlin Fontana, Michael Rauch, and Andy Rheingold.
Three incumbents are seeking re-election to staff seats — Gail Lee, Kathy McGee and Matt Nelko. Kelly Stout and Jeff Young are also running.
Freelance members work in screen, television and new media; and Staff members work in television,...
The guild, which represents about 5,000 members, announced the candidates Wednesday with 11 seeking seven open freelance seats and five candidates seeking three open staff seats. The terms for newly elected Council members will run for two years beginning Sept. 21, the day after the election. Voting online and by mail will begin on Aug. 23.
In addition to Winship, four incumbents are seeking freelance seats — Kyle Bradstreet, Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, A.M. Homes and Chris Kyle. The other six candidates are David Angelo, Monica Lee Bellais, Larry J. Cohen, Kaitlin Fontana, Michael Rauch, and Andy Rheingold.
Three incumbents are seeking re-election to staff seats — Gail Lee, Kathy McGee and Matt Nelko. Kelly Stout and Jeff Young are also running.
Freelance members work in screen, television and new media; and Staff members work in television,...
- 6/27/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
HBOAccess has announced the top 20 semi-finalists for their 2018 Directing Fellowship. The program supports directors who are interested in a career in television by giving them the opportunity to shoot a pilot presentation which will air on HBO, HBO Go, and HBO Now.
HBO received over 1,000 submissions when it opened its application portal in February. “There are so many talented new directors doing great work. Getting this list down to only three fellows will be difficult,” remarked President of HBO Films Len Amato, “but we gladly accept that challenge and are excited to support and give a platform to new voices and artists with vision.”
The 2018 HBOAccess semi-finalists are:
Alicia J. Rose
Carey Williams
Damon Russell
Dinh Thai
Dubois Ashong
Erika Bagnarello
Huay-Bing Law
Jacqueline Dow
Kaitlin Fontana
Mary Gulino
Maureen Bharoocha
Michael Olmos
Mylissa Fitzsimmons
Olivia Clare Newman
Ryan Richmond
Ryan Zaragoza
Tanuj Chopra
Tarik Jackson
Thembi Banks
Zao Wang...
HBO received over 1,000 submissions when it opened its application portal in February. “There are so many talented new directors doing great work. Getting this list down to only three fellows will be difficult,” remarked President of HBO Films Len Amato, “but we gladly accept that challenge and are excited to support and give a platform to new voices and artists with vision.”
The 2018 HBOAccess semi-finalists are:
Alicia J. Rose
Carey Williams
Damon Russell
Dinh Thai
Dubois Ashong
Erika Bagnarello
Huay-Bing Law
Jacqueline Dow
Kaitlin Fontana
Mary Gulino
Maureen Bharoocha
Michael Olmos
Mylissa Fitzsimmons
Olivia Clare Newman
Ryan Richmond
Ryan Zaragoza
Tanuj Chopra
Tarik Jackson
Thembi Banks
Zao Wang...
- 4/11/2018
- by Sean McAloon
- Age of the Nerd
In today’s roundup, Lifetime released the trailer for new thriller series “You,” and the CW announced the return dates for several summer shows.
Frist Looks
Lifetime released the first official trailer of thriller series “You” based on the best-selling book of the same name by Caroline Kepnes. From executive producers Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble, the show follows a twisted, obsessive love story about a man who uses the hyper-connectivity of today’s world to make a woman fall for him. “You” stars Penn Badgley, Elizabeth Lail, Shay Mitchell, Luca Padovan, and Zach Cherry, with a special guest appearance by John Stamos. It premieres September 9 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt. Watch the trailer below.
Casting
Undefeated boxing champion Andre “Son of God” Ward will host Mark Burnett’s boxing competition series “The Contender.” Freddie Roach and Naazim Richardson have also joined the series as trainers. The 12-episode season will...
Frist Looks
Lifetime released the first official trailer of thriller series “You” based on the best-selling book of the same name by Caroline Kepnes. From executive producers Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble, the show follows a twisted, obsessive love story about a man who uses the hyper-connectivity of today’s world to make a woman fall for him. “You” stars Penn Badgley, Elizabeth Lail, Shay Mitchell, Luca Padovan, and Zach Cherry, with a special guest appearance by John Stamos. It premieres September 9 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt. Watch the trailer below.
Casting
Undefeated boxing champion Andre “Son of God” Ward will host Mark Burnett’s boxing competition series “The Contender.” Freddie Roach and Naazim Richardson have also joined the series as trainers. The 12-episode season will...
- 4/10/2018
- by Ariana Brockington
- Variety Film + TV
Don’t let the title fool you: The Sundance Film Festival has been featuring television programs for years, be it the slew of documentaries that end up on HBO, Showtime, and Netflix or pilots that earn a special showcase like “Animals.” did in 2015.
But 2018 is special. This year, Sundance is dedicating an entire section to episodic programming, including short-form series, docu-series, traditional pilots, and more experimental premieres. It’s all coming together under the Indie Episodic banner, and it’s all designed with one clear mission:
“There is no clear path to series if you’re trying to do it independently — if you’re going to try and shoot your own pilot, and then try and get picked up,” Sundance programmer Charlie Sextro told IndieWire. “There’s a clear way [in] making an independent film: It gets picked up at Sundance, and then it gets out to the world. It’s...
But 2018 is special. This year, Sundance is dedicating an entire section to episodic programming, including short-form series, docu-series, traditional pilots, and more experimental premieres. It’s all coming together under the Indie Episodic banner, and it’s all designed with one clear mission:
“There is no clear path to series if you’re trying to do it independently — if you’re going to try and shoot your own pilot, and then try and get picked up,” Sundance programmer Charlie Sextro told IndieWire. “There’s a clear way [in] making an independent film: It gets picked up at Sundance, and then it gets out to the world. It’s...
- 1/18/2018
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
At the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, TV is invading the schedule in a whole new way. The Park City film fest has previously dabbled in what’s possible on the small screen, but this year marks the launch of the Indie Episodics section — which will spotlight TV pilots that mostly lack mainstream distribution.
The selections include “America to Me,” a new docu-series by “Hoop Dreams” director Steve James; as well as “The Mortified Guide,” a screen adaptation of the popular stage show “Mortified,” spotlighting the most embarrassing true stories of adolescence. There’s also “This Close,” showcasing star/creators Josh Feldman and Shoshannah Stern (both of whom are deaf), and “Franchesca,” featuring digital star and “The Nightly Show” writer/contributor Franchesca Ramsey.
This marks a major change for Sundance, and a renewed commitment to independent television. While Sundance has featured TV programming since the premiere of “Top of the Lake” in...
The selections include “America to Me,” a new docu-series by “Hoop Dreams” director Steve James; as well as “The Mortified Guide,” a screen adaptation of the popular stage show “Mortified,” spotlighting the most embarrassing true stories of adolescence. There’s also “This Close,” showcasing star/creators Josh Feldman and Shoshannah Stern (both of whom are deaf), and “Franchesca,” featuring digital star and “The Nightly Show” writer/contributor Franchesca Ramsey.
This marks a major change for Sundance, and a renewed commitment to independent television. While Sundance has featured TV programming since the premiere of “Top of the Lake” in...
- 12/4/2017
- by Liz Shannon Miller
- Indiewire
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