The Writers Guild of America mentioned on Monday that up to now, “over 7,000” guild members have signed the letters terminating their brokers; WGA mentioned additionally that it has despatched the primary batch of these letters to varied businesses.
“We’ve done what was necessary,” the guild’s negotiating committee wrote in a memo to members. “We look forward to the day when we are all represented by agencies who have agreed to align their interests with ours; in the meantime, writers will continue working, continue supporting each other, and continue to prove that we can and will make the necessary change happen.”
WGA says that at present, 8.800 guild members have brokers.
Last month, greater than 800 outstanding WGA members signed a Statement of Support urging members to vote sure on a Code of Conduct that might “confront practices that constitute a conflict of interest: agency packaging fees and agencies functioning as producers.” Among the signees had been Tina Fey, Adam McKay, Damon Lindelof and Beau Willimon.
Also Read: WGA’s Fight With Hollywood Agencies Rages On: Here’s Everything You Need to Know
The guild mentioned in its memo on Monday that 99% of the members who signed that Statement of Support have fired their brokers.
The WGA mentioned it plans to achieve out to writers who haven’t but despatched their letters.
“Most of the writers who haven’t yet signed termination letters are retirees or no longer actively working,” the guild mentioned in its memo. “Guild staff will reach out to that group while as writers we will move forward and focus on achieving our goal, which remains the same: to realign agencies’ interests with the interests of writers.”
Last week the guild filed a lawsuit in opposition to the 4 largest businesses in Hollywood: WME, CAA, UTA, and ICM Partners. The lawsuit claims that packaging charges — charges paid to an company for bundling expertise for a movie or TV mission introduced to a studio — violate California fiduciary regulation by “severing the relationship between writers’ compensation and what the agency receives in fees.”
Also Read: Talent Agents Respond to WGA Lawsuit: ‘Predetermined Path to Chaos’
The WGA and the Association of Talent Agents have been at an deadlock for months over a 43-year-old settlement dictating how writers and their brokers do enterprise — packaging charges are on the crux of the dispute.
When the 2 sides failed to achieve a brand new settlement when the deadline expired earlier this month, the guild carried out its new code of conduct for Hollywood businesses demanding an finish to packaging charges. Since all the main businesses refused, writers repped by these businesses had been requested to face with the WGA and hearth any agent who didn’t conform to the guild’s new code.
Read the total letter to members beneath:
Dear Members,
As of April 12, the WGA’s data confirmed 8,800 present members with an agent. Today the Guild delivered a primary batch of over 7,000 termination letters from WGA members to the non-franchised businesses.
99% of the members who signed the Statement of Support have fulfilled their pledge by terminating their non-franchised businesses.
These are astounding, highly effective numbers.
Thank you. We’ve achieved what was obligatory. Most of the writers who haven’t but signed termination letters are retirees or not actively working. Guild workers will attain out to that group whereas as writers we’ll transfer ahead and concentrate on reaching our purpose, which stays the identical: to realign businesses’ pursuits with the pursuits of writers.
The major supply of strain on businesses to signal the Code of Conduct is their lack of author purchasers. Therefore, adherence to Working Rule 23 stays the principle duty of all Guild members. Please assessment the FAQ to make certain you’re in full compliance.
Also vitally essential is assist for members who’re with out brokers and in search of work. Your response to the decision for solidarity and mutual help is inspiring: …
