The Writers Guild of America on Monday launched a brand new system the place its members can submit themselves for writing jobs as TV staffing season ramps up and the guild faces off in a dispute in opposition to Hollywood brokers that would see writers go with out illustration.
“While no technological solution could fully replace the many functions of a good agent, we believe this system — which lets writers submit their work directly to showrunners who are looking for writers for TV staffs — can help provide our members with continuing access to job opportunities if we have to walk away from non-franchised agencies,” the WGA wrote in an e-mail to members on Monday.
“As helpful as we think this new system will be, we urge you to remember: staffing season is just getting started,” the e-mail continued. “Many shows are already accepting submissions, but more will be added in the coming days and weeks as pilots and returning shows get pickups and as showrunners continue to register.”
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The WGA additionally launched a video demonstrating how the system works.
The launch of the brand new script submission system comes sooner or later after WGA members voted in overwhelming affirmation for a brand new code of conduct that, amongst different issues, calls on Hollywood expertise companies to desert the observe of packaging — through which brokers demand charges for bundling expertise they characterize and bringing them to a studio for movie or TV.
The WGA has been at odds publicly with the Association of Talent Agents for months. The two sides’ present settlement is about to run out on April 6. The WGA plans to current the brand new code to companies and it might ask its members to go away those that decline to abide.
The vote units up a vital week for the writer-agency dispute that has prompted heated public accusations and dueling business research from each side however little progress towards an settlement. The WGA has known as packaging charges a “conflict of interest” that separates what brokers receives a commission for his or her work from the author’s pay, which has didn’t rise with inflation charges past high-profile writers and showrunners.
Also Read: WGA Members Overwhelmingly Vote Yes to Implement New Agency Code of Conduct
The guild desires companies to return to receiving a 10 p.c fee payment based mostly on author pay, and can be demanding that Hollywood’s two largest companies, WME and CAA, withdraw their stake in affiliated manufacturing studios, saying they too are a battle of curiosity, as brokers may find yourself making a cope with studios their employers personal.
The ATA, in the meantime, is insistent that packaging charges are essential to companies’ enterprise fashions, with the United Talent Agency releasing a report disputed by WGA that states that common author pay is increased for packaged tasks than non-packaged ones.
“We continue to work toward a negotiated agreement with the Association of Talent Agents,” the WGA wrote to members. “However, if we are unable to reach an agreement with the ATA by the April 6th expiration date, this system will be here for you when you need it.”
