The WGA has laid out its plan of motion within the occasion an settlement isn’t reached with the Association of Talent Agents by April 6. “We have a plan,” the guild mentioned in a communiqué to its members as bargaining for a brand new franchise settlement resumes at this time. “We know we cannot replace agents. There will be difficult moments. But our goal is to get through staffing season and whatever period of time it takes to make a fair deal with the agencies.”
The guild added: “Our industry will not grind to a halt. Studios and producers will still need writers. Writers on staff and working on projects will still go to work. Feature scripts will still get sold, and TV shows will still get staffed. Our ideas and our words will still have enormous value, and the work we all love to do will continue.”
“While we continue to work toward a negotiated agreement with the ATA prior to the expiration date of the agency agreement we must simultaneously continue with contingency planning,” the WGA mentioned, as guild members will start voting Wednesday on a brand new Agency Code of Conduct that can ban packaging charges and sever company ties to affiliated manufacturing firms.
Here’s the guild’s plan if an settlement isn’t reached and writers are ordered to fireside all brokers who don’t signal the brand new Code.
“If your company doesn’t signal the Code of Conduct and is not capable of characterize members, you’ll not should sever the connection alone. As writers we are able to do it collectively. If you’d like to hunt new illustration, the guild will probably be holding an up-to-date record of all franchised brokers.
“Fundamentally, brokers present three issues: entry, negotiation, and advocacy. The guild is launching two on-line instruments to supply entry, each for writers on the lookout for work, and for producers and executives on the lookout for writers. For negotiation help, members who don’t produce other illustration and must make an over-scale deal might want to discover an lawyer and may contact the guild for help.
“The guild is supporting the efforts of members who’re stepping as much as advocate for one another. Many writers, together with showrunners, have supplied to supply references for writers they’ve labored with up to now, and writers are organized via the guild’s captains and committee constructions. In addition, writers are increasing current casual networks to help one another on this time. In success, these instruments and networks will proceed to help your entire membership lengthy after the company wrestle is resolved.”
Here are the solutions to questions that the guild says its members are asking:
How do I depart my brokers? Do I’ve to name them up and personally hearth them?
“No, you don’t need to communicate with your agency directly, unless you want to. This is a collective action by guild members. All you have to do is electronically sign a form terminating your representation agreement. The guild will deliver the terminations to the agency in a group. The guild has prepared a standard termination form which will be available on the website and activated if and when necessary and you will be able to eSign it.”
My company processes my funds. How am I going to receives a commission?
“If your agency receives and processes your checks, it is legally required to keep sending you your money. If you’d prefer to revoke that consent, contact the (guild’s) Agency Department.”
Am I prohibited from contact with my agent as soon as they’re not franchised by the WGA?
“You would be prohibited from being represented by your agent for writing going forward. i.e., future projects. You can continue to talk about past projects, and can continue to talk with them about signing the Code of Conduct.”
What…
