THE FUTURE SCREENWRITER'S RESOURCE GUIDE
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WRITERS GUILDS OF AMERICA
The Writers Guild of America East and Writers Guild of America West (WGAE and WGAW) are separate but collaborative labor unions comprised of scriptwriters and are the most important groups for an American screenwriter to consider. These organizations provide vital legal protections to members, as well as services to help emerging writers become successful.
Legal Services
Script Registration
Like a copyright, this service allows writers to submit scripts to the guild for creative protection. As a writer, you want full legal ownership of your intellectual property so that your screenplays can’t be adapted without your permission (and without you receiving any compensation).
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Contract Negotiation
The guilds negotiate and actively enforce contracts with companies that employ members, making sure these organizations follow through with their promises. They also negotiate a Minimum Basic Agreement, which includes multiple criteria, for freelance writers who are not tied to a company.
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Writing Credits
These guilds determine the writing credits for films, ensuring that members receive recognition for their adapted works.
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Distributing Residuals
Residuals, which are payments for the reuse of media, are given to writers through the guilds. This practice guarantees that writers receive proper compensation.
Essentially, if a writer is under the protection of one of these groups, studios that choose to adapt their scripts need to meet WGAW or WGAE compliances. These agreements keep writers from being taken advantage of, both financially and intellectually.
Services for Emerging Screenwriters
Access to Agents
While the guilds won’t assist you in finding agents, they do offer lists of agents who’ve signed with the group and are interested in what the member’s write. You would have the ability to submit queries to agents, and if they’re interested, send them your scripts.
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Special Events
The guild hosts seminars, panel discussions, movie screenings, and meet-and-greets to help writers develop their skills as well as meet industry members.
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Enforcement of Diversity
The Diversity Department of WGAW takes steps to encourage success of women, minority, and LGBT writers in Hollywood. This department does this by working with multiple studios to promote fair hiring practices, as well as organizing events (such as panel discussions and networking opportunities) with minority WGAW committees.
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Libraries
The guilds also offer libraries containing massive collections of influential and well-renowned scripts for writers to access.