As mentioned in Chapter 16, the Writers’ Guild of America is the scriptwriters’ union, the organization that helps them establish working conditions and pay scales. The Guild’s standards for admission are set forth in the information sheet reproduced here, along with a breakdown on the way credit for scripting employment is determined.
SCHEDULE OF UNITS OF CREDIT
Writers Guild of America Constitution and By-Laws Article IV, Section 3, as amended 7/28–83
ONE UNIT
A series for which writer received “Created by” credit, or
Comedy-Variety Program: one unit per week of employment or one unit per show, whichever is more.
TWO UNITS
Story for theatrical motion picture short subject, or
Story for TV or radio program one-half hour or less.
THREE UNITS
Screenplay for theatrical motion picture short subject, or
Teleplay or radio play for program one-half hour or less, or
Television format or presentation for a new series.
FOUR UNITS
Story for one-hour TV or radio program.
*Courtesy of Writers Guild of America, west, Inc.
INFORMATION SHEET FOR ADMISSION TO THE WGA
The WGA represents writers primarily for the purpose of collective bargaining in its jurisdiction of screen, television and radio.
Membership entrance requirements are two (2) or more employments for writing services or sales of literary material or term or week-to-week employment; or a single employment for a theatrical screenplay, or two-hour teleplay, or two-hour radio play, or ninety (90) minute story and teleplay or ninety (90) minute story and radio play in the Guild’s jurisdiction for an aggregate of twelve (12) Units of Credit as established by the WGA Constitution and Bylaws as amended July 28, 1983. A copy of the Units of Credit Schedule is on the reverse side of this information sheet. All employment or sales must have been during the two (2) years preceding application for membership and must be with a company or other entity that is signatory to the applicable WGA collective bargaining agreement. Options do not qualify as either employment or sales.
The initiation fee of $1,500.00 is payable only by Cashier’s Check or by Money Order. All membership applications are to be supported by a copy of executed employment or sales contracts or other acceptable evidence of employment or sales.
We do not obtain employment or sales for writers nor do we refer or recommend members for writing assignments. We do not accept, evaluate or handle material for submission. Literary material should be submitted to a production company or through a literary agent.
Enclosed is a current list of our franchised agencies representing writers in fields under the Guild’s jurisdiction. We regret that we cannot assist in finding, selecting or recommending an agent. We are also enclosing information on the Writers Guild Registration Service.
The Television Market List, featuring contact and submission information on current weekly prime-time television programs, is published monthly (except July and August) in the WGA Newsletter and is available to non-members at $2.50 (Two Dollars Fifty Cents) per issue or $20.00 (Twenty Dollars) for a yearly subscription. Please send your request with a check or money order to the WGA Newsletter, 8955 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, 90048.
We do not offer writing instruction or advice. For this information we suggest that you communicate with film schools, the state colleges, universities or with your local Board of Education. Guild policy prevents us from disclosing the address or phone number of any Guild member. First Class correspondence may be addressed to a member in care of the Guild and will be promptly forwarded to members without a referral address such as an agent. Please contact the membership Department for further information.
FIVE UNITS
Story and teleplay or story and radio play one-half hour or less.
SIX UNITS
Story for 90-minute teleplay or radio play, or
One-hour teleplay or radio play, or
Comedy-variety special regardless of length.
EIGHT UNITS
Story for theatrical motion picture, or
Story for two-hour TV or radio program.
NINE UNITS
90-minute teleplay or radio play.
TEN UNITS
One-hour story and teleplay or story and radio play.
TWELVE UNITS
The following shall constitute two employments or sales and 12 units:
Screenplay for theatrical motion picture, or
Two-hour teleplay or two-hour radio play, or
90-minute story and teleplay or story and radio play.
Please note:
A rewrite is entitled to one-half the number of units allotted to its particular category.
A polish is entitled to one-quarter the number of units allotted to its particular category.
Where writers collaborate on the same project each shall be accorded the appropriate number of units for its category.
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Since the Guild’s pay scale changes with each new contract, the prices for theatrical/television scriptwriting given on page 401 are not necessarily those that will be in effect when this book appears. However, they’ll give you an idea of the base rates prevailing from 1985 to 1988. It should be understood, of course, that these are base rates only. They set the minimum a writer may receive for a given type of script. In many cases the price negotiated for the individual writer by his agent will be markedly higher. Various modifications, too complex for discussion here, may also influence price in individual instances.
WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA, WEST, INC. |
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PURPOSE |
The Guild’s Registration Service has been set up to assist members and non-members in establishing the completion date and the identity of their literary property written for the fields of theatrical motion pictures, television and radio. |
THE GUILD DOES NOT ACCEPT BOOK MANUSCRIPTS, STAGE PLAYS, MUSIC, LYRICS, PHOTOS, DRAWINGS OR ARTICLES OF PUBLIC RECORD FOR FILING. |
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VALUE |
Registration does not confer any statutory protection, it merely provides evidence of the writer’s claim to authorship of the literary material involved and of the date of its completion. A writer has certain rights under the law the moment the work is completed. It is therefore important that the date of completion be legally established. The Registration Office does not make comparisons of registration deposits to determine similarity between works, nor does it give legal opinions or advice. |
COVERAGE |
Since the value of registration is merely to supply evidence, it cannot protect what the law does not protect. Registration with the Guild does not protect titles (neither does registration with the United States Copyright Office). |
PROCEDURE FOR DEPOSIT |
One (1) 8½ × 11 unbound (no brads, staples, etc.) copy is required for deposit in the Guild files. |
When it is received the property is sealed in a Guild Registration Envelope, timed and dated. A receipt is returned. Notice of registration shall consist of the following wording: REGISTERED WGAw NO and be applied upon the title page or the page immediately following. Scripts specifically intended for radio, television and theatrical motion pictures are registrable as are television series formats, step outlines and storylines. The specific field of writing and the proper writing credits should be noted on the title page. Each property must be registered separately (exception: three (3) episodes, skits or sketches for an existing series may be deposited as a single registration). Be sure that the name under which you register is your full legal name. The use of pseudonyms, pen names, initials or familiar forms of a proper name may require proof of identity if you want to recover the material left on deposit. |
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$5.00 for members of WGAw and WGAe $10.00 for non-members |
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THE FEE MUST ACCOMPANY THE MATERIAL THAT IS TO BE REGISTERED. |
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COPYRIGHT |
The Guild does not have a copyright service. For forms and instructions call: 202/287–9100. |
DURATION |
Material deposited for registration after September 1, 1982 is valid for a term of five (5) years; material deposited for registration prior to September 1,1982 is valid for a term of ten (10) years. You may renew the registration for an additional ten (10) year or five (5) year term, whichever is applicable, at the then current registration fee. You authorize the Guild to destroy the material without notice to you on the expiration of the term of registration if renewal is not made. The fee should accompany the request for renewal. |
PROCEDURE FOR WITHDRAWAL |
The registration copy left on deposit cannot be returned to the writer without defeating the purpose of registration, the point being that evidence should be available, if necessary, that the material has been in the Guild’s charge since the date of deposit. |
However, if the writer finds it necessary to have the copy returned, at least forty-eight (48) hours notice of intended withdrawal must be given to the Guild. A manuscript will be given up only on the signature(s) of the writer(s). If the registration is in the names of more than one person, the written consent of all is required to authorize withdrawal. In case a registrant is deceased, proof of death and the consent of his representative or heirs must be presented. In no event, except under these provisions, shall any of the ma terial be allowed to be taken from the Guild office unless a court order has been acquired. |
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If any person other than the writer named in the registration shall request confirmation of registration, the registration number and/or date of deposit, to see either the material deposited, the registration envelope or any other material, such request shall be denied unless authorization from the writer(s) or a court order is presented in connection therewith. |
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8955 BEVERLY BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES, CA 90048 (corner of Almont Drive, one block east of Doheny Drive) |
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HOURS |
10 A.M.–12 NOON |
MONDAY thru FRIDAY |