Thinking Creatively About the Future of Screenwriting, by Lowell Peterson
Hollywood is awash in blockbusters, huge-budget movies that bring in hundreds of millions of dollars from box offices around the globe. Film production in New York is at record levels, and studios will be rolling out dozens of big sequels, sci-fi adventures, comedies and star vehicles this year. But screenwriters are finding it more difficult than ever to make a living in this business. How could this be?
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Top 10 Reasons to Become a Screenwriter, by Catie Lazarus
1. All it requires is a laptop, New Balance sneakers and delusion.
2. If you've seen a Lifetime movie, you must have thought, "I can do that! I could write that poorly."
3. Even though you work in Hollywood, no one will ask if you've had work done.
The Origin of Writers, by Catie Lazarus
The French philosopher René Descartes is credited for whittling down what it means to be human to its barest essential—the ability to think. Word on the path was that Descartes felt more proud of discovering how much better potatoes taste fried than boiled. But centuries later the frog remains best known for penning the definitive catch phrase, “I think, therefore I am.”
WORKING TITLE by Catie Lazarus
When I pitch studio execs whose egos are inverse proportion to what they contribute to society, I try not to imagine them naked. (It would be more upsetting if I found myself attracted to them.) That said, I do wonder what it’s like to have everyone and your mother incessantly pitch you. What is the most absurd pitch? I imagine it goes something like this, and it's probably already been being made...
Featured
Are You a Victim of Wage Theft?
When an employer refuses to pay you all of the money you are legally owed under US Labor Law, that employer is stealing your wages.
Common forms of wage theft in non-fiction TV are
*non-payment of overtime,
*not paying for all the hours worked,
*and misclassifying of employees.
While wage theft occurs in every income-tax bracket, and in many industries, it is the norm in non-fiction TV production.
Take action here!
2012 WGA Awards: "Writers Celebrating Writers"
Kristen Wiig will present the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence to Judd Apatow at the Writers Guild of America Awards Ceremony in New York City. Daytime television veteran Claire Labine will also be honored when she receives the Ian McLellan Hunter Award at the ceremony, which takes place at B.B. King Blues Club on Sunday, February 19, 2012. "Boardwalk Empire" creator, executive producer and writer Terence Winter joins writers Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini and CBS “Sunday Morning” contributor, writer and co-host Nancy Giles to present at the ceremony.
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Get On Up to the 64th Annual Writers Guild Awards: Feb. 19
WGAE Digital Media Training: Online Videos Now Available
Questions about transmedia production? Digital journalism? Or web television? Making the transition from traditional media to digital? WGAE's DIGITAL MEDIA TRAINING SERIES provides information and advice from industry experts. Watch the videos here...
News
64th Annual Writers Guild Awards
Get on up and get your tickets (ONLY $75 FOR MEMBERS!) to the 64th Annual Writers Guild Awards, hosted by Rachel Dratch along with presenters Jonathan Ames, Jon Benjamin, Shari Springer Berman, Jimmy Fallon, Geoffrey Fletcher, Nancy Giles, Steve Kroft, Seth Meyers, Kate Mulgrew, Robert Pulcini, James Schamus, Kristen Wiig and Terence Winter.
Special Honorees: Judd Apatow, Claire Labine and Susan Kim. Our producers created this video to put you in the mood. Enjoy!
Volunteers for the WGA Awards
Volunteers are needed for set up, check in, ushering, and other easy, fun tasks at the WGA Awards at B.B. King Blues Club on Sunday, February 19. If interested, please email Dana Weissman.
2012 WRITERS GUILD AWARDS: Television, News, Radio, Promotional Writing, And Graphic Animation Nominees Announced
Los Angeles and New York – The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in television, news, radio, promotional writing, and graphic animation during the 2011 season. The winners will be honored at the 2012 Writers Guild Awards on Sunday, February 19, 2012, at simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York.
2012 WRITERS GUILD AWARDS: New Media and Videogame Nominees Announced
Los Angeles and New York – The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for new media and videogames during 2011. Winners will be honored at the 2012 Writers Guild Awards on Sunday, February 19, 2012, during simultaneous ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York. Click here for nominees and more information.
Rachel Dratch to Host WGA Awards East Coast Ceremony
Jonathan Ames, Jimmy Fallon, Geoffrey Fletcher, Steve Kroft, Seth Meyers, Kate Mulgrew, James Schamus and Jon Benjamin join the East Coast ceremony as award presenters. The awards will be held on Sun., Feb. 19, 2012 at B.B. King Blues Club in New York City.
