WGA Notice of Screen Credits Referendum

Notice of Proposed Amendments to Screen Credits Manual

To Our Fellow Members:

One of the Guilds’ core functions is to determine writing credits on Guild-covered projects. To carry out that function, the WGA East and West have long maintained written rules governing the determination of writing credits. These rules are contained in the Screen and Television Credits Manuals.

Because the industry in which we work is constantly evolving, the credits rules must periodically be updated. The way this happens is through amendments to the Credits Manuals. All such amendments must first be approved by the WGAW Board of Directors and WGAE Council, and then by a majority vote of the combined memberships of the two Guilds.

The WGAW Board and WGAE Council have appointed Credits Review Committees for screen and television. These standing committees are charged with reviewing existing credits rules and making recommendations for changes. The package of revisions we are now bringing to the membership for approval is the work of the Screen Credits Review Committee, which has committed significant time and effort to draft a set of amendments intended to simplify and modernize the Screen Credits Manual.

The purpose of this email is to announce a referendum vote on proposed changes to the Screen Credits Manual and to give members information about the amendments and the referendum process. The referendum will be conducted by online voting in October. By clicking on this link, you will find the following:

• A statement by the Screen Credits Review Committee describing the proposed amendments.
• A summary of the proposed amendments.
• The redline and clean text of the proposed amendments.
• A notice of informational meetings in Los Angeles and New York regarding the amendments.
• An invitation to submit pro or con statements to be posted on the Guilds’ websites.

The Board and Council voted unanimously to approve these amendments, and we personally give them our full support. Just as important, we urge all members to review these materials and to participate in the referendum process.

Best,