Candidate for Council, Film/TV/Streaming Sector
Hi. I’m Andy Rheingold and I’m running for a Film/TV/Streaming council seat.
One of the things I love about the WGAE is how, under one giant roof, all kinds of writers are represented from television, feature film, soap opera, late night comedy to digital media, podcast, documentary and news. Though we all write for a living, in the professional and business arena we are not always the same. I feel I am well positioned to serve on the WGAE council because I have seen and experienced a uniquely wide range of our business. I’ve written television films, feature films (for majors and independents), sketch comedy, animation, episodic and serialized shows for broadcast/cable/streamers, international co-production series, commercials, videogames, talk shows, short web series, and even macro story arcs for wrestling (yes, it’s written). I’ve developed shows that hit the zeitgeist (SpongeBob SquarePants) and penned pilots no one has ever seen. I’ve signed overall deals, been on staff, sold freelance scripts, produced and run shows. As an active member of the WGAE for over two decades, I’ve served as a co-chair of the Animation Writers Caucus, walked the lines for two strikes and organized pickets, had a hand in negotiations with signatories, and judged scripts for the WGA Diversity Fellowship. I’m also a member of ASCAP, the Writer’s Guild of Canada, and the Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques.
Working in the global film and TV market has opened up my eyes. Our industry is not just 500 TV shows, but in reality, that number is closer to 10,000 if you include productions around the world. The WGA needs a big seat at the table which will mean working closer with our global brother and sister unions, especially with an upcoming MBA negotiation on the horizon. And even more importantly, we will need to forge solidarity with writers around the world to form an industry consensus around AI. As a writer for animation, I have seen up close how AI can devastate an industry without common sense guardrails about its use and misuse.
Equally important during this historic industry contraction, I feel it is imperative our guild continues the fight against free work, especially bake-offs, if-come deals, info mining open writing assignments, and “producer’s drafts.” This pervasive issue can be attacked in many ways, including more comprehensive protections in our next contract, coupled with an expansive outreach to both writers, producers, agents, and managers.
As the healthcare industry fractures under the current administration in the White House, now more than ever WGA needs to step in and bring in as many writers it can under its umbrella to make sure we all have healthcare. But equally important, we must also plan for the future and ensure the health fund is securely funded.
When it comes to expanding our membership, the WGAE has taken the lead in organizing New Media, podcasts, and news and entertainment websites. But we are only getting started, we need to keep pushing forward to bring in as many writers as we can into the fold and organize where the industry is going – YouTube, short form digital, and influencer content.
As co-chair of the Animation Writers Caucus I have been on the front lines of the successful Sesame Street and PBS campaigns helping animation writers get the union representation they deserve. After years of working behind the scenes on animation organization efforts, it’s incredible to see the groundbreaking work we have achieved for animation writers, and it’s important to me personally to continue this success. As a council member I will bring the same positive energy, momentum, and experience gained in these organizing successes to all sectors of the guild.
In Solidarity,
Andy Rheingold
Endorsements
Carin Greenberg, Amy Jackson, Robert Mittenthal, Allan Neuwirth, Steven Rivo, William Scheft Jr.
Endorse Andy Rheingold for Council, Film/TV/Streaming Sector
Note: WGAW members who wish to endorse a candidate may follow the process outlined in section G.1.B of the 2025 Election Policy.
