Fight Back Against Free Work

Every writer in the industry knows what it’s like to be asked to work for free. There are ways to push back.

What is “Free Work”?

“Free work” is anything that a producer or studio asks you to provide without being paid. Free work can include free rewrites or “producer passes,” “pre-work,” writing beyond what you were hired for, and writing services claimed to be non-writing work. Sometimes the MBA provides an enforcement option if you’re asked to do free work (treatment, outline, format, bible); sometimes the best way to push back is for you to say no. When writers collectively say NO, the culture around free work can shift. Whatever your situation, the Guild is here to support you.

Know Your Rights

• No Writing Left Behind: when you are pitching, a producer or employer can’t ask for your written material without paying you, and they can’t record your pitch.
  • It’s not “just a pitch”: While employers and producers may use the terms “pitch,” “pitch deck,” and “outline” to argue what you are providing is not writing work, if an employer asks you for a written pitch document, it could actually be a treatment (in screen) or a story or format (in TV) which the company would then owe MBA payment for.
  • Say no to AI transcription during a pitch meeting, including on Zoom, and tell your reps to do the same on your behalf in advance of the meeting—it’s just like leaving free written material behind.
• Don’t start writing until you are commenced: your commencement payment is due within 7 days of commencement and if your payment is late, you are owed interest.
• Get your second step: If your deal for a first draft screenplay pays 200% or less of the applicable minimum (225% for deals under the 2026 MBA) you must be hired for a second step. See if your deal qualifies using this guide.
• You determine delivery: you alone have the right to say when your draft is finished and ready for delivery—not a producer, director, or studio executive.
  • Producers can’t take delivery or request rewrites: only the person named in your contract is supposed to accept delivery of your draft, and if other parties like producers, actors, or directors have notes, ask them to pool their notes to be addressed collectively as part of your next paid step.
• Steps must be paid: if your employer asks you for a rewrite or polish, they must pay you for the step.
• Late pay means interest: Under the MBA, payment is due within 7 days after commencement and delivery. On the 8th day, interest starts to accrue at 1.5% per month, or 18% per year on the compensation that’s late. You can report late pay to the Guild, which regularly demands interest to studios for late pay infractions.
• No AI without consent: your employer may not force you to use AI; you can use AI if you want to and if the company also agrees. If your employer is giving you AI-generated material (including AI-generated notes) they have to tell you.
  • Non-signatory producers aren’t usually bound by the MBA, but employers generally want them to follow the same policies around AI that apply to writers and other employees. Producers should not use AI in connection with your work unless it conforms with your employer’s AI policy—and employers generally don’t want AI introduced into writing work without their knowledge.

Know Your Resources

• Download a toolkit (PDF) with all of this page’s information and common free work scenarios here
• Download the Project Page to collect all key information about a feature or television project you are considering in one document (how many other writers are competing for the job, whether IP rights have been secured, what other talent is attached).
• Read the Producers’ Guide to Working With Writers and use it to talk with the producers on your project and to enlist your reps as needed.
• Screenwriters, read the WGAW’s Screenwriter Handbook (PDF) for tips on negotiating, getting the most out of general meetings, and more.
• Not sure if you are entitled to the Guaranteed Second Step? Use this Guide.
• Starting a new feature project or asked to start work before receiving your commencement check? Email Sophie Martin to let the Guild know when you begin working on a step so we can help follow up when payment should be due.
• Commenced on your screenplay more than 9 weeks ago and haven’t delivered? If you are owed 200% of the minimum for the step or less, we can help you invoice for the next 25% of your fee. Email Mack Harden to get started.

 Reporting Resources

Did you turn in a rewrite or treatment beyond what you were contracted and paid for? Did a producer on your project say they’d take delivery of your draft or ask you for a free rewrite? Did an employer ask you to leave behind a written pitch document? Reach out to WGAE Business Agent Mack Harden to get advice about enforcement, pushing back on a free work request, late payment, having the Guild intervene directly, or for any other enforcement question.

What the Guild is Doing

The Guild has taken a number of steps to address the free work problem. In the 2023 and 2026 MBAs, the Guild won key provisions to combat free work abuse in screen, including guaranteed second steps and notification requirements for producers. The Guild has implemented a program of individual outreach to screen and TV development writers around free work issues.  We have successfully obtained compensation owed to writers for writing steps, along with interest for late payment.

Upcoming WGAW Clinics

The WGA West will be holding Free Work Clinics in Los Angeles for both screen and television writers in 2026. Register for one of the WGAW’s upcoming clinics:

Contact Us

Contact Business Agent Mack Harden if you are working in either Features Writing or Television and are dealing with a free work issue, or would like to learn more about the Guild’s efforts in this area.

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