Candidate for Council, Film/TV/Streaming Sector
You make less. You don’t matter less.
I’m Jackie Vleck Moody and I’m a member of WGA East, formerly WGA West.
For years, I’ve carved out a quiet, but robust career in SVOD movies that got written but never produced, writers rooms on networks you’ve never heard of, and development deals with sociopaths who ultimately got themselves canceled. Fun, right?
But I’m still here. And so are you.
I don’t say this to complain. In fact–probably much like you–I live for it. And I feel privileged to be a part of the Writers Guild. I pay my dues, volunteer my time as a Captain, and like many people in this Guild, I was doing just fine until 2020.
But I’ve had a career long enough in this field to know that there’s good times and lean times. I’m looking forward to those good times again.
This is why I feel it’s essential to maintain visibility within a greater Guild–constantly reexamining its constitution and redefining its pay structure to speak to everyone’s future, whether you’re at the top, just starting out, or hanging on by the skin of your teeth somewhere in the middle.
This is why we need to take emerging formats seriously when they emerge, instead of constantly being in a state of catch-up.
I deserve a say in my future here and so do you. Which (finally) brings me to my platform:
1) Repeal the Joint Voting Income Eligibility Rule.
This is the rule governing any voting involving the membership of both the East and West, such as the recent vote on the MBA Pattern of Demands. It states that in order to vote you must have declared earnings of at least $ 42,318.16 (excluding residuals) during the past six years or (2) 15 pension-eligible years (i.e. earned at least $5,000) based on MBA employment.
Maybe the following also happened to you: this past Spring, I encouraged my team and many low and mid-level friends to vote, despite how disenfranchised they’ve felt, only to discover my own ineligibility when my Pattern of Demands voting link didn’t work.
I feel strongly that this rule is wrong. It feels at its worst, elitist, and at its best, tone deaf, given the negative work atmosphere the Guild and our negotiators all acknowledged, and even leveraged, going into these negotiations. It’s like watching from the nosebleeds as others make decisions for us. I can’t ask people to vote again until everyone can.
Establishment writers limiting the voting ability of dues-paying members who may be struggling to work now, suggests little confidence in the future of younger, newer, and lower level members. It’s no wonder these members feel demoralized and disenfranchised after the strike.
The words “proxy” and “democracy” were used a lot in the campaigns for this last joint vote. But a democracy implies that every dues-paying member has a vote. I didn’t. A “proxy” suggests you’re acting on my behalf, but better overall deals have nothing to do with me, or many of us.
We all deserve a say in our future, despite where we currently stand financially. I’ve racked my brain for reasons as to why my Pattern of Demands vote as a “non-working writer” would hurt a working writer. I’ve asked working friends. I’ve spoken with the WGAe internally. No one can offer me a good answer.
I know this is a long game. Likely, the next joint vote is not for another four years. But institutional change takes time, so all the more reason to start now. I’m in it for the long haul if you’ll let me represent you on this.
2) Future-Proofing the Guild for Every Level of Writer
More broadly, this means examining forms of income at every level now and ensuring that these opportunities to work are taken seriously, so that we can future-proof appropriate payment.
A good example is verticals. Why are these covered under “online media” in the WGAw? Why were tiered payment structures not seriously considered in the last negotiation? Disney+ is rolling out creator content from TikTok and other social media. We are months, if not weeks away, from verticals appearing en masse on streaming platforms. Don’t let the cropping fool you. This is a missed opportunity for vertical content writers to make union streaming profits.
Ultimately, I raise both of these concerns because I love my Guild. I believe in its power to position writers of all kinds for bright, sustainable careers. But that doesn’t mean it’s infallible.
If you elect me for Council, I promise to work alongside fellow Council and union members to ensure a future-forward Guild that makes everyone feel visible and heard.
Thank you for your consideration.
Endorsements
Carin Greenberg, Carol Hartsell, Allan Neuwirth, Alana Sanko
Endorse Jacqueline Moody 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 2026 Election Policy.
