Agency Campaign Resources for Writers

In any union struggle, success depends on solidarity.

By standing together and supporting one another, members can make it through this challenging moment and create a better future for all writers. During a time when many members are not represented by agents, we encourage you to offer help when you can provide it and to ask for help when you need it.

HOW TO HELP

In Person

• Check your email for invitations to Guild-sponsored and member-organized meet-ups, which will be hosted periodically over the coming months.
• Attend an official Guild event– check the events calendar for a list of upcoming programs.

Make sure your email address is up-to-date, and that you have opted-in to receive emails from the Guild: log in to your online member account and select “Update Contact Information” from the Member Portal homepage.

On the Job

• We encourage all showrunners with staffing needs to use the Staffing Submission System, which lets writers submit directly to your show—no agents required. You can register your show here.
• Established screenwriters can help their fellow writers by spreading the word among feature execs and producers about the Guild’s Find a Writer directory and asking them to subscribe to the WGA Weekly Feature Memo.

Online

• Twitter and Facebook users can support the #WGASolidarityChallenge by offering to read scripts from less connected writers and by posting public recommendations for writers whose work you endorse.*
• Twitter and Facebook users can also give writers a #WGAStaffingBoost. Encourage members to tell you about themselves and why they’d be a good hire, then use your account to share their post and increase their visibility.*

HOW TO GET SUPPORT

Make Connections

• Join a member team with a captain. Your captain can help address your questions and concerns and let you know about opportunities to engage with fellow Guild members. You can join a team by emailing our staff. In your email, let us know if you primarily work in television or screen so we can place you with a captain who is right for you.
• Meet up with other writers by following #WGAMIX on Twitter and Facebook.*
• TV writers: Participate in the #WGASolidarityChallenge and #WGAStaffingBoost to help raise your profile on social media.*
• Screenwriters: Promote your work by using the hashtags #WGAWeeklyMemo and #WGAFeatureBoost.*

Take Control of Your Career

Screenwriters

• Get your pitches and scripts in front of execs and producers with the WGA Weekly Feature Memo.

TV Writers

• Use the Staffing Submission System to send your samples, credits/bio, and a cover letter directly to showrunners who are looking for writers.
• The 2019 Comprehensive Staffing Grid is a grassroots effort to streamline and organize information that showrunners and studio/network executives require when staffing shows. It was created to act as a supplemental/companion resource to the Guild’s Find a Writer database and relies on a self-submission process using Google Forms and Google Sheets. Those who meet the criteria may self-submit here. Anyone may view the grid here. Questions may be emailed to Liz Alper.*

All Writers

• Make sure your information on Find a Writer is accurate. If you click “edit” on your profile page (you must be logged in first), you can update your attributes, contact info, and a variety of privacy settings. You must opt in if you want to enable employers to email you. For questions email Find A Writer.
• Find agencies that have signed the Code of Conduct on the Signatory Agencies List.
• Ask fellow writers for manager and/or attorney referrals or email Ann Burdick, General Counsel.
• To help writers contact producers and executives, the Guild has arranged a discount on IMDbPro. To redeem the 30% discount off the $20/month retail price, go to www.imdbpro.com/redeem and enter WGADISCOUNT. The account starts with a free month.
• Use The Black List to showcase your work to industry professionals looking for content, including producers, financiers, directors and actors, regardless of your representation status. WGAE members can create a Black List profile to list their script information for free and receive a discount on script hosting. For more information, visit https://blcklst.com/.
• If you need contact information for a specific company or executive you can also email Rochelle Rubin, Signatories Manager – Contracts and Agency.

OTHER RESOURCES

• The Actors Fund offers social services and emergency financial assistance to entertainment industry professionals.
• The Union Plus Personal Loan program provides loans to union members. For more information about the loan program and other Union Plus benefits, email the Guild’s Events Coordinator Nancy Hathorne.

CONTACT US

• If you would like to add a resource or event to this page please contact Communications.
• If you have require additional information or assistance please contact Agency Agreement.

*Member initiatives not officially sponsored by the Guild.