No Writing Left Behind

What should a writer do if asked to leave written material with a producer after a pitch?

A new outreach campaign, No Writing Left Behind, launched by the Writers Guild of America West aims to educate members on the answer: Don’t do it.

In a recent survey conducted by the Guild, screenwriters reported that after initial meetings they were frequently being asked by producers and executives to leave behind or submit via email written materials. This is referred to as prewriting because it is work created by a writer before being hired. Prewriting can include outlines, notes, and treatments. Prewriting is essentially free work prior to employment. The push by producers and executives to have it submitted was cited in the survey as one of the most pressing issues screenwriters are facing.

“All writers need jobs, and especially when it’s early in their careers it can feel like they have to do whatever it takes to get hired,” said screenwriter and WGAW Board member Michele Mulroney. “But leaving behind a treatment for a producer or executive is the “equivalent of writing for free. It opens the door to what can often be months of more free work like getting notes on the treatment and revising it multiple times. Guild rules do not allow for uncompensated work and members need to know that they simply don’t have to give in to these requests.”

“Everyone wants to be a pal, to be obliging. But this is a situation where helping out is hurting yourself and other writers,” said screenwriter and WGAW Board Member John August. “If you hand in your pages, you make it harder for every other screenwriter to say no when they’re asked. Things don’t change unless we all say no.”

To get the message across, the campaign is being communicated via video, on the web, and through social media.

Members can also demonstrate support by displaying our campaign logo sticker. Please email the Writers Guild of America West to request stickers.

Follow the NWLB campaign using #NoWritingLeftBehind and #NoFreeWork