What Writers Can Do During The Writer Strike? #Wga

An estimated 11,500 members of the writers union trade have put a halt on the magic they do with their pens. Reason being, the inability of two notable organizations to come to an agreement. The famous California-based trade association, Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents nearly 350 American films and television shows, has expressed disappointment in the credibility of writers. Consequently, this has ignited a rage among the Writers Guild Association leading them to call a strike. 

The disagreement with the contracts on both sides has spiked the complexity of the situation with no one end ready to give in easily. WGA has strictly supervised a set of regulations for the writers that are part of them. To sum up, this rule instructs writers to refrain from providing any sort of writing services for all companies that are a part of AMPTP.

As this situation persists and extends for over three weeks now, it is undeniable that writers continue to suffer. For the well-established writers there is still enough room to sit back and let the industry realize their value but for the rest, this halt can prove to be a time of escalating to a new level. Given that they use it wisely.

More Insights into WGA & Its Strike

The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is a labor union that represents television, film, and radio writers working in the United States. Established in 1933, the organization has a long history of championing writers' rights, ensuring fair pay, health benefits, and creative freedom. With its East and West branches, the WGA negotiates and enforces collective bargaining agreements that protect the interests of its members.

In the current scenario, the WGA has found itself locked in a tense negotiation with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the body representing studios, networks, and independent producers. At the heart of the issue is a disagreement over residuals, digital rights, and healthcare benefits. The WGA is demanding increased compensation for reruns and streaming services, recognition of writers' contribution in the rapidly growing digital landscape, and better healthcare coverage - issues which AMPTP has thus far been reluctant to fully address.

Writer’s Strike 

The writer's strike is the WGA's chosen strategy to push for their demands - a work stoppage where union members refuse to write. The power of this protest lies in its potential to disrupt the entertainment industry, halting new productions and hitting companies where it hurts most: their revenues. Amid the chaos, writers can take heart knowing that they are standing up for a worthy cause: their right to fair compensation and recognition in a rapidly evolving industry.

Lesson from 2007 strike

If we can take anything of weightage from the 2007 strike, it has to be the utilization of the strike as an opportunity of up leveling. The strike of 2007 showed the resilience of the writers and their adaptability to mold as per unforeseen situations. In fact, many writers switched to other employment agencies and took temporary assignments outside the entertainment industry. 

What a writer can do during the writer strike?

What really does this stoppage mean for the writers? Do all of them have to put their pens down? And start seeking other job opportunities?

Well, certainly not! However, like a pandemic, that gave no option but to put a pause on the world economy, this pause can prove to be of great utility. All you have to do is ask yourself a thought-provoking question, “What is the best way to utilize this time?” This should be our approach to answer the question:

Join a writing community 

The most crucial point, you must continue to stimulate and challenge your creative thinking. In a writing community writers support writers. They know the struggle and the turbulence involved in times of strike. By being a part of a writing community, you enable yourself to receive constant encouragement from people who are pursuing the same interest.

Widen your network

A good writer knows the importance of network building. It helps you thrive and stand out from the crowd. It can be someone from a corporate company looking for an impactful and poignant speech or someone from an advertising agency, in search of a writer who can write engaging dialogues or script. In downtimes, you can switch to any one of these and more.

Improvise your write ups

If you are starting out, then exploring different writing genres and immersing yourself in great write-ups will undoubtedly help you elevate your writing skills. Meanwhile, if you happen to be an intermediate who has recently joined a movie or demo reel production company, then practicing the addition of dimensions will bring depth in your writing skills.

Work on spec scripts

In the midst of strike, writers have the liberty to work on spec scripts. However, this must be taken into consideration that finalizing spec scripts in the middle of the writer’s strike is forbidden. 

Support the strike

It goes without saying that a writer will stand in solidarity with a writer. You can show your support in this writer’s strike despite the fact if you are a WGA writer or not. Writers Guild Association has created a carpool sign-up sheet for those who wish to donate time or provide resources like a vehicle, etc. 

Social media can be leveraged to increase public awareness about the strike, promoting the hashtag #Wga. It's also an opportune moment to network, support other writers, and learn more about their rights. Lastly, they can volunteer their time to the union, aiding in organization efforts or offering their skills where needed. 

If you happen to live close to New York or Los Angeles, then you have better options to show your support. You can join the picket line! What better than being a part of the writer strike in person.

Conclusion

To conclude it all, writers' strike rules are simple and subtle. If you are a part of WGA, writing for any struck or illegal company is prohibited for you. Any negotiations or discussions regarding present or future projects would be considered going against the rules of strike. 

Nevertheless, if you are one of those zillions of non-WGA writers, often addressed as pre-WGA writers and still wish to show solidarity without joining the picket line. Then you can show your support by employing food carts and vehicles in their access. If you are from the other guild of writers who are part of none of it and are struggling through this time, then you can engage in other writing related activities and explore your forte.

Pro Tip: During a writers' strike, utilize this time to diversify skills. Study actors' demo reels to understand performances that convey written emotions effectively. It could enhance your future screenwriting endeavors, creating scripts that resonate deeply with both actors and audiences. #WgaStrike #ScreenwritingSkills