(no subject)

[gategrrl]

Is the WGA threatening to black-ball scriptwriters who break the line and work for nonunion companies and productions? That's what's floating around some newsgroups a producer we know frequents. At this point, it's hearsay: I haven't seen it mentioned in the few articles I've had time to read through. But if so, and  you're an up and rising scriptwriter, keep an ear down to the ground and hear what's really going on. 

Comments

[nialla]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if those who break ranks are blackballed.

I really curious to see what happens with all the productions up in Canada these days. Will US-produced shows simply switch exclusively to local Canadian talent if the US writers stick with the strike?

[gategrrl.livejournal.com]

The rumor I've heard is that, not only is the WGA threatening to black-ball writers already in the union, they're also threatening to black-ball ALL writers, even those who aren't in the union, and working nonunion jobs. If the rumor is true, then they're trying to do something VERY dirty and underhanded - by affecting those who aren't in the union, even.

[nialla]

So, union or else, eh?

I know one of the big issues is supposed to be about "new media" and residuals for it, so maybe they're pushing hard because they know it's a longshot to get all of what they want.

[betacandy.livejournal.com]

I think what you're describing is standard procedure, except... what's a non-union job? Every screenplay sold or written on salary is supposed to go through the WGA. AFAIK, there is no such thing as legitimately writing in US film or TV without being in the WGA. Which is basically fascist.

Example: I never qualified for the WGA. But if you wanted to buy my script, I would have to become a member of it before or during the sale process for the transaction to be legit in the WGA's eyes. Otherwise, they blackball me as punishment. And that's regardless of whether there's a strike. Or whether you're a kid from Boise and how the hell would you know this rule?

There may be something I don't know here, or something that's changed since I was screenwriting. This is just my understanding of the rules, FWIW.