You can now download the audio from our WGC-sponsored panel discussion on What Do I Want In My Contract?. It's an exploration of the terms that the WGC's Independent Production Agreement doesn't cover. Many of them apply whether you're in the US or Canada, and whether you have a Guild agreement or you're on your own.
So, I'm running for a second term as Quebec's Delegate to the WGC National Forum. If you're a member, and have any questions, either about the election or about the upcoming National Forum, please don't hesitate to drop me a line.
I'm moderating a panel for the WGC in February at McGill on "What Do I Want In My Contract?"
What should you ask for when you option a feature film or a TV series? The Writers Guild’s basic contract (the Independent Producer Agreement) covers many basic terms, but others aren’t codified, including lots of ways veteran writers get paid on the back end, your right to write new material, and the crucial “Created by” credit in TV. Plus, what’s all this fine print?
We’ve invited an agent who reps writers to talk about what writers can and should ask for; a producer’s lawyer to talk about what’s easy for producers to give and what’s hard; and a representative of the Writers Guild of Canada to talk about what contract terms end up in disputes. The panel will be moderated by Alex Epstein, who’s worked both sides of the table. Audience members will be able to ask questions.
This event is aimed at professional, emerging and aspiring screenwriters, but filmmakers of all kinds may find it illuminating.
Check out the Facebook Event page.
Also, if you have questions you want me to bring up at the panel, please email me.
The WGC National Forum is coming up April 10th and 11th. If you're a member of the WGC in Québec, or if you hope to become one, and if you have any concerns you'd like aired, please talk to Anne-Marie Perrotta or me before then. Thanks!
Hey, congratulations to my many friends who are nominated for WGC Awards. Not least of whom, my beloved wife Lisa, nominated in Shorts and Web Series for her hilarious script for YOU ARE SO UNDEAD.
And the nominees are...
In Animation..
League of Super Evil “All You Can Eat”
Written by Edward Kay
League of Super Evil “Voltina”
Written by Philippe Ivanusic-Vallee & Davila LeBlanc
The Cat In The Hat Knows A Lot About That “The Cat…Knows A Lot About Maps”
Written by Karen Moonah
Total Drama World Tour “Broadway Baby”
Written by Alex Ganetakos
Zeke’s Pad “Fetch a Sketch”
Written by Hugh Duffy
In Children and Youth...
How To be Indie “How To Fight For Your Rights”
Written by Vera Santamaria
The Latest Buzz “The Extreme Shakespeare Issue”
Written by Barbara Haynes
Wingin’ It “She Blinded Me With Science”
Written by Ramona Barckert
Wingin’ It “The Spinner And The Saint”
Written by Conor Casey & Lyndon Casey
In Documentary...
How to Boil a Frog
Written by Jon Cooksey
Outbreak: Anatomy of a Plague
Written by Jefferson Lewis
The Pig Farm
Written by Christine Nielsen
In Movies and Miniseries...
Barney’s Version
Written by Michael Konyves
Grown Up Movie Star
Written by Adriana Maggs
Life, Above All
Written by Dennis Foon
In Shorts and Web Series...
Hot Wheels Battle Force Five “Splashback”
Written by Cole Bastedo & Matt Huether
Ruby Skye P.I. “Caught Ruby Red Handed”
Written by Julie Strassman-Cohn & Jill Golick
You Are So Undead
Written by Lisa Hunter
In TV Comedy...
Kids in the Hall: Death Comes To Town “Cause of Death”
Written by Bruce McCulloch & Mark McKinney
Less Than Kind II “Coming Home”
Written by Chris Sheasgreen
Less Than Kind II “The Deluge”
Written by Garry Campbell & Jen Beasley
Less Than Kind II “Fasto Loves Lebso”
Written by Jenn Engels
In TV Drama...
Durham County “Distance, Hunting and Home”
Written by Laurie Finstad-Knizhnik
Flashpoint “Acceptable Risk”
Written by Pamela Davis
Flashpoint “Jumping at Shadows”
Written by Mark Ellis & Stephanie Morgenstern
Rookie Blue “Girlfriend of the Year”
Written by Tassie Cameron
Rookie Blue “Hot and Bothered”
Written by Russ Cochrane
It's a mystery to me how SPLICE failed to get nominated for Best Movie or Miniseries. Doug Taylor and Vincenzo Natali's script was brilliant and alarming and creepy as all get out. But everyone can't have prizes.
If you're a WGC member planning to go to the Montreal International Game Summit next month, we have an association discount ($695 instead of $795). The code should be going up on the WGC website shortly, or if you're a Quebec member, email me.
