SUMMARY OF WHERE WE ARE:
The WGA has sued the big four Hollywood talent agencies — WME, CAA, UTA and ICM Partners — over packaging, a longstanding practice through which an agency is paid fees for assembling talent on a project. Writers say that agencies have prioritized packaging over traditional client representation.
While that battle continues, TV shows STILL must be written, and what does the writers standoff mean for TV writers looking for positions? Well, for some unknown writers, without connections are finding success through the WGA’s Staffing Submission System or #WGAStaffingBoost. The Staffing Submission System is an online job board where writers can submit materials directly to show runners.
Since it’s pitch season in TV and shows are needing to be staffed, writer’s without representation should be taking advantage of this new opportunity while witnessing the new Hollywood take shape in real time.
Think KICKSTARTER but for sourcing your local TV writer, and it’s WORKING! Just look at these results from Julie Plec, CW’s The Legacies show runner, hiring a relative unknown in Cynthia Adarkwa.
I know what you’re thinking…Yeah that’s cool and all, but how does that affect me?
The old model worked like this:
There was a limited agent list, these writers were battle tested and sent to all the studios of writers available to write for these shows. If you didn’t make the list, oh well… there’s always next year.
Now the door is being opened just a tad bit as show runners are looking to hire more junior scribe’s or writers that have the chops; but not the experience or proper representation.
They’re finding these people by reading their samples and actually hiring them.
*Who would’ve thought that would work?
Additionally, it’s not just new writers getting a chance in the room either. The doors are being opened for marginalized writer’s now getting an opportunity to be hired simply by using hashtags on twitter.
Native Writers (Native American writers)
Bodies of Work (Writers with disabilities)
The Rainbow Pages (LGBTQ+ writers)
With this new access being available for all writers, there will be still be occasions that a writer WILL want to speak with an agent to see if they’re garnering top dollar on their deal.
So here’s the rub:
You got the job without an agent, but now you want the agent to negotiate you a better deal???
Who will be victorious at the conclusion of the WGA x ATA Battle?
Sources: