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What is scale?

Tagged: arbitration, business, credits, film, guild, screenplay, screenwriting, script, scriptwriting, terms, union, WGA

“Scale” is the minimum a WGA signatory can pay a screenwriter — whether it’s purchasing a spec script or hiring a writer to work on a script. Each type of job (e.g original screenplay, outline, rewrite) has a set price. These rates are the subject of WGA negotiations, and change every year. In features, rates […]

How much does a screenwriter make?

Tagged: arbitration, business, credits, film, guild, managers, screenplay, screenwriting, script, scriptwriting, terms, union, WGA

Screenwriters’ incomes can vary wildly. Every year, the WGA sets a minimum their signatories can pay a screenwriter for a project. This is known as “scale.” The current schedule of minimums can be found at the WGA’s site. A screenwriter working for a WGA signatory can be paid anywhere between scale and — well — […]

What does arbitration mean for screenwriters?

Tagged: arbitration, credits, film, guild, screenplay, screenwriting, script, scriptwriting, terms, union, WGA

When a movie is complete, the producer submits a list of final credits to the WGA, and gives a copy of the final script to all writes involved. If any writers disagree with the proposed credits, he can file for arbitration. (Arbitration is automatically triggered if the director or any producers are credited in any […]

Who decides who gets credit for writing a movie?

Tagged: arbitration, credits, film, guild, screenplay, screenwriting, script, scriptwriting, terms, union, WGA

When a movie is complete, the producer submits a list of final credits to the WGA, and gives a copy of the final script to all writes involved. If any writers disagree with these credits, he can file for arbitration. (Arbitration is automatically triggered if the director or any producers are credited in any writing […]

What does “screen story” mean?

Tagged: adaptations, credits, film, guild, screenplay, screenwriting, script, scriptwriting, terms, union, WGA

“Screen story” credit is given when a screenplay is based on source material, but the screenplay’s story is new and substantially different from the source material’s. You can read more about this and other credits at the WGA’s screen credits policy page. More from johnaugust.com The essentials of adaptation Determining credit Screenwriters don’t just adapt, […]

Why is the last “w” of WGAw lowercase?

Tagged: film, guild, terms, union, WGA

The “w” refers to “west,” as in “Writers Guild of America, West.” There are two Writers Guilds, East and West. They are separate unions but work together on many issues. Usually when writers refer to “the WGA,” they mean the West. Presumably the w is lowercase because it is not part of the WGA’s name, […]