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#Scriptchat Transcript Aaron Mendelsohn @amendelsohn - Politics of WGA - November 13, 2016
Tonight we talked with Aaron Mendelsohn, screenwriter and secretary/treasurer of the Writers' Guild, West. We talked craft, rewriting, WGA contracts/advice and more! Enjoy! @jeannevb
- IT’S #SCRIPTCHAT O’CLOCK: @amendelsohn author 11 Fundamental ?s: Guide to Better Screenplay & @WGAWest Sec’ty/Treas talks politics of WGA
- Hi everyone! #scriptchat
- Hey hey hey #scriptchat
- Happy to talk politics (strictly WGA!!) and craft as well. #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn welcome! I should mention, I'm also the bartender *pours* #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn haha I think we've all had enough of the other politics this week. Promise to keep it drama free here. :) #scriptchat
- Hey Chris! #scriptchat
- Greetings and Salutations #scriptchat
- Hi everyone! #scriptchat
- Hey fellow Chris #scriptchat
- @SamSquamchman Hey Isaac! *waves* #scriptchat
- I actually became full on CFWU. Union employees for the win. #scriptchat
- I've been a working screenwriter for 20 yrs and on the WGAW board since 2004 (and sec-treasurer since 2014). Happy to answer ?s #scriptchat
- Q: What are the 11 ?'s? #scriptchat
- The 11 Fundamental Questions: A Guide to a Better Screenplay is my new ebook. It shares the story-breaking method I developed. #scriptchat
- Q: Is FICOR a preferable way to join the WGA when one has sufficient credits? @amendelsohn #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn Break a story? I'm still working on building a story. #scriptchat
- I use it to break the story for all my screenplays and pilots. Basically it's a series of prompts that stimulate ideas. #scriptchat
- here's the link to the 11 Fundamental Questions: http://11questionsbook.com/index.php/download/add … @Al_1701 #scriptchat
- I'm a complete newbie and am still learning (not earning), but just out of curiosity: are there a lot of WGA members here? #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn Q: I wrote 3 spec eps for a web series that had a SAG actor (I'm non-union atm). Does that qualify for membership? #scriptchat
- Dwayne, FICOR is when you decide you no longer want to be a full member and just want the basic services. #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn I should mention, though, that this was back in 2015 (I think), and these haven't been produced yet... #scriptchat
- Re: FICOR, you have to be a member or an eligible member to switch to FICOR status. #scriptchat
- @SamSquamchman there are 8000+ WGA members in the West and another 3000 or so in the East. They are separate Guilds. #scriptchat
- Okay. I was told something different by a guild member. Thanks for straightening that up. Or out. @amendelsohn #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn is there something the WGA is really pushing for currently? Like a long-term goal they want to achieve? #scriptchat
- Dwayne, you can become an Associate Member at some point, w fewer points. You can also join one of the caucuses (ie indy film) #scriptchat
- Chris, your web series would only qualify you for WGA membership if you make your series WGA signatory first. #scriptchat
- Q: So once you become a member is it for life or do you have to qualify each year to be a member? #scriptchat
- That makes sense. I have some works produced w/ Amazon Studios. I think the new media caucus is what she spoke of @amendelsohn #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn I see. Thanks very much for clearing that up. I'll have to ask its creator. Been a few years since S1 #scriptchat
- Jeanne, the WGA is looking to improve upon our current new media contract with the companies. #scriptchat
- Isaac, once you become a member, you have to book another WGA-covered gig within four years to renew your membership. #scriptchat
- You need to keep booking signatory gigs within every 4 years. After 18 years you become a lifetime member. #scriptchat
- Matthew, you earn certain amount of points when you work a WGA signatory gig. You need 24 points to be eligible to join. #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn How does the WGA new media agreement work? #scriptchat
- I believe you get 12 points for each 1/2 hr of covered work but there are variations. #scriptchat
- Sarah, working different genres is me following my muse but it makes my reps crazy. They want to be able to brand me :) #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn are there opportunities for signatory assignments from http://within.Like if I was a member without a manager or an agent? #scriptchat
- The way I've been able to do that is by having great samples in all the diff genres I work in. But it's tough switching around. #scriptchat
- I haven't become well known in any partic genre except family film #scriptchat
- New media agreement covers original and derivative work made for the web. Agmt can be found here http://www.wga.org/uploadedfiles/writers_resources/new_media/New-Media-Sideletter11.pdf … #scriptchat
- The MBA also dictates the terms for films or TV episodes that are subsequently show (reused) on the web. Residuals etc. #scriptchat
- Sarah, the original Air Bud WAS written on spec. We met a dog with an amazing stupid pet trick, so we wrote the script for him. #scriptchat
- When chat is over, watch this: President @WGAWest @ivanjohnson on How Hollywood Really Works @scriptmag http://bit.ly/2cDg89R #scriptchat
- Here's a link to bookmark for a variety of WGA contracts: http://www.wga.org/contracts/contracts/other-contracts … #scriptchat
- Sarah, it definitely helped to have the dog attached because no one believed he could do those tricks when they read the script! #scriptchat
- Sarah, my involvement w the Guild has helped me network w other writers, and a lot of ideas (and some work) has come out of that #scriptchat
- But since I wrote mostly films and pilots, my writing continues to be mostly a solitary profession #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn Did you bring the dog to the pitch? #scriptchat
- *write mostly films and pilots #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn Q: How does their feedback help you during the writing process? #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn And that way, they can't ask to change the dog into a cat #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn some writers have a love/hate relationship w/ the Guild. Is there any downside to being a member? #scriptchat
- We didn't pitch Air Bud, we wrote a spec, but if we had we would've definitely brought the dog. He was amazing! #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn I mean, we all know the downsides of not being eligible to be a member :) #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn Yep. That would have been awesome. #scriptchat
- Chris, I find the feedback from other WGA writers to be levels above most others, but ultimately I follow my own judgment #scriptchat
- Not too many downsides except it makes you ineligible to do non-union work. Upsides are enormous. #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn SAG has made it possible for even the most low-budget films to go union. Would WGA consider something like that? #scriptchat
- Residuals, minimums, pension contributions and one of the best health plans in the country. Plus screeners! #scriptchat
- What non-union work is out there? #scriptchat
- Matthew, the WGA has a low budget agmnt that enables low and micro budget films to be signatory. Kay Wolfe @ Guild can help. #scriptchat
- @Al_1701 I would think any major studio has a contract with the WGA. #scriptchat
- Sorry I'm late (Hello Aaron!) #scriptchat
- Sarah, best way to protect work is to register it w WGA & also copyright. You can also mail a copy to yourself & get date stamp. #scriptchat
- Hey Bill! Good to "see" you again. #scriptchat
- SAG has a mission to make every single movie regardless of budget SAG signatory, and have contracts to make that happen. WGA? #scriptchat
- Bill, see my answer below re the Low Budget agmnt. I believe it's similar to SAG's. #scriptchat
- (sorry - I'm late!) #scriptchat
- @wcmartell always making an entrance. #scriptchat
- Contact Kay Wolf about low budget agreement: kwolf@wga.org #scriptchat
- @wcmartell interesting concept to make a micro and still get credit for WGA... #scriptchat
- Other upsides to becoming WGA: enforcement of contracts, access to great events, film screenings, employment/union standards etc #scriptchat
- fantastic chat, I am picking up so much gold #scriptchat
- Sarah, altho I'm mostly an original writer, I've done quite a few rewrite jobs. Good gigs, if you can get them. #scriptchat
- But it often feels funny to rewrite another writer. #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 thanks so much for the great Qs. #sickpup is needing some love, so I'm in and out tonight. #scriptchat
- Sarah, arbiters (who are members) read all the scripts and determine if subsequent writers did enough work to garner credit. #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn thoughts on whether writers shld look for agent or manager when they're starting out (assuming scripts are ready)? #scriptchat
- Re the handoff between writers, I find it's very helpful to meet the other writer and get a sense of their vision. #scriptchat
- Jeanne, having an agent and/or manager helps immeasurably, no doubt. Opens a lot more doors. #scriptchat
- Will be easier to find a manager than an agent (more of them). #scriptchat
- Q: do you have peers review your work or a mentor? Coverage? Notes? Before going to market... #scriptchat
- But there are many other access points to producers, via contests, pitch fests, sites like Blacklist and Inktip etc. #scriptchat
- Or just being bold and cold calling/emailing a producer (or their assistant) and convincing them to read your script. #scriptchat
- What ever happened to the WGA plan to partner older writers with younger writers (as advisers)? Um, ah... asking for a friend. #scriptchat
- Christopher, I have a few trusted writer peers, and my reps, read my scripts before I submit. #scriptchat
- Bill, I know there are various mentor programs, but I'm not sure about that one. Try Sharline Liu about that. sliu@wga.org. #scriptchat
- Sarah, unfortunately my digital studio closed its virtual doors some time ago. These days I'm entirely focused on "old media." #scriptchat
- @jeannevb @SarahAlexis4 :( So sorry to hear about your dog, Jeanne. Hope he feels better soon. <3 #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @amendelsohn Q: Any advice for those writing for digital web series/new media? #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 @amendelsohn Not just for those who want to be part of the union, but also navigating the industry, career, etc. #scriptchat
- Chris, doing web series is a great way to get noticed these days. Plus you're disintermediating all the gate keepers. #scriptchat
- Executives are increasingly looking at web series to discover new writers and filmmakers. #scriptchat
- The writing's gotta be great, though. You can get away with shaky camera work but not shaky writing. #scriptchat
- @wcmartell We used SAG actors on our Amazon shows by signing the SAG New Media contract. Using H.SALT as crafties is a plus. #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn Definitely realize that. I've been working on my own web series for just over 2 years now. Launching S2 soon... #scriptchat
- Sarah, I've learned from digital writing to try to grab my reader/viewer with a dynamic opening scene. #scriptchat
- Congrats, @filmwritr4! Give us a link to your show. #scriptchat
- Q: suggestions for getting mentored by more experienced writers? Or stick to peers? #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn Issa Rae is a great success story. Met her at the WGA just before things happened for her. #scriptchat
- @byChrisPhillips, getting mentored by experienced writers is a big plus. Peers can sometimes send u in the wrong direction. #scriptchat
- @byChrisPhillips If you are a veteran, apply for the WGA mentorship program. One year of sitting with your heroes. #scriptchat
- We are big fans of Issa Rae. She made a web series that ended up landing her an HBO show. #scriptchat
- Sarah, non members can attend events put on by the Writers Guild Foundation. Check out their website. Excellent events. #scriptchat
- The veterans' mentorship program is one of the crown jewels of the Guild. #scriptchat
- Cool vid, Jeanne #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn Thanks very much for giving me a chance to link to my show on #scriptchat
- Writers Guild Foundation: http://wgfoundation.org . #scriptchat
- I get the WGA event notices. They do fill up quickly, but worth going @amendelsohn #scriptchat
- F5! BOURNE MOVIES book: suspense and paranoid chase thrillers! 279 pages. Only $3.99 https://www.amazon.com/Bourne-Movies-Story-Action-Book-ebook/dp/B01L1R0ILQ/secretsofactions … #writing #film #scriptchat
- You can get on the WG Foundation subscriber list and get regular emails about upcoming events. #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn you're doing great! *pours refill* #scriptchat
- @SarahAlexis4 Improving our new media contract and keeping the health fund and pension strong are big priorities. #scriptchat
- We're also stepping up the fight to maintain net neutrality, partic in light of our new political reality in this country. #scriptchat
- The WGAW Political Action Committee has been doing exceptional work lobbying for/against issues that affect writers. #scriptchat
- If Bill gets to plug his new book, I get to plug mine! http://www.11questionsbook.com :) #scriptchat
- Nxt Sunday #scriptchat topic: Going DIY vs Going Hollywood - @zacsanford moderating.
- @amendelsohn Speaking of which, we did some CGI Obama pieces in new media. Circumspect re: Trump pieces... #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn thanks for a great chat, Aaron! I’ll get a transcript up and tag you in the tweet. Thanks, everyone! #scriptchat
- Sarah, Go to http://WGA.org and subscribe to the various Guild publications incl Written By magazine & WriteNow etc. #scriptchat
- Thanks for the great questions, everyone! #scriptchat
- Thanks for taking the time to talk with us, (gonna grab your book since you plugged it) http://11questionsbook.com/index.php/download/add … #scriptchat
- @amendelsohn Thanks so much for joining us Aaron, and for answering all our questions! Really appreciate it! #scriptchat
- Enjoyed it, as always! ((((((HUGS)))))) See you next week! #scriptchat
- Thanks @amendelsohn for a great chat. And @jeannevb, much love, much respect. Fna @wcmartell, peace, love and fish grease. #scriptchat
- @filmwritr4 You may be able to make your web series signatory after the fact. Check w signatory dept @ the guild. #scriptchat
- *blows a kiss* Goodnight everybody. #scriptchat
- Don't forget to check out Aaron's site where you can find his book on The 11 Fundamental Questions: A Guide to a Better Screenplay http://11questionsbook.com/index.php/download/add …
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