Reelot News Articles

Writers at Tyler Perry Studio to Take Strike Action ? Will Picket Grand Opening and Ask Invited Guests Not To Attend

2008-10-02T00:00:00-04:00

Los Angeles – The Writers Guild of America, West is taking on the fight for justice of writers who were fired when they tried to get a union contract with Tyler Perry’s production company, House of Payne, LLC. The Guild today filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging that House of Payne unlawfully fired four writers in retaliation for their union activity. The charge also alleges that the company bargained in bad faith with the Guild, which is seeking to negotiate a contract covering the writers on Perry’s cable television series House of Payne and Meet the Browns.

The four writers, Kellie Griffin, Christopher Moore, Teri Brown-Jackson, and Lamont Ferrell, as well as supporters from the Writers Guild and the community, will be picketing during Saturday’s opening of Perry’s new studio and they’re asking invited guests to respect their picket line. Together, these writers have written over one hundred episodes of House of Payne. Since April of this year they have been involved in a union organizing campaign with the Writers Guild of America, West so that their work on that show and the upcoming Meet the Browns would be covered by a Guild contract. Despite the enormous success of House of Payne, Perry has refused to agree to a contract that would give the writers health care, pensions, and residuals. On Tuesday of this week he fired the writers, after warning them some weeks ago that they should “be careful about pushing the WGA deal or you could be replaced.”

“We’re asking all those who had planned to attend the opening of Tyler Perry’s new studio not to cross our picket line,” said writer Christopher Moore. “It’s very disheartening considering that this is a studio run by African Americans. What Tyler Perry is essentially saying to us is that ‘you’re black and there’s not a lot of opportunities for you so you’ll take what I give you’ – whether it’s fair or not.”

“I feel like I was slapped in the face, like we were used” said writer and WGAW member Teri Brown-Jackson. “We were good enough to create over a hundred episodes, but now when it comes to reaping the benefits of the show being syndicated and having other spin-offs from it, he decides to let us go unless we accept a horrible offer.”

“Disrespected, betrayed, saddened…it’s hard to describe,” said writer and WGAW member Lamont Ferrell. “The actors and a majority of the production crew on the show were working under union contracts and they received the pay and benefits that you need to survive on in this business. But after all those episodes and success when it came time for us to get a fair contract, we’re told on a conference call ‘sorry, you’re fired.’”

The show’s head writer, Kellie Griffin, added, “A lot of people who fought for civil rights and social justice never really saw what eventually came out of their work. While I’d like to see something positive come out of this for us, if this fight helps future black writers get what they deserve, that’s a good thing.”

The writers and their supporters will be picketing at the grand opening of Tyler Perry Studios on Saturday, October 4, starting at 4 pm, and on Sunday, October 5, starting at 9 am.

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) is a labor union representing writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable, and new media industries in entertainment and news. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and enforces the contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members. It is involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers and their craft and is active in public policy and legislative matters on the local, national, and international level.

For more information on the WGAW, please visit:

SAG NATIONAL TV/THEATRICAL NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE PASSES ADVISORY MOTION TO NATIONAL BOARD

2008-10-01T00:00:00-04:00

Los Angeles, CA (October 1, 2008) – The National TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee of Screen Actors Guild today passed the following advisory motion to the National Board:

“Whereas, Screen Actors Guild has been and remains willing and able to continue formal and continuous negotiations with the AMPTP and the employers, with the intention of reaching a mutually-acceptable deal; and

Whereas, the National Board has unanimously identified the core principles of new media jurisdiction and new media residuals as essential elements of any agreement in the Television/Theatrical contract negotiations; and

Whereas, preservation of longstanding force majeure protections for actors is of self-evident importance; and

Whereas, the President and Chief Negotiator have communicated this view to the AMPTP and the employers, and have requested that they return to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair deal; and

Whereas, the AMPTP and the employers have refused to change their position and have continued to refuse to meet to attempt to advance the negotiations; and

Whereas, in the opinion of the National Negotiating Committee, the AMPTP and the employers will only seriously engage in further negotiations after the members of the Guild express their confidence in their leadership by authorizing them to take all actions necessary to protect the interests of the membership, including a strike; and

Whereas, although the National Board has already unanimously delegated the authority to take a strike authorization vote to the National Negotiating Committee, in the opinion of the Committee, the strong and public support of the National Board for the necessity of a strike authorization at this time is a necessary prerequisite for its success;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Negotiating Committee that:

A strike authorization vote of the membership is necessary to overcome the employers’ intransigence, and the Committee therefore recommends that the National Board authorize such a vote be taken; and further recommends:

That the National Board adopt a resolution strongly supporting such an action, and recommending that the membership vote in favor of a strike authorization; and

That the National Board endorse an educational campaign advocating a “yes” membership vote, to give the authority to the National Board to call a strike only if the National Board deems it necessary and unavoidable to do so. “

WGA West Announces 2008 Board of Directors Election Result

2008-09-23T00:00:00-04:00

LOS ANGELES – The Writers Guild of America, West has announced the results of its 2008 Board of Directors election.

The following eight members were elected to the WGAW’s Board of Directors: Katherine Fugate (647, 9.1%), John F. Bowman (629, 8.8%), Howard Michael Gould (619, 8.7%), David A. Goodman (552, 7.7%), Karen Harris (544, 7.6%), Mark Gunn (525, 7.4%), Aaron Mendelsohn (498, 7.0%), and Kathy Kiernan (463, 6.5%). Bowman, Goodman, Gunn, Mendelsohn, and Kiernan are incumbents. Board members will serve a two-year term, effective immediately.

Results for the eleven remaining candidates for the Board of Directors were: Kat Smith (458, 6.4%), Ashley Gable (429, 6.0%), Dwayne Johnson-Cochran (372, 5.2%), Luvh Rakhe (274, 3.8%), Timothy J. Lea (259, 3.6%), Howard Kuperberg (179, 2.5%), Tim Day (160, 2.2%), Mick Betancourt (160, 2.2%), Aaron Solomon (146, 2.0%), Bernard Lechowick (135, 1.9%) and Kevin Droney (77, 1.1%).

"Thanks to all the candidates and voters who participated in this election and congratulations to the returning and new members of the board. It will be the responsibility of this board to help enforce the terms of our new contract and to continue to strengthen our Guild by organizing unrepresented writers and working closely with our sister unions and guilds,” said WGAW President Patric M. Verrone.

A total of 1,235 valid ballots were cast. The ballot count was supervised by Robbin Johnson of Pacific Election Services, Inc., an independent firm.

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) represents writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable, and new media industries in both entertainment and news.

WGAW?S SUBLIME PRIMETIME 2008 EXPLORES STORIES BEHIND THE SCENES

2008-09-11T00:00:00-04:00

WRITERS GUILD, WEST’S SUBLIME PRIMETIME 2008
EXPLORES STORIES BEHIND THE SCENES

Emmy-Nominated Writers to Discuss Acclaimed Teleplays

WHAT:           Celebrating excellence in writing during the past television season, Sublime Primetime 2008 is an annual special evening where Emmy-nominated writers discuss their acclaimed teleplays and explore the craft of TV writing. Presented by the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW), the Writers Guild Foundation, and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, this panel event allows a unique opportunity to get behind-the-scenes insight straight from TV’s top writers.

There will be pre/post-panel interview opportunities with talent for the media; please contact Gregg Mitchell at (323) 782-4651 or email: gmitchell@wga.org

WHO:             Sublime Primetime 2008 will feature several of this season’s Emmy-nominated writers, including Kirk Ellis (John Adams), Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies), Danny Strong (Recount), and Matthew Weiner & Robin Veith (Mad Men). Panel discussion moderated by Emmy-winning writer Larry Wilmore (The Office, The Bernie Mac Show, creator).

A dessert reception honoring this year’s Emmy-nominated writers will follow panel. Proceeds for this special event benefit the Writers Guild Foundation.

For further event/ticket information, visit: www.wgfoundation.org.

WHEN:          Wednesday, September 17, 2008

                        7:30 p.m. – Panel/Q&A
                        9:00 p.m. – Reception

WHERE:       Writers Guild Theater
                        135 S. Doheny Drive
                        Beverly Hills, CA 90211
                        *Complimentary parking available in WGA Theater lot.

CONTACT:   For media inquiries, please contact Gregg Mitchell at (323) 782-4651, or email: gmitchell@wga.org.

7th Annual DGA Honors

2008-09-09T00:00:00-04:00

New York City - Director Miloš Forman, Creator/Producer Dick Wolf, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), DuArt Chair Irwin Young and Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television Robert Rosen will be honored by the Directors Guild of America at the Seventh DGA Honors, to be held at the DGA Theater in New York City on Thursday, October 16, 2008.

DGA Honors celebrates individuals and institutions that have made distinguished contributions to American culture through the world of film and television. DGA Honors recognizes the diversity of achievement - in business, government, labor and higher education - required to produce the best entertainment in the world. All honorees will be present to accept their awards.

"DGA Honors is our opportunity to gather with friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry to recognize those people whose works and lives have had some profound influence on us," said DGA President Michael Apted. "We honor those who have made outstanding cultural contributions or fought to protect, strengthen or steer a better course for creative and economic rights in our industry."

"At DGA Honors, we celebrate those who have committed themselves to bringing about positive changes in society, whether it be through film or television production, advocacy or humanitarian work," added DGA National Vice President Steven Soderbergh. "All of our honorees have left their mark on our industry in an indelible way."

Past DGA Honors recipients have included influential filmmakers Martin Scorsese, Mike Nichols, Sydney Pollack, Spike Lee, Curtis Hanson, Jonathan Demme, Arthur Penn and Robert Altman, as well as powerful leaders in politics, entertainment and labor such as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Robert De Niro, Saturday Night Live producer Lorne Michaels, Sopranos creator David Chase, AFL-CIO president John Sweeney and former IATSE president Tom Short.

The Seventh DGA Honors will begin with red carpet arrivals at 6:00pm, followed by the event itself at 7:00pm and a VIP after-party at Nobu 57 at 8:30pm.

For more information, please call (800) 277-3603.

Hispanic Heritage Month on PBS

2008-09-05T00:00:00-04:00

Hispanic Heritage Month 2008 (September 15-October 15) is coming up, and PBS is celebrating with a great lineup of programs that entertain while examining the history, heritage and cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Many of the programs are by NALIP members.

All month, PBS explores the rich and varied styles of Latin music. From Texican (LOS LONELY BOYS COTTONFIELDS AND CROSSROADS, produced and directed by NALIP founding member/mentor Hector Galan) to Afro-Cuban pop (INDEPENDENT LENS ?La Lupe: Queen of Latin Soul," produced and directed by NALIP founding member Ela Troyano) to an all-female mariachi band (INDEPENDENT LENS ?Compa�eras?) to traditional Mexican corrido (P.O.V. ?Al Otro Lado [To The Other Side],? produced, directed, and edited by NALIP member Natalia Almada [LPA 2003; Estela]), the creative talents of diverse musicians are on display.

The award-winning new documentary "Calavera Highway" (produced by NALIP BOD member Evangeline Griego) will make its broadcast debut on P.O.V. this month. The film follows seven brothers on a road trip to bury their mother's ashes, unearthing the saga of a Mexican American family.

PBS will also re-broadcast several of its recent nominees for Imagen Awards, created to honor excellence in Latino entertainment, including BROWN IS THE NEW GREEN (produced and directed by NALIP member Phillip Rodriguez [Conference 9]), AMERICAN MASTERS ?Orozco: Man of Fire? (written, directed, and produced by NALIP founding member/mentor Rick Tejada-Flores) and P.O.V. ?Made in L.A.? (by NALIP member Almudena Carracedo [LPA 2004; Estela]).

And, a special presentation in October, LATINOS ?08, examines the election through the prism of ethnic politics.

PBS? children?s content continues to serve a diverse audience with series that encourage healthy exploration of cultural differences while providing opportunities to learn and grow as individuals. On the new season of SESAME STREET, kids can follow Murray, the street?s newest friendly resident monster, as he deciphers clues from his little lamb friend, Ovejita. Murray faces a challenge, however: all of Ovejita?s clues are in Spanish! Murray uses visual hints to stay hot on Ovejita?s trail.

On the PBS KIDS preschool destination, Miss Rosa invites children to discover new cultures and build language skills through Spanish language content, while PBS KIDS series BETWEEN THE LIONS, DRAGON TALES and JAY JAY THE JET PLANE insert Spanish words into their curricula to help English speakers learn beginning Spanish. On PBS KIDS GO!, MAYA & MIGUEL (also a nominee for the Imagen Awards), continues to promote the value of cultural diversity while supporting school-age English language learners by combining English and Spanish language in stories about Maya, Miguel, their family members and their friends.

12th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Awards

2008-08-26T00:00:00-04:00

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Film Life wrapped up its 12th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) at the ABFF Awards Presentation that was held Sunday, August 10, 2008, at the WGA Theater in Los Angeles, CA. The festival hosted a week of independent film screenings, workshops, symposiums and exclusive networking events. Among Hollywood's celebrity movers and shakers in attendance were: Halle Berry, Evan Ross, Lauren London, Tatiana Ali, Anthony Mackie(ABFF Ambassador), Holly Robinson Peete, Nate Parker, Angela Bassett, Lela Rochon, Loretta Devine, Mos Def, Rockmond Dunbar, Michael Ealy, John Singleton, Sanaa Lathan, Malik Yoba, Tina Andrews, Salli Richardson and Dennis Haysbert(ABFF Jury President).

The show was hosted by Niecy Nash of Comedy Central's "Reno 911" and the Style Network's home makeover series "Clean House," who kept the audience energized with her quirky and off-beat brand of comedy. Actors Richard T. Jones (Why Did I Get Married? "Judging Amy") and Denise Boutte (Why Did I Get Married?) were also in attendance to present awards.

"The American Black Film Festival's Awards continue to celebrate and honor independent films and filmmakers, as well as help fulfill our vision to provide new opportunities for emerging talent and introduce their work to a broad audience," said Jeff Friday, ABFF Founder and President, and CEO, Film Life, Inc.

With the support of major U.S. corporations, the festival awards cash and other prizes. The 2008 award winners are as follows:

HBO Short Film Award, presented by HBO
Premature, directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green. The cash award of $20,000 was presented by Dennis Williams, Manager of Multicultural Marketing, HBO.

Heineken Red Star Award
LA Proper, directed by Barry Canty. The award was presented by Melanie Sharee, ABFF Festival Director. The winner received a full-page profile in Variety magazine, will be featured in a segment on the Independent Film Channel and celebrated at an industry event in Los Angeles at the close of the year

Allstate(R) Beyond February "Be Reel" Film Contest Winner, presented by
Allstate
The Lucky Suit, written and directed by Roy Clovis. The cash award of $5,000 was presented by Dennis Haysbert, Grand Jury President, and Kimberly Turner, Manager of Integrated Marketing Communications, Multicultural Marketing, Allstate.

Grand Jury Prize for Best Film
The Abduction of Jesse Bookman, directed by Ezra A. Gould. The award,
$5,000 worth of film stock from Kodak, was presented by Jeff Friday, Founder of the ABFF.

Grand Jury Prize for Best Actor
Mel Jackson. Presented by actors Richard T. Jones and Denise Boutte.

Target (R) Filmmaker Award -- for Inspiration to Dream in Color
Pip & Zastrow: An American Friendship, directed by Victoria Bruce and Karin Hayes. The cash award of $10,000 was presented by Greg Cunningham, Group Marketing Manager, Target.

The Best Documentary, presented by BET J
Slaying Goliath, directed by Michele Stephenson and Joe Brewster. The cash award of $10,000 was presented by Sean Johnson, Executive Producer of BET J.

"We are pleased with our second year participation," stated Kimberly Turner of Allstate. "We congratulate the ABFF winners and are excited to be part of a program that promotes and strengthens the immense creativity of the Black filmmaking community."

Sponsors of the ABFF: Presenting Sponsor Allstate(R); Founding Sponsor HBO(R); Premier Sponsors luxury automaker Lincoln, Target and BET J; Blockbuster, Heineken (Official Sponsors); Nielsen Media Research, One Village Entertainment, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Codeblack Entertainment, Nickelodeon, Fox Entertainment Group and Grey Goose(R) Vodka (Supporting Sponsors); SAG Indie, Writers Guild of America West, Kodak, Greater Philadelphia Film Office, Illinois Film Office and FoxxKing Entertainment (Industry Sponsors); Black Enterprise, Uptown, Upscale, Black Noir, Heart&Soul, Precious Times, Automotive Rhythms, Toy Box, Monarch, Hope Today Magazine, NV, Save the Date, KJLH-FM and EUR Web (Media Sponsors).

The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based film marketing and distribution company. Its mission is to spearhead the global distribution of quality Black films and be the leading American brand producing Black movies, television, events and digital content. Film Life's key properties include the American Black Film Festival (abff.com); the Black Movie Awards (blackmovieawards.com); and the ABFF DVD Series (thefilmlife.com), a partnership with Warner Home Video.

DGA Announces 61st Annual Awards Date

2008-08-26T00:00:00-04:00

Los Angeles - The Directors Guild of America has set its schedule for the 61st Annual DGA Awards, DGA President Michael Apted and Awards Committee Chairperson Howard Storm announced today. The 61st Annual DGA Awards Dinner will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.

Jon Stewart Leads Stephen Colbert in Argument Over Salaries in a Survey by the American Payroll Association

2008-08-21T00:00:00-04:00

NEW YORK, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Late night heavyweights Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are slugging it out over their salaries in a survey by the American Payroll Association. The popular hosts are the subject of a nationwide argument over who deserves a higher salary. For now, the answer is overwhelmingly Jon Stewart.

Participants in the "Getting Paid In America" survey are asked, "Which of Comedy Central's late-night talk show hosts deserve a higher salary?" Current results show Stewart with a commanding lead of 69% to 31% for Colbert.

Fans of Colbert still have time to weigh in. The survey is live until September 5th at 5 p.m. ET. Real-time results of the contest and a link to the survey are online at http://www.nationalpayrollweek.com/comedycentral.

"The 'Getting Paid In America' survey is held in conjunction with National Payroll Week, an awareness campaign that educates Americans about their paychecks and payroll related benefits," said Dan Maddux, executive director of the American Payroll Association, the survey's publisher. "The contest between the two popular Comedy Central hosts is fun way to bring the educational message of NPW to a wider, more diverse audience."

The "Getting Paid In America" survey asks workers questions and opinions about how they're paid. Survey participants are eligible for the grand prize of a free paycheck and trip to Las Vegas.

Currently more than 26,000 employees have taken the survey. For more information or to take the survey, visit

NY Television Festival

2008-08-13T00:00:00-04:00

NEW YORK, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fourth Annual New York Television Festival (NYTVF) today announced the 36 official selections for its Independent Pilot Competition and the first ever Industry Day panel discussion series, featuring some of the biggest names in the television business. Tickets are now on sale for the NYTVF, taking place Friday, September 12th through Wednesday, September 17th at New World Stages in Midtown Manhattan.

"The television industry stands at a crossroads, and the development of new programming will continue to undergo vast changes in the coming months," said NYTVF founder Terence Gray. "The NYTVF is fortunate to be able to screen new work by innovative creators, while bringing together the foremost experts in the field to discuss the future of TV development as well as the impact new methodologies and resources will have on the upcoming television landscape."

The 36 original, independently produced television pilots selected for the Independent Pilot Competition come from all over the U.S., Canada, and Australia. An eclectic array of stars, such as Sarah Paulson ("Studio 60"), James Cromwell ("24"), Constantine Maroulis ("American Idol"), Richard Moll ("Night Court"), and Michael Gladis ("Mad Men") all make appearances in scripted pilots, and Dustin Diamond ("Saved By the Bell") and Gary Coleman ("Diff'rent Strokes") appear as themselves in a reality competition pilot.

This year's Festival also brings the first-ever Industry Day panel discussion series on Monday, September 15th. During the series, attendees will hear from industry leaders, such as NBC head Ben Silverman, WMA CEO Jim Wiatt, CNBC star Donny Deutsch, Media Rights Capital President of Television Keith Samples, Rainbow Entertainment President Ed Carroll, History General Manager Nancy Dubuc, truTV General Manager Marc Juris, Comedy Central's development head Lou Wallach, and MTV Executive Vice President of Series Development and Programming Tony DiSanto. Panelists will discuss "The Future of TV Development" in a series of discussions addressing different genres of television, including drama, comedy, and unscripted.

"The NYTVF offers the ideal forum for addressing the future of television development," said William Morris Agency Chairman and CEO Jim Wiatt. "Creative solutions are needed for the rapidly evolving state of TV programming, and the William Morris Agency is proud to support the NYTVF as an incubator for creative ideas."

For official selections & panel information:

"TROPIC THUNDER" Film Boycott

2008-08-11T00:00:00-04:00

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The largest
cross-disability membership organization in the U.S. on Monday condemned all of the entities involved in creating, producing and marketing the movie "Tropic Thunder" for the use of the word "retard" and their portrayal of an intellectually disabled character in the movie.

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) helped organize a coalition of disability groups that have come together to boycott the film. Members of the coalition, including AAPD's President and CEO, Andrew Imparato, met with DreamWorks executives last week to discuss concerns about the film.

The movie is a movie-industry spoof depicting a caricature of an intellectually disabled person -- a character called "Simple Jack," played by actor Ben Stiller's character -- which is a continuation of the horrifying portrayal of disabled characters in entertainment.

AAPD is also disgusted at the use of the word "retard" numerous times in the movie and promotional items for the film, including the promotional slogan, "Once upon a time there was a retard," in the now-defunct Web site for the movie-within-a-movie, "Simple Jack."

"Both the use of this word and the appalling portrayal of an intellectually disabled character in this movie are incredibly damaging to people with intellectual disabilities," Imparato said after viewing the film Monday. "This movie perpetuates use of a hateful word the disability community is trying to eradicate from our country's vocabulary. Although the movie is considered satire, this depiction of a person with intellectual disabilities is far from funny."

"One of the biggest challenges for people with intellectual disabilities is when society encourages this portrayal of them," said Cheryl Senenbrenner, Chair of the American Association of People with Disabilities board, whose 38-year-old sister, Tara Warren, has Down Syndrome. "It's almost the worst adversity they face. People like Tara can do phenomenal things. She's very highly accomplished."

"As a person with a disability, the movie didn't make me feel good," said AAPD board member and President of Self-Advocates of Indiana, Inc. Betty Williams after viewing the film Monday. "I felt really horrible hearing them say the 'r' word so many times, so easily."

AAPD is also disappointed that the filmmakers included in the movie reportedly discussed the potentially offensive content of the movie with other groups before moving forward with production, but did not hold similar consultations with the disability community.

AAPD issued a joint statement as part of the coalition, which includes the Special Olympics, Arc of the United States and the National Council on Independent Living, criticizing the film and calling on Hollywood to remedy the harm that is being done by the film.

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest cross-disability membership organization, organizes the disability community to be a powerful voice for change - economically, politically, and socially. AAPD was founded in 1995 to help unite the diverse community of people with disabilities, including their family, friends and supporters, and to be a national voice for change in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

To learn more, visit the AAPD website:

WGAW Overwhelmingly Approved Screen Credit Amendments

2008-08-02T00:00:00-04:00

WGAE President Michael Winship and WGAW President Patric M. Verrone share the results in this letter to membership.

To Our Fellow Members:

We're pleased to inform you that ballots have been tabulated, and members of the Writers Guilds, East and West have overwhelmingly approved all three proposed amendments to the Screen Credits Manual. A total of 1,619 ballots were cast with the following results:

Proposal #1 - Arbiter Teleconference - 90% in favor of adopting the amendment (1,455 yes; 154 no).
Proposal #2 - Elimination of Relaxed Standard - Percentage Requirements to Receive Screenplay Credit - 86% in favor of adopting the amendment (1,387 yes; 219 no).
Proposal #3 - Rules for Production Executive Teams - Elimination of 60% Rule - 83% in favor of adopting the amendment (1,344 yes; 268 no).

The amendments are effective immediately, and will apply to any project for which a Notice of Tentative Writing Credits is submitted on or after August 1, 2008. The text of the amendments may be found on each Guild's website at www.wgaeast.org and www.wga.org.

Thanks to all of you who participated in this important referendum, yet another indication of our continued, growing solidarity. Special thanks to the members of the Credits Review Committee for their patience, commitment and hard work.

Sincerely,

Patric M. Verrone Michael Winship
President, WGAW President, WGAE

2008 Princess Grace Foundation Announces Award Recipients

2008-07-31T00:00:00-04:00

NEW YORK, -- The Board of Trustees of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA and its Chairman, Hon. John F. Lehman, announced yesterday the recipients of 2008 Princess Grace Awards. The Awards for theater, dance/choreography and film continue the legacy of Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco, who anonymously helped emerging artists pursue their goals throughout Her lifetime.

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA, a public charity, was formed after the death of Princess Grace in 1982. They award scholarships, apprenticeships, and fellowships to assist artists with career development.

The Foundation cultivates a diverse group of nearly 500 artists to date who continue to advance the spectrum of performing arts with innovative, cutting-edge, vibrant theater, dance, film, playwriting and design. Among some notable Princess Grace Awards recipients in Theater are 2008 Tony Award winner for Best Direction of a Play, Anna D. Shapiro; Pulitzer and Tony Award winning playwright Tony Kushner and Academy Award winner Eric Simonson. Film recipients include Stephen Hillenburg, creator of SpongeBob SquarePants; Eric Darnell, director of Madagascar 1 and 2 and Antz and Greg Mottola, director of Superbad. Recipients of Princess Grace Dance Awards include ballet dancers Maria Kowroski and Ethan Stiefel, and choreographers Robert Battle and Dawn Stoppiello.

Each year, the Foundation announces a select group of Princess Grace Awards for distinction in the areas of theater, dance, and film. Students are eligible for scholarships; emerging artists working in companies qualify for apprenticeships and fellowships. A playwriting fellowship is available for individual artists through a residency at New Dramatists in New York City. In addition to these, the Foundation also gives honorable mention grants to applicants through Honoraria.

FILM

Caitlin Craggs, Lake Stevens, WA
Animation Undergraduate Film Scholarship, University of Southern
California

Derrick A. Jones, Youngstown, OH
Documentary Graduate Film Scholarship, Ohio University

Nikyatu S. Jusu, Atlanta, GA
Narrative Graduate Film Scholarship, New York University

Deirtra Thompson, Baltimore, MD
John H. Johnson Film Award
Experimental Graduate Film Scholarship, Bard College

Josh Weissbach, Austin, TX
Cary Grant Film Award
Documentary Undergraduate Film Scholarship, Hampshire College

Iman K. Zawahry, Panama City, FL
Narrative Graduate Film Scholarship, Florida State University

Kimberly Bautista, Pasadena, CA
Documentary Film Honoraria, UC Santa Cruz

Henry C. Fernandez, E. Los Angeles, CA
Narrative Film Honoraria, California State University, Northridge, Radio,
TV & Film

Jordan C. Greenhalgh, Albany, NY
Experimental Animation Film Honoraria, Rochester Institute of Technology

David Horowitz, Chicago, IL
Animation Film Honoraria, University of Southern California

Erica Lisette Murphy, Rogue Valley, OR
Animation Film Honoraria, School of The Museum of Fine Arts

SPECIAL PROJECT AWARDS
Rosemary Newcott, Theater
Chi Wang Yang, Theater
Ilya Chaiken, Film
Miwa Materyek, Film
Julie Wyman, Film

WORKS IN PROGRESS AWARDS
Shelia Callaghan, Playwriting
Maureen Towey, Theater

The Dark Knight Wins Again

2008-07-27T00:00:00-04:00

As expected THE DARK KNIGHT won the weekend box office race with an estimated $75.6 million take bringing total earnings to $314 million in 10 days.

New release STEP BROTHERS came in second with $30 million followed by MAMMA MIA! at $17.8 million and X-FILES - I WANT TO BELIEVE in fourth at $10.2 million.

SAG National Board Resolution Reaffirms Importance of Jurisdiction Over All New Media Productions

2008-07-27T00:00:00-04:00

SAG National Board Resolution Reaffirms Importance of Jurisdiction Over All New Media Productions and
Residuals for All Made-For-New Media Programs

The National Board of Directors of Screen Actors Guild passed the following resolution at its meeting yesterday:

It is a core principle of Screen Actors Guild --

That no non-union work shall be authorized to be done under any Screen Actors Guild agreement and;

That all work under a Screen Actors Guild contract, regardless of budget level, shall receive fair compensation when reused.

Passed unanimously 68-0.

This resolution represents guidance from the National Board of Directors to the National Negotiating Committee. It reaffirmed the importance of these issues in these negotiations.

“For some time, we have been telling the industry how important it is for all new media productions under our contract to be done union and how important residuals for made-for new media programming are when programs are re-run on new media,” said SAG National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Doug Allen.

“I am very pleased that our National Board today unanimously confirmed these essential principles in support of our National Negotiating Committee,” Allen added.

Canadian Screenwriters Vote ?YES? to Contract Extension with Canadian Producers

2008-07-22T00:00:00-04:00

Toronto – July 21, 2008 – Canadian screenwriters voted overwhelmingly in favour of a 12-month extension to their collective agreement with the Canadian Film & Television Producers Association (CFTPA) and the Association des Producteurs de Film et Télévision du Québec (APFTQ). The Writers Guild of Canada’s Independent Production Agreement (IPA), which governs screenwriting in Canada, expires on December 31, 2008. The ratification extends the agreement through to December 31, 2009, and includes an increase in compensation effective January 1, 2009.

Terms of the extension include a 3% increase to the minimum script fee, paid to a writer on delivery of the script, and a 3% increase to the minimum fee paid to the screenwriter when the script goes into production.

All parties to the deal – the WGC, CFTPA and APFTQ – are pleased with the extension. The three industry groups worked out the deal in recognition that the next 18 months will reshape the regulatory landscape in which members of all three associations work. The next year will see all groups involved in CRTC hearings on New Media broadcasting and conventional broadcaster licence renewals, terms of trade negotiations and more.

Maureen Parker, Executive Director, WGC, said that “this is a good deal for Canadian screenwriters. The production fee increase translates to real gains for working screenwriters. But overall, it’s a win/win agreement because it means there will be stability in the creative community at a time when it is under siege by the cable companies and broadcasters. As the CRTC looks at renewing broadcasting licences, at new initiatives for Canadian New Media production, and at the responsibilities of the cable and satellite companies to the Canadian broadcasting system in which they thrive, the creative community can focus on the work ahead to ensure that Canadians can access high-quality, scripted Canadian programming.”

John Barrack, National Executive Vice President and Counsel, CFTPA, said that “all parties recognize that the collective bargaining process is time consuming and costly and it was easy to agree that we would be far better to devote these resources to our common cause of improving the production landscape in Canada. The CFTPA appreciates the WGC’s support for our Terms of Trade initiative with Canada’s broadcasters and we furthermore look forward to working in unity and advocating with the guild in order to achieve our common objectives before the CRTC and elsewhere.”

Julie Patry, Director of Industrial Relations, APFTQ, said that “the decision to extend the agreement with increases reflects the good relations and good faith between the Canadian and Quebec production community and the screenwriters. We understand that we share a common purpose – to tell compelling Canadian stories, and to see those stories on our television, movie and computer screens.”

WGAW ANNOUNCES FINAL CANDIDATES FOR 2008 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION

2008-07-22T00:00:00-04:00

There are 19 candidates nominated to run for eight open seats on the WGAW’s Board of Directors, as follows: Aaron Mendelsohn (inc.), Mark Gunn (inc.), Howard Michael Gould, Tim Day, Timothy J. Lea, Bernard Lechowick, David A. Goodman (inc.), John F. Bowman (inc.), Kathy Kiernan (inc.), Aaron Solomon, Mick Betancourt, Karen Harris, Kat Smith, Howard Kuperberg, Kevin Droney, Ashley Gable, Dwayne Johnson-Cochran, Katherine Fugate, Luvh Rakhe. No previously-announced candidates withdrew their candidacies, and no additional candidates were added to the initial roster.

Note to editors: WGA internal rules require candidates to be announced in an order determined by lot; (inc.) denotes an incumbent candidate.

The WGAW will host its annual Candidates Night town hall forum, at which Guild members may to meet the candidates and get answers to their questions on Wednesday, September 3, at WGAW headquarters in Los Angeles.

Guild members will receive candidate and non-candidate statements and rebuttal statements, if any, with their ballots prior to the election. Candidates may also mail additional campaign materials at their own expense. Members may vote by mail or in person at the WGAW’s annual membership meeting on Monday, September 22. Ballots will be counted on Tuesday, September 23.

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) represents writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable, and new media industries in both entertainment and news. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: www.wga.org.

BATMAN $155.34 Million!!!

2008-07-19T00:00:00-04:00

UPDATE:
Head of Distribution for WB reports THE DARK KNIGHT hit a record $155.34 million this weekend.
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The domestic box office went into overdrive on Friday as Warner Bros.' Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" stood ready to deliver the best opening day gross ever, taking in an estimated $60 million to $63 million in ticket sales from a record 4,366 theaters. The next largest opening was from last year’s Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End with 4,362.

SPIDER-MAN 3 was the record holder (non-holiday) with $59.8 million of opening Friday and then a cume of $151.1 for the weekend.

PARTING THE WATERS' Swimmer Cullen Jones Makes the Olympic Swim Team!

2008-07-19T00:00:00-04:00

Parting the Waters is the story of African-American championship swimmers Maritza Correia and Cullen Jones, and the young black and Latino swimmers coming up behind them -- as they challenge old myths, fears, and stereotypes to break down the last vestiges of segregation.

Great news! Cullen Jones made the United States Olympic Swim Team! He'll be swimming in the 4x100 meter freestyle relay in Beijing -- starting on August 10th.

Lia Neal also swam superbly. She broke her own American age-group record in the 50-meter freestyle, she made the Junior National team, and she also qualified for the World Youth Games, but ironically she was too young to actually go.

Check out the NEWS section of their website to meet other black and Latino swimmers we met and interviewed at the Olympic Trials.

Click on Swimming World TV to check out an interview Brent Rutemiller did with us about Parting the Waters.

They are still in production through the end of the summer, so check the NEWS page of their website often to see where they are and who they're filming.

Read more about filmmakers JOSH WALETZKY & JENNY LEVISON at "Do Tell Productions."

CONGRESSWOMAN JACKIE SPEIER SUPPORTS ?REALITY? TV WORKERS? UNION ORGANIZING EFFORTS

2008-07-17T00:00:00-04:00

Congresswoman Jackie Speier has entered the attached statement into the Congressional Record in support of the union organizing efforts of “reality” TV workers.

This statement comes hours after Wednesday’s launch of the American Idol Truth Tour, co-sponsored by the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Congresswoman Speier represents San Francisco and San Mateo Counties in California, including Daly City. The American Idol Truth Tour’s first stop will be, Thursday, July 17, at the Cow Palace in Daly City. American Idol is produced by FremantleMedia, North America.

In a separate letter to WGAW President Patric M. Verrone, Congresswoman Speier stated:

“The right to freely bargain in good faith with your employer is as American a right as we possess. To suggest that the content creators and other employees of America’s most popular and profitable show should not be afforded that right is ludicrous.”

Referring to her statement in the Congressional Record, Speier wrote: “While it, alone, will not bring relief to the underpaid and disrespected employees of FremantleMedia North America, I hope it represents one pebble in an avalanche of support for your very worthy cause.”

For more information on the American Idol Truth Tour, please visit: www.truthaboutfremantle.com