In September 2017, I was elected to the board of directors for the Writers Guild of America, West. It’s a two-year term.
The WGA represents writers in film and television, as well as in new media and other areas of professional writing.
There are two WGAs — East and West — each with their own boards and officers. They serve the same functions, including:
- Negotiating and enforcing the contract with our employers (the studios).
- Maintaining the health and pension plans for members.
- Protecting creative rights, including credits.
- Collecting and distributing residuals.
If you’re a WGAw member with an issue or suggestion you’d like to bring to my attention, you can reach me (and other board members) through the board portal. I’ll do my best to find you an answer, or steer you to someone who can help.
If you’re not yet a WGAw member, but you’re aiming to become one, I’m also curious to hear what you’re experiencing. Aspiring writers often encounter future trends first. Non-WGA folks can write in to ask@johnaugust.com. Because of the volume of email, I won’t be able to respond to each one. But I read everything.
