John August

WGA

Sidecast: Solidarity and Strike Rules

Episode - SC5

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News, Scriptnotes, Sidecast, WGA

John and Drew discuss the newly-released WGA 2023 Strike Rules and how guilds across the industry are showing support for the WGA.

We then answer listener questions about what writers – union and non-union – can do during a strike. Are any meetings are ok to take? Can you sign with a manager? And what if your optioned material is sold?

Links:

* [WGA Sends Out Strike Rules To Members As Potential Hollywood Labor Shutdown Looms Next Week](https://deadline.com/2023/04/hollywood-strike-wga-rules-1235337584/) by Dominic Patten and David Robb for Deadline
* [Teamsters Statement on Writers Guild of America Negotiations](https://teamster.org/2023/04/teamsters-statement-on-writers-guild-of-america-negotiations/)
* [DGA Statement of Support for WGA in Contract Negotiations](https://www.dga.org/News/PressReleases/2023/230424_DGAStatement_of_Support_for_WGA.aspx)
* [IATSE President Issues Statement of Support for Writers as Strike Deadline Approaches](https://iatse.net/iatse-president-issues-statement-of-support-for-writers-as-strike-deadline-approaches/)
* [SAG-AFTRA Statement in Support of WGA Negotiations](https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-statement-support-wga-negotiations)
* Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations [here at WGAContract2023.org](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/)
* John on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/johnaugust), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en) and [Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/SC5standard.mp3).

Sidecast: SAV Results

News, Scriptnotes, Sidecast, WGA

In this mini-episode, John and Drew discuss the results of the Strike Authorization Vote, and what’s next for negotiations.

We also answer a listener question asking how preWGA writers can show support during a possible strike.

Links:

* [Strike Authorization Results](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/updates/strike-authorization-vote-results)
* Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations [here at WGAContract2023.org](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/)
* John on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/johnaugust), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en) and [Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Drew Marquardt](https://www.instagram.com/marquardtam/)

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/SC4standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 4-18-23:** [preWGA proud](https://twitter.com/KariBarlas/status/1648318520671756297?s=20) image by Kari Barlas

Sidecast: Strike Authorization Vote

News, Scriptnotes, Sidecast, WGA

John returns from the negotiating room to chat with Drew about the upcoming Strike Authorization Vote. What does Strike Authorization actually mean? How do WGA members vote? And what can writers do this week before voting begins?

We also answer a question from a listener wrestling with their fears of a potential strike.

Links:

* [Find complete information for the Strike Authorization Vote here.](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/take-action/strike-authorization-vote)
* Find more about the 2023 WGA negotiations [here at WGAContract2023.org](https://www.wgacontract2023.org/)
* John on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/johnaugust), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en) and [Mastodon](https://mastodon.art/@johnaugust)
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Drew Marquardt](https://www.instagram.com/marquardtam/)

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/SC3standard.mp3).

M is for Minimum

Scriptnotes, Transcribed, WGA

John and Craig define and discuss important terms for writers: backends, profits, scales, floors, ceilings, and minimums. They trace the flow of money from WGA contracts to residuals and the downstream impact on animation writers.

They also take a look at characters ‘finding themselves’ and harsh writing advice. Follow up includes Korean grammar, holiday movies, the phrase ‘fake it till you make it’ and whether you should introduce yourself as a writer.

In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig analyze why movie dialogue has become harder to understand.

Links:

* [Endeavor sells its content side CJ Entertainment](https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2021/nov/29/endeavor-sells-content-studio-south-korean-media-c/)
* [WGA Health Fund](https://www.wgaplans.org/health/healthfaqs.html) now eligible for infertility treatments.
* [For tips on understanding your contract, check out episode 407](https://johnaugust.com/2019/scriptnotes-ep-407-understanding-your-feature-contract-transcript)
* [A writer who moved off the grid and hates it](https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/love-humor/remote-cabin-write/) advice by Blair Braverman
* [Have You Considered Accountancy? How to Start Writing (and When to Stop): Advice for Writers By Wisława Szymborska (Edited and translated from Polish by Clare Cavanagh)](https://literaryreview.co.uk/have-you-considered-accountancy) review by Joanna Kavenna
* [The Game Master’s Book of Non-Player Characters](https://www.amazon.com/Game-Masters-Book-Non-Player-Characters/dp/1948174804) by Jeff Ashworth
* [Canary Mail](https://canarymail.io/) email service for MacOS and iOS
* [Why Movie Dialogue is so Hard to Understand](https://www.slashfilm.com/673162/heres-why-movie-dialogue-has-gotten-more-difficult-to-understand-and-three-ways-to-fix-it/?fbclid=IwAR3ClhGA3-F33lfL1MXxML90-rrSH8Tt2vARyijsSFKEsZL-3D5vrJO6i-g#) by Ben Pearson for Slashfilm
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Timothy Vajda ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) and edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/528standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 1-5-21** The transcript for this episode can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-episode-528-m-is-for-minimum-transcript).