THE WRITERS GUILD - UK UNIONBy Brad Sampson

THE WRITERS GUILD– WTF IS IT BRO?

• The writers guild was established in 1959, in Great Britain.

• It is a trade union for professional and non professional writers.

• It represents writers working in television, radio, film, theatre, books and multimedia.

• As of 2013, it had just over 2000 members.• David Edgar is the president of the

company, a prolific man having over 60 of his plays published and performed on stage.

THE WRITERS GUILD

• The guild is not limited to professionals, but is a service open to emerging and aspiring writers.

• They have attracted high profile writers through their history and continue to do so.

• They campaign on behalf of writers, to ensure their voices are heard.

GENERAL INFORMATION

THE WRITERS GUILD

• Free training• Contract vetting (publishing contract)• Pension schemes• Welfare fund• Entry to weekly find a writer directly• Plus member only offers and discounts!

WHAT DO THEY DO?

THE WRITERS GUILD WHAT DO THEY DO X2?

• The writers guild host a red carpet event, every year, since 1961.• The event gives writers a chance to

celebrate their peers, and to honour the importance of writers. And to get hammered. • There are plenty of opportunities for

writers to get involved with their union. Through regional committees or becoming a member of the WGGBs decision-making body.

THE WRITERS GUILD TOP 10 REASONS TO JOIN: PART 1

• 1 – Pay. The Writers Guild negotiates pay with major industry bodies. Such as; BBC, ITV, The Royal Court, National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company.

• 2 – Decent Conditions. Regular baths that sort of thing. From bullying to rehearsal attendance, the guild protects the writer from exploitation.

• 3 – Basic contract vetting service for full and candidate members. Ran by WGGB staff.

• 4 – Support and advice. Writers can be weird little loners, modern age cave dwellers. You will receive the full backing of a professionally ran trade union. Including personal advice from staff, and the ability to meet regularly with new writers.

• 5 – Pension. Full members working in Film, TV and radio have a pension scheme. This requires that the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 pay 6-8% of their fee directly to a pension fund.

THE WRITERS GUILD TOP 10 REASONS TO JOIN: PART 2

• 6 – Free and discounted training. As a member of WGGB you are eligible for free training through the Federation. This includes workshops and online tutorials on a wide set of transferable skills to your freelance career.

• 7 – Other perks and discounts. A free British Library Reader pass god damn. Discounts off theatre tickets at selected theatres. Full members pay no joining fee for the Writers Guild of America.

• 8 – Weekly Ebulletin. All WGGB members receive a weekly Ebulletin, sent out every Friday and packed full of news, events, jobs and writing opportunities.

• 9 – Get involved with regional committees. Join community. Impact your own life and other writers around you.

• 10 – A campaigning union. WGGB have a powerful voice in the industry on issues that affect writers. Public debates via lobbyists in Westminster and Europe. WGGB also has large international affiliations, which put it in great stead in an every changing digital landscape.

THE WRITERS GUILD

• WGGB rates and agreements cover TV, theatre, radio and some areas of film.

• A section of the WGGB, is where you can find an extensive list of rates and agreements which cover the above industries.

• These rates and agreements are used to protect writers legally. Within these agreements you can find such laws which are dated from certain acts.

• Many of the laws which the WGGB use to protect its members are passed in the USA.

RATES&AGREEMENTS

THE WRITERS GUILDRESOURCES AND GUIDELINES

• The union also publishes and distributes guidelines for the different areas of the industry. E.g. Animation and Musical Theatre.

• Some guidelines are published publically, downloadable from the website.

• For others, members must contact the head office to obtain.

THE WRITERS GUILDCONTACT

• The contact info of the union is clearly stated on their website

• The address, phone number and email are all clearly listed which is professional and efficient.

• You can also find your regional representative.