The Writers Guild of America West has re-elected Meredith Stiehm as its president and Michele Mulroney as its vice president in an unusual strike-era officer and board of directors election.
Incumbent Betsy Thomas won the seat for secretary-treasurer, beating out Jeffrey Thompson, in the voting period that ended on Tuesday. Other officer candidates included Rich Talarico, who had been running for president, and Isaac Gómez, who had been running for vice president. Voting took place between August 29 and Sept. 19 amid the ongoing writers’ strike, which began more than four months ago.
Candidates who won seats on the union’s board of directors included incumbents Adam Conover, Nicole Yorkin, Dailyn Rodriguez, Zoe Marshall and Dante W. Harper, as well as fresh candidates Molly Nussbaum, Scott Alexander and Rob Forman.
Three thousand seven hundred eighty-three valid ballots were cast in the election, which was administered by Votenet Solutions. Around 11,000 WGA West members were eligible to vote,...
Incumbent Betsy Thomas won the seat for secretary-treasurer, beating out Jeffrey Thompson, in the voting period that ended on Tuesday. Other officer candidates included Rich Talarico, who had been running for president, and Isaac Gómez, who had been running for vice president. Voting took place between August 29 and Sept. 19 amid the ongoing writers’ strike, which began more than four months ago.
Candidates who won seats on the union’s board of directors included incumbents Adam Conover, Nicole Yorkin, Dailyn Rodriguez, Zoe Marshall and Dante W. Harper, as well as fresh candidates Molly Nussbaum, Scott Alexander and Rob Forman.
Three thousand seven hundred eighty-three valid ballots were cast in the election, which was administered by Votenet Solutions. Around 11,000 WGA West members were eligible to vote,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Meredith Stiehm has been reelected as president of WGA West, in a strong show of support as the union’s strike continues into its fifth month.
Stiehm took 3,354 votes, easily defeating Rich Talarico, who took just 300 votes.
Two other officers were also reelected: Michele Mulroney, as vice president, and Betsy Thomas, as secretary-treasurer. Five board members were reelected, and three new members were also elected to the board.
Stiehm was the showrunner of “Cold Case” on CBS and “The Bridge” on FX. She was also a key figure in the union’s fight against agency packaging in 2019-21. She alleged that CAA, her former agency, collected almost as much for packaging “Cold Case” as she did for writing the show.
Since the strike began on May 2, Stiehm has described herself as a “wartime president,” and has said that the union is on the path to success.
“It’s been a long hot summer,...
Stiehm took 3,354 votes, easily defeating Rich Talarico, who took just 300 votes.
Two other officers were also reelected: Michele Mulroney, as vice president, and Betsy Thomas, as secretary-treasurer. Five board members were reelected, and three new members were also elected to the board.
Stiehm was the showrunner of “Cold Case” on CBS and “The Bridge” on FX. She was also a key figure in the union’s fight against agency packaging in 2019-21. She alleged that CAA, her former agency, collected almost as much for packaging “Cold Case” as she did for writing the show.
Since the strike began on May 2, Stiehm has described herself as a “wartime president,” and has said that the union is on the path to success.
“It’s been a long hot summer,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
A day after Walt Disney Studios was bustling with thousands of union members for the National Day of Solidarity, the mood Wednesday was more subdued at the Burbank lot as writers voiced their frustrations with the latest offer from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
“I think we’re going in the right direction, but I think that there’s still a lot of ground that needs to be covered,” Writers Guild of America board member Dailyn Rodriguez told The Hollywood Reporter in front of Disney on Wednesday. “I can see loopholes all over the proposal, and our membership sees that as well.”
The AMPTP on Tuesday night released details of its Aug. 11 offer to the WGA that included percentage increases in salary, span protections and some guardrails on the use of generative artificial intelligence. But it was the notion that the AMPTP put out the details of...
“I think we’re going in the right direction, but I think that there’s still a lot of ground that needs to be covered,” Writers Guild of America board member Dailyn Rodriguez told The Hollywood Reporter in front of Disney on Wednesday. “I can see loopholes all over the proposal, and our membership sees that as well.”
The AMPTP on Tuesday night released details of its Aug. 11 offer to the WGA that included percentage increases in salary, span protections and some guardrails on the use of generative artificial intelligence. But it was the notion that the AMPTP put out the details of...
- 8/23/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Anxiety. Anger. Frustration. As the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes roll on, folks in Hollywood are feeling it all. “The strikes are hard on everyone,” writer and producer Joe Henderson tells THR. “It’s a weird time because there’s a mix of feeling empowered to fight for what we deserve and believe in — and feeling powerless because we don’t feel seen for the value we create. I vary between being depressed and being inspired. That’s the challenge.”
Psychotherapists who work with a largely Hollywood clientele say their patients are unsettled and triggered during the work stoppage. “What happens when people are under a great deal of stress like this, there’s a primitive defense mechanism — it’s called projection. That’s when people assign their unwanted feelings onto somebody else,” says Beverly Hills psychologist Jeff Blume, noting that this can be a factor in the acrimony now permeating the industry.
Psychotherapists who work with a largely Hollywood clientele say their patients are unsettled and triggered during the work stoppage. “What happens when people are under a great deal of stress like this, there’s a primitive defense mechanism — it’s called projection. That’s when people assign their unwanted feelings onto somebody else,” says Beverly Hills psychologist Jeff Blume, noting that this can be a factor in the acrimony now permeating the industry.
- 8/21/2023
- by Hadley Meares
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Editor’s note: One in a series of stories marking the 100th day of the WGA strike.
The writers strike has hit Day 100 – the point at which the last walkout by the Writers Guild of America ended in 2008.
It’s a significant juncture, one that Chris Keyser and David A. Goodman, who co-chair the WGA’s negotiating committee, call a “milestone of shame” for the AMPTP.
It also comes five days after the latest attempt to get both sides back to the negotiating table.
That meeting between the WGA West’s Chief Negotiator Ellen Stutzman and her General Counsel Tony Segall and AMPTP boss Carol Lombardini and her team wasn’t as productive as many had hoped.
Related: L.A. Picket Locations: The Best And Worst Places To Strike Over The Past 100 Days
While the WGA, late on Friday night, revealed that there was “no agreement” on resuming negotiations for a new Mba and,...
The writers strike has hit Day 100 – the point at which the last walkout by the Writers Guild of America ended in 2008.
It’s a significant juncture, one that Chris Keyser and David A. Goodman, who co-chair the WGA’s negotiating committee, call a “milestone of shame” for the AMPTP.
It also comes five days after the latest attempt to get both sides back to the negotiating table.
That meeting between the WGA West’s Chief Negotiator Ellen Stutzman and her General Counsel Tony Segall and AMPTP boss Carol Lombardini and her team wasn’t as productive as many had hoped.
Related: L.A. Picket Locations: The Best And Worst Places To Strike Over The Past 100 Days
While the WGA, late on Friday night, revealed that there was “no agreement” on resuming negotiations for a new Mba and,...
- 8/9/2023
- by Peter White and Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Members of the striking Writers Guild of America voiced their frustrations about the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers’ latest attempts to resume negotiations following a meeting Friday that was designed to determine if there was a path forward. The guild informed members Friday — day 95 of the strike — that the talks with the group that represents the studios and streamers produced no agreement.
Included in the update to WGA members was the union’s summary of the issues both sides planned to bring back to the table when negotiations formally resume.
According to the Writers Guild memo, the AMPTP is seeking to use the deal that the Directors Guild of America agreed to earlier this summer as a template for shared issues like pay increases and expressed a willingness to increase their offer on a few writer-specific TV minimums — but not such core writer issues as the minimum size...
Included in the update to WGA members was the union’s summary of the issues both sides planned to bring back to the table when negotiations formally resume.
According to the Writers Guild memo, the AMPTP is seeking to use the deal that the Directors Guild of America agreed to earlier this summer as a template for shared issues like pay increases and expressed a willingness to increase their offer on a few writer-specific TV minimums — but not such core writer issues as the minimum size...
- 8/5/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Two weeks after the Writers Guild of America and performers organization SAG-AFTRA filed mirror National Labor Relations Board grievances against NBCUniversal, claiming the studio had infringed on their members’ right to picket — as well as their safety — by obstructing the public sidewalk in front of their studio lot, the company has restored partial access along Lankershim Boulevard.
The changes — freshly poured asphalt and removed fencing — were revealed on Tuesday to marchers and uninvolved pedestrians alike in the hours before the two unions held a joint press conference and rally at the studio’s main entrance, at which they assailed NBCUniversal both for its perceived mulishness in the respective contractual negotiations that have led to the ongoing strikes and the sidewalk situation, which they find hazardous. During his speech at the event, WGA negotiating committee co-chair David A. Goodman said: “Our employers hate picketing. They really hate it. They really want us to go away.
The changes — freshly poured asphalt and removed fencing — were revealed on Tuesday to marchers and uninvolved pedestrians alike in the hours before the two unions held a joint press conference and rally at the studio’s main entrance, at which they assailed NBCUniversal both for its perceived mulishness in the respective contractual negotiations that have led to the ongoing strikes and the sidewalk situation, which they find hazardous. During his speech at the event, WGA negotiating committee co-chair David A. Goodman said: “Our employers hate picketing. They really hate it. They really want us to go away.
- 8/1/2023
- by Gary Baum
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Striking writers now have a new punching bag: Bob Iger.
After telling CNBC’s David Faber Thursday that the labor situation is “very disturbing” and how the Hollywood unions aren’t being realistic about the current financial climate, WGA picketers went postal on social media by pointing out the massive pay disparity between the Disney CEO and most working writers today.
In a lengthy sit-down with CNBC from Sun Valley, Idaho, Iger addressed the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes and his ongoing feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Though his digs at DeSantis were lauded — he called the governor’s claims that Disney is sexualizing children “preposterous and inaccurate”— he lost the Tinseltown rank and file when he said “this is the worst time in the world” to walk off the job.
“I understand any labor organization’s desire to work on behalf of its members to get the most compensation...
After telling CNBC’s David Faber Thursday that the labor situation is “very disturbing” and how the Hollywood unions aren’t being realistic about the current financial climate, WGA picketers went postal on social media by pointing out the massive pay disparity between the Disney CEO and most working writers today.
In a lengthy sit-down with CNBC from Sun Valley, Idaho, Iger addressed the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes and his ongoing feud with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Though his digs at DeSantis were lauded — he called the governor’s claims that Disney is sexualizing children “preposterous and inaccurate”— he lost the Tinseltown rank and file when he said “this is the worst time in the world” to walk off the job.
“I understand any labor organization’s desire to work on behalf of its members to get the most compensation...
- 7/13/2023
- by Lynette Rice and Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Meredith Stiehm will seek a second two-year term as president of WGA West in the fall election, and the other top officials of the guild will also seek reelection.
Justine Bateman, the writer-director and former “Family Ties” star, is running for a spot on the WGA West board. Bateman has become outspoken on the need for tight regulation of artificial intelligence.
The guild announced its preliminary list of nominees on Wednesday. Stiehm, who has been active in both the agency campaign and the current strike, will run against challenger Rich Talarico, a “Key and Peele” writer who has faulted the guild for not doing more to fight back against the release of free clips of the show on YouTube.
Michele Mulroney is running for reelection as vice president, and Betsy Thomas is seeking another term as secretary-treasurer. They will run against Isaac Gomez and Jeffrey Thompson, respectively.
The WGA West has a 16-member board,...
Justine Bateman, the writer-director and former “Family Ties” star, is running for a spot on the WGA West board. Bateman has become outspoken on the need for tight regulation of artificial intelligence.
The guild announced its preliminary list of nominees on Wednesday. Stiehm, who has been active in both the agency campaign and the current strike, will run against challenger Rich Talarico, a “Key and Peele” writer who has faulted the guild for not doing more to fight back against the release of free clips of the show on YouTube.
Michele Mulroney is running for reelection as vice president, and Betsy Thomas is seeking another term as secretary-treasurer. They will run against Isaac Gomez and Jeffrey Thompson, respectively.
The WGA West has a 16-member board,...
- 6/21/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America West is holding officer and board elections in the middle of its ongoing strike, which is now in its 51st day. Incumbent president Meredith Stiehm is seeking reelection and will face off against Rich Talarico – both of whom were selected by the guild’s nominating committee.
In the race for vice president, incumbent Michele Mulroney will face challenger Isaac Gómez, while in the contest for secretary-treasurer, incumbent Betsy Thomas will face Jeffrey Thompson.
The guild said Wednesday that the nominating committee also selected 24 candidates to run for eight open seats on the guild’s board of directors. They are incumbents Nicole Yorkin, Dailyn Rodriguez, Adam Conover, Dante W. Harper, and Zoe Marshall, and challengers Molly Nussbaum, Danielle Iman, Maggie Levin, Blake Masters, Rob Forman, Anthony Sparks, Justine Bateman, Alex O’Keefe, Jonterri Gadson, Leah Folta, Susannah Grant, Grant Scharbo, Safia M. Dirie, Sean Presant, Scott Alexander,...
In the race for vice president, incumbent Michele Mulroney will face challenger Isaac Gómez, while in the contest for secretary-treasurer, incumbent Betsy Thomas will face Jeffrey Thompson.
The guild said Wednesday that the nominating committee also selected 24 candidates to run for eight open seats on the guild’s board of directors. They are incumbents Nicole Yorkin, Dailyn Rodriguez, Adam Conover, Dante W. Harper, and Zoe Marshall, and challengers Molly Nussbaum, Danielle Iman, Maggie Levin, Blake Masters, Rob Forman, Anthony Sparks, Justine Bateman, Alex O’Keefe, Jonterri Gadson, Leah Folta, Susannah Grant, Grant Scharbo, Safia M. Dirie, Sean Presant, Scott Alexander,...
- 6/21/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Creep, Creep 2, Corporate Animals, and There’s Someone Inside Your House director Patrick Brice has lined up his next genre project, as Deadline reports that Brice has signed on to direct the graphic novel adaptation Party & Prey for Legendary Entertainment and AfterShock Media. Brice will be working from a screenplay by Robert Forman, who previously wrote an episode of the TV series iZombie and a couple episodes of the show Army Wives.
Created by Steve Orlando and Steve Foxe, the Party & Prey graphic novel was described as “a social horror-thriller with a bold genre twist”. The story centers on Alan, a wealthy, older gay man, who meets a confident and attractive young man named Scott at a nightclub. Their chemistry leads them to end up at Alan’s house, where the men’s dark secrets are laid bare and they have a night together neither of them expected.
Orlando and...
Created by Steve Orlando and Steve Foxe, the Party & Prey graphic novel was described as “a social horror-thriller with a bold genre twist”. The story centers on Alan, a wealthy, older gay man, who meets a confident and attractive young man named Scott at a nightclub. Their chemistry leads them to end up at Alan’s house, where the men’s dark secrets are laid bare and they have a night together neither of them expected.
Orlando and...
- 12/15/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Up next from Patrick Brice is an adaptation of the graphic novel Party & Prey from AfterShock Comics, Deadline reports this afternoon.
Legendary Entertainment and AfterShock Media are behind the upcoming feature film adaptation of the comic book tale from creators Steve Orlando and Steve Foxe.
“Published in 2021, the graphic novel penned by Orlando and Foxe is billed as a social horror-thriller with a bold genre twist. It tells the story of Alan, a wealthy, older gay man, who meets a confident and attractive young man named Scott at a nightclub.
“Their chemistry leads them to end up at Alan’s house, where the men’s dark secrets are laid bare and they have a night together neither of them expected.”
Rob Forman (iZombie) scripted the adaptation that Brice will direct.
“From our nightmares to reality, in the best way possible!” Orlando said. “Here we are at a moment with Party & Prey that we never expected,...
Legendary Entertainment and AfterShock Media are behind the upcoming feature film adaptation of the comic book tale from creators Steve Orlando and Steve Foxe.
“Published in 2021, the graphic novel penned by Orlando and Foxe is billed as a social horror-thriller with a bold genre twist. It tells the story of Alan, a wealthy, older gay man, who meets a confident and attractive young man named Scott at a nightclub.
“Their chemistry leads them to end up at Alan’s house, where the men’s dark secrets are laid bare and they have a night together neither of them expected.”
Rob Forman (iZombie) scripted the adaptation that Brice will direct.
“From our nightmares to reality, in the best way possible!” Orlando said. “Here we are at a moment with Party & Prey that we never expected,...
- 12/15/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: Legendary Entertainment and AfterShock Media have closed a deal for a feature adaptation of the latter’s graphic novel Party & Prey from creators Steve Orlando & Steve Foxe, in a competitive situation. Patrick Brice (Creep) has been tapped to direct from a script by Rob Forman (iZombie).
Published in 2021, the graphic novel penned by Orlando and Foxe is billed as a social horror-thriller with a bold genre twist. It tells the story of Alan, a wealthy, older gay man, who meets a confident and attractive young man named Scott at a nightclub. Their chemistry leads them to end up at Alan’s house, where the men’s dark secrets are laid bare and they have a night together neither of them expected.
AfterShock Media and Legendary will produce the film adaptation alongside Lee Kramer, David Sigurani and Jon Kramer, with Orlando and Foxe exec producing, and Max Zupanovic serving as co-producer.
Published in 2021, the graphic novel penned by Orlando and Foxe is billed as a social horror-thriller with a bold genre twist. It tells the story of Alan, a wealthy, older gay man, who meets a confident and attractive young man named Scott at a nightclub. Their chemistry leads them to end up at Alan’s house, where the men’s dark secrets are laid bare and they have a night together neither of them expected.
AfterShock Media and Legendary will produce the film adaptation alongside Lee Kramer, David Sigurani and Jon Kramer, with Orlando and Foxe exec producing, and Max Zupanovic serving as co-producer.
- 12/15/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America West announced on Monday the results of its 2020 Board of Directors Election, with seven of the race’s eight incumbents being re-elected.
The 2020 Board members are Betsy Thomas, Deric A. Hughes, Ashley Gable, Patti Carr, David Slack, Travis Donnelly, Patric M. Verrone, and newcomer Eric Haywood.
A total of 2,204 votes were cast, with Thomas leading the votes with 1,583. The remaining votes were as follows: Deric A. Hughes, Ashley Gable, Patti Carr, David Slack, Eric Haywood, Travis Donnelly, Patric M. Verrone, Katherine Beattie (754), Daniel Kunka (753), Rob Forman (655), Andrew Ti (558), John Lopez (493), Leland Jay Anderson (303).
“A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all the candidates that ran this year,” said WGA West President David A. Goodman. “The work of the Board continues, and we’re fortunate that we have so many members ready to step forward and give their free time to help protect and advance the interests of all our members.
The 2020 Board members are Betsy Thomas, Deric A. Hughes, Ashley Gable, Patti Carr, David Slack, Travis Donnelly, Patric M. Verrone, and newcomer Eric Haywood.
A total of 2,204 votes were cast, with Thomas leading the votes with 1,583. The remaining votes were as follows: Deric A. Hughes, Ashley Gable, Patti Carr, David Slack, Eric Haywood, Travis Donnelly, Patric M. Verrone, Katherine Beattie (754), Daniel Kunka (753), Rob Forman (655), Andrew Ti (558), John Lopez (493), Leland Jay Anderson (303).
“A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all the candidates that ran this year,” said WGA West President David A. Goodman. “The work of the Board continues, and we’re fortunate that we have so many members ready to step forward and give their free time to help protect and advance the interests of all our members.
- 9/21/2020
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Former Writers Guild of America West president Patric Verrone and negotiating committee co-chair Betsy Thomas have won re-election to WGA West board seats.
Incumbents Deric A. Hughes, Ashley Gable, Patti Carr, David Slack and Travis Donnelly also won re-election along with “Empire” and “Power” co-executive producer Eric Haywood. Other candidates were Katherine Beattie, Daniel Kunka, Rob Forman, Andrew Ti, John Lopez and Leland Jay Anderson.
A total of 2,204 valid ballots were cast, reflecting the usual turnout of about 25% of eligible members. The ballot count was announced Monday and supervised by Votenet Solutions.
“A heartfelt thank you to all the candidates that ran this year,” said WGA West president David A. Goodman. “The work of the board continues, and we’re fortunate that we have so many members ready to step forward and give their free time to help protect and advance the interests of all our members.”
The seats are for two-year terms.
Incumbents Deric A. Hughes, Ashley Gable, Patti Carr, David Slack and Travis Donnelly also won re-election along with “Empire” and “Power” co-executive producer Eric Haywood. Other candidates were Katherine Beattie, Daniel Kunka, Rob Forman, Andrew Ti, John Lopez and Leland Jay Anderson.
A total of 2,204 valid ballots were cast, reflecting the usual turnout of about 25% of eligible members. The ballot count was announced Monday and supervised by Votenet Solutions.
“A heartfelt thank you to all the candidates that ran this year,” said WGA West president David A. Goodman. “The work of the board continues, and we’re fortunate that we have so many members ready to step forward and give their free time to help protect and advance the interests of all our members.”
The seats are for two-year terms.
- 9/21/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Writers Guild of America West has announced the results of its 2020 Board of Directors election, with eight members elected for two-year terms.
Of the eight, only one – Eric Haywood – is a non-incumbent.
The elected members include Haywood, Betsy Thomas, Deric A. Hughes, Ashley Gable, Patti Carr, David Slack, Travis Donnelly and Patric M. Verrone.
“A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all the candidates that ran this year,” said Wgaw President David A. Goodman. “The work of the Board continues, and we’re fortunate that we have so many members ready to step forward and give their free time to help protect and advance the interests of all our members.”
The numerical voting results are: Betsy Thomas, Deric A. Hughes, Ashley Gable, Patti Carr, David Slack, Eric Haywood, Travis Donnelly, Patric M. Verrone, Katherine Beattie (754), Daniel Kunka (753), Rob Forman (655), Andrew Ti (558), John Lopez (493), Leland Jay Anderson (303).
A total of 2,204 valid ballots were cast.
Of the eight, only one – Eric Haywood – is a non-incumbent.
The elected members include Haywood, Betsy Thomas, Deric A. Hughes, Ashley Gable, Patti Carr, David Slack, Travis Donnelly and Patric M. Verrone.
“A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all the candidates that ran this year,” said Wgaw President David A. Goodman. “The work of the Board continues, and we’re fortunate that we have so many members ready to step forward and give their free time to help protect and advance the interests of all our members.”
The numerical voting results are: Betsy Thomas, Deric A. Hughes, Ashley Gable, Patti Carr, David Slack, Eric Haywood, Travis Donnelly, Patric M. Verrone, Katherine Beattie (754), Daniel Kunka (753), Rob Forman (655), Andrew Ti (558), John Lopez (493), Leland Jay Anderson (303).
A total of 2,204 valid ballots were cast.
- 9/21/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Sixteen candidates are vying for eight open seats on the WGA West’s board of directors. The seven incumbents seeking reelection are Patti Carr, Ashley Gable, Betsy Thomas, David Slack, Patric M. Verrone, Travis Donnelly and Deric A. Hughes.
The nine other candidates are Adam Starks, John Lopez, Rob Forman, Scott Rosenbaum, Andrew Ti, Katherine Beattie, Daniel Kunka, Leland Jay Anderson and Eric Haywood.
Ballots will go out August 31 and must be returned by September 21. The guild will host a virtual Candidates Night forum, where members can pose questions to the candidates, on September 2.
The nine other candidates are Adam Starks, John Lopez, Rob Forman, Scott Rosenbaum, Andrew Ti, Katherine Beattie, Daniel Kunka, Leland Jay Anderson and Eric Haywood.
Ballots will go out August 31 and must be returned by September 21. The guild will host a virtual Candidates Night forum, where members can pose questions to the candidates, on September 2.
- 7/23/2020
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Writers Guild of America West president Patric Verrone and negotiating committee co-chair Betsy Thomas are among the 15 candidates for eight WGA West board seats.
The guild’s nominating committee made the announcement Friday. The election will take place on Sept. 21.
The seats are for two-year terms. The president, vice president, secretary-treasurer, and eight other board seats will be up for election next year.
Verrone, best known for leading the bitter 2007-08 strike while president, is an incumbent on the board. Thomas, who is also an incumbent and has credits on “My Boys” and “Whitney,” was named co-chair of the negotiating committee with Michele Mulroney and Shawn Ryan late last year.
The WGA launched negotiations on May 18 on a successor master contract for film and TV with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The current three-year contract expires on June 30. The WGA has announced that it’s seeking gains in streaming residuals,...
The guild’s nominating committee made the announcement Friday. The election will take place on Sept. 21.
The seats are for two-year terms. The president, vice president, secretary-treasurer, and eight other board seats will be up for election next year.
Verrone, best known for leading the bitter 2007-08 strike while president, is an incumbent on the board. Thomas, who is also an incumbent and has credits on “My Boys” and “Whitney,” was named co-chair of the negotiating committee with Michele Mulroney and Shawn Ryan late last year.
The WGA launched negotiations on May 18 on a successor master contract for film and TV with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The current three-year contract expires on June 30. The WGA has announced that it’s seeking gains in streaming residuals,...
- 6/19/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The WGA West’s nominating committee has selected 18 candidates to vie for eight open seats in the guild’s upcoming board of directors election.
Seven of the candidates are incumbents: Patti Carr, Ashley Gable, Betsy Thomas, David Slack, Patric M. Verrone, Travis Donnelly and Deric A. Hughes. The other candidates selected by the nominating committee are Adam Starks, J. David Shanks, John Lopez, Carlos Foglia, Rob Forman, Scott Rosenbaum, Andrew Ti, Katherine Beattie, Daniel Kunka, Leland Jay Anderson and Eric Haywood.
Eligible members also can run for the board by petition by obtaining 15 member signatures in support of their candidacies. The deadline for submitting signed petitions is July 23. Guild members will receive voting materials, including links to candidate, non-candidate and rebuttal statements, on August 31. The voting period concludes on September 21.
Seven of the candidates are incumbents: Patti Carr, Ashley Gable, Betsy Thomas, David Slack, Patric M. Verrone, Travis Donnelly and Deric A. Hughes. The other candidates selected by the nominating committee are Adam Starks, J. David Shanks, John Lopez, Carlos Foglia, Rob Forman, Scott Rosenbaum, Andrew Ti, Katherine Beattie, Daniel Kunka, Leland Jay Anderson and Eric Haywood.
Eligible members also can run for the board by petition by obtaining 15 member signatures in support of their candidacies. The deadline for submitting signed petitions is July 23. Guild members will receive voting materials, including links to candidate, non-candidate and rebuttal statements, on August 31. The voting period concludes on September 21.
- 6/19/2020
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
David Goodman has been convincingly re-elected to a two-year term as president of the Writers Guild of America West, beating Phyllis Nagy in a bitter contest that became a referendum on the guild’s ongoing battle with talent agents.
Goodman received 4,395 votes to Nagy’s 1,282 in an election that yielded record turnout among the WGA West’s nearly 10,000 members — more than half of eligible voters cast ballots. Goodman’s allies also won all 10 other seats that were up for election.
Marjorie David ran unopposed for vice president and won with 4,706 votes.Michele Mulroney received 4,164 votes for secretary-treasurer to 1,256 for Nagy ally Nick Jones, Jr. and 203 for Evette Vargas. Incumbent Meredith Stiehm topped the board of director candidates followed by incumbent Luvh Rakhe, Liz Alper, incumbent Angelina Burnett, incumbent Nicole Yorkin, Zoe Marshall, Robb Chavis, and Dante W. Harper,
Marc Guggenheim took in the most votes of Nagy’s allies with 1,488, followed by Sarah Treem,...
Goodman received 4,395 votes to Nagy’s 1,282 in an election that yielded record turnout among the WGA West’s nearly 10,000 members — more than half of eligible voters cast ballots. Goodman’s allies also won all 10 other seats that were up for election.
Marjorie David ran unopposed for vice president and won with 4,706 votes.Michele Mulroney received 4,164 votes for secretary-treasurer to 1,256 for Nagy ally Nick Jones, Jr. and 203 for Evette Vargas. Incumbent Meredith Stiehm topped the board of director candidates followed by incumbent Luvh Rakhe, Liz Alper, incumbent Angelina Burnett, incumbent Nicole Yorkin, Zoe Marshall, Robb Chavis, and Dante W. Harper,
Marc Guggenheim took in the most votes of Nagy’s allies with 1,488, followed by Sarah Treem,...
- 9/17/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar-nominated screenwriter Nicholas Kazan has attacked leaders of the Writers Guild of America for “vitriol” in their hardline stance on Hollywood agents.
“This Guild is in crisis,” he said in an email sent Monday to members. “It’s not the crisis you think…it’s not whether or how to negotiate with the Ata or the individual talent agencies. The crisis is internal. The agency campaign has divided membership in a dangerous and unprecedented way, turning writer against writer, friend against friend…in an atmosphere dominated by distrust and vitriol.”
Kazan, who is the father of actress and writer Zoe Kazan and the son of Oscar-winning director Elia Kazan, is part of the WGA Forward Together slate. His group is contending that the WGA needs to get back to the bargaining table after two months of staying away from bargaining. WGA West president David Goodman declared on June 20 that the...
“This Guild is in crisis,” he said in an email sent Monday to members. “It’s not the crisis you think…it’s not whether or how to negotiate with the Ata or the individual talent agencies. The crisis is internal. The agency campaign has divided membership in a dangerous and unprecedented way, turning writer against writer, friend against friend…in an atmosphere dominated by distrust and vitriol.”
Kazan, who is the father of actress and writer Zoe Kazan and the son of Oscar-winning director Elia Kazan, is part of the WGA Forward Together slate. His group is contending that the WGA needs to get back to the bargaining table after two months of staying away from bargaining. WGA West president David Goodman declared on June 20 that the...
- 8/12/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The election for the Writers Guild of America West remains heated with dissidents attacking the guild’s hardline stance on Hollywood agents.
The latest salvo came Sunday from “Wonder Woman” writer Jason Fuchs, who’s part of the WGA Forward Together slate. His group is contending that the WGA needs to get back to the bargaining table after two months of staying away from bargaining. Fuchs, who is seeking a seat on the WGA West board, hasa story credit on “Wonder Woman,” a shared screenplay credit for “Ice Age: Continental Drift” and is a co-producer for “It: Chapter 2.”
“The current approach of our WGA-w leadership is a failing strategy,” Fuchs said. “Negotiating with small and mid-size agencies — most of which don’t even package — does nothing to put pressure on the Big 4, and this strategy is exactly the reason for this long and pointless stalemate. It does nothing to raise writers’ incomes,...
The latest salvo came Sunday from “Wonder Woman” writer Jason Fuchs, who’s part of the WGA Forward Together slate. His group is contending that the WGA needs to get back to the bargaining table after two months of staying away from bargaining. Fuchs, who is seeking a seat on the WGA West board, hasa story credit on “Wonder Woman,” a shared screenplay credit for “Ice Age: Continental Drift” and is a co-producer for “It: Chapter 2.”
“The current approach of our WGA-w leadership is a failing strategy,” Fuchs said. “Negotiating with small and mid-size agencies — most of which don’t even package — does nothing to put pressure on the Big 4, and this strategy is exactly the reason for this long and pointless stalemate. It does nothing to raise writers’ incomes,...
- 8/11/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
A fourth candidate for the Writers Guild of America West’s board has dropped out of the race in order to support the guild’s hardline stance on Hollywood agents.
Joshua Hale Fialkov made the announcement Friday, three days after Rob Forman, Ed Herro and Chris Roessner all announced they had withdrawn from the contest for the same reason. The four dropouts mean that there are now 17 candidates for eight open board seats in a contest that’s viewed as a referendum on the WGA’s hard-nosed approach. Election results will be announced on Sept. 16.
Craig Mazin dropped out of the election last week as a vice presidential candidate due to concerns over a family member’s health. Mazin was a running mate with Phyllis Nagy, who is challenging WGA West president David Goodman on a platform that the WGA needs to get back to the bargaining table after six weeks of staying away.
Joshua Hale Fialkov made the announcement Friday, three days after Rob Forman, Ed Herro and Chris Roessner all announced they had withdrawn from the contest for the same reason. The four dropouts mean that there are now 17 candidates for eight open board seats in a contest that’s viewed as a referendum on the WGA’s hard-nosed approach. Election results will be announced on Sept. 16.
Craig Mazin dropped out of the election last week as a vice presidential candidate due to concerns over a family member’s health. Mazin was a running mate with Phyllis Nagy, who is challenging WGA West president David Goodman on a platform that the WGA needs to get back to the bargaining table after six weeks of staying away.
- 8/9/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Another board candidate has dropped out of the WGA West election and thrown his support to incumbent president David A. Goodman and his running mates. Joshua Hale Fialkov is the fourth board candidate to drop out – leaving 17 candidates vying for eight board seats.
Fialkov, who was selected to run by the guild’s nominating committee, was running independently of either of the two slates headed by Goodman and opposition presidential candidate Phyllis Nagy.
Indie board candidates Rob Forman, Ed Herro and Chris Roessner had previously dropped out of the running, as had vice presidential candidate Craig Mazin, Nagy’s running mate.
Here is Fialkov’s full statement issued Friday:
Like many of my fellow nominees, I’ve made the immensely difficult decision to step away from the election. As has been said more elegantly by them, this election has become about picking sides, and either you’re with our current...
Fialkov, who was selected to run by the guild’s nominating committee, was running independently of either of the two slates headed by Goodman and opposition presidential candidate Phyllis Nagy.
Indie board candidates Rob Forman, Ed Herro and Chris Roessner had previously dropped out of the running, as had vice presidential candidate Craig Mazin, Nagy’s running mate.
Here is Fialkov’s full statement issued Friday:
Like many of my fellow nominees, I’ve made the immensely difficult decision to step away from the election. As has been said more elegantly by them, this election has become about picking sides, and either you’re with our current...
- 8/9/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The four-month stalemate between the Writers Guild of America and Hollywood’s talent agencies is generating plenty of passion among guild candidates.
Wednesday night’s WGA West membership meeting at the WGA Theatre in Beverly Hills provoked accusations of electioneering — using guild resources for campaigning — against President David Goodman, who is seeking re-election, and WGA West Executive Director David Young. Goodman is advocating a hardline approach to achieve the WGA’s goals of banning agency packaging fees and affiliate production.
Opposition board candidates Rasheed Newson and Ayelet Waldman made the claims, which Goodman emphatically denied.
“What David Goodman and David Young are doing tonight at the general meeting is a violation of the law,” tweeted Waldman. “Electioneering at guild events is specifically not allowed. Shame on them! In fact, many who are there reported their disgust at the electioneering.”
Newson said in a Tweet, “This was meant to be an information meeting.
Wednesday night’s WGA West membership meeting at the WGA Theatre in Beverly Hills provoked accusations of electioneering — using guild resources for campaigning — against President David Goodman, who is seeking re-election, and WGA West Executive Director David Young. Goodman is advocating a hardline approach to achieve the WGA’s goals of banning agency packaging fees and affiliate production.
Opposition board candidates Rasheed Newson and Ayelet Waldman made the claims, which Goodman emphatically denied.
“What David Goodman and David Young are doing tonight at the general meeting is a violation of the law,” tweeted Waldman. “Electioneering at guild events is specifically not allowed. Shame on them! In fact, many who are there reported their disgust at the electioneering.”
Newson said in a Tweet, “This was meant to be an information meeting.
- 8/8/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Three WGA West board candidates – Rob Forman, Ed Herro and Chris Roessner – have dropped out of the race, leaving 18 candidates vying for eight open board seats.
“The rumors are true,” tweeted Forman, who said he’s endorsing the current leadership’s ongoing standoff with the Association of Talent Agents. “I’ve withdrawn my name from the WGA board of directors race. This election has been turned into a referendum on the Ata conflict, and I don’t want to play third-party spoiler. The guild deserves a clean, up-down vote so we can all move forward as a union. My staying in the race would have potentially siphoned votes away from a group of candidates whose core strategic beliefs I agree with, and I simply wasn’t willing to risk that.”
He said he’s supporting David A. Goodman for president, Marjorie David for vice president and Michele Mulroney for secretary-treasurer.
“The rumors are true,” tweeted Forman, who said he’s endorsing the current leadership’s ongoing standoff with the Association of Talent Agents. “I’ve withdrawn my name from the WGA board of directors race. This election has been turned into a referendum on the Ata conflict, and I don’t want to play third-party spoiler. The guild deserves a clean, up-down vote so we can all move forward as a union. My staying in the race would have potentially siphoned votes away from a group of candidates whose core strategic beliefs I agree with, and I simply wasn’t willing to risk that.”
He said he’s supporting David A. Goodman for president, Marjorie David for vice president and Michele Mulroney for secretary-treasurer.
- 8/7/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
A trio of candidates for the Writers Guild of America West’s board have dropped out of the race in order to support the guild’s hardline stance on Hollywood agents.
Rob Forman, Ed Herro and Chris Roessner all announced Tuesday that they had withdrawn from the contest. The three dropouts mean that there are now 18 candidates for eight open board seats in a contest that’s viewed as a referendum on the WGA’s hard-nosed approach. Election results will be announced on Sept. 16.
Craig Mazin dropped out of the election last week as a vice presidential candidate due to concerns over a family member’s health. Mazin was a running mate with Phyllis Nagy, who is challenging WGA West president David Goodman on a platform that the WGA needs to get back to the bargaining table after six weeks of staying away. Nick Jones Jr. is also part of...
Rob Forman, Ed Herro and Chris Roessner all announced Tuesday that they had withdrawn from the contest. The three dropouts mean that there are now 18 candidates for eight open board seats in a contest that’s viewed as a referendum on the WGA’s hard-nosed approach. Election results will be announced on Sept. 16.
Craig Mazin dropped out of the election last week as a vice presidential candidate due to concerns over a family member’s health. Mazin was a running mate with Phyllis Nagy, who is challenging WGA West president David Goodman on a platform that the WGA needs to get back to the bargaining table after six weeks of staying away. Nick Jones Jr. is also part of...
- 8/7/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The final list of candidates in the WGA West’s upcoming election has been unveiled, giving members a clear choice between supporters and opponents of the guild’s current course in its 102-day standoff with Hollywood’s talent agencies. New board candidates include high-profile names like Power‘s Courtney Kemp, the Arrowverse’s Marc Guggenheim, The Affair‘s Sarah Treem and Wonder Woman’s Jason Fuchs. Ballots won’t be counted until September 16.
As previously reported, incumbent president David A. Goodman, one of the leaders of the guild’s attempts to realign the agency business, will face two challengers opposed to the guild’s hardline strategy: Phyllis Nagy and William Schmidt.
Nagy, who’s been one of the most outspoken members opposed to the direction the guild has taken, is teamed with Craig Mazin, who’s running for vice president, and Nick Jones, Jr., who’s running for secretary-treasurer.
The...
As previously reported, incumbent president David A. Goodman, one of the leaders of the guild’s attempts to realign the agency business, will face two challengers opposed to the guild’s hardline strategy: Phyllis Nagy and William Schmidt.
Nagy, who’s been one of the most outspoken members opposed to the direction the guild has taken, is teamed with Craig Mazin, who’s running for vice president, and Nick Jones, Jr., who’s running for secretary-treasurer.
The...
- 7/23/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The WGA West has unveiled the slate of candidates for officer posts and board seats in the election that reflects the divisions among members over the guild’s handling of the campaign to reform its rules governing talent agents.
Scribes Phyllis Nagy (“Carol”) and William Schmidt (“Yellowstone”) are set to challenge David Goodman for the president’s post. Nagy and Schmidt have been vocal in her opposition to the guild’s reform campaign that led to more than 7,000 WGA members firing their agents in April.
The guild has been in a standoff with the largest talent agencies since then, although two boutique operations have signed on to the WGA’s new terms. Goodman, elected in 2017, has been a key face of the agency effort along with WGA West executive director David Young.
The higher volume of candidates for board seats this time around surely is a byproduct of the agency discord.
Scribes Phyllis Nagy (“Carol”) and William Schmidt (“Yellowstone”) are set to challenge David Goodman for the president’s post. Nagy and Schmidt have been vocal in her opposition to the guild’s reform campaign that led to more than 7,000 WGA members firing their agents in April.
The guild has been in a standoff with the largest talent agencies since then, although two boutique operations have signed on to the WGA’s new terms. Goodman, elected in 2017, has been a key face of the agency effort along with WGA West executive director David Young.
The higher volume of candidates for board seats this time around surely is a byproduct of the agency discord.
- 7/23/2019
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
David A. Goodman is running unopposed for a second two-year term as president of the Writers Guild of America West.
Goodman, who has become the public voice of the guild during its bitter standoff with Hollywood agents, also ran unopposed in 2017 when he succeeded Howard Rodman in the post.
The WGA West announced Friday that its negotiating committee had sought a second unidentified candidate for the presidency but that person opted not to run. Goodman could still face opposition if another candidate opts to run by petition, which would require submission of 25 member signatures by July 23.
Goodman served as executive producer of Seth MacFarlane’s “Family Guy” between 2005 and 2012. He broke into the business in 1986 as a story editor on “The Golden Girls” and has writing and producing credits on “Enterprise,” “American Dad,” “Allen Gregory,” “Futurama,” “Babes,” and “Stark Raving Mad.”
The WGA standoff with agents appears to have no end in sight.
Goodman, who has become the public voice of the guild during its bitter standoff with Hollywood agents, also ran unopposed in 2017 when he succeeded Howard Rodman in the post.
The WGA West announced Friday that its negotiating committee had sought a second unidentified candidate for the presidency but that person opted not to run. Goodman could still face opposition if another candidate opts to run by petition, which would require submission of 25 member signatures by July 23.
Goodman served as executive producer of Seth MacFarlane’s “Family Guy” between 2005 and 2012. He broke into the business in 1986 as a story editor on “The Golden Girls” and has writing and producing credits on “Enterprise,” “American Dad,” “Allen Gregory,” “Futurama,” “Babes,” and “Stark Raving Mad.”
The WGA standoff with agents appears to have no end in sight.
- 6/21/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
WGA West president David A. Goodman has been chosen by the guild’s nominating committee for reelection to a second term. Goodman, who has been a leader of the guild’s ongoing battle against Hollywood’s talent agencies was first elected unopposed in 2017.
A second nominee designated by the nominating committee for the office of president declined the nomination. The guild didn’t say who it was. Whether Goodman will run unopposed again this time won’t be known until July 23, which is the deadline for eligible members to file to run by petition.
The nominating committee said Friday it selected two candidates to compete for vice president: incumbent Marjorie David and former longtime secretary-treasurer Carl Gottlieb.
Aaron Mendelsohn, the guild’s secretary-treasurer, won’t be seeking reelection. The guild’s nom com has nominated board member Michele Mulroney and writer Evette Vargas to succeed him.
There are 17 candidates running...
A second nominee designated by the nominating committee for the office of president declined the nomination. The guild didn’t say who it was. Whether Goodman will run unopposed again this time won’t be known until July 23, which is the deadline for eligible members to file to run by petition.
The nominating committee said Friday it selected two candidates to compete for vice president: incumbent Marjorie David and former longtime secretary-treasurer Carl Gottlieb.
Aaron Mendelsohn, the guild’s secretary-treasurer, won’t be seeking reelection. The guild’s nom com has nominated board member Michele Mulroney and writer Evette Vargas to succeed him.
There are 17 candidates running...
- 6/21/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The mood was unrepentantly positive at the Television Academy’s panel “Writing Lgbtqia Love and Romance on TV,” held April 30 at Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, as creatives gathered to discuss what it means to craft meaningful and nuanced Lgbtq+ love stories in the modern TV landscape.
Moderated by former “Army Wives” writer Rob Forman, the producers and writers on the panel seemed content to focus primarily on the positive, praising Peak TV and the surplus of content providers for allowing for more and more diverse lives – and romances – to be depicted.
“I get so excited creating stuff in 2019,” executive producer and writer of Netflix’s upcoming “Tales of the City” revival Lauren Morelli said. “There’s such a community and we’re all so desperate for representation. I think the more people that are getting to tell our stories, the more space there is to tell really specific stories.
Moderated by former “Army Wives” writer Rob Forman, the producers and writers on the panel seemed content to focus primarily on the positive, praising Peak TV and the surplus of content providers for allowing for more and more diverse lives – and romances – to be depicted.
“I get so excited creating stuff in 2019,” executive producer and writer of Netflix’s upcoming “Tales of the City” revival Lauren Morelli said. “There’s such a community and we’re all so desperate for representation. I think the more people that are getting to tell our stories, the more space there is to tell really specific stories.
- 5/1/2019
- by Libby Hill
- Indiewire
Percy Daggs III ("Veronica Mars") Guest Stars - Liv (Rose McIver) and Clive (Malcolm Goodwin) investigate the mysterious death of a former sniper, Everett (guest star Ronald Patrick Thompson), who has been working as an instructor at a paintball facility. They begin questioning family members including Everett's ex-wife and her new husband Sean (guest star Percy Daggs III) and realize things are not what they seem. Meanwhile, Major (Robert Buckley) continues to get closer and closer to the truth, and Blaine (David Anders) does the unthinkable. Guy Bee directed the episode written by Robert Forman From the executive producers of Veronica Mars, iZOMBIE stars Rose McIver (Power Rangers R.P.M.) as Olivia “Liv” Moore, a medical resident on the fast track to a perfect life … until she’s turned into a zombie. Now stuck between half-alive and undead, Liv transfers to the city morgue to reluctantly access the only thing that...
- 5/6/2015
- ComicBookMovie.com
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