WGA

OVERVIEW
WGA
JUDGING
DIRECTOR
RULES
APPLY
TIPS
IN TOUCH
FORUM
THE SAGE
WINNERS '99
WINNERS '00
WINNERS '01
WINNERS '02
HERE'S WHY
WINNERS '03
WINNERS '04
THS 2005

The Writers' Guild of America represents feature film, television, informational film, and new media writers for the purpose of collective bargaining. It also maintains a Minimum Basic Agreement of fees, it administers the collection of residuals, oversees health and pension funds, provides arbitration for on-screen writer credits, and renders a host of other services for screen and TV writers. The WGA also maintains one of the most interesting and valuable web sites for screenwriters, at www.wga.org, a location that contains hundreds of annotated links to primary research sources designed specifically for writers of scripts.

One important function of the Guild is providing a script registration service. This service registers over 30,000 pieces of literary material annually and is available to members and non-members alike. For a nominal fee, scripts are date-stamped and archived by the Guild.

A WGA registration is not the same thing as a copyright, and does not preclude a writer from also obtaining a copyright. The purpose of the WGA registration is simply to establish proof of authorship as of a certain date. It provides a degree of legal protection that every writer should have. The U.S. copyright office form, Form PA (and instructions), can be found at http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright/forms/.

It is recommended that all scripts submitted to the Hollywood Symposium Screenplay Contest, or anywhere else, be registered with the Guild. The WGA Registration Office must receive:

	One (1) 8 1/2" x 11" unbound copy
	Cover sheet with title of material and the author(s) full legal name(s)
	Social security number (or equivalent) of one writer (the registrant)
	Registration fee: WGA members $10.00, non-members $20.00
	You may now also register on-line

Mailing address:

	WGAw Registration
	7000 West Third Street
	Los Angeles, CA 90048

Phone: (323) 782-4500 Fax: (323) 782-4803

"What are we looking for? What everyone looks for. A script that evokes an emotional response."

--Justen Dardis, literary agent (Agency for the Performing Arts)

"Write the script that keeps you up at night."

--Rima Greer, literary agent
(Above the Line Agency)