On Applying to Fellowship Programs Post-Strike

AKA on NOT applying...

Hi Everyone,

Wow. What a week.

This month there are two writing programs. These are programs you cannot apply to. If there is a program this month we are missing, please let us know.

If you applied to a program below, or any program for that matter, before the strike, you do not need to take any action at this time. We will update you if the strike extends into notifications/interviews.

Very Oversimplified Terms to know:

• Signatory: Companies with a written agreement w/the WGA and have agreed to comply with guidelines.

• Non-Signatory: Companies that do not have a written agreement w/the WGA

• Struck: Companies you can’t work with/companies we’re on strike with, both signatories and non-signatories are struck

• Subterfuge: A subterfuge is a workaround, a middle person, and in this case, it’s a middle person to a signatory. 

Language from WGA Legal

“The strike rules do not prohibit non-members from submitting to fellowships, but note that most, if not all of these fellowships are sponsored by (or somehow connected to) companies who are signatory to our agreement, and would be “struck companies.” While we can’t tell you not to submit for them, doing so could bar you from potential membership and we strongly discourage you from doing so. We are trying to dry up the supply of content for producers, and so submitting to any of these contests, even if they’re not officially connected to a studio, would be tantamount to crossing a picket line.” Source: Email

Sundance 2024 Peak Development Track - due 5/15 (DO NOT APPLY.)

• Here’s why: Sundance has relationships with signatories and acts as a “subterfuge” to signatories. Even though you're not directly submitting your work to struck companies, programs like this help funnel literary material to struck companies. Companies like this are a subterfuge.

• If you scroll the Strikes FAQ, two questions under “Strike Rules and Member Obligations During a Strike” apply:

  1. What is a struck company? A “struck company” is a company that was signatory to the 2020 MBA. A list of struck companies is here. But remember: Working Rule 8 at all times prohibits members from working for non-signatory companies. This means that during a strike, Guild members cannot perform writing services (or option/sell literary material) in any market covered by the MBA (feature motion pictures, television and new media).

  2. How do the strike rules apply to producers? Producers are treated as representatives of struck companies under the Strike Rules.Rule 1 prohibits WGA members from attending meetings, or engaging in conversations as a writer concerning new, pending or future projects or writing assignments with producers.

  3. While there isn’t a one to one rule one can point to and this still seems vague because you have to cross reference language from different places to explain it, there is language in Strike Rule 12 that applies: “Although it is impossible to contemplate every situation, it should be clear that the most inclusive interpretation of “writing” is intended. In short: when in doubt, don’t.”

• The spirit of these programs is to provide writers access to production companies, who then talk to signatories, or are signatories themselves.. We encourage preWGA writers to withhold work from these opportunities.The purpose of the strike is to DRY THE PIPELINE of writers from Hollywood, that includes WGA writers and preWGA writers. And the “most inclusive interpretation” of Sundance, would be for preWGA to not apply to Sundance.

• To double make sure we asked legal and here is what they said about Sundance: The Guild’s strike rules apply to members, but the Guild will bar non-members from membership if they work for struck companies (i.e., signatories) during the strike.  Submission of literary material to a struck company, even indirectly, would be considered scabbing. For upcoming fellowships and contests, I would encourage you not to submit material for any of these kinds of programs during the strike in order to be sure you are not providing literary material to struck companies.

WB - due 5/31 (DO NOT APPLY.)

• Here’s why: Warner Brothers is a signatory and while unpaid is still submitting literary material, so rule 2 applies here.

• Strike rule 2 again applies: “Do not deliver or submit any literary material to a struck company. Do not sign or deliver documents related to writing assignments or the sale or option of literary material to a struck company.” Source: https://www.wgacontract2023.org/strike/strike-rules

• If the strike ends before 5/31, then you would be able to apply.

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Overall, if being a future WGA member is a priority and you do not want to scab, it’s best to avoid these programs.

Language from WGA Legal re: programs generally: “We are asking non-members who wish to join the Guild in the future to not submit material to these kinds of programs during a strike. Essentially it is a form of providing literary material for struck companies and would be considered scab-writing. While we can’t prevent these non-members from submitting material, they would not be able to join WGA in the future in all likelihood.” Source: Twitter https://twitter.com/ReallyMighty/status/1652720921441091585?s=20) 

If you already applied to these programs accidentally during a strike, we will follow up on what to do in another post.

Reach out to us with any questions on this or beyond.

In Solidarity,

KJJM