What is a WGA agreement?

2020 Writers Guild of America Theatrical and Television Basic Agreement. The MBA is the collective bargaining agreement that covers most of the work done by WGA writers. If you have questions regarding the application or interpretation of its provisions, contact the Guild’s Contracts Department or call (323) 782-4501.

How much is WGA publication fee?

The Script Publication Fee for credited screenwriters will increase by $2,500, to $12,500.

What is WGA span protection?

The provision defends against the erosion of overscale pay that can occur as writing and production schedules extend over long periods of time, by limiting the period of time covered by a writer-producer’s episodic fee to 2.4 weeks of work.

What is WGA minimum on screenplay?

Low budget minimums are $50,039 for Original Screenplays and $40,722 for Non-Original Screenplays. Calibrate accordingly if the project is Non-Original.

Should I register my script with WGA or copyright?

Therefore, if you are a screenwriter wondering whether to register with the WGA or the Copyright Office, the answer should be clear: Always register your script with the Copyright Office, and, if you have the extra $10 or $20, register with the WGA, as well.

Does Netflix pay writer residuals?

If you wrote a one-hour episode on a Netflix series under the 2017 MBA, your first-year residual would be calculated using $25,663 as the base for story & teleplay, 150% for the subscriber factor, and 35% for the first year.

How much do show creators make per episode?

How much is a TV screenwriter paid on average? As mentioned above, according to the 2020 Schedule of Minimums, an aspiring TV screenwriter can expect to make anywhere between $6,363 to $56,078 per episode or $3,964 to $5,059 per week.

What is an episodic fee?

With the rise of short seasons and mini-rooms, it has become harder for TV writer-producers to make sure they’ll be paid fairly. The Guild’s MBA sets a minimum weekly pay for writer-producers working on an episodic series, but compensation is often negotiated as a payment per episode (“episodic fee”).

How much do first time screenplays sell for?

If you sell a treatment, you should expect around $15,000 on the front end and $30,000 on the back-end. Finally, if you manage to sell a screenplay, you should receive at least $40,000 upfront and $75,000 on the back-end. The front-end means the money you will get at the point of sale as soon as the deal closes.

How much do HBO writers get paid?

The salary trajectory of a Writer/Producer ranges between locations and employers. The salary starts at $49,481 per year and goes up to $48,715 per year for the highest level of seniority.