SAG-AFTRA’s Interactive Media Agreement, which covers video game performers, expired in November of 2022. On July 26, 2024, after 18 months of negotiations with some of the industry’s largest video game companies, SAG-AFTRA members called a strike. Today on the podcast, WGAW member and host Myles Warden is joined by SAG-AFTRA Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Committee Chair Sarah Elmaleh for an update on the strike and to learn more about the core issues that SAG-AFTRA members are fighting for.
In our latest episode, host Hilliard Guess talks with Cross developer-showrunner Ben Watkins(Hand of God, Burn Notice) about his hit Amazon Prime series, what he looks for when staffing writers’ rooms, and more.
In this episode, host Moon Zappa talks with Companion screenwriter-director Drew Hancock (My Dead Ex, Suburgatory) about his feature film debut, transitioning from TV to film, balancing tone, and more.
Host Susie Singer Carter speaks with The Last Showgirl screenwriter Kate Gersten about drawing from her own experience of Las Vegas nightlife, her transition from writing for television (The Good Place, Mozart in the Jungle) to film, and more.
In this episode, WGAW member and host Jonterri Gadson is joined by Víctor Sánchez, Executive Director for the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy – also known as LAANE – an organizing and advocacy institution committed to economic, environmental, and racial justice. LAANE brings together community power and labor power to win policies that improve the lives of working families in Los Angeles and in Long Beach.
Host Jonterri Gadson talks with The Sticky creators-showrunners Brian Donovan & Ed Herro (American Housewife, The Neighbors) about their journey to bring the dark comedy caper to the screen, the challenges of shooting on location, the art of pitching, and more.
In this episode, host Josephine Green Zhang talks with Queer and Challengers screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes about collaborating with director Luca Guadagnino, the challenges of adaptation, and more.
In this episode, host Moon Zappa speaks with screenwriter David Scarpa (Napoleon, All the Money in the World) about Gladiator II, crafting historical epics, the creative challenges of sequels, and more.
Host Kristina Woo talks with screenwriter-director Sean Baker (Red Rocket, The Florida Project, Tangerine) about his latest film Anora, the nuts & bolts of indie filmmaking, handling tonal shifts, and more.
In this episode, host Aaron Fullerton speaks with The Diplomat creator-showrunner Debora Cahn about Season Two of Netflix’s political drama series, how the show’s writers’ aim for authenticity, and more.
On this episode host Jonterri Gadson talks with Everybody Still Hates Chris developer-showrunner Sanjay Shah about how he got the Comedy Central animated series WGA-covered, the creative challenges of live-action vs. animation, his best tips for selling your pitch, and more.
On this episode, with 2024 elections just a few weeks away, campaign season is in full swing.
WGAW Senior Research and Public Policy Director Laura Blum-Smith joins Kristina Woo to talk about WGAW’s policy priorities.
To learn more about the guild's policy priorities visit https://www.wga.org/public-policy
Host Josephine Green Zhang talks with filmmaker Megan Park about her latest film, the coming-of age comedy My Old Ass, making the transition from acting to writing and directing, finding her authentic voice, and more.
Host Jasmyne Peck speaks with The Penguin developer-showrunner Lauren LeFranc about how the Max limited series explores the rise of the Gotham crime lord as a character study, the challenges of staying true to The Batman universe, and more.
Back by popular demand, we have members of the Hollywood Teamsters Local 399 —this time from the Casting Department.
Teamsters Local 399 and their New York counterparts in Teamsters Local 817 began contract negotiating with the studios on August 26th for Casting Directors, Associate Casting Directors, and newly organized Casting Assistants. Host and WGAW member Andra Whipple sits down with two iconic Casting Directors and Teamster negotiating committee members Allison Jones and Sherry Thomas to discuss some of the challenges they are up against.
Learn more about the Casting Directors campaign and how you can support them in their campaign toolkit.
Host Moon Zappa speaks with filmmaker Alma Har’el (Honey Boy) about creating, showrunning, and directing the AppleTV+ limited series Lady in the Lake, centering women in the narrative, finding the show’s aesthetic, and more.
Host Kristina Woo speaks with Sunny creator-showrunner Katie Robbins (The Affair, Natalia) about her AppleTV+ sci-fi dramedy series, the creative challenges of adaption, the connection between humans and AI technology, and more.
WGAW member Andra Whipple sat down with Entertainment Community Fund Western Region Executive Director Keith McNutt to discuss what services are provided, what the Fund is currently working on, and how you can get involved.
Host Jasmyne Peck speaks with Orphan Black: Echoes creator and showrunner Anna Fishko about exploring identity and found families in her sci-fi thriller series, 4D-printed body parts, what narratives she’s drawn to, and more.
Host Josephine Green Zhang talks with screenwriter-director Joshua Margolin about his feature debut Thelma, how his grandmother’s own experience inspired the film, how his improv comedy background informs his creative process, and more.
As the Teamsters and Hollywood Basic crafts continue their negotiations with the studios, we’re coming to you with the second half of our two-part series on the issues they hope to address. This time, WGAW member Jonterri Gadson sits down with Teamsters local 399 members and Chef’s Assistants Carlos Gonzales and Ester Garcia.
WGAW member Jonterri Gadson talks with Jimmy Kimmel Live Head Writers Molly McNearney and Danny Ricker about the creative challenges of writing for a late-night comedy/variety talk series, their advice on what it takes to submit a great writing “packet,” balancing the personal and professional, and much more.
On this episode, Ahsoka creator and Mandalorian writer Dave Filoni talks about expanding the Stars Wars universe, his new role as Lucasfilm’s Chief Content Officer, and more.
In a special full-episode of Union Town, WGAW member/captain Jonterri Gadson talks with Teamsters Local 399 members Doug Weaver and Alison Taylor about the work they do and the importance of this negotiation. This is part one of a two-part series on the issues Hollywood Teamsters hope to address in their current negotiations with the studios.
Host Andra Whipple talks with Hacks creators & showrunners Lucia Aniello & Paul W. Downs & Jen Statsky about returning for Season 3 of their Max comedy series, reflections on last year’s WGA strike, and why writing is essential at every stage of the process.