(Writer's Note: I usually respond to Reader's Mail in my main page blog, but owing to space restrictions, I've decided to answer this question as a full-fledged article)
I recently received a note from reader Laurel D., who had this question about the ongoing Writer's Guild strike.
"Sorry to bother you," she writes, "but since you wrote this article, I'm hoping you can answer my question. If a future Guild member cannot write for feature animation during the strike and be allowed in the Guild later, how does the strike affect somebody who hopes to get into the Guild, but has an opportunity to write for TV animation? . . . another "informed" source recently told me it's okay to write for any animation (which, based on your very well-written and thorough article, is not true). Thanks!"
No bother, and no apologies necessary, Laurel. I did some quick research for you and, according to a couple of articles I found, your "informed" source is right. According to Sue Zeidler at Reuters U.K., the WGA has withdrawn its stipulation that current and future members risk losing Guild membership work on animation during the strike period.
That decision came after IATSE brass complained about the WGA poaching on their territory. Animation writers are with the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), not WGA.
"Now writers can write for animated features," says Steve Hulett, the business rep for Animation Guild Local 839, a division of IATSE. "We have contracts with various animation studios, which could engage any number of Writers Guild writers legally during the strike."
Just so you know, Animation Guild Local 839 is the union that represents most Hollywood animation writers and artists, including those who work for Walt Disney Animation Studios and DreamWorks Animation.
Speaking of DreamWorks Animation, a spokeswoman for the company told Reuters that, "We have a great relationship with animation writers under the IATSE and we are fortunate that it is business as usual for us. This means we can continue to offer opportunities to the writers with whom we've been working for some time now on existing DreamWorks Animation projects."
Writer's Guild Rules for Animation
Here's the official word from the WGA's site about writing for animation:
"The Rules apply to (1) all network prime time animated series covered by a WGA contract and (2) contracts for writing services with struck companies in connection with fully animated theatrical features, unless covered by a current collective bargaining agreement with another union (emphasis mine). Writers are advised to consult with WGA staff to determine whether animation writing is prohibited before performing any writing services. Members should assume that projects combining live action and animation, and live action-based processes such as motion capture, are covered by the Strike Rules."
So yeah, if your animation show combines live-action with animation, or it's motion capture, you're breaking Guild rules, and are subject to those penalties.
Writing for Animation Still "Crossing the Line"
Yes, working on animation may be seen as "crossing the line." While you won't get officially penalized for working on animation during the strike, more prominent writers won't do so for fear of weakening the WGA's position and stealing gigs from animated writers.
However, there are plenty of Guild members who will work on animated projects.
"I've been through five Writers Guild strikes and I've never been out of work during any of them," claims veteran WGA member Mark Evanier, who is currently working on a Garfield series in Europe.
You can check out the article over here. Good luck!
Dominic
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