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Hello and thanks for this thread. As a (poor but proud) published novelist and serious poet I've often wondered exactly what the WGA is. It's always seemed like this numinous entity with wispy tentacles slithering out there in the land of legalese. Which is what it looks like it is. But I digress from what I wanted to say. Reading the above thread and perusing the issues of writing credits and dubious application of arbitrary names (in exchange for personal favors which really gets me steaming as we all know that it all starts with good writing), I've often wondered on imdb how it is that there will sometimes be a second and third writing credit on the writing link off the home page for a given film which says parenthetically "(uncredited)" next to the writers' names. I suppose now I know how that happens. What makes it more egregious is that those uncredited names may have actually been the originators for the script's idea and bulk of content. Am I putting 2 and 2 together here and getting 5 or does that sound about right to others from the information above and the resources at the links provided in some of the posts?
The WGA was started originally to prevent the types of favors you mention. And I’m sure things are better off with them than without them. I admittedly still have a lot to learn but I’d say the overwhelming majority of the material I’ve read from the WGA, regarding their rules and such, is very positive.
I know of instances where I personally think they screwed up when it comes to credit but overall I think they do a really good job. At least as far as I can tell.
I do see ways in which I don’t think the WGA is completely fair to the newer writer, more specifically regarding a writer’s first time sale. I’m sure you have it right that there are cases where the original writer in fact ends up with no credit. In my opinion, there’s no excuse for that.
"I’m sure you have it right that there are cases where the original writer in fact ends up with no credit. In my opinion, there’s no excuse for that."
Especially since, that being a writer's "first" credit and it not being a credit at all, they are still left with the task of getting their "first" credit. What a vicious cycle! At the least, if they get paid for their uncredited work, they can pay dues and join the WGA I suppose.
On a not entirely related subject, I listened to one of the Creative Screenwriting podcasts with Jeff Goldsmith in which he interviews the three writers of the 30 Days of Night script. Among other things, they told a funny little story (well, not so funny really) about the fact that since there were three writers on the script the WGA sent the script into arbitration with respect as to who should receive the writing credits - even though all three writers had already agreed to share the credits.
Down in the hole / Jesus tries to crack a smile / Beneath another shovel load