Some did it out of a sense of obligation. Some did it out of fear of being idle. Some leaned on maternal instinct, and some acted purely out of anger. Whatever the motivation, female writers and showrunners stepped up in record numbers to serve as strike captains during the Writers Guild of America’s five-month contract battle.
“Why did this strike look different? The people at the forefront of it really have been a lot of marginalized writers — writers of color, women and queer writers,” says Caroline Renard, an early career writer-director who was a Disney-based strike captain. She came to the role with plenty of relevant experience as an activist and organizer.
“I’m loud. I know how to talk, and I know how to organize,” she says.
The WGA enlisted an estimated 365 strike captains during the 148-day action that began on May 2, relying on them to fulfill a...
“Why did this strike look different? The people at the forefront of it really have been a lot of marginalized writers — writers of color, women and queer writers,” says Caroline Renard, an early career writer-director who was a Disney-based strike captain. She came to the role with plenty of relevant experience as an activist and organizer.
“I’m loud. I know how to talk, and I know how to organize,” she says.
The WGA enlisted an estimated 365 strike captains during the 148-day action that began on May 2, relying on them to fulfill a...
- 11/18/2023
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Angela Harvey had one job at the Think Tank for Inclusion and Equity’s picket at the Disney lot last Friday: to take photos and document the event on social media. “I get here and go to take photos, and I left my phone in the car down on Riverside,” says the TV writer and co-chair of the advocacy organization composed of working television scribes from historically excluded backgrounds.
Katherine Beattie, a member of Ttie’s steering committee and also a Writers Guild of America strike captain, offered to retrieve it for her. “Katherine uses a wheelchair and was like, ‘I’ll be faster.’ So she went and got my phone, and it was really fast!” Harvey laughs. “She could do that because this place is accessible.” (The Disney lot, with its wide sidewalks, is considered one of the most accessible picketing locations.)
Accessibility is one of the core values for Ttie,...
Katherine Beattie, a member of Ttie’s steering committee and also a Writers Guild of America strike captain, offered to retrieve it for her. “Katherine uses a wheelchair and was like, ‘I’ll be faster.’ So she went and got my phone, and it was really fast!” Harvey laughs. “She could do that because this place is accessible.” (The Disney lot, with its wide sidewalks, is considered one of the most accessible picketing locations.)
Accessibility is one of the core values for Ttie,...
- 8/4/2023
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Meredith Stiehm will seek a second two-year term as president of WGA West in the fall election, and the other top officials of the guild will also seek reelection.
Justine Bateman, the writer-director and former “Family Ties” star, is running for a spot on the WGA West board. Bateman has become outspoken on the need for tight regulation of artificial intelligence.
The guild announced its preliminary list of nominees on Wednesday. Stiehm, who has been active in both the agency campaign and the current strike, will run against challenger Rich Talarico, a “Key and Peele” writer who has faulted the guild for not doing more to fight back against the release of free clips of the show on YouTube.
Michele Mulroney is running for reelection as vice president, and Betsy Thomas is seeking another term as secretary-treasurer. They will run against Isaac Gomez and Jeffrey Thompson, respectively.
The WGA West has a 16-member board,...
Justine Bateman, the writer-director and former “Family Ties” star, is running for a spot on the WGA West board. Bateman has become outspoken on the need for tight regulation of artificial intelligence.
The guild announced its preliminary list of nominees on Wednesday. Stiehm, who has been active in both the agency campaign and the current strike, will run against challenger Rich Talarico, a “Key and Peele” writer who has faulted the guild for not doing more to fight back against the release of free clips of the show on YouTube.
Michele Mulroney is running for reelection as vice president, and Betsy Thomas is seeking another term as secretary-treasurer. They will run against Isaac Gomez and Jeffrey Thompson, respectively.
The WGA West has a 16-member board,...
- 6/21/2023
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America West is holding officer and board elections in the middle of its ongoing strike, which is now in its 51st day. Incumbent president Meredith Stiehm is seeking reelection and will face off against Rich Talarico – both of whom were selected by the guild’s nominating committee.
In the race for vice president, incumbent Michele Mulroney will face challenger Isaac Gómez, while in the contest for secretary-treasurer, incumbent Betsy Thomas will face Jeffrey Thompson.
The guild said Wednesday that the nominating committee also selected 24 candidates to run for eight open seats on the guild’s board of directors. They are incumbents Nicole Yorkin, Dailyn Rodriguez, Adam Conover, Dante W. Harper, and Zoe Marshall, and challengers Molly Nussbaum, Danielle Iman, Maggie Levin, Blake Masters, Rob Forman, Anthony Sparks, Justine Bateman, Alex O’Keefe, Jonterri Gadson, Leah Folta, Susannah Grant, Grant Scharbo, Safia M. Dirie, Sean Presant, Scott Alexander,...
In the race for vice president, incumbent Michele Mulroney will face challenger Isaac Gómez, while in the contest for secretary-treasurer, incumbent Betsy Thomas will face Jeffrey Thompson.
The guild said Wednesday that the nominating committee also selected 24 candidates to run for eight open seats on the guild’s board of directors. They are incumbents Nicole Yorkin, Dailyn Rodriguez, Adam Conover, Dante W. Harper, and Zoe Marshall, and challengers Molly Nussbaum, Danielle Iman, Maggie Levin, Blake Masters, Rob Forman, Anthony Sparks, Justine Bateman, Alex O’Keefe, Jonterri Gadson, Leah Folta, Susannah Grant, Grant Scharbo, Safia M. Dirie, Sean Presant, Scott Alexander,...
- 6/21/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Mentorship Matters, an initiative aimed at boosting opportunities for emerging writers of color, has announced 25 writer mentees for its 2023 program, along with participating showrunner/executive producers.
Now in its second year, Mentorship Matters was developed by showrunners committed to using their positions to advocate for and help create opportunities for writers of color. With sponsorship from Amazon and AMC Networks, the program includes a year of consistent, in-depth mentorship and creative advocacy from a committed showrunner. It also includes guidance with developing and polishing an original writing sample along with panels and seminars with high-level industry professionals. Each mentee will be paired with a participating showrunner/executive producer mentor.
In the program’s inaugural year, 14 out of 23 mentees found representation, 8 were staffed on shows including Billions (Showtime), Criminal Minds: Evolution (Paramount+), Walker: Independence (The CW), and The Power (Amazon), and 1 signed an overall deal with Sony TV Studios.
Showrunners...
Now in its second year, Mentorship Matters was developed by showrunners committed to using their positions to advocate for and help create opportunities for writers of color. With sponsorship from Amazon and AMC Networks, the program includes a year of consistent, in-depth mentorship and creative advocacy from a committed showrunner. It also includes guidance with developing and polishing an original writing sample along with panels and seminars with high-level industry professionals. Each mentee will be paired with a participating showrunner/executive producer mentor.
In the program’s inaugural year, 14 out of 23 mentees found representation, 8 were staffed on shows including Billions (Showtime), Criminal Minds: Evolution (Paramount+), Walker: Independence (The CW), and The Power (Amazon), and 1 signed an overall deal with Sony TV Studios.
Showrunners...
- 2/17/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Fivel Stewart as Hannah Copeland and Noah Centineo as Owen Hendricks in ‘The Recruit’ (Photo Courtesy Of Netflix © 2022)
Netflix has shared the first photos along with a few more details on The Recruit, a spy series created by Alexi Hawley. The photos provide our first good look at Noah Centineo (To All the Boys franchise) as a CIA newbie who’s forced to hit the ground running.
“My new show follows an unsuspecting lawyer as he’s pulled into a high stakes thrill ride through the world of international spy networks,” explained Centineo during Netflix’s Tudum fan event. Joining Centineo in the series are Laura Haddock, Aarti Mann, Colton Dunn, Fivel Stewart, and Daniel Quincy Annoh. Kristian Bruun, Vondie Curtis Hall, Byron Mann, Angel Parker, and Kaylah Zander also star in the eight-episode first season.
“It’s rare to find a fresh way into a story these days. And...
Netflix has shared the first photos along with a few more details on The Recruit, a spy series created by Alexi Hawley. The photos provide our first good look at Noah Centineo (To All the Boys franchise) as a CIA newbie who’s forced to hit the ground running.
“My new show follows an unsuspecting lawyer as he’s pulled into a high stakes thrill ride through the world of international spy networks,” explained Centineo during Netflix’s Tudum fan event. Joining Centineo in the series are Laura Haddock, Aarti Mann, Colton Dunn, Fivel Stewart, and Daniel Quincy Annoh. Kristian Bruun, Vondie Curtis Hall, Byron Mann, Angel Parker, and Kaylah Zander also star in the eight-episode first season.
“It’s rare to find a fresh way into a story these days. And...
- 9/28/2022
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
‘Avengers’ actor Anthony Mackie is set to make his directorial debut on the feature ‘Spark.’ A drama focused on Claudette Colvin, an unsung pioneer of the Civil Rights era.
Saniyya Sidney will take on the role of Colvin, Colvin was 15-years-old when she bravely stood up to racism, getting arrested after refusing to give up her seat on a crowded segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. This was nine months before Rosa Parks became a symbol of the Civil Rights era symbol for courageously doing essentially the same thing. Initially embraced by Civil Rights leaders for her courage, Colvin was subsequently erased out of history when those same leaders decided a poor, dark-skinned teenage girl would not be the ideal face for their public campaign.
Mackie said on discovering Colvin’s story “Not only was I moved, but I was also inspired,” he said. “It’s great to be a superhero...
Saniyya Sidney will take on the role of Colvin, Colvin was 15-years-old when she bravely stood up to racism, getting arrested after refusing to give up her seat on a crowded segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. This was nine months before Rosa Parks became a symbol of the Civil Rights era symbol for courageously doing essentially the same thing. Initially embraced by Civil Rights leaders for her courage, Colvin was subsequently erased out of history when those same leaders decided a poor, dark-skinned teenage girl would not be the ideal face for their public campaign.
Mackie said on discovering Colvin’s story “Not only was I moved, but I was also inspired,” he said. “It’s great to be a superhero...
- 1/21/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Exclusive: Anthony Mackie has set his feature directorial debut with Spark. The drama will star Saniyya Sidney as Claudette Colvin, an unsung pioneer of the Civil Rights era. Sidney is coming off a breakout performance as Venus Williams in King Richard. Mackie is producing with Kellon Akeem, Jason Michael Berman and Marc Ambrose.
Colvin was 15-years-old when she bravely stood up to racism, getting arrested after refusing to give up her seat on a crowded segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. This was nine months before Rosa Parks became a symbol of the Civil Rights era symbol for courageously doing essentially the same thing. Initially embraced by Civil Rights leaders for her courage, Colvin was brushed out of history when those same civic leaders decided a poor, dark-skinned teenage girl would not be the ideal face for their public campaign.
The film will be a co-production between Make it with Gravy Productions,...
Colvin was 15-years-old when she bravely stood up to racism, getting arrested after refusing to give up her seat on a crowded segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. This was nine months before Rosa Parks became a symbol of the Civil Rights era symbol for courageously doing essentially the same thing. Initially embraced by Civil Rights leaders for her courage, Colvin was brushed out of history when those same civic leaders decided a poor, dark-skinned teenage girl would not be the ideal face for their public campaign.
The film will be a co-production between Make it with Gravy Productions,...
- 1/19/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
After its awards-season release was stymied by allegations of inaccuracy and sexual abuse, “The Banker” has been cleared for release by Apple. The film starring Anthony Mackie, Samuel L. Jackson, and Nicholas Hoult will be released theatrically March 6 before dropping on the Apple TV+ two weeks later.
The George Nolfi-directed movie is based on the true story of black businessmen Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson), who devise a plan to take on the racist 1960s establishment by training a working-class white man, Matt Steiner (Hoult), to pose as the rich and privileged face of their burgeoning real estate and banking empire — while Garrett and Morris pose as a janitor and a chauffeur. Their success catches the attention of the federal government, which risks the empire they have built.
The real-life Garrett’s son, Bernard Garrett Jr. initially had a co-producer credit on the film and was part...
The George Nolfi-directed movie is based on the true story of black businessmen Bernard Garrett (Mackie) and Joe Morris (Jackson), who devise a plan to take on the racist 1960s establishment by training a working-class white man, Matt Steiner (Hoult), to pose as the rich and privileged face of their burgeoning real estate and banking empire — while Garrett and Morris pose as a janitor and a chauffeur. Their success catches the attention of the federal government, which risks the empire they have built.
The real-life Garrett’s son, Bernard Garrett Jr. initially had a co-producer credit on the film and was part...
- 1/16/2020
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
“The Banker” director George Nolfi and the movie’s cast, crew, producers, and writers signed an open letter published Monday defending the film based on the life of African American businessman Bernard Garrett. Distributor Apple delayed its release last month after Garrett’s daughter Cynthia Garrett accused her half brother Bernard Garrett Jr., one of the film’s producers, of sexual abuse and helping craft an inaccurate narrative of their father’s life. The filmmakers in their letter wrote the film was based not on the memories of the Garrett children, but from interviews with Garrett himself, and transcripts, court rulings, and media reports. (Via Variety).
In the statement, Nolfi, cast members Anthony Mackie (who protrays Garrett), Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, Nia Long, and others, expressed sympathy for Cynthia Garrett in light of allegations that Garrett Jr. sexually abused her as a child, but defended the film and “its positive message of empowerment.
In the statement, Nolfi, cast members Anthony Mackie (who protrays Garrett), Samuel L. Jackson, Nicholas Hoult, Nia Long, and others, expressed sympathy for Cynthia Garrett in light of allegations that Garrett Jr. sexually abused her as a child, but defended the film and “its positive message of empowerment.
- 12/2/2019
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
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