The Writers Guild Wants To Organize Podcasts…But Don’t Hold Your Breath — An Editorial by LW Ghost

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As reported by Katie Killkenny in an article published on August 14th for The Hollywood Reporter, candidates running for Board elections at the Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) are advocating for the possibility of unionizing or organizing writers for podcasts, “verticals,” and potentially video games. They propose that including these individuals in their membership could compensate for the significant decrease in working writers in Hollywood since the last and much-contested WGA contract agreement was finalized. They view the expansion into online media as a logical means to address the shortfall in membership.

In my opinion, I believe there are two key issues with this idea: Firstly, it fails to acknowledge the reasons for the decline in the number of working writers in conventional media. Secondly, it overlooks the significant differences in working conditions and compensation methods between traditional media (like TV shows, movies, and cable projects) and the “new media,” which share little similarity with them.

Let’s address the second point initially as it seems simpler and more straightforward to delve into. The advantages of joining a union, whether you’re a writer, director, actor, grip, or any other role in the industry, include:

1. Better working conditions and protection of rights
2. Increased pay and benefits
3. Improved job security
4. Access to training and professional development opportunities
5. Networking with fellow union members
6. Collective bargaining power for fairer contracts and negotiations
7. Dispute resolution mechanisms in case of conflicts or violations of agreements

As a cinephile, I’ve noticed that when it comes to salary, the bigger stars with more influence can often negotiate pay rates that surpass the minimum set in their contracts. In fact, an old study hinted that approximately 2,500 actors accounted for 90% of all income within SAG, the Screen Actors Guild, implying…

Subsequently, the engagement in pension and health benefits becomes accessible once you meet the necessary criteria (such as working the required number of hours, years, or earning a minimum amount). However, it’s important to note that only a minimal proportion of total union or guild members actively participate, contrasting significantly with those who contribute even if their main employment is in retail (like selling shoes) or food service (like waiting tables). They pay into the system as a portion of each dollar they earn.

Thirdly, let’s discuss “work environment,” which encompasses various aspects including the degree of creative freedom, restrictions on excessive working hours, and all other factors influencing how individuals generate their income – either fully or partially, or in some cases, not at all.

Most podcasts, with a few exceptions (those that employ dedicated writing teams beyond the host and their close associates), often have the same person serving multiple roles – producer, director, writer, and star. This structure leaves little need for external regulation by organizations like the Writers Guild of America (WGA). However, it’s important to note that only those working for companies that have agreed to abide by the WGA contract are eligible for its benefits. Furthermore, these workers must adhere to the agreement and refrain from working for non-signed companies or face potential penalties such as expulsion from Guild membership.

As a movie buff, I’ve got to be honest – I don’t find earning a slice of the pie from online content big enough to warrant the effort it requires for everyone involved. It just doesn’t add up for me.

Let’s discuss a reason for the decrease in active writers within the Guild compared to before the latest contract. Disregarding the overall industry slowdown as production companies start crunching numbers instead of relying on political or social aspirations (as seen with Colbert, et al.), there is one significant factor that was unexpected and not previously mentioned in the new contract – it seems designed to reduce work opportunities despite aiming for the opposite.

As a creative or executive producer, let’s say you’ve conceived an original show idea. Initially, you might discuss this concept with fellow collaborators to assess its feasibility and consider whether it’s worth investing time and resources to create a script and pilot episode. If the exploration determines that the idea isn’t viable or practical, the main loss would likely be your investment of time, as well as some informal, non-union wages to your partners who joined you in the evaluation process and found it wasn’t worth pursuing further.

However, to ensure a guaranteed amount of work, the revised contract now requires you to assemble a “writers room” team of approximately a dozen individuals, to be hired at Guild-specified rates and benefits, should you wish to delve into any ideas beyond your own thoughts for a predetermined period. This could lead to substantial expenses, especially if the outcome remains the same after this process, even if it’s just a thought experiment.

Essentially, if you choose to work independently without sharing your ideas, there’s a risk that many of those creative concepts may never progress beyond the initial stage. They might not move on to testing with a pilot episode, much less reaching a series production or even a trial session with a unionized team of writers.

From a passionate cinephile’s perspective, I must admit, the excitement was palpable when it seemed like an opportunity for many to jump aboard this venture. The thought of earning while dabbling in something new, even if it didn’t pan out, was enticing. However, little did we know that the producers were already aware that success would be less likely than the work being put into this tentative journey. And unfortunately, that prediction has come true: Fewer ‘what-if’ explorations, resulting in fewer pilots being produced, and consequently, less writers employed than before.

While I acknowledge the appeal of introducing a new pool of potential members and expanding our professional sphere when it comes to campaigning for leadership roles within the Guild, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that this idea has minimal chances of materializing. Moreover, it’s highly unlikely that it would significantly boost the dwindling numbers of active writers. Sadly, it seems like an optimistic yet superficial notion that is more suited for attention-grabbing headlines or articles rather than practical implementation, much like those penned by Ms. KilKenny in the trades, which often strive to maintain a positive outlook – as humorously emphasized by Monty Python’s Eric Idle when he sang, “Always look on the bright side of life!

My expert experienced opinion/verdict? I repeat: Don’t hold your breath.

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2025-08-17 18:57