WGA denies Oscar, Golden Globe waivers
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Deepening its conflict with Hollywood’s studios, the Writers Guild of America has denied requests for waivers from the producers of the Golden Globes and Oscars
Dick Clark Productions and the Foreign Press Assocation had sought a waiver from the guild’s strike rules to allow writers to work on the awards show, to be aired on NBC Jan. 13.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had asked the guild for permission to use clips from movies and past awards programs that could be shown during the awards shows on ABC in February.
However, Patric M. Verrone, president of the Writers Guild of America, West, rejected the requests in letters to both groups Monday night, citing the union’s ongoing battle with studios to negotiate a new contract to replace one that expired Oct. 31. Writers are in their seventh week of a strike.
-- Richard Verrier
(full text of letters below)
Jorge Camara President Hollywood Foreign Press Association646 N. Robertson BoulevardWest Hollywood, CA 90069Dear Mr. Camara, I am writing in response to your request, and that of dick clark productions, for an agreement to allow writers to prepare material for the 65th Annual Golden Globe Awards show. Our Board of Directors has voted to deny your request. As you know, WGAW has the utmost respect and admiration for the work of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, especially in raising awareness of the contribution of writers to filmmaking. We share a special bond with your organization which is, as you point out, comprised of writers. We also appreciate the long history that Dick Clark and his companies have had employing WGA members. For that reason, it was with considerable regret that our Board decided to deny your request to allow writers to work on the Golden Globes during the strike. Writers are engaged in a crucial struggle to achieve a collective bargaining agreement that will protect their compensation and intellectual property rights now and in the future. We must do everything we can to bring our negotiations to a swift and fair conclusion for the benefit of writers and all those who are being harmed by the companies’ failure to engage in serious negotiations. Our Board concluded, reluctantly, that granting an exception for the Golden Globes would not advance that goal. Our fondest hope is that we will conclude an agreement with the AMPTP before your show and make an exception unnecessary. Sincerely, Patric M. Verrone cc: Howard Fabrick
Bruce Davis Executive Director Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 8949 Wilshire Boulevard Beverly Hills, CA 90211 Dear Mr. Davis, I am writing in response to your request for a waiver in connection with the use of clips from motion pictures and from past Academy Awards programs that may be shown during the annual Academy Awards presentation. Our Board of Directors has voted to deny that request. As you know, WGAW has the utmost admiration for the work of the Academy in advancing the arts and sciences of motion pictures. The Academy plays a critical role in bringing awareness of the importance of the writer to the collaborative process of filmmaking. For that reason, it was with considerable regret that our Board decided to deny your request. Writers are engaged in a crucial struggle to achieve a collective bargaining agreement that will protect their compensation and intellectual property rights now and in the future. We must do everything we can to bring our negotiations to a swift and fair conclusion for the benefit of writers and all those who are being harmed by the companies’ failure to engage in serious negotiations. Our Board concluded, reluctantly, that granting a waiver for the Academy Awards would not advance that goal. Our fondest hope is that we will conclude an agreement with the AMPTP before your show. If that happens, we would be pleased to reconsider your request. Sincerely, Patric M. Verrone
