Craft: Writers

Welcome to the Writers’ Craft Committee (WCC) of The Animation Guild! Our Committee’s purpose is to be a place where writers can gather, learn about our craft (as well as our contract), bring up work issues, and to fight for expanded rights.
Our Committee meets over Zoom on the third Thursday of every month. To sign up for meeting links, invites to our monthly mixers, and access to the Staffing Grid, join our mailing list here. 

Get Informed

 

 

Commonly Asked Questions

  • We have assembled a guide for understanding our contract in easy to understand terms. TAG Writers’ Guide to the Contract NEED THIS ASAP – WE ARE CURRENTLY REWORKING THIS FOR THE NEW CONTRACT. MUST PRIORITIZE!

  • Did you know you should be getting PAID when studios ask you to pitch on studio-owned IP (intellectual property)? Read Business Rep Steve Kaplan’s letter here.

    Also, check out our Rules of the Road page that covers best practices for pitching and IP development.

  • TAG writers should be paid for any prep work you do in advance of a freelance episode, summit, pitch, etc. Read Business Rep Steve Kaplan’s letter here:

    (NEED ALEXI TO MAKE THIS A PDF WITH LETTERHEAD!  https://drive.google.com/file/d/17rS_6FSJeC_eJpnsZpzkllz5ET0g19x3/view?usp=sharing) Needs updated numbers and Steve will have to send out again with new invoice template

  • Staffing Grid* (Hyperlink: https://airtable.com/shrmAibbeMlLgu3d5)
    *Password required. To get the password, please sign up for WCC emails

  • Yes! You can check out the Virtual Panel Series to learn more about a wide-range of craft-related subjects.

    Also, check out the Showrunner Training Series for leadership advice.

  • In live-action and/or on WGA shows, the title of “Story Editor” is a low level position just above Staff Writer and is considered a writer early in their career with no supervisory role. In most animation rooms, “Story Editor” refers to the Head Writer (or the #2 if the Showrunner is also a writer). Duties of this position usually include managing/running the writers room, delegating work among the writers, giving notes on each draft, rewriting the work of other writers, and managerial duties. “Story Editor” is an upper-level position in animation.

Get Involved

We are a robust Craft Committee with dedicated members who volunteer their time and expertise to help push our writers forward via subcommittees. If you are a Union member, and are interested in joining our subcommittee efforts (or starting your own subcommittee!), please email WCCchair839@gmail.com and we will help you get involved.

WCC Subcommittees

  • Leads: Janis Robertson and Joe Winters

    This subcommittee is dedicated to getting information to TAG writers, as well as educating the industry on the issues we face. These writers were the force behind our trending “#PayAnimationWriters” campaign during the 2021 negotiation cycle. They currently can be found on Instagram @tag_writers, TikTok @tag_writers, Bluesky @tagwriters.bsky.social, and X @tagwriters. We are always looking for members with fresh ideas and the fire to lead new projects!

  • Leads: Rusteen Honardoost, Janae Hall, Sarah Nerboso

    The TAG Captains Program empowers member leaders to quickly disseminate information out to our larger membership.

    Become a Captain.

    Our captains are members who have volunteered to help us keep fellow members educated and up to date on union happenings: from WCC meetings, to surveys, to contract negotiations, and urgent actions needed. Our Captains are your point person for the union and a friendly face among a sea of over 6,000 members.

    Captains are generally responsible for contacting 10-15 of their fellow members, and are guided by our Leads (Rusteen Honardoost, Janae Hall, and Sarah Nerboso) via Discord. All you need to do is be willing to reach out to your network on a monthly basis.

    Think you could be a Captain? SIGN UP HERE (HYPERLINK: https://tinyurl.com/TAGCaptains)

     

    Need a Captain? Reach out at WCCchair839@gmail.com

  • Lead: Grace Deppe-Waldschmidt

    waldschmidtg@gmail.com

    This subcommittee is a place where disabled writers can share experiences and build community.

     

  • Lead: NEW LEAD NEEDED!

    This subcommittee is dedicated to educating writers about their rights under the Union’s many contracts. This committee also previously helped us get the word out about getting paid to pitch studio-owned IP and getting paid for prep work. This is the arm of our committee that helps make change outside our contract negotiations.

  • Leads: Mercedes Valle and Nick “Rocket” Rodriguez

    POCwc839@gmail.com

    X and Instagram: @TAG_POCwriters

    This subcommittee is dedicated to supporting POC Writers in their careers as well as offering community.

  • Leads: Dan Salgarolo and David Avallone

    This subcommittee runs our monthly mixers as well as organizing other social events. Mixers are the 2nd Thursday of every month, at rotating locations across the city. Keep an eye on our mixer schedule HERE .

  • Leads: Cassie Soliday and Emily Beaver

    This subcommittee hosts online panels (including our Fireside Chats) that offer professional advice for TAG writers, and organizes various mentorship opportunities.

  • Lead: Julia Prescott

    wccstaffing839@gmail.com

    This subcommittee organizes and maintains a staffing grid for any interested members to promote hiring.
    The Staffing Grid (which is password protected) can be found here. (To get the password, please sign up for the WCC emails)

  • Lead: Len Uhley

    This subcommittee helps maintain a healthy working relationship with the writers of the WGA and any dual card holders of both Unions.

  • Leads: Becky Wangberg and Sarah Eisenberg

    This subcommittee is dedicated to protecting the rights of (and supporting the writers in) writing teams.