Writers Guild of Ireland » screenwriting

Writers Credits Guiding Principles

Maura McHugh — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 14:58:01 +0000

The Writers Credits Guiding Principles were agreed between Screen Producers Ireland (SPI) and the Writers Guild of Ireland (WGI) in September 2017.

The following list of credits for writers is for guidance purposes only. The writing credit definitions mirror those of the International Affiliation of Writers Guilds.

It is important to note that the contract between the producer and the writer will take precedent over these guidelines.

We recommend that the producer and writer avail of legal advice before signing a contract. You can also consult with the WGI/SPI.

Story by
The term “story” means an original idea written for the screen which is distinct from a screenplay and consisting of the basic narrative, idea, theme or outline indicating character development and action. A “Story by” credit is appropriate when the screenplay is based on a story, as defined above, and not based on any pre-existing material.
Screen Story by
Credit for story authorship in the form “Screen Story by” is appropriate when a story, as defined above, is based on source material though substantially new or different from the source material.
Screenplay by
A screenplay consists of individual scenes and full dialogue, together with such prior treatment, basic adaptation, continuity, scenario and dialogue as shall be used in, and substantially contributes to, the final script.

A “Screenplay by” credit is appropriate when the screenplay is based upon a story or a screen story as defined above.
Written by
The term “Written by” is used when the writer(s) is entitled to both the “Story by” credit and the “Screenplay by” credit.

This credit shall not be granted where there is source material of a story nature. However, biographical, newspaper and other factual sources may not necessarily deprive the writer of such credit.
Narration Written by
A “Narration Written by” credit is appropriate where the major writing contribution to a motion picture is in the form of narration. The term “narration” means material (typically off-camera) to explain or relate sequence or action (excluding promos or trailers).
Based on Characters Created by
“Based on Characters Created by” is a writing credit given to the writer(s) entitled to separated rights in a theatrical or television motion picture. This credit is accorded when a sequel to a theatrical or television motion picture is produced for television (excluding a television series).
Shared credit
When credit is accorded to a team of writers, an ampersand (&) shall be used between the writers’ names in the credit to denote a writing team. Use of the word “and” between writers’ names in a credit indicates that the writers did their work separately, one usually rewriting the other. This distinction is well established in the industry through custom and practice.
The Possessory Credit
The possessory credit “a film by” or its variations, is accorded to a director who has written and directed the film; and or who has a significant body of work and whose reputation as a film-maker is such that it can make a significant contribution to the marketing of the film. Writers’ guilds do not believe that the possessory credit should be used in any other circumstances.

EU Agrees Unwaivable Right to Fair Remuneration

Maura McHugh — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 16:03:30 +0000

This a joint press release from FERA, FSE, and SAA on “European Copyright: Parliament committees vote for an unwaivable right to fair remuneration for audiovisual authors.”

Today, the European Parliament Industry and Culture committees voted in favour of an unwaivable right to fair remuneration for authors and performers for the making available of their works. Supported by the European audiovisual authors’ community, such a remuneration right would ensure that screenwriters and directors receive royalties when their works are exploited on on-demand services, wherever in Europe, thanks to its collective mechanism.

The ITRE committee opinion, drafted by Polish ECR MEP Zdislaw Krasnodebski, was adopted including such an unwaivable right to fair remuneration introduced by S&D MEPs led by British MEP Theresa Griffin with the support from across the political spectrum. Drafted by French EPP MEP Marc Joulaud, the Culture committee adopted a compromise amendment with a similar positive provision for authors and performers based on amendments introduced by S&D, EPP and Greens but undermined by a possible derogation for original agreements which would raise the costs and sap the functioning of any collective agreement. Taking into account the weak individual bargaining power of audiovisual authors, such a derogation is not justified and will need to be reexamined.

The SAA encourages the European Council and the lead committee in the European Parliament, the Legal Affairs Committee, to support and adopt ITRE’s unwaivable right to remuneration.

The Legal Affairs committee, will discuss the Copyright Directive tomorrow and vote after the summer. The Council Intellectual Property Working Party held a meeting on this issue yesterday.

Quotes:

Cécile Despringre, SAA Executive Director said “The Culture and Industry opinions sends a clear and powerful message to the European Parliament’s lead committee and the Council. They have recognized that Europe’s screenwriters and directors must be financially rewarded when their works are successful online and have adopted the appropriate provisions to make sure that happens.“

Pauline Durand-Vialle, FERA Chief Executive added “The unwaivable right to fair remuneration received support from across the political spectrum this morning. It’s great to see the European Parliament stepping up in support of the audiovisual creative community.“

David Kavanagh, FSE Executive Officer said “This Directive is a unique opportunity to bring fairness to audiovisual authors by allowing them to share in the economic success of their works online: let’s hope this step forward in the EU Parliament paves the way for positive discussions in the Council.”

FERA – Founded in 1980, the Federation of European Film Directors contains 39 directors’ associations from 29 countries. It speaks for approximately 20,000 European screen directors, representing their cultural, creative and economic interests both in Brussels and in the Member States. www.filmdirectors.eu @Film_directors

FSE – The Federation of Screenwriters Europe is a network of national and regional associations, guilds and unions of writers for the screen in Europe, created in June 2001. It comprises 25 members from 20 countries, representing more than 7,000 writers in Europe. www.scenaristes.com @ScreenwritersEU

SAA – Founded in 2010, the Society of Audiovisual Authors (SAA) is the association of European collective management organisations representing audiovisual authors. Its 31 members in 23 countries manage rights for over 120,000 film, television and multimedia European screenwriters and directors. www.saa-authors.eu @saabrussels

2017 ZeBBie Award Winners

Maura McHugh — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 22:01:40 +0000

The Writers Guild of Ireland have announced the winners of the 2017 ZeBBie Awards at their Awards Ceremony at The Sugar Club in Dublin this evening:

Best Television Script

Sharon Horgan for Divorce (Pilot ep.)

Best Radio Script

Kate Gilmore for The Wickedness of Oz

Best Theatre Script

Margaret McAuliffe for The Humours of Bandon

Best Feature Film Script

Colin Thornton & Darren Thornton for A Date for Mad Mary

Best Short Film Script

Natasha Waugh for Terminal

Best Game Script

Christopher Conlan for The Little Acre

Congratulations to the winners!

Best wishes to all the nominees on being acknowledged for their hard work in the industry. We appreciate the help of all the theatre companies, production companies, producers, agents, and helpful admin who have aided us in bringing the event together.

Our thanks to Senator David Norris for his ebullient hosting of the event, and to the presenters for their contribution to the ceremony.

Plus, a big cheer to our staff and volunteers for all their hard effort!

About the ZeBBie Awards

The ZeBBie Awards are annual awards created by the WGI — named in honour of O. Z. Whitehead — to acknowledge the best script(s) written by Irish playwrights and screenwriters during the previous year.

2017 ZeBBie Awards Nominees

Maura McHugh — Fri, 05 May 2017 12:56:25 +0000

The Writers Guild of Ireland is delighted to announce the nominees for the 2017 ZeBBie Awards:

Best Television Script

Sharon Horgan for Divorce (Pilot ep.)
Graham Linehan & Sharon Horgan for Motherland (Pilot ep.)
Stefanie Preissner for Can’t Cope Won’t Cope (Ep. 4)

Best Radio Script

Lucy Caldwell for Dear Baby Mine (Ep. 1)
Rory Duffy for Paulo in the Underworld
Kate Gilmore for The Wickedness of Oz

Best Theatre Script

David Ireland for Cyprus Avenue
Margaret McAuliffe for The Humours of Bandon
Laurence McKeown for Green & Blue

Best Feature Film Script

Emma Donoghue for Room
Peter Foott for The Young Offenders
Darren Thornton & Colin Thornton for A Date for Mad Mary

Best Short Film Script

Graham Cantwell for Lily
Emmet Kirwan for Heartbreak
Natasha Waugh for Terminal

Best Game Script

Kevin Beimers for Wailing Heights
Christopher Conlan for The Little Acre
Barry Keating for Steep

Congratulations to all the nominees!

ZeBBie Awards Ceremony

The 2017 ZeBBie Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 28 June 2017 in The Sugar Club, 8 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, and it will be hosted by Senator David Norris.

Doors open at 7.30 pm, and the ceremonies begin at 8.00 pm.

The ceremony is free to fully paid up members of the Guild.

Dress Code: writer chic.

Voting

Voting is now open and Guild members should have received an email with details on how to vote.

Voting closes at 3pm on Monday, 22 May 2017.

About the ZeBBie Awards

August Lucky Dozen

Maura McHugh — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 12:05:17 +0000

The next WGI Lucky Dozen talk will be by Hugh Travers, and will take place at 7 pm on Thursday, 18 August 2016, at the Guild’s office, 3rd Floor, Arthouse, Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

A dozen seats will be allocated to members on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hugh Travers, the writer of the acclaimed three-part drama Trial of the Century which was broadcast on TV3 earlier this year, will give a talk to members of the Guild on his experience of writing the series. In particular, he’ll focus on the specific challenges which can arise when writing a historical or factually-based script. As well as ‘Trial of the Century’, Hugh has written live action drama, comedy, theatre, animation and documentary, including Lambo (which won the PPI Drama Award for Best Radio Play);Green Is The Colour, a hugely successful 4 × 1 hour documentary series for Treasure Entertainment and RTE and Red Rock. He has also written and developed comedy shows for the BBC Worldwide, Channel 4 and Sky and some of his award-winning short films include Crossword, An Cosc, Special Ed & The Big Girl.