The WGSA operates within the local film, television, radio, stage, animation, and new media (internet – mobile and digital distribution, and gaming). Our vision is to become, “a self-sustainable and united guild representing the collective interests of ALL performance writers.”
The Writers Guild of South Africa (WGSA) is a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) and a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO). All activities are executed by volunteer council members and a part-time Executive Officer and Administrator. WHERE WE COME FROM
The following are a few fast facts about our humble beginnings:
· Established on 8 May 2009. Aimed at advancing screenwriting and filling the gap left by the defunct South African Scriptwriters’ Association (SASWA).
· Hired a part-time Executive Officer, created our first strategic plan, and registered as a Non-Profit Organisation in 2010.
· Funded by the Arts and Culture Trust (ACT), found our first “home” in Linden, and the first council embarked on a membership drive in 2011.
· Approved as International Affiliation of Writers Guild (IAWG) Associate Member in 2012 (granted Full Membership in 2016).
· Entries opened for the inaugural WGSA Muse Awards in 2013.
· Members' profiles appear on our website in the members’ directory for producers to find them under "Search For a Writer", in 2021
· Launch the Purple List where members can list their projects for producers to find, in 2022. Find more milestones and our full history go to:https://writersguildsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/20210810-wgsa-history-2.pdf
WHAT WE DO
Our Overarching Principles
1. One writer has less power alone than with the power of many.
2. No writer should have to face an employer alone. We are here to accomplish collectively what cannot be accomplished by one writer alone. OUR CORE BUSINESS
We protect the rights of our members through the Advocacy and Contractual Services Programme:
· Performance Writer Rights (Copyright / Intellectual Property)
· Standard Contracts
· Minimum Standard Rates
· Taxation of Independent Contractors
· Sectoral Determination / Bargaining Council
· Establishment of a Collection Agency
· Contractual Service
- Member Advice
- Script Registry
We empower our members through two programmes:
The Members’ Services Programme
· Discounted Services, Products and Opportunities (i.e. Final Draft Software, IMDBPro, Free the Black List access)
· Job Alerts / Work Opportunities
· WGSA Muse Awards (acknowledging the work of members and increasing their status in the industry)
· Federation of African Screenwriters Conference (on hold until further notice)
The Communications Programme
· Members’ Directory (a community of performance writers)
· Full Member of the South African Screen Federation (SASFED)
· Full Member of the International Affiliation of Writers Guild (IAWG)
· Unifying performance writers’ groups
We develop our members and other performance writers through the Professional Development Programme:
· WGSA Indigenous Screenwriters Programme
· Online Workshops
· International Workshops / Webinars
· Knowledge Share Sessions, Seminars, and Workshops
WHAT WE DON'T DO
Although the WGSA accomplishes a great deal for its members and writers in general, there are a few things we don’t do.
· We don’t find employment for you, refer or recommend any particular performance writer for assignments, but we do facilitate employment opportunities via job alerts.
· We don’t evaluate or edit your work but facilitate access to script editors via job alerts.
· We don’t provide a typing service but can facilitate this opportunity to keen members.
· We don’t submit your work to producers, but we host pitching workshops (and sometimes pitching sessions for our members).
· We will not sell or share our membership database for solicitation purposes. Feel free to email us at [email protected]
You can also follow us on:
Twitter
Instagram: writersguildsa
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/writersguildsa
