Contracts Dashboard Dashboard

Department Head: Laurie Espinosa, Director of Contracts
Main Line: (323) 782-4501
Fax: (323) 782-4707
Email: Contracts
FAQ: Contracts FAQ

The Contracts Department answers all MBA-related questions except those specifically pertaining to residuals, credits or the status of legal arbitration claims. Contracts Department staff addresses a wide range of issues arising from the MBA and writers’ individual contracts. These include, but are not limited to:

• Appendix A programs: comedy-variety, daytime serials, documentary/news, and other non-dramatic shows
• Character payments
• Initial compensation and timely payment (both minimums and overscale compensation such as bonuses). Please note that claims for unpaid or late compensation should be directed immediately to the Guild’s Legal Department
• Jurisdiction, including geographical application of the MBA
• Low budget theatrical and documentary feature agreements for WGA members
• Merchandising
• New media (including questions regarding the applicability of the 2014 MBA provisions regarding high budget subscription video-on-demand programs to a particular project)
• Novelizations
• O-1 Visa advisory opinions
• Options & exclusivity
• Separation of rights, including reacquisition of unproduced scripts
• Special agreements for certain projects, including basic cable shows, animation and interactive/videogames
• WGA signatory agencies
• Certain matters related to pension plan and health fund contributions [though specific questions related to a participant’s eligibility or benefits must be directed to the Producer-Writers Guild of America Pension Plan and Writers’ Guild-Industry Health Fund at (818) 846-1015 or wgaplans.org].