Documentary Film and Nonfiction Programming

"Documentary films are written four times. The first time you write it is when you conceive your questions because those questions have to lead to a narrative. You have to know that the answers of your subject are going to start piecing together the film. The second part is when you get the transcripts back [from the interviews]. I highlight them and start to puzzle all the different bites together. Where there is a break and it needs to be redirected, you write the voice-over. That is the third part of the process. The fourth time you write is when you are in the edit bay and you look at the footage. You do it all over again. It is really about taking your subjects' voices and giving them narrative."

-- Stacy Peralta, WGAW Nonfiction Writers Caucus Member

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY CONTRACT

What is it?
It is a contract designed to meet the demands of the documentary film business as well as ensure the rights and benefits for writers of theatrically released documentaries budgeted at $1.2 million or below.

How does it work?
Many documentaries are financed by filmmakers themselves. Before this contract, working under the WGA agreement was cost-prohibitive to most filmmakers who stretch every dollar to create their works of passion. Now writer-directors and writer-producers can work under the protection of the WGA without having to pay
writing fees upfront. Under this new contract, such writers can defer payment until their film recoups its budget or is commercially distributed.

In addition, the agreement makes it easier on theatrical documentary producers who want to hire writers under the WGA agreement by allowing for partial deferments of writing fees in accordance with various budget breaks. And in the event that a screenplay or treatment for a documentary is purchased prior to the start of principal photography, fees for the purchase of such literary material may also be deferred.

What are the benefits?
By working under this contract you may receive premium health care coverage; earn money towards a pension plan; obtain residual payments when your work is rebroadcast on television and distributed on DVD and other media; qualify for WGA membership and the benefits that most film and television writers have
known for over 70 years.

Further information
Please refer to this information about Documentary Screenplay Contract minimums.

DOWNLOAD THE 2008 WGA DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY CONTRACT (.pdf)

ARE YOU A WGAW MEMBER OR NON-MEMBER INTERESTED IN THE WGA DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY CONTRACT? (.pdf)

ARE YOU A COMPANY INTERESTED IN THE WGA DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY CONTRACT? (.pdf)

NONFICTION WRITERS

Become a member of the Nonfiction Writers Caucus. In the spring of 2003, the WGAW Board of Directors approved the launch of the Nonfiction Writers Caucus and since that time, membership has steadily grown. The caucus was formed to enhance and protect the rights of documentary filmmakers, writers writing basic cable nonfiction programs and writers writing Network Reality programs. The caucus is open to WGA members and non-members who have worked in the nonfiction arena.

Benefits of the WGAW Nonfiction Writers Caucus

Nonfiction Writers Caucus members:

• Shall receive all WGAW mailings and communications, including Written By, WGAW Member News, the WGAW Membership Manual and its periodic updates.
• May serve on the Nonfiction Writers Caucus Steering Committee and certain other WGAW committees as designated by the Board of Directors.
• May use the WGAW Script Registration Service at a reduced rate.
• May join the WGAW Film Society subject to availability.
• Can become members of the Inter-Guild Federal Credit Union or its successor subject to the discretion of that entity's governing body and may be entitled to participate, if otherwise eligible, in any employment access program administered by the WGAW Human Resources Department
• May be eligible for participation in the WGA self-pay health insurance WritersCare provided through CIGNA. The program is administered through The Entertainment Industry Group Insurance Trust (TEIGIT).

The WGA Nonfiction Writers Caucus along with Daily Variety and The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has sponsored two widely successful all-day Nonfiction Forums that featured representatives from the Sundance Film Festival, IMAX Corp., GRB Entertainment, and PBS among many others.

Nonfiction Caucus Application (43kb.pdf)

WORKING IN NONFICTION

Whether you are nonfiction writer working on basic cable, PBS, or for a feature film documentary, you can have your work protected by a WGA contract. Companies like Mandalay Media Arts, Arnold Shapiro Productions, Andrew Solt Productions, Triage Entertainment, FleisherFilms, Garden Films, and MPH Entertainment are all currently producing Guild-covered shows for A&E, The History Channel, Discovery Channel, TLC, The Sci-Fi Channel, Lifetime, VH-1, The Travel Channel and PBS, just to name a few. The Guild has negotiated dozens of agreements for low budget nonfiction programming. Don't let the companies tell you they can't afford a WGA agreement. Call us first.

If you have a question about a particular company that you are considering working with, call (323) 782-4511 or email the Organizing Department.

NONFICTION PRODUCERS

The WGA is actively working with producers to negotiate agreements covering nonfiction programming at all budget levels. The Guild has negotiated deals covering hundreds of hours of programming. Click here for a list of (Guidelines) to hire nonfiction writers. If you have questions about hiring nonfiction writers call (323) 782-4511 or email the Organizing Department.

THE DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY AWARD

The 2008 Documentary Screenplay Award was presented to TAXI TO THE DARK SIDE, Written by Alex Gibney.

To find out more awards information, please go to our Awards pages.

HELPFUL LINKS

The International Documentary Association: www.documentary.org

Silverdocs — AFI and Discovery Channel Documentary Festival: www.silverdocs.com

Hot Docs: www.hotdocs.ca

Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival: www.jhfestival.org

Real Screen Magazine: www.realscreen.com

Film Independent: www.filmindependent.com