Earlier this year I wrote an article for the Spring 09 issue of the Writers’ Guild magazine about how I adapted A Christmas Carol for the stage.
Should you be tempted to give it the once-over, the Guild has just made it available online.
Special Offer
I’ve blogged before about why I think you should join the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain.
But I think it’s worth going through it one more time.
- They have a very good pension scheme
- They will have their lawyers look through your contracts in order to prevent you from being fucked
- There is a welfare fund to assist you should you fall on hard times.
- They negotiate minimum rates for theatre, television, film, and radio
- They will give you advice and help on all aspects of writing
You could say: Well, I’m doing all right on my own, why do I need them?
Because your position becomes more powerful, not less, when you are part of a group. Because – and I hate to have to be the one to break it to you – producers and directors do not have your best interests at heart. They have their own. And that’s as it should be.
Anyway, this Wednesday, 13th May 2009, the Guild is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. So there’s going to be a special offer.
If you want to join the Guild for the first time, either as a Full Member (must have sold something) or a Candidate Member (still working on that), you can do it for just fifty quid this year.
To become a member you need to call the Guild’s Membership Team on 01952 214 063 between 9.30am and 5.30pm on 13th May 2009 and quote the WGGB Anniversary Offer. The offer’s strictly limited to 50 people, though. You know. Being a 50th anniversary deal and all.
It’s a good deal.
Another good reason to join the Writers’ Guild
The UK Film Council have just re-launched 25 Words Or Less, their initiative to encourage the creation of high-concept commercially-viable British films.
To get in, you need the following:
- A pitch line of 25 words or less outlining the story idea
- A one page outline of the story idea and narrative structure
- 10 pages of sample scenes from the proposed story
The prize? Ten grand to write a first draft. And a script editor thrown in. Not too shabby at all.
There’s one other restriction. You need to have an agent.
Or, and this is quite important, be a full member of The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain.
To become a member of the WGGB, you need to have been paid for your writing. Then you get to pay the WGGB a hundred and fifty quid a year for the privilege of belonging.
More if you’re actually, you know, earning a living.
But as I’ve mentioned before, if you’re looking for a career in the industry, that’s a worthwhile price to pay.
So if you’ve ever sold writing professionally, join up here.
Because now joining the Guild isn’t just good for writers in general. It’s good specifically for you.