Abrams Artists Agency has come to terms with the Writers Guild of America and will sign the guild’s Code of Conduct requiring them to eliminate packaging fees, four months after talks between the two sides fell through.
In April, WGA implemented a new Code of Conduct for agents designed to end practices it says are conflicts of interest: Packaging, where agencies bundle talent and projects together and bring them to studio as a package, for which the agency collects a fee; and affiliate production, in which a studio partly owned by the agency is involved in a packaged project. Thousands of writers terminated their representation shortly after the Code went into effect, and since then a small handful of agencies have signed on to the Code.
The Association of Talent Agents, which represents top agencies like WME and CAA along with dozens of other agencies, has remained staunchly opposed to eliminating packaging fees. But Abrams’ signing makes it the largest ATA-affiliated agency to reach a deal with the WGA. Other agencies that have signed the Code include Kaplan Stahler, Buchwald, and Verve, the last of which is not affiliated with the ATA.
This past summer, the WGA and Abrams entered talks to have the agency join the list of those approved to represent writers, but talks fell through after, among other reasons, Abrams objected to how information would be shared with the guild and whether it would violate client confidentiality. Abrams Chairman Adam Bold said in a statement that those issues have now been resolved.
“The WGA has strengthened their language about confidentiality and data security to make sure that our clients’ contract information stays private,” he said. “They are going to use heightened security protocols, and limit access to staff within the guild who have a valid business reason to have access to the information.”
The WGA has reopened the possibility of talks with smaller agencies since President David A. Goodman was re-elected in a landslide vote in this past September’s election. The election had the highest voter turnout in WGA history, with Goodman receiving 79% of all ballots received.
“The writers had elections, and they overwhelmingly reelected David Goodman, one of the leaders of this strategy. We feel that it is time to put the writers back to work, as well as our agents,” Bold said. “The code of conduct as it stands now, is a much better document than it was before. For that reason, along with some of our negotiated changes, made it an agreement that we can stand behind.”
Meanwhile, the studio continues its legal battle against the top agencies — WME, CAA, UTA and ICM Partners — as it attempts to get a judge to declare that packaging fees are a violation of labor law. CAA, UTA, and WME, meanwhile, have consolidated their lawsuits against WGA into a single action accusing the WGA of engaging in an illegal boycott by ordering their members to terminate their representation.
A representative for the WGA confirmed the deal but declined further comment.
23 TV Shows Most Affected by 2007-08 Writers' Strike (Photos)
With a potential writers strike looming if the WGA and AMPTP can't see eye to eye in their negotiations, TheWrap looks back at the 2007-2008 strike and its impact on TV shows.
"Lost" had just aired 8 episodes from it's fourth season when the strike began, and while it only had a month break, the season lost two episodes in total. They were added to season 5 and 6, respectively.
"Prison Break"
The third season of the show starring Wentworth Miller saw an extremely shortened third season, only having 13 episodes instead of 22.
The CBS show was put on halt for four months the first season it was on air, and eventually only got to 17 of the planned 22 episodes.
CBS
"Bones"
The Fox show felt a blow from the writers strike in its third season, where it was put on hiatus for four months after only 13 out of 23 episodes were filmed. When the strike ended, only two more were filmed.
Fox
"Desperate Housewives"
The hit show also received a shortened season and a three-month break.
ABC
"Family Guy"
The fox animated series had 9 completed episodes before the strike began although 22 were planned. When the strike ended, only 3 more were produced.
Fox
"Friday Night Lights"
The second season of the show ended in a huge cliffhanger and seven of the 22 episodes NBC ordered weren't made. The third season returned eight month after the show had to be halted due to the strike.
NBC
"Gossip Girl"
The show starring Blake Lively and Leighton Meester also saw a three-month break due to the writers strike, as well as a shorter-than-expected season.
CW
"Grey's Anatomy"
Only 16 of the 23 of the fourth season ordered by ABC were made due to the writers strike.
ABC
"Heroes"
"Heroes" pretty much derailed the second season due to the strike. It only had 11 episodes out of 24 air, and none were filmed after the strike ended. The show returned nine months later.
The U.S. version of the sitcom missed 11 episodes due to the strike and saw five month break between seasons 4 and 5.
NBC
"One Tree Hill"
The show's fifth season missed out on four episodes because of the strike.
CW
"Scrubs"
According to Uproxx, Bill Lawrence was ready to end "Scrubs" after season 7, but then the strike happened and only 11 episodes were aired. The show then moved over to ABC and two episodes produced after the strike aired as part of the eighth season.
ABC
"The Unit"
The third season aired on Sept. 25, 2007 before the hiatus occurred after the 11th episode. The show returned five months later for the fourth and final season.
CBS
"Battlestar Galactica"
Only 11 out of 20 episodes were aired before the show was postponed.
Sci-Fi Channel
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Shows like ”Prison Break,“ ”Breaking Bad“ and ”Friday Night Lights“ were just a few of the shows that saw a shortened season due to the 100-day strike
With a potential writers strike looming if the WGA and AMPTP can't see eye to eye in their negotiations, TheWrap looks back at the 2007-2008 strike and its impact on TV shows.