Candidate for Council, Film/TV/Streaming Sector
Hello, WGAE!
I’m Monica Lee Bellais, running for re-election in the Film/TV/Streaming sector.
GUIDED BY EXPERIENCE, COMMITTED TO PROGRESS:
During my three terms on the Council, I have brought industry knowledge and leadership experience to meaningful discussions and deliberations affecting our Union. While I have been fortunate to serve in many leadership roles, I believe that our collective strength comes from the collaboration and dedication of every member. My experience spans our industry’s commercial and creative sides, ensuring WGAE members benefit from a balanced vision.
Throughout my tenure, I have supported significant leadership transitions, including three WGAE presidents—Beau Willimon, Michael Winship, and Lisa Takeuchi Cullen—and the appointment of our new Executive Director, Sam Wheeler. I have consistently provided a global perspective informed by the production experience I gained from working across diverse international markets. My sustained involvement has allowed me to tackle our Guild’s challenges with a nuanced understanding of industry practices and technological impacts. I’ve stood by our members through every challenge, committed to a vision integrating creativity and business, ensuring our Guild remains solid and united. I will continue championing a vision that incorporates both the creative and business sides, benefiting WGAE members.
LEADING WITH UNITY & STRATEGIC VISION:
Each challenge has deepened my understanding of our Union’s complexities, strengthening my commitment to delivering tangible benefits for all members while upholding our Council’s integrity. As a Team Captain for the Agency Campaign and the 148-day strike, I built on our past successes and am now prepared to tackle the challenges ahead with the same dedication and strategic vision.
Guided by this vision, I’ve addressed a range of issues through my service and committee work, including:
- Code of Conduct Committee
- Digital Sub-Committee
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
- Health Fund Trustee Review & Appointment Committee (TRAC)
- Organizing Committee
- Real Estate Search Committee
- Strike Fund Committee
- Working Group for Constitutional Amendments
In my time on the Strike Fund Committee, where all applications were anonymous to the committee members, I gained a deep understanding of the financial hardships that members are still navigating months after the strike. Although the WGAE staff now manages each loan for repayment, I remain committed to ensuring that writers secure future work but effectively build on their entrepreneurial and transferable skills during periods between writing assignments.
Drawing on my global experience from roles in development at James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and the Office of Jeffrey Katzenberg at DreamWorks, as well as working with Warner Bros. Records, Discovery, Smithsonian Networks, PBS, and TeleProductions International, I bring a wealth of knowledge and insights. I value diverse creative perspectives and believe in appreciating the various cultures and backgrounds among creatives. These experiences empower me to make decisions informed by combining creative vision and business acumen, benefiting all WGAE members. My BA in Journalism and Mass Communication provides a solid communication and media ethics foundation, which I rigorously apply to advance these causes.
Throughout my career, I have consistently championed the rights of creatives across diverse platforms. I am a proud member of WGAE, PGA, SAG-AFTRA, NATAS, BAFTA, the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, and Women in Film & Video (WIFV). I have spent twelve years serving as an Advisory Committee and Board Member for WIFV in Washington, DC. This experience has shaped my approach to representation. Additionally, my lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill for mental health initiatives, opportunities for veterans, and investigative journalism have further honed my skills in listening, negotiating, and advocating for rights and opportunities.
FUTURE-PROOFING WITH STRENGTH:
Future-proofing is not just a strategy; it’s a commitment to our survival and relevance. We have faced critical issues—from the successful agency campaign and the pandemic to resolving digital membership issues through restructuring our Guild and the historic 148-day strike that resulted in the current Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA). In every test, the resilience and solidarity of our members have kept us strong. I’m committed to keeping our Guild resilient and prepared for future challenges.
Fair compensation for our members is non-negotiable, and I will stand with our members in the fight against the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by producers and studios. Our goal is to ensure that technology enhances rather than erodes the value of our work, and we are committed to this fight. Studios actively develop AI and other technology that could threaten our careers and livelihoods. I will prioritize keeping writers at the forefront as we approach the 2026 MBA negotiations.
SHAPING THE FUTURE TOGETHER:
We won’t just face the future together—we’ll define it. Drawing on the resilience of our members to secure sustainable careers, advance in healthcare and retirement, and shape the future of our industry as a powerful force.
My experience will guide our efforts to ensure every writer thrives while we protect the value of our work, lead storytelling’s future, and shape an industry where every writer is valued.
Your vote is not just a choice; it’s a crucial step towards securing our future by celebrating our achievements, confidently embracing the challenges ahead, and amplifying our collective voice. Your vote is needed to continue our fight.
With gratitude and solidarity,
Monica Lee Bellais (she/her)
Endorsements
Justin Carter, Larry J Cohen, C Colson, Christina Covino, Hussein Darwish, Bonnie Datt, Sara David, Justin DiLauro, Tom Fontana, Nancy Ford, Wendy Goldman, Tian Jun Gu, Jim Hart, A M Homes, Don P Hooper, Liz Hynes, James Ivory, Susan Kim, Penelope Koechl, Gail Lee, Michael Lee, Kathy McGee, Juliet Packer, Anna Park, Jean Passanante, Daniel Perlman, Philip Pilato, Mark Ramirez, Melissa Salmons, Bill Scheft, Stephen Schiff, Courtney Simon, David Smilow, Susanna Styron, Louis Venosta, Noelle Vinas
Endorse Monica Lee Bellais for Council
Note: WGAW members who wish to endorse a candidate may follow the process outlined in section G.1.B of the 2024 Election Policy.
