Writers Guild of America, East Doubles Number of Digital Media Signatories

NEW YORK CITY –In the first five months of 2010, the Writers Guild of America, East, AFL-CIO (WGAE) has signed 23 new digital media signatories to new contracts. This more than doubles the number of digital signatories signed by the WGAE in 2009 and brings the total of WGAE digital signatories to 43. Twenty eight writers have become new Guild members as a result of these new contracts. “Writers working in digital media are increasingly interested in Guild membership and in the benefits and protections it provides. They recognize the value of working with the Guild now, as business models, distribution structures, and creative opportunities in digital media are still being developed,” said WGAE Executive Director Lowell Peterson. The writers and new WGAE members agree. “Our decision to join the WGAE     can be summed up in two words: resources and legitimacy. And the Guild has delivered on both fronts,” said Julie Ann Emery, writer/producer of Then We Got Help.“Joining the WGAE is a great opportunity to join a community of professionals…We’ve gotten over 2.5 million hits on our show, and it was entirely self-produced. So it’s very cool that writers in the more established media are reaching out to us and inviting us to join them. I think we have a lot to share with each other,” said Frances Chewning, co-writer of Mimi & Flo. “With the support of the WGAE, you realize that you’re never writing along, even when you do spend the majority of your day behind a 13-inch screen surrounded by empty coffee mugs and the constant tease of Facebook,” said Dante Russo of Wiener & Wiener.From Michael Cyril Creighton, writer/producer of Jack In A Box, “Being a bit of a wallflower, I needed an extra talking point for social gatherings and family functions.”  New WGAE signatories signed in 2010 are:

• Atticus Entertainment, Inc, writer/producer Jonathon E. Stewart,
• Jack In A Box, written by Michael Cyril Creighton, www.jackinaboxsite.com
• Gravity Sleeps, written by Wesley Wingo,www.gravitysleeps.com
• Untitled Aaron Kheifets Project, written by Aaron Kheifets,  www.aaronkheifets.com
• Gotham The Series, written by Martha Byrne and Lisa Brown, www.gothamtheseries.com
• Wiener & Wiener, written by Dante Russo, www.wienerandwiener.com
• The Mimi & Flo Show; written by Hannah Bos, Frances Chewning, & Jeff Maksym; www.mimiandflo.com
• Missed Connections Live, created by Melissa Center, www.missedconnectionslive.com
• One Part Robot Productions, writers Jason Yarusi & Ian Clarke, www.onepartrobot.com
• porNO —  microNORMOUS, written by Joe Narciso, www.micronormous.com
• Latinowood Media, writers Vicky Ayala and Maria Nieto, www.LatinowoodMedia.com
• Then We Got Help!, written by Julie Ann Emery; produced by Julie Ann Emery and Kevin Earley, www.thenwegothelp.com
• Asparagus – Sinkhole Productions for the Independent Television Service web series Futurestates, writer Robby Henson, www.futurestates.tv
• Drama Queenz, writer Dane Joseph, www.novonovus.com
• Don’t Shoot the Pharmacist, writer Dave Broitman, www.Don’tShootthePharmacist.com
• Red Rope Productions, writer/producer Eddie Shieh, www.redrope.com 
• Monte Montgomery Productions, Monte Montgomery, www.montfilm.com
• Whitebridge Farms Productions, Time and Charge, writer Ernest Thompson, www.whitebridgefarmproductions.com
• Full Body Wag Productions, America at Large, writer Rick Nicolette
• The Puzzle Maker’s Son, writer Michael Field, www.puzzlemakersson.com
• Anyone But Me, writers Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward, www.anyonebutme.com
• Hot Garbage Video, writers Nick Bernadone, James Best, and Rick Shine, www.hotgarbagevideo.com