WGA Awards Adds Two New Media Categories

In 2009, the WGA East started getting serious about digital media. The then 58-year-old labor union representing writers in motion pictures, television, cable, and broadcast news, began acquiring new media signatories in order to bring web content creators into the fold. By the first half of 2010, the WGA East welcomed at least 43 individuals or companies creating online entertainment into its organization.

So, what do you do if you’re a labor union labor and you’ve recently expanded to encompass an entirely new, creative work force that operates in a burgeoning entertainment medium? You honor that new, creative work force with awards.

The WGA East and the WGA West announced the very first WGA New Media Writing Awards. Digital recognition and honors will be dispensed at the WGA Awards on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at simultaneous ceremonies in LA and NYC by way of two categories: Outstanding Achievement in Writing Original New Media and Outstanding Achievement in Writing Derivative New Media.

A panel of Writers Guild members “selected for their experience in the new media genre” will be responsible for judging the preliminary and final rounds. And only programs containing “work that was written and produced under a WGA collective bargaining agreement and for which the Guilds have determined the writing credits may be submitted.”

If you think your piece of online video is deserving of praise and meets the qualifications so far, check out the official rules and submissions form here. The WGA New Media Writing awards will be accepting entries through November 23, 2010.