DEADLINE.com. Summary of 2011 Survey Results

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1 Summary of 2011 Survey Results 0

2 Summary of Research Methodology The survey was conducted February 13-March 5, 2012 and covered both pitching and employment experiences in WGA screenwriters took the survey (675 West and 68 East) Screenwriters answered 2 categories of questions: 1) about their overall experience pitching and working 2) about their experiences pitching and working on specific projects 1

3 Summary of Research Methodology In total, the survey results include 510 unique experiences with the major studios (Sony-Columbia, Fox, Warner Bros, Universal, Paramount, Disney) A total of 269 unique experiences with smaller studios In total, the screenwriters experiences include: 460 unique pitches: 328 with major studios; 132 with smaller studios 319 unique jobs: 182 with majors; 137 with non-major studios 2

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5 Most screenwriters believe the status of screenwriters in the industry has significantly deteriorated over the past several years. Major Studios Combined (N*=510) Total Better 7% Total Worse 72% Combined (N=269) Total Better 9% Total Worse 73% Question: Over the last few years, would you say that the professional status of writers in the entertainment business has gotten much better, somewhat better, somewhat worse, much worse, or stayed about the same? (*N=number of screenwriters responding) 4

6 Screenwriters reported the following problems when reflecting on their overall pitching and employment experience during 2011 (Ranked by Percentage Saying Frequently ) Free Rewrites Sweepstakes Pitching or Bake-offs Late Payment Pre-Writes Major Studios Major Studios Major Studios Smaller Stu=dios Major Studios Idea Theft Major Studios Question: The following are issues that a number of screenwriters report experiencing during the pitch/pre-employment phase and after being hired by the studio to work on a project. For each one, please identify whether you personally have experienced that issue frequently, occasionally, rarely, or never in the year (Major Studios Combined N=510) ( Combined N=269) 5

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8 One-in-four screenwriters reported leaving prepared materials behind as part of their pitch All Major Studios (N=328) (N=45) No 66% Yes 34% Question: During the pitch meetings for this project did you leave behind materials that you had written in advance prior to your meeting? 7

9 Three-quarters were asked to revise those pitch materials for the major studios, while requests at the smaller studios happened half of the time Yes, revise existing materials Yes, write additional materials Yes, revise and write additional materials No All Major Studios (N=88) Total Yes 75% (N=44) Total Yes 52% Don t know/can t remember Question: As part of the pitch for this project were you asked to revise these materials (outline, synopsis, pages, etc.) by adding more detail and substance, and/or asked to write additional materials? 8

10 Producers were more likely to ask for revisions, but three-in-ten reported major studio representatives requested revisions to pitch materials A studio executive A producer The director My choice/i wanted to All Major Studios (N=66) (N=23) Other Question: Who asked you to revise materials or write additional materials during the pitch process? 9

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12 A majority were asked by the major studios to work before being paid for commencement All Major Studios (N=182) Don t Know/Can t Remember (N=137) Don t Know/Can t Remember 9% Question: Were you asked to begin working before you were paid for commencement? 11

13 Most screenwriters received only 1 or 2 guaranteed steps in their deals from the studios All Major Studios (N=182) (N=137) Question: How many guaranteed steps are in this deal? 12

14 Optional steps were common in these deals All services All Major Studios (N=182) All services (N=137) Question: How many optional steps are in this deal? 13

15 Nearly two-thirds say the major studios and over half say the smaller studios never exercised any optional steps in their deals All Major Studios (N=133) (N=77) Question: How many of these optional steps have been exercised? 14

16 Almost half were asked to do uncompensated rewrites at a major studio, with four-in-ten saying the studio representative made the request Asked to do uncompensated rewrite? (N=137) Who asked for the uncompensated rewrite? (N=52) Question: Were you asked to do any uncompensated rewrites for this assignment? (N=137) Question: Who asked you to do these uncompensated rewrites? (N=52) 15

17 Smaller studios were somewhat less likely to ask for uncompensated rewrites, but a greater share of the requests came from studio representatives Asked to do uncompensated rewrite? (N=137) Who asked for the uncompensated rewrite? (N=52) Question: Were you asked to do any uncompensated rewrites for this assignment? (N=137) Question: Who asked you to do these uncompensated rewrites? (N=52) 16

18 A majority of those working at major studios did the uncompensated rewrites because they felt it necessary to keep their current job or get hired in the future Did you do the uncompensated rewrite? (N=182) Why did you do the uncompensated rewrite? (N=93) Future work/relationship with the producer To keep the job Some other reason Total 61% I wanted to Question: Did you do any uncompensated rewrites? (N=182) Question: What was the primary reason you chose to do the uncompensated rewrites for this assignment? (N=93) 17

19 Nearly a quarter believe they were paid late by the major studios in 2011 All Major Studios (N=182) (N=137) Question: After turning in your draft (to the appropriate individuals named in your contract), do you believe you were paid late? 18

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