Reality writing
The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is targeting the new series of hit talent show American Idol to highlight the poor working conditions for writers who fall outside current agreements.
“We are on this American Idol Truth Tour to stand up to companies like FremantleMedia and help bring an end to these illegal practices by exposing the conditions,” said WGAW President Patric M. Verrone.
Former FremantleMedia game show writer Aaron Solomon told the audience: "We're here today to celebrate Fremantle's success and to encourage them to do the right thing…and share their success with the writers and employees who work so hard to produce their shows.”
As a FremantleMedia employee, former American Idol production assistant Justin Buckles recounted that he regularly worked seven days a week, 15-20 hours a day, on the hit show. “I was not properly paid overtime and when I calculated all the hours I worked, my hourly rate was less than $4.50 an hour. I'm standing up on behalf of all the workers on reality TV to say enough is enough. We are asking to be respected as workers, and we demand that production companies like FremantleMedia treat us fairly,” he said.
Gail Renard, Chair of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain TV Committee adds:
"The TV Committee is also looking into this problem in Britain, at the request of the WGA. Wherever there are written television shows, there should be Minimum Term Agreements from the appropriate Guilds protecting the writers - and it doesn't matter if the programmes call them researchers, script associates or Chief Poohbahs of Joy. We'd like to hear from any writers who have worked on reality shows. Please contact the Guild office. Let’s get real about reality!"
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