News

As SAG-AFTRA nears its June 30 bargaining deadline amid the Writers Guild of America strike, the Canadian film and TV industry is closely watching for ripple effects of Hollywood’s production shutdown north of the border. Film studios across the country remain dark or filled with homegrown shoots and anxious local talent and crews, dependent on big-budget U.S. film and TV series for work, question when they’ll get back on set.

Montreal-based screenwriter Christine Rodriguez of Productions La Tigresse, who is continuing to work on her upcoming film projects outside of WGA restrictions, said she’s closely watching labor negotiations in Los Angeles. “What the WGA is doing is extremely important. What they do will have an impact for us in Canada. There needs to be a readjustment with the streamers and remuneration for writers where they’re fairly compensated,” Rodriguez tells The Hollywood Reporter as she develops a...

Exclusive: WarnerMedia has finalized the participants joining its inaugural Access Writers Program, an initiative to support writers from underrepresented communities in the U.S. (entry-level) and Canada (mid-level).

Both seven-month-long programs kicked off in July and are in full swing, offering participants access to deep industry knowledge and invaluable exposure to company executives, creators, and established industry professionals, as well as a workshop on how to turn a script into a viable draft.

“We’re very happy to be able to continue to support underrepresented voices both in the U.S. and Canada through our WarnerMedia Access brand,” said Karen Horne, Senior Vice President, Equity and Inclusion, WarnerMedia. “It gives us the opportunity to work with emerging voices and further the growth of those who are mid-career level.”

One of the writers of 21 selected domestically is Gabriel Vallejo, a Mexican American screenwriter who is using his experience growing up amidst...