Agreement - Writers Guild of Canada

A602 The Producer and the Guild recognize that there may be an area where the
proper and constructive exchange of ideas and criticism between a Writer
and a Producer may be claimed by the Guild to be speculative writing.
Whenever the Guild feels that speculative writing has occurred, the case
will be referred to the grievance procedure and the Producer’s intent as
determined by the facts shall be an important factor in the consideration. In
this connection, nothing in this Article shall limit the submission of original
stories or prevent the Producer from discussing with any Writer any ideas
suggested by such Writer, or discussing with any Writer any ideas or any
material suggested by the Producer in order to determine the Writer’s
thoughts and reactions with respect to any such idea or other material to
determine the Writer’s suitability for an assignment, provided, however, that
any such discussion relating to an assignment shall be subject to the
provisions of Article A603.
A603 A Writer’s initial interview with the Producer concerning engagement in
connection with an assignment may only be with:
i) a person authorized to make a commitment to the Writer; or
ii) a person designated by the Producer to interview Writers with regard
to the particular project under consideration.
Unless a commitment was made by the Producer in such initial interview, a
second interview by the Writer with the Producer concerning the same
assignment may only be with a person authorized to make a commitment to
the Writer. In no event may a third interview between the Writer and
Producer take place concerning such assignment, nor may the Producer
request the Writer to render any writing services, unless a firm agreement
has been arrived at between the Writer and Producer as to terms and
conditions of engagement prior to the third meeting or the request to render
writing services. As used in this Article, the term “a person authorized to
make a commitment to the Writer”, shall mean a person who is empowered
to make, subject to the negotiation of mutually acceptable terms and
conditions, the final creative decision to engage a Writer for an assignment.
A604 When a Producer is considering engaging a Writer in the category of drama
or Documentary and the Writer has no credits or written sample of his/her
work for the appropriate category, the Producer may request the Writer to
write sample pages which shall not be directly related to the prospective
engagement provided that:
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