Does this story sounds familiar? You throw your heart and soul into an original screenplay. You slave away for months, maybe even years. After an equally long time, you find a studio that loves it as much as you do, or at least seem to--they pay you for it and promise it will be their next project. They're excited; you're excited. Your hard work has paid off and your labor of love will finally be seen on the big screen, right?

Five years go by. Nothing has happened. The people who you worked with to make this dream deal aren't even employed by that studio anymore. If you mention the name of your project to any current studio executive, they look at you with blank stares.

Does this mean your dream will never be realized? Does this mean your masterpiece will never make it to the big screen?

Not necessarily.

There is hope to be found in the WGA Theatrical and Television Basic Agreement (or "MBA"). In the MBA, there is a provision that allows writers to buy back their unproduced, original, theatrical scripts within a certain window. Is this the answer to your prayers? Perhaps.

Answer the following questions:

1. Was the project theatrical?
2. Was the project done under employment or, if it was a sale, were you a professional writer at time of sale?
3. Was the project not based on any pre-existing material?
4. Has it been AT LEAST 5 years and NOT MORE than 7 years since you last delivered material to the Company?
5. Has the project never been produced?
6. Is it currently not in active development?

If the answer is YES to all these questions, we can probably help you get your dream script back and sell it to a new, more understanding signatory company. If you believe you are eligible to reacquire your script, download and fill out the following WGAW Reacquisition Form and send it, along with a copy of your contract, to the attention of the Contracts Department, WGAW, 7000 W. 3rd St., LA, CA 90048. Questions? Call (323) 782-4501.

Download Here!

NEW! Form for Reacquisition of Rewrites Done While Literary Material Under Option

For option contracts dated on or after May 2, 2001 only:

Through new Article 16.A.8.e. of the 2001 WGA Theatrical & Television Minimum Basic Agreement ("MBA"), the right to reacquire has been expanded to cover revisions of optioned original material for feature films. Under prior MBAs, if a professional writer optioned original material and was employed to rewrite it, the writer did not have the right to reacquire the rewrites even if the Company failed to exercise the option on the underlying material. Under the new provision, the writer who has optioned literary material may now reacquire all revisions of such material within a two-year period commencing upon written notice to the Company. Such notice may be given not earlier than one year after the expiration of the option, but not later than 6 years after the expiration of the option.

If you are eligible to use this provision, please download and complete the following form and send it to the WGA Contracts Department along with a copy of your option agreement.

Download Form Here