WGAW taps Bernstein

Guild names vet exec as planning pro

By DAVE MCNARY

The Writers Guild of America West has named veteran exec and writer Gregory Bernstein to the newly created post of senior director of strategic planning.

Bernstein will focus on projecting how industry trends will impact the WGA West's departments and services. The WGA West has about 8,000 members and an annual $20 million budget.

"With his wide range of entertainment, legal, and business experience, Gregory is the ideal person to focus the Guild's strategic planning efforts," said John McLean, WGA West exec director. "His diverse background in the entertainment industry will ensure that the guild's long-range initiatives are based on solid and practical business models."

Bernstein will report to Charles Slocum, assistant exec director at the WGA West.

Bernstein has been a WGA West member since 1993 and co-wrote the 1997 film "Trial and Error" and the 2001 TNT telepic "Call Me Clause."

Bernstein began his career as an attorney at O'Melveny & Myers in the entertainment and litigation divisions. He was named vice president of business affairs at Columbia Pictures in 1982, holding the position on the lot at both TriStar Pictures and Lorimar Telepictures until 1988.

During 2003, Bernstein held the position of adjunct professor at Chapman University, teaching entertainment law to graduate students.