Canadian writers pact for fee increase

Deal gives film, TV scribes a 2% raise

By BRENDAN KELLY

MONTREAL -- A deal announced Tuesday for Canuck film and TV writers will give them a 2% increase across the board on the minimum script fee for each of the two years of the agreement.

The minimum script fee is the upfront amount paid to a writer on delivery of a script.

The Writers Guild of Canada announced Tuesday that it has inked with the country's two main producers orgs, the Canadian Film and Television Production Assn. and the Quebec Film and Television Producers Assn.

The writers' Independent Production Agreement, which sets the rules and rates for English-language screenwriting in Canada, was set to expire Dec. 31.

Once ratified by the WGC membership, the deal will come into effect Jan. 1 and remain in force until Dec. 31, 2011.

Per the WGC request, the groups focused on fees and working conditions for screenwriters in animation, and a group of producers and screenwriters was created to meet over the next two years to continue the dialogue.

"In this economic climate, a script fee increase is good news for screenwriters, and these increases will be especially beneficial for writers working in development," said guild president Rebecca Schechter. "We tailored these negotiations to the times, and all parties set aside larger issues in the interests of a unified creative community."