Message Board

Could one of you Californians please advise me whether it is true that an agent that signs you has to get you work--or some kind of action--within 120 days? I've heard this, but don't know whether it's true or not.

Any info would be helpful. (A bonus for me would be if you could cite the relevant statute) Muchas gratias!

John Green

The WGA has a time limit clause like you are referring to. This applies to any signatory agent that represents a guild member. Many agents will adhere to this anyway. Many will not place a writer under contract that is not a member of the guild. It depends on the policies set up by the agent or agency license they work under that has little to do with anything the WGA stipulates(unless they are signatory to the guild). To be a California agent you must be licensed and bonded by the state of California. No easy task by the way. I wonder how some agents ever became licensed but most will adhere to the state laws for obvious reasons.

Don’t know what the basis of your question is, but most agents that are licensed with the state(signatory or not) will gladly release any writer from any obligation if the writer desires, time limit or not. They certainly may hold you to your commission agreement if one of your scripts is optioned through any of their efforts or that option would apply in the legal contract you sign with them. That is only fair though. If they did the work that resulted in a sale for you, you should pay them.

Hope this helps in your understanding.

Thanks, Rene, it does help. I think I will simply send him a registered letter declaring my wish to end the relationship. (A friend of mine did this). As you say most would honor this.

To my knowledge, he hasnt done lick of work on the script. I keep sending him revisions. He doesn't respond, and I don't think he reads them. Someone told me that he has another business.

Thanks again.

John