Producers Get Bigger Slice Will Writers Get More?

TV Producers get bigger slice - Will writers get more than crumbs?

The New Zealand Writers Guild welcomes with cautious optimism, today's announcement from NZ on Air that independent producers of television programmes will now receive 75% of programme sales income.

Executive Director Steven Gannaway says "The move is definitely a step in the right direction as it recognises that New Zealand television production should be valued as economic, as well as cultural capital.

Producers now have greater incentive to invest more in producing quality, marketable television which definitely should mean a greater investment in writers as great scripts are the foundation on which great programmes are built.

In the past, writers have been forced to accept low pay rates or asked to work for free because of low returns to producers.

There is a real opportunity now for greater equity between producers and writers, with the potential for residual rewards for both. There is no excuse for anyone to be underpaid for quality work."

The New Zealand Writers Guild is a professional association of script writers and is a registered trade union representing the interests of writers in the fields of film, television, theatre, radio, comics and new media.

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