IMPASSE

Major Hollywood Writers Fire Agents After Failed Guild Talks

Writers for “Breaking Bad,’ ‘The Good Place,’ and ‘Bones’ have all terminated their agent contracts in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America.

Several major Hollywood writers have terminated contracts with their longtime agents, after talks between the Writers Guild of America and the Association of Talent Agents failed Friday night. Thomas Schnauz, a writer for Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and The X-Files announced the difficult decision via Twitter. “I'm not a lunatic. My agent is a friend, he's been to my wedding, and visited me in the hospital when I was in rough shape, but right now: #IStandWithTheWGA,” Schnauz wrote. Bones creator Hart Hanson also acknowledged his close relationship with his agent: “Standing with my Guild. #IStandWithWGA And I love my agent, Matt Solo. We've been friends for 21 years,” Hanson tweeted, alongside a termination letter.

The WGA rejected the latest proposal from the ATA late Friday night, and later sent a form letter to members that would allow them to fire their agents individually. At the heated meeting, WGA West executive director David Young allegedly accused the agencies of colluding with the studios to depress writers’ salaries. Writer and filmmaker Amy Berg shared her agent's termination letter on Friday: “It's beyond unfortunate that it's come to this. Personally... None of us know what the other side of this looks like, but I hope to see them all there.”

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