WGA: Box Office Hit or Straight to Video?

Re “Joyful Writers Express Relief Over New Pact,” May 5: Screenwriter Deborah Amelon states that “[Writers Guild of America President] John Wells is going to be a hero to writers for many years to come.” Huh? What major concessions did the writers truly receive? Certainly not the money (Wells’ annual salary alone is close to the $41 million of the writers’ three-year deal).

And respect? Access to the set? Who’s going to decide that? Case in point: “Erin Brockovich.” Who would be invited, [screenwriters] Susannah Grant or Richard LaGravenese? Since writers, more often than not, rewrite other writers, will the WGA create some sort of new “set arbitration panel” or will the writers’ agents have to duke it out?

Sounds more like a can of worms for years to come.

Michael Roush

Woodland Hills