The Writers Guild of America (WGA) just ordered its members to stop writing the latest classic, after the WGA took action against AMT. This episode dives into the deadliest avalanche to hit California in 1982. The film, which is based on the 2021 documentary “Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche,” will be produced by acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese. Randall Emmett, the founder and managing member of Convergence Entertainment Group, is implicated in this sordid affair. His company’s pronounced, adversarial history with the Guild had some folks worried.
Convergence Entertainment Group has been on the WGA’s Strike/Unfair List since 2020. This is primarily due to the fact that the company has yet to sign the Guild’s collective bargaining agreement or Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA). This special status keeps its projects blacked out from receiving any support from WGA members. The Guild’s advisory could not be more relevant, given Emmett’s disturbing track record on financial responsibilities toward writers. Unfortunately, this flaw has resulted in thousands of unnecessary arbitration claims in the past decade.
Background on Randall Emmett and Convergence Entertainment Group
Randall Emmett—one of the producers of Movies for America—is a cut above. He produced other mega-billboard projects such as 2016’s epic “Silence,” which took place in Japan, and the highly buzzed 2019 mob drama “The Irishman,” directed by Martin Scorsese. His work often stops you in your tracks. His approach to labor-management relations has resulted in a pernicious rift with authors and organized labor.
Of those signatories, Convergence Entertainment Group has come under special fire for reneging on duties ascribed to it under the MBA. The Guild has asserted that Emmett’s production companies, Emmett Furla Oasis Films and Pumped, are liable for more than $700,000. This figure takes into account extreme unpaid compensation, pension and health contributions due to writers.
“Emmett has a long history of refusing to honor obligations to writers and the Guild has filed numerous arbitration claims against companies owned by Emmett over the last decade.” – The WGA
Given the long history of financial disputes, the WGA’s firm, uncompromising nature has been revealed. Consequently, they have moved to prohibit their members from working on projects related to Emmett.
Implications for the Avalanche Drama
The forthcoming drama about the avalanche, which drew inspiration from the tragic events of 1982, has caught significant attention due to its association with Scorsese. Despite being a notable figure in cinema, Scorsese’s collaboration with Emmett presents challenges for the film’s production.
Fifty Feet Movie, LLC is a third company that participated in this project. As a result, while they signed the 2023 MBA, they found themselves placed on the Strike/Unfair List due to their failure to post a surety bond as required by their MBA. In their review of Fifty Feet’s fiscal responsibility, the Guild found it wanting. Consequently, they required the bond so that duties for many theatrical motion picture ventures would be fulfilled.
“The Guild demanded a surety bond from Fifty Feet after determining that it was not financially responsible and was unlikely to meet its MBA obligations in connection with several theatrical motion picture projects.” – The WGA
This advisory affects the overall talent pool that will be available to the avalanche drama. It poses profound questions about the fate of all projects overseen by Emmett.