In the cutthroat realm of Hollywood, power struggles and behind-the-scenes drama are par for the course. But when a heavyweight like the Writers Guild of America (WGA) takes a bold stance against a high-profile film, the industry takes notice. That’s exactly what’s happening with Randall Emmett’s latest project, “Wall of White”, which has been slapped with a scathing ban by the WGA, prohibiting its members from participating in the film’s production. The move has sent shockwaves through Tinseltown, leaving many wondering what led to this dramatic showdown. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: this is a battle for creative control, and the stakes have never been higher.
The Controversy Unfolds
In early March, Deadline unveiled a new project set to be produced by Martin Scorsese: a narrative feature adaptation of the deadly 1982 avalanche that subsumed the Alpine Meadows ski resort near Lake Tahoe. The project sounded like the latest fascinating dive into American history from the auteur behind Killers of the Flower Moon and The Irishman. One problem? Hollywood’s powerful writers union is barring members from working on the project.
On Wednesday the Writers Guild of America West issued a notice to members forbidding them from contributing to Wall of White thanks to a few of the project’s announced contributors. Producer Randall Emmett is on the union’s strike/unfair list — a directory of no-go collaborators for unionized writers — while production company and financier Convergence Entertainment Group is not a signatory to the union’s contract.
“The Guild’s working rules prohibit members from working for or selling literary material to companies or individuals who are on the Strike/Unfair List, or who are not signed to the current MBA,” the union reminded members.
WGA’s Decision: Understanding the Reason Behind the Ban
Randall Emmett was first ixnayed by the union in 2020 due to claims from the WGA West that his and fellow producer George Furla’s companies, Emmett Furla Oasis Films and Pumped, LLC, owed hundreds of thousands in compensation, pension and health contributions, and interest to four writers on the television project Pump.
At one point, Arnold Schwarzenegger was attached to Pump, which was set up at CBS Television Studios. At the time, an attorney for Emmett and Furla told THR that his clients were actively attempting to resolve the situation. The attorney further accused the WGA West of attempting to circumvent the legal system and “black list” his clients.
Randall Emmett’s Past Issues with the WGA: A Brief History
Emmett and Furla remain on the strike/unfair list. The union also flagged Convergence Entertainment Group to its members in 2024. That year the union banned members from working with Fifty Feet Movie, LLC, and producer Steve Smalls due to an alleged failure to post a surety bond; Convergence — where Emmett was, according to the union, a managing member — was the project’s corporate guarantor.
Fifty Feet Movie, LLC, worked on the films Cash Out, Alarum and Epiphany, which according to the union Emmett produced under the pseudonym “Ives.”
The Project in Question: Wall of White
Martin Scorsese is attached to Wall of White as a producer alongside Emmett, according to the Deadline story. The film, which is set to be based on the 2021 documentary Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche, is actively seeking a director.
Martin Scorsese’s Involvement: A Look at the Film’s Background
Scorsese and Emmett have a working relationship from past passion projects of the director’s. The two worked together on 2016’s epic religious drama Silence, which took 28 years to bring to the screen, and 2019’s mob and corruption drama The Irishman, which itself languished for years as Scorsese sought his desired budget.
The Documentary that Inspired the Film: Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche
The documentary Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche tells the story of the 1982 avalanche that devastated the Alpine Meadows ski resort near Lake Tahoe, killing three people and injuring many more. The film explores the events leading up to the disaster, the rescue efforts, and the aftermath of the tragedy.
The Search for a Director: Where the Project Stands Now
Martin Scorsese’s latest project, “Wall of White”, has hit a snag as the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has barred its members from working on the film due to producer Randall Emmett’s inclusion on the union’s strike/unfair list. The project, which is set to be based on the 2021 documentary “Buried: The 1982 Alpine Meadows Avalanche”, is currently seeking a director. Scorsese and Emmett have a working relationship from past passion projects of the director’s, including 2016’s “Silence” and 2019’s “The Irishman”.
The WGA’s Strike/Unfair List: What it Means for Industry Professionals
The Rules and Regulations: Understanding the WGA’s Working Rules
The WGA’s working rules prohibit members from working for or selling literary material to companies or individuals who are on the Strike/Unfair List, or who are not signed to the current MBA. This means that any writer who is a member of the WGA is barred from contributing to “Wall of White” due to Emmett’s inclusion on the list.
The Consequences of Working with Blacklisted Companies or Individuals
Working with blacklisted companies or individuals can have serious consequences for industry professionals. Not only can it result in disciplinary action from the WGA, but it can also damage one’s reputation and career prospects. The WGA’s strike/unfair list is a powerful tool for protecting the rights of writers and ensuring that they are fairly compensated for their work.
The Impact on the Film Industry: What this Means for Future Projects
The WGA’s decision to bar its members from working on “Wall of White” has significant implications for the film industry. It highlights the importance of ensuring that all industry professionals are fairly compensated and treated with respect. It also underscores the need for producers and production companies to comply with the WGA’s rules and regulations.
A Deeper Look at Randall Emmett’s Past Issues
The 2020 Dispute: Unpaid Compensation and Health Contributions
In 2020, Emmett and his fellow producer George Furla’s companies, Emmett Furla Oasis Films and Pumped, LLC, were accused of owing hundreds of thousands in compensation, pension, and health contributions, and interest to four writers on the television project “Pump”. At the time, an attorney for Emmett and Furla accused the WGA West of attempting to circumvent the legal system and “blacklist” his clients.
The Attorney’s Response: Accusations of Blacklisting and Legal Battles
The attorney for Emmett and Furla claimed that his clients were actively attempting to resolve the situation, but were being unfairly targeted by the WGA West. The attorney accused the union of attempting to “blacklist” his clients and of circumventing the legal system.
The Ongoing Dispute: Where Things Stand Today
Emmett and Furla remain on the WGA’s strike/unfair list, and the dispute is ongoing. The union has flagged Convergence Entertainment Group, where Emmett is a managing member, to its members in 2024 due to an alleged failure to post a surety bond. Emmett has produced several films under the pseudonym “Ives”, including “Cash Out”, “Alarum”, and “Epiphany”.
Conclusion
In a significant development, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has barred its members from working on Randall Emmett’s film ‘Wall of White.’ The decision stems from the producer’s alleged failure to resolve a dispute with the union regarding his treatment of writers on the project. The article highlights the key points of contention, including Emmett’s refusal to sign a WGA contract and his alleged mistreatment of writers, including failing to pay them a fair wage and not providing them with proper credit.
The significance of this development cannot be overstated, as it highlights the WGA’s commitment to protecting its members’ rights and interests. The union’s decision sends a strong message to producers and studios that they will not tolerate unfair labor practices and will take action to support writers who are being taken advantage of. The implications of this decision are far-reaching, as it sets a precedent for future disputes between writers and producers. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, the WGA’s actions demonstrate its willingness to adapt and protect its members in the face of changing circumstances.
The future implications of this decision are significant, and it will be interesting to see how producers and studios respond to the WGA’s actions. Will other producers follow Emmett’s lead, or will they be more willing to work with the union to resolve disputes? The answer to this question will have a lasting impact on the entertainment industry, and it will be worth watching how this story unfolds. As the WGA continues to fight for its members’ rights, one thing is clear: the writers of Hollywood will not be silenced or taken advantage of, and their voices will be heard.
