Lisa Takeuchi Cullen Poised to Break Barriers as WGA East President
Lisa Takeuchi Cullen is set to become the next president of the Writers Guild of America, East (WGA East). She is expected to take over the role next month from outgoing president Michael Winship, who expressed his intention not to seek re-election. Cullen will be the third female president of the guild and, significantly, the first ever person of color to take up this mantle. The future president stands unopposed in the forthcoming elections and currently serves as the Vice President of the guild’s Film/TV/Streaming sector.
Winship, in an official statement released today, revealed that his decision not to run for re-election was taken two years ago when he was requested to resume his presidential role for a term. Formerly serving five terms from 2007 till 2017, Winship agreed to run in 2021 to facilitate the resolution of guild-related issues involving constitutional revisions and other concerns related to the guild’s membership.
Cullen has amassed a sterling reputation for herself in the entertainment industry. Her bio on the WGA East website recounts how she participated in the development of several drama series during an overall deal with Universal TV before the ongoing writers strike. Her body of work includes developing drama pilots for formidable players in the industry such as Apple, Netflix, ABC, NBC, CBS, A&E and Warner Bros.
Furthermore, her work and service to the guild have already been recognized through the Richard B. Jablow Award, which she received last year. Cullen is also a prominent voice for representation, with her guild bio acknowledging her role in relaying the interests of marginalized writers. Moreover, she initiated and manages Diverse Writers of the East, which brings together underrepresented WGA East and pre-WGA writers.
Chris Kyle and Erica Saleh are also participating in the upcoming election uncontested, expecting to be reelected as secretary-treasurer and become the next Vice President of Film/TV/Streaming, respectively.
In the forthcoming guild election, twelve candidates will be fighting for six council seats in the Film/TV/Streaming sector, alongside five candidates who will run for three council seats representing the Online Media sector. The election process is scheduled to commence on September 6 and conclude on September 21.
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Now, for a little commentary. Madam incoming President, your resume gives us a lot to chew on. I, like many others in Hollywood, eagerly await Lisa Takeuchi Cullen’s tenure as the WGA East president. Not just because she happens to break the racial ceiling, but it must also be said, her record and commitment to diversity and inclusivity is quite applause-worthy. To quote a certain hip-hop musical, it subjects me to a “rewind-that-back” moment.
From crafting pilots for almost every network powerhouse in the entertainment industry, to being a flag-bearer for marginalized writers, Cullen wears several hats. And I must say, she wears them impressively. Combine her battle-hardened experience in the TV business with her proven dedication to diversity, and you've got one formidable president. I can almost hear the WGA opponents shivering in their boots!
And let's not forget that tweet. If ever there was a battle-royoale-esque call to arms, this is it. She's declaring a stance, not just for fair pay, but for the dignity and respect of every writer in Hollywood. Remember this, folks, her fight isn't just hers; it's ours.
So, dear readers, grab your popcorn, sit back and buckle up. Things in Hollywood are set to get a little more exciting, a lot more diverse, and hopefully, much more equitable. The script is changing, and I must say, it's about time.
