One of the benefits due credited writers under the Writers Guild Minimum Basic Agreement and the Public TV Freelance Agreement is compensation for the reuse of their material. This compensation is called residuals.

This guide provides writers with a basic knowledge of residual compensation -- what it is, who receives it, and when it is due.

DOWNLOAD RESIDUALS SURVIVAL GUIDE (.pdf) 

INTRODUCTION 

WHAT ARE RESIDUALS? 

WHY ARE WRITERS ENTITLED TO RESIDUALS?  

WHO RECEIVES RESIDUALS?  

ARE YOU ENTITLED TO RESIDUALS?  

EXHIBITION MARKETS 

HOW ARE RESIDUALS CALCULATED?
Residuals for Made-for-Theatrical Motion Pictures
Residuals for Made-for-Television Projects

RESIDUALS FOR MADE-FOR-THEATRICAL  

MOTION PICTURES
DVD Script Publication Fee

RESIDUALS FOR MADE-FOR-FREE TELEVISION PROJECTS
The One-Hour Waiver
Application of Excess

RESIDUALS FOR COMEDY/VARIETY PROJECTS
Comedy/Variety Residuals
Residuals for Free Television Reuse of Comedy/Variety Projects
Residuals for Foreign Reuse of Comedy/Variety Projects
Residuals for Reuse in Other Markets

RESIDUALS FOR DAYTIME SERIALS  

RESIDUALS FOR MADE-FOR-BASIC CABLE TELEVISION PROJECTS
Residuals for Basic Cable Reuse
Residuals for Foreign Reuse
Residuals for Reuse in Other Markets

RESIDUALS FOR MADE-FOR-PAY TELEVISION AND MADE-FOR-VIDEOCASSETTE PROJECTS
Residuals for Reuse on Pay Television Videocassette
Residuals for Reuse in All Other Markets

RESIDUALS FOR MADE-FOR-PBS PROJECTS  

RESIDUALS FOR THE USE OF EXCERPTS  

RESIDUALS ON CREATOR SEQUEL PAYMENTS  

CHARACTER PAYMENTS  

FOREIGN COPYRIGHT LEVIES  

CANADIAN WAIVERS  

COMMISSIONS ON RESIDUALS  

RESIDUALS FOR DECEASED MEMBERS  

DUES ON RESIDUALS  

PENSION PLAN & HEALTH FUND CONTRIBUTIONS ON RESIDUALS  

MONITORING RESIDUALS  

PROCESSING RESIDUALS  

CONCLUSION  

EXAMPLES
Residuals on a Made-for-Theatrical Motion Picture
Residuals on a Made-for-Free Television Project
Residuals on a Made-for-Basic Cable Project