What Is 32nd Writers Guild of America Awards

Overview

The 32nd Writers Guild of America Awards celebrated excellence in writing across film, television, and radio for the year 1979. Held on February 17, 1980, the ceremony highlighted standout screenplays and teleplays that shaped the cultural landscape of the era.

Recognizing both original and adapted works, the awards underscored the critical role of writers in storytelling across media. The event served as a precursor to the Academy Awards, often predicting Oscar success due to overlapping voting bodies.

• Kramer vs. Kramer won Best Original Screenplay, adapted from the novel by Avery Corman and written for screen by Robert Benton.
• Being There, written by Louis L. Begley and Jerzy Kosinski, took home the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
• The ceremony was held in Los Angeles, with a simultaneous event in New York, as is customary for the WGA Awards.
• Television honors included Falcon Crest and M🅱*A*S*H, both recognized for outstanding episodic writing in 1979.
• The WGA Awards have been held annually since 1960, making the 1980 event the 32nd in the series.

How It Works

The Writers Guild of America Awards follow a structured process to recognize excellence in writing across multiple media categories. Eligibility, voting, and award categories are tightly defined to ensure fairness and industry relevance.

• Eligibility Period: Works must have been first released or aired between January 1 and December 31, 1979, to qualify for the 32nd awards.
• Voting Membership: Only active and eligible members of the Writers Guild of America East and West are permitted to vote in their respective categories.
• Nomination Process: A preliminary ballot is sent to members, with the top five vote-getters in each category advancing to the final ballot.
• Final Ballot: Final voting determines the winner, with results certified by an independent accounting firm to ensure transparency.
• Categories: Awards are presented in film, television, news, radio, and promotional writing, with subcategories for original and adapted works.
• Joint Winners: In cases of co-written scripts, both writers receive the award, as seen with Being There, credited to two authors.

Comparison at a Glance

The 32nd WGA Awards overlapped significantly with other major award shows, particularly the Oscars. Below is a comparison of key winners and nominees.

The table illustrates how the WGA Awards often align with the Oscars in screenplay categories, though divergence occurs. While Kramer vs. Kramer swept both honors, Being There won the WGA but lost the Oscar to Best Boy. This highlights differences in voting demographics and criteria between the two organizations.

Why It Matters

The 32nd Writers Guild of America Awards played a crucial role in affirming the value of writers in the entertainment industry. By spotlighting exceptional writing, the event elevated the craft behind beloved films and shows.

• Industry Recognition: Winning a WGA Award enhances a writer’s reputation and can lead to higher-profile projects and increased pay.
• Oscar Indicator: The WGA Awards are considered a strong predictor of Academy Award outcomes, especially in screenplay categories.
• Union Advocacy: The Writers Guild uses the event to promote writers’ rights, fair compensation, and creative ownership.
• Historical Record: The 1980 awards preserve a snapshot of late-1970s storytelling trends, from family drama to political satire.
• Influence on Future Writers: Award-winning scripts like Kramer vs. Kramer become case studies in screenwriting programs nationwide.
• Cultural Impact: Recognized works often reflect societal issues, such as divorce and media manipulation, influencing public discourse.

Ultimately, the 32nd WGA Awards not only celebrated past achievements but also shaped the trajectory of American writing in film and television, reinforcing the power of the written word in visual media.