----------------------------Original message----------------------------
I checked with my friend who is with the Legal Division of the Writers
Guild of America. . . she informs me that getting an agent does not help
one to gain membership into the Guild. Instead, you must work for a
"signatory company".  There is a point system, governed by the type of
of writing you do for the company.  My understanding is that one has
to accumulate a certain number of points before WGA membership can be
obtained.  But -- the best thing would be to get information directly
from the Guild about their membership requirements.  Their west coast
office and phone number are as follows:
 
                Writers Guild of America - West
                8955 Beverly Boulevard
                Los Angeles, California  90048
 
                Phone:  (415) 550-1000
 
Good luck!
 
Robina Royer
University of San Francisco School of Law