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The WGA prohibits nominations for non-WGA members or films not made under a WGA-approved contract. That’s why you’ll never see animated films on these lists as the WGA doen’t represent animation writers. That’s also why you don’t see some prominent titles this year, including Birdman and Selma. You also have a mis-match between Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. Everyone but the Academy agreed that Whiplash was an original, but for Oscar, it’s Adapted. That could throw another wrench into the works when using this group to help predict the Oscars.

WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA AWARDS

Best Original Screenplay

Boyhood (RU:Wesley, RU:Peter, RU:Thomas)
Foxcatcher
The Grand Budapest Hotel (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, Thomas)
Nightcrawler
Whiplash (RU:Tripp)

Wesley Lovell: Without Birdman, we have no real way of telling how much of a contender it is in this category. Grand Budapest Hotel has been consistently winning awards this season, frequently over Birdman and Boyhood. I think the same thing will happen here. If Boyhood does manage the win, it will undoubtedly become the front-runner at the Oscars in more areas than one.
Peter J. Patrick: The intricate screenplay for The Grand Budapest Hotel should prevail but I wouldn’t at all be surprised by a win for the more simply written Boyhood.
Tripp Burton: With Birdman ineligible, and Whiplash in here instead of Adapted (like it is with the Oscars), this category is drastically different than what could happen at the Oscars. My hunch is that Wes Anderson will start picking up his consolation prizes in this category. But could Whiplash, which I think might be a contender for the Adapted Oscar, win here? Could Boyhood pick up some steam with a win here? Both seem possible, but not likely.
Thomas LaTourette: Without the competition of Birdman, I expect The Grand Budapest Hotel will prevail over Boyhood. It should prove a close race.

Best Adapted Screenplay

American Sniper (Tripp, RU:Peter)
Gone Girl (Thomas, RU:Wesley)
Guardians of the Galaxy
The Imitation Game (Wesley, Peter, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)
Wild

Wesley Lovell: Until January, Gone Girl was the only adapted screenplay that was winning any precursor prizes. Then the Academy’s writers decided not to nominate it. The rest is history. That doesn’t mean it can’t still win, but I suspect the Oscar front-runner will be the one to win out here. The Imitation Game should be able to stick it out for the win, but I wouldn’t be surprised or disappointed if Gone Girl still managed to win.
Peter J. Patrick: This could go either way, but I think either The Imitation Game or American Sniper will take it.
Tripp Burton: This is pretty assuredly a race between the two Oscar nominees. American Sniper is picking up steam while USC Scripter winner The Imitation Game is losing steam. I’ll go with the hotter film. Remember, though, that this category looks so different from the Oscars that whatever happens we will still have no idea what will happen next weekend.
Thomas LaTourette: I could see Gone Girl winning here, even though it cannot go on to win the Oscar. It will face stiff competition from The Imitation Game, which might still win.

Documentary Screenplay

Documentary Screenplay

Finding Vivian Meier (RU:Wesley, RU:Peter, RU:Tripp, RU:Thomas)
The Internet’s Own Boy
Last Days in Vietnam (Wesley, Peter, Tripp, Thomas)
Red Army

Wesley Lovell: When I’m in doubt, I go for the film that seems like it would require the most intense research. That means I think Last Days of Vietnam will win out with Finding Vivian Meier a possible successor.
Peter J. Patrick: Last Days in Vietnam should take this one easily.
Tripp Burton: Without CitizenFour or Life Itself, this category is a much bigger mystery than usual. I would think it is between the two Oscar nominees, and the power of the narration and fluidity of Last Days in Vietnam seems a likely winner. If they want something slightly less traditional, though, they may lean towards Finding Vivien Maier.
Thomas LaTourette: Since the Oscar front-runner is not nominated here, it will probably go to one of the other Oscar nominees for documentary. The more topical Vietnam film will probably win over the Vivian Maier documentary.

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