# Free work and producer passes > Requested writing performed without an agreed paid step. A producer pass commonly means an extra rewrite requested before material is delivered onward, creating pressure to work beyond the compensated deal. Also known as: producer pass, free rewrite, unpaid rewrite ## In practice Free work can arrive disguised as one more polish, a few new scenes, or a producer pass before formal delivery. The practical warning sign is that substantive writing is being requested outside the paid steps in the agreement. Writers may choose to develop their own work, but company-requested rewrites raise different questions about compensation and delivery. Clear process protects both the writer and the draft. Confirm who may give notes, what the contracted step requires, when delivery occurs, and whether a requested change belongs to a paid step. The 2026 MBA also limits rewrite demands and acceptance of delivery to the named individual specified in the writer's contract for qualifying deals, reducing notes from unauthorized layers. A save point named for contractual delivery can preserve the exact version sent, and a separate draft line can isolate later exploratory changes. Those tools make the timeline legible; they do not decide whether a request violates the MBA, turn unpaid work into paid work, or replace prompt contact with the Guild or a representative when scope starts moving. ## Official sources & context Sources reviewed Jul 29, 2026 Whether work is covered, requested, or compensable depends on the deal and circumstances. Contact the Guild or a qualified representative for a live matter. - [WGA — Screenwriters handbook](https://www.wga.org/members/employment-resources/screenwriters-handbook) - [WGA — 2026 MBA contract changes FAQ](https://www.wga.org/contracts/contracts/mba/2026-mba-contract-changes-faq) ## Common questions ### Is every informal note a request for free work? No. The concern is substantive requested writing outside agreed compensation, not ordinary conversation. Review the deal, the requested changes, and who made the request. ### What is a producer pass? It commonly describes an extra rewrite or polish requested by a producer before formal delivery to another company decision-maker, sometimes without a paid contractual step. ### How can version history help with delivery? A named save point and retained export can identify what was delivered and when. That is useful process evidence, but it does not determine contractual compliance. ## Related terms - [2026 WGA MBA](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/2026-wga-mba): The current Minimum Basic Agreement between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, effective May 2, 2026, with minimums and working protections for covered writing. - [WGA signatory](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/wga-signatory): A company that has agreed to be bound by the WGA collective-bargaining agreement for covered writing employment, including applicable minimums, credits, residuals, and pension and health contributions. - [Guaranteed second step](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/guaranteed-second-step): A second paid writing step guaranteed in qualifying WGA-covered theatrical deals. Under the 2026 MBA, the protection expands to writers initially paid up to 225% of the applicable minimum. - [Page-one rewrite](https://www.inkwell.software/glossary/page-one-rewrite): A ground-up rewrite that rebuilds the script from a new structural plan while keeping what still serves the story — not a line edit. - [Read the pillar guide](https://www.inkwell.software/learn/wga-aware-screenwriting-workflows): A longer guide for this workflow --- Canonical page: