The Writers Guild of America West has taken a firm stance against Randall Emmett, the ex-fiancé of Lala Kent, due to his involvement in a new movie project with acclaimed director Martin Scorsese. According to the West Coast affiliate of the union, Emmett, who is the founder of Convergence, has been on the WGA Strike/Unfair List since 2020. The union claims that two companies owned by Emmett failed to pay over $700,000 in compensation, pension, and health contributions, as well as interest owed to WGA writers.
In response to the WGA’s actions, the guild has issued a directive prohibiting its members from working on “Wall of White,” a film produced by Emmett and Scorsese. The email sent out by the WGA stated that Emmett has a history of not honoring obligations to writers, leading to numerous arbitration claims filed against companies owned by him over the past decade. The guild’s policy prohibits members from working for or selling literary material to individuals or companies on the Strike/Unfair List.
The WGA had previously accused Emmett of failing to pay pension and health contributions, along with interest, to four writers who worked on the 2020 TV series “Pump.” Emmett’s company was reportedly issued a court order to make the necessary payments. In response to the WGA’s actions regarding “Wall of White,” Emmett released a statement to The Times, stating that they are fully financing the movie and intend to resolve the dispute in the coming weeks.
“Wall of White” is a project that Scorsese and Emmett are producing alongside Convergence Entertainment. The film, based on a book by Jennifer Woodlief and a historical documentary by Jared Drake and Steven Sig, recounts the tragic avalanche that struck the Alpine Meadows ski resort in 1982, burying eight people and claiming the lives of seven. The story is told from the perspective of the lone survivor, Anna Conrad, and the first responders involved in the harrowing search and rescue mission.
Emmett expressed his admiration for the documentary and book that inspired the film, highlighting the emotional weight carried by those who experienced the tragedy. The project aims to shed light on the personal and devastating impact of the natural disaster. Deadline reported last month on the collaboration between Scorsese, Emmett, and Convergence Entertainment for the production of “Wall of White,” showcasing the powerful storytelling and historical significance of the project.
