While the awards from the various guilds don't necessarily solidify the Oscar race, they're definite signposts. And from the looks of the Writers Guild of America's awards, both Spotlight and The Big Short are in with a good shout when the Golden Baldies are handed out in a couple of weeks.
Both films have done well with critics groups, and the WGA is an even tougher category as several movies don't qualify because their writers aren't guild members. So the likes of The Hateful Eight and Room (which is a definite contender in the Adapted Screenplay race) weren't even in consideration.
And since the WGA also covers TV, there are several firm favorites in there, including Mad Men, Veep and new hotshot Mr. Robot. Take a look at the main list of winners below (the full list is at the WGA site) and head here for our guide to predicting an Oscar winner.
Original Screenplay
Spotlight, Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy
Adapted Screenplay
The Big Short, Charles Randolph and Adam McKay, adapted from the book by Michael Lewis
Documentary Screenplay
Going Clear: Scientology And The Prison Of Belief, Alex Gibney
Drama Series
Mad Men, Lisa Albert, Semi Chellas, Jonathan Igla, Janet Leahy, Erin Levy, Tom Smuts, Robert Towne, Matthew Weiner, Carly Wray
Comedy Series
Veep, Simon Blackwell, Jon Brown, Kevin Cecil, Roger Drew, Peter Fellows, Neil Gibbons, Rob Gibbons, Sean Gray, Callie Hersheway, Armando Iannucci, Sean Love, Ian Martin, Georgia Pritchett, David Quantick, Andy Riley, Tony Roche, Will Smith
New Series
Mr. Robot, Kyle Bradstreet, Kate Erickson, Sam Esmail, David Iserson, Randolph Leon, Adam Penn, Matt Pyken
Episodic Drama
"Uno", Better Call Saul, Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould
Episodic Comedy
“Sand Hill Shuffle”, Silicon Valley, Clay Tarver
Original Long Form
Saints & Strangers, Seth Fisher, Walon Green, Chip Johannessen, Eric Overmyer
Adapted Long Form
Fargo, Steve Blackman, Bob DeLaurentis, Noah Hawley, Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert, Based on the film Fargo
Original Short Form New Media
“Back To Reality” (Weight), Daryn Strauss
Adapted Short Form New Media
“Chapter Two: Phoebe", Heroes Reborn: Dark Matters, Zach Craley
Animation
"Housetrap", Bob's Burgers, Dan Fybel
Comedy/Variety Talk Series
Real Time With Bill Maher, Scott Carter, Adam Felber, Matt Gunn, Brian Jacobsmeyer, Jay Jaroch, Chris Kelly, Bill Maher, Billy Martin, Danny Vermont
Comedy/Variety Sketch Series
Inside Amy Schumer, Jessi Klein, Hallie Cantor, Kim Caramele, Kyle Dunnigan, Jon Glaser, Kurt Metzger, Christine Nangle, Dan Powell, Tami Sagher, Amy Schumer
Comedy/Variety Specials
Jimmy Kimmel Live: 10th Annual After The Oscars Special, Written by Jack Allison, Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, Joelle Boucai, Greg Dorris, Gary Greenberg, Josh Halloway, Sal Iacono, Eric Immerman, Jimmy Kimmel, Bess Kalb, Jeff Loveness, Molly McNearney, Danny Ricker, Joe Strazzullo, Bridger Winegar