Writers Strike (Reloaded)

[Chaplin]

Until there's a financial need to pay writers who are more likely to head to NY and the stage scene, Hollywood won't. That can only come from the audiences demanding more intelligent content

Wouldn't that then be an argument against the writers? Why should they get paid if they aren't putting forth anything that has any intelligence?

 

[Pariah]

Wouldn't that then be an argument against the writers? Why should they get paid if they aren't putting forth anything that has any intelligence?

Just because the material demanded by the audience isn't "intelligent," it doesn't mean that they're delivering the content that makes money.

BTW, you guys can add "Arrested Development" to a very well-written show. That thing was written lights-out.

 

[Gaddabout]

Wouldn't that then be an argument against the writers? Why should they get paid if they aren't putting forth anything that has any intelligence?

Someone knows what they're doing because television is a billion dollar industry. Didn't say the writing wasn't skilled or commercially savvy. It certainly has dollar value.

 

[Chaplin]

UPDATE: The Directors Guild came to a tentative agreement with the producers last week, and it appears that there is a big Writers Guild meeting tonight, but they met informally with producers this afternoon in an attempt to resume negotiations.

 

[Gaddabout]

UPDATE: The Directors Guild came to a tentative agreement with the producers last week, and it appears that there is a big Writers Guild meeting tonight, but they met informally with producers this afternoon in an attempt to resume negotiations.

That's good news, Chap, although it probably is small consolation for you.

 

[Pariah]

I agree that the public likes lowest common denominator humor, but the writing should NEVER be dictated by that fact.

Why? Television is a business. Write what sells, but try to do it well.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

WGA and AMPTP Close to a Deal?
Source: The Associated Press
February 3, 2008

A breakthrough in contract talks has been reached between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and could lead to a tentative deal as early as next week, reports The Associated Press.

The two sides breached the gap Friday on the thorniest issues, those concerning compensation for projects distributed via the Internet. Significant progress has reportedly been made and a deal might be announced within a week.

Major points of contention include how much and when writers are paid for projects delivered online after they've been broadcast on TV.

The studios have been insisting that programs be streamed online for a certain period, deemed promotional, during which writers would forgo residuals. When payment kicked in, the companies sought to limit it to a flat $1,200 fee, while the guild wanted a percentage of a distributor's revenue.

Although work remains to be done on elements of the agreement, prospects for a deal appeared solid. The tentative agreement would have to be approved by a majority of guild members

 

[PDXChris]

I wonder if they would rush the get some shows back in production, like The Office who has fresh scripts waiting for them?

 

[Gaddabout]

I wonder if they would rush the get some shows back in production, like The Office who has fresh scripts waiting for them?

I will be fascinated to see how the studios deal with rogue actors who aren't committed to their shows and are instead pursuing other gigs like movies. Can the studios force the actors to return and fulfill their contracts if it's past a certain time of year? Would love to see how those contracts are written in scenario like this one.

I'm guessing the casts of good shows like Office will reveal some very committed people. Lost, especially, because everyone lives in Hawaii. Some other shows ... not so sure. Wonder if Scrubs season finale is in peril.

 

[angelamia]

im really surprised a deal hasnt been reached by now.. its been long enough. we get it studio, you dont want to give in too fast and show weakness.

 

[Gaddabout]

we get it studio, you dont want to give in too fast and show weakness.

Hmmmm. I'm guessing studios are loving this. They can whine about declining revenues while -- I'm just guessing here -- showing great dividends because the ratings haven't been that bad for the crappy, cheap reality programming they've been shilling. If nothing's on, people will still watch it.

The people who are taking it in the shorts are the junior writers, followed by the network affiliates who are now shifting political ad money into the "operations" margin rather than the "revenue" fund. Expect more crappy programming and enough political ads to make Jason Rose blush.

 

[Chaplin]

The strike will be over within the next week or two. And before you people jump all over the studios, BOTH sides are at fault.

You want to know who is really taking it in the shorts, Gad? All the below-the-line people that have nothing to do with the money the writers get. Technicians, Gaffers, Production Assistants, couriers, assistants. THOSE are the people that have been screwed. And all because of greed. Those strikers that are out there now? They've driven their BMWs to the strike spot and are able to continue striking because they can afford to. That's the funny part.

 

[Cheesebeef]

You want to know who is really taking it in the shorts, Gad? All the below-the-line people that have nothing to do with the money the writers get. Technicians, Gaffers, Production Assistants, couriers, assistants. THOSE are the people that have been screwed. And all because of greed. Those strikers that are out there now? They've driven their BMWs to the strike spot and are able to continue striking because they can afford to. That's the funny part.

hilarious!

 

[Chaplin]

hilarious!

My guess is that you're just being disrespectful, but since they strike every weekday across the street from my building, I've seen them. But it looks like they are getting a lot of what they want and the vote should be taken this weekend. So they'll be happy.

 

[Linderbee]

My guess is that you're just being disrespectful, but since they strike every weekday across the street from my building, I've seen them. But it looks like they are getting a lot of what they want and the vote should be taken this weekend. So they'll be happy.

I don't think he was being disrespectful...look at it this way:

That's the funny part.

hilarious!

Seemed more like agreeing with your sarcastic "funny part" to me. Dunno, though.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I don't think he was being disrespectful...look at it this way:





Seemed more like agreeing with your sarcastic "funny part" to me. Dunno, though.

oh no. It was fully sarcastic. On the one hand, Chap says BOTH SIDES are responsible, but then turns around and immediately provides a diatribe filled with the AMPTP's handbook of garbage, painting the Writer's as rich douchebags driving their Beemers to the lines while not caring that the little guy was suffering? Yeah, fully sarcastic.

The only funny part about all of this is how Chap is consistently INCREDIBLY wrong about pretty much everything regarding this industry.

 

[Linderbee]

oh no. It was fully sarcastic. On the one hand, Chap says BOTH SIDES are responsible, but then turns around and immediately provides a diatribe filled with the AMPTP's handbook of garbage, painting the Writer's as rich douchebags driving their Beemers to the lines while not caring that the little guy was suffering? Yeah, fully sarcastic.

The only funny part about all of this is how Chap is consistently INCREDIBLY wrong about pretty much everything regarding this industry.

Oh.

Was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. I tried.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Oh.

Was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. I tried.

in vein Linderbee! in vein!

And now, back to my hibernation!

Shaq... just ridiculous.

 

[Linderbee]

in vein Linderbee! in vein!

And now, back to my hibernation!

Shaq... just ridiculous.

 

[Shane]

in vein Linderbee! in vein!

And now, back to my hibernation!

Shaq... just ridiculous.

 

[Gaddabout]

oh no. It was fully sarcastic. On the one hand, Chap says BOTH SIDES are responsible, but then turns around and immediately provides a diatribe filled with the AMPTP's handbook of garbage, painting the Writer's as rich douchebags driving their Beemers to the lines while not caring that the little guy was suffering? Yeah, fully sarcastic.

The only funny part about all of this is how Chap is consistently INCREDIBLY wrong about pretty much everything regarding this industry.

Though I think Chap went to far, I do think there are some writers going to the strike line who make the whole thing look ridiculous. Meanwhile there are junior writers who make less than people posting in this thread who are probably wondering how they're going to get gas in their cheap little foreign sub-compact to get to work if/when the strike ever does end.

I also do feel for the crew workers who take the brunt of the whole thing.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Though I think Chap went to far, I do think there are some writers going to the strike line who make the whole thing look ridiculous.

yeah, Gad, but are the really rich guys (which exist in good numbers as well) NOT supposed to go to the line? What does that say about the union?

 

[Gaddabout]

yeah, Gad, but are the really rich guys (which exist in good numbers as well) NOT supposed to go to the line? What does that say about the union?

I dunno. I don't begrudge anyone's success and the argument doesn't change for rich writers as it does with those struggling at the bottom, but I confess it's harder to relate to the cause when the rich guys show up.

I saw a clip of successful writer striking in LA. He had on eyeglass frames that cost as much as my entire wardrobe -- and then some. The nasty, selfish part of me thought, "What does this guy have to complain about. His job pays for frames like that." Then I came to my senses and figured his creative content probably bought two vacation homes for some brain dead exec who thinks every third act should open with gigantic mechanical spiders.

But I digress. I guess I'm saying I understand why they're there, but to average Americans, they think all TV writers are wealthy. The image is a bit absurd and not a great selling point.

I think it's interesting the WGA leadership is filled with people whose projects I'm not familiar with. That's probably a good thing. Maybe they're feeling it as bad as I hear it is.

 

[Pariah]

Show some ****ing respect!

 

[PDXChris]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=ac6jnk1bz4nM&refer=us

Eisner Says Deal Reached to End Writers' Strike, CNBC Reports