Author Topic: The Writers' Strike thread. (Read 9971 times)

B E C K · « **on:** Nov 15, 2007, 10:34:50 AM »

I decided to make them their own thread. Now taking bets for how long this will last.

A Variety article published a week ago about the strike: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117975542.html?categoryid=2821&cs=1

In reference to the second photo there, I think the writer of "the Big Bang theory" should remain on permanent strike.

Wickedly Yours E · « **Reply #1 on:** Nov 16, 2007, 08:18:50 AM »

THe Writers for SUPERNATURAL MUST BE GIVEN WHAT THEY WANT! Money! A condo! HAND JOBS! BLOW JOBS! PROSTITUTES! I don't care! They must keep writing! THEY MUST KEEP Making episodes! I'm so PISSED!!

Derrick · « **Reply #2 on:** Nov 16, 2007, 08:25:56 AM »

wtf is Big Bang Theory or Supernatural?

B E C K · « **Reply #3 on:** Nov 16, 2007, 10:59:53 AM »

I read something about some of the newer shows getting a possible ax due to the strike. I kinda like "Dirty Sexy Money" so I'm a tad concerned for its future. Anyway, here's a couple of more strike-related articles:

TV Shows See Strike as a Second Chance - http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/arts/television/15life.html

CBS May Be Biggest Loser in Prolonged Writers Strike (Update1) -
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601213&sid=adNkJqAT7iMA&refer=home

And only 8 episodes of LOST got done before the strike. Bah. I guess waiting again for new episodes will be nothing new.

B E C K · « **Reply #4 on:** Nov 16, 2007, 11:00:45 AM »

Strike Chart: How Long Before Your Shows Go Dark?
http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Strike-Chart-Long/800026937

Max Con · « **Reply #5 on:** Nov 16, 2007, 12:49:11 PM »

What are they striking about again? They took away the funyuns in the lounge?

IDE · « **Reply #6 on:** Nov 16, 2007, 07:18:05 PM »

I thought it was about DVD money, but then the writers took that off the table and the execs still wouldn't meet the lesser demands. So fuck it. I'm not sure if this affects me in anyway. I don't know exactly when they start casting for pilots. I don't watch these shows so theres no complain on that end.

Rama · « **Reply #7 on:** Nov 17, 2007, 02:35:41 AM »

They should get DVD money though. Course I may be bias.

Wickedly Yours E · « **Reply #8 on:** Nov 17, 2007, 10:38:57 AM »

It's the Internet money that's the biggest concern. Fullblown episodes of shows are being sold legally online, and the writers aren't getting a cut.

Rama · « **Reply #9 on:** Nov 17, 2007, 11:24:44 PM »

Again...they should get money for that. If you ask me they should get the same cut of DVD and online sales of the show as they do for when it airs on network TV. It should be an across the board precent that covers every way, shape, and form, in which that product is sold.

B E C K · « **Reply #10 on:** Nov 18, 2007, 01:12:41 PM »

Yeah, what E said. Apparently none of the execs want to discuss it. I think they should pay writers residuals for the online stuff. Maybe more of their profits going to the writers will make them double-think some of the crap that gets out there in the first place.

MegatronYES · « **Reply #11 on:** Nov 18, 2007, 02:38:18 PM »

Quote from: Rama on Nov 17, 2007, 11:24:44 PM

Again...they should get money for that. If you ask me they should get the same cut of DVD and online sales of the show as they do for when it airs on network TV. It should be an across the board precent that covers every way, shape, and form, in which that product is sold.

Absolutely. All of this should have been handled years ago.

Firebird1 · « **Reply #12 on:** Nov 18, 2007, 07:54:06 PM »

Well, Fox has a solution, Air the Eps without the Writers!

B E C K · « **Reply #13 on:** Nov 18, 2007, 10:30:19 PM »

Yay, "Dirty Sexy Money" got picked up. Hopefully the strike will work out and everyone can get back to work.

Quote from: Firebird1 on Nov 18, 2007, 07:54:06 PM

Well, Fox has a solution, Air the Eps without the Writers!

You mean their reality teevee-fest? I guess we can't say we didn't see that one coming.

The D · « **Reply #14 on:** Nov 19, 2007, 11:03:32 PM »

I actually found myself somewhat enjoying one new series this season... Chuck. The CIA agent's hot and I'm not exactly sure why he hasn't boned her yet.

That was what I was thinking when I watched the only episode I've seen of it. And then the CIA girl, who's pretending to be Chuck's GF, told him they had to sleep in the same room together to keep up their facade of dating... but no sex, which pissed off the sexually frustrated Chuck... although he was more pissed that a girl who worked at the mall with him had the hots for him but wouldn't date him because she thought he was dating the CIA agent... and then when the agent told Chuck she didn't have feelings for him he called off the fake relationship and went after the mall chick leaving the agent feeling all emo because she really did like Chuck.... god it's like Melrose Place with secret agents. No problem with writing episodes here....

oh yea, give the writers the damn money.

Wickedly Yours E · « **Reply #15 on:** Nov 20, 2007, 08:31:30 AM »

Apparently Seth MacFarlane of Family Guy fame's involved in the strike too. That's HUGE leverage against Fox.

B E C K · « **Reply #16 on:** Nov 20, 2007, 12:17:19 PM »

Two week recap: http://www.tvfodder.com/archives/2007/11/wga_strike_repo_1.shtml

IDE · « **Reply #17 on:** Nov 20, 2007, 01:04:39 PM »

Here is the email that went out from the guy that runs The Shield:

Quote

Showrunner Explains Why He’s On Strike
I’m receiving a lot of reports of TV showrunners and hyphenates choosing not to work on their shows during the WGA strike. I’ll update this post with names as I receive them. But here is an email sent around this morning by Shawn Ryan, the showrunner of The Shield, The Unit, and The Oaks and also a member of the WGA Negotiating Committee, explaining to fellow showrunners and TV writers what decision he’s reached and why:

“As you all know by now, we are on Strike. It’s sad that we have arrived here and I don’t know each and every one of your opinions, but I wanted to share my personal plans for what I intend to do until we have a fair contract.

I am currently quoted in today’s Hollywood Reporter as saying that I will do some producing work, but won’t do any editing as I consider that to be writing. While I said something similar to that earlier last week (I’ve learned you can’t trust a word of what these trades report), that was before I went to the Showrunners Meeting yesterday and became very crystalized in what I need to do. Like many of you I have spent the last week contemplating what to do in case of a strike. What are my responsibilities to my writers, my cast, my crew, my network and my contract? How do I balance these various concerns?

At the Showrunners Meeting it became very clear to me that the only thing I can do as a showrunner is to do nothing. I obviously will not write on my shows. But I also will not edit, I will not cast, I will not look at location photos, I will not get on the phone with the network and studio, I will not prep directors, I will not review mixes. These are all acts that are about the writing of the show or protecting the writing of the show, and as such, I will not participate in them. I will also not ask any of my writer/producers to do any of these things for me, so that they get done, but I can save face.

I will not go into the office and I will not do any work at home. I will be on the picket line or I will be working with the Negotiating Committee. I will not have an avid sent to my house, or to a new office so that I can do work on my show and act as if it is all right because I’m not crossing any picket lines.

I truly believe that the best and fastest way to a good contract is to hit these companies early, to hit them hard and to deprive them of ALL the work we do on their behalf.

How do we ask our staff writers to go out on strike as we continue collecting producer checks? How do we ask the Teamsters to respect our picket lines if we won’t ourselves or if we’re sneaking around to do the work off-site?

Just so you all know what I am prepared to give up….

Tomorrow, we begin to film the Series Finale of The Shield. I think it’s the best script our writing staff has ever written. This is the show that made me. This is the show that is my baby. If the strike goes on longer than two weeks, I won’t be able to step on set for the final episode of the show. I won’t have a writer on set, as I have had on every episode since the fourth episode. I won’t be able to edit this final culminating episode. I won’t go to the wrap party that Fox TV and FX are paying for. You can’t tell me that any episode of television is more important than this one is to me, and I am ready to forego all those things in order to strengthen my union.

Tomorrow, we begin filming a new pilot, The Oaks, that I am Executive Producing. It’s an amazing script that David Schulner wrote and I signed up to help him make this show. Until we have a fair deal I cannot do that now and it kills me.

We are currently filming Season 3 of The Unit, a show that does fairly well, but against House and Dancing With The Stars, usually finishes in 3rd place. We have no guarantee that we will back for a 4th season. I just gave a director friend of mine his first TV directing gig. I’d like to see him succeed. He’ll have to finish the show on his own now without a writer on set, or my help in the editing room.

Some people have made the argument that if they don’t do this producing work or this editing, that someone else will do it, and this act won’t hurt the companies. I respectfully disagree. If we ALL stop ALL work tomorrow, the impact of this strike will be felt much more quickly, much more acutely and it most likely will end sooner, putting our writers, our cast and our crews back to work sooner!

I spent nearly 12 hours today in the Negotiation Room with the companies. I watched our side desperately try to make a deal. We gave up our request to increase revenue on DVD’s, something that was very painful to give up, but something we felt we had to in order to get a deal made in new media, which is our future.

I watched as the company’s representatives treated us horrendously, disrespectfully, and then walked out on us at 9:30 and then lied to the trades, claiming we had broken off negotiations.

I can’t in good conscience fight these bastards with one hand, while operating an avid with the other. I am on strike and I am not working for them. PERIOD.

You will use your own instincts and consciences to decide your own actions. But if you would like to follow in my footsteps (and those of many, many others who made this pledge at the showrunner’s meating on Saturday), I encourage you to sign the trade ad that the WGA will be putting out on Tuesday by the dozens and dozens of showrunners who will simply not work at all beginning in the morning.”

Faye Valentine · « **Reply #18 on:** Nov 20, 2007, 09:26:45 PM »

"meating".

Wickedly Yours E · « **Reply #19 on:** Nov 21, 2007, 11:54:34 AM »

Why can't they just sign the deal? They're sacrificing a larger cut in the DVD profits to get SOMETHING in Internet sales, DAMN IT COMPANIES!!!

IDE · « **Reply #20 on:** Nov 21, 2007, 12:38:21 PM »

Because the corporates will ground these artists into dust! They will submit completely or go back to eating ramen and hot dogs!

B E C K · « **Reply #21 on:** Nov 21, 2007, 01:48:16 PM »

Quote from: Faye Valentine on Nov 20, 2007, 09:26:45 PM

"meating".

Sounds hot.

Poor Shield guy. I hope things turn out all right for him.

B E C K · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 03, 2007, 09:58:18 AM »

UPDATED: Press Blackout Lifted -- Companies Offer Rollbacks

The first comment to the article on that page is by Wil Wheaton, which brought me to this:
Can media conglomerates afford to pay the writers?

Oh, and Carson Daly is lame. But you already knew that.

B E C K · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 03, 2007, 10:03:10 AM »

An interesting blog: Animation Writers

IDE · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 03, 2007, 12:01:03 PM »

Yeah I forget what the deal is with animation. It's like they've been getting raped harder the whole time and no one (not even WGA) cares?

I wasn't even aware Carson still had a show.

Derrick · « **Reply #25 on:** Dec 03, 2007, 02:43:33 PM »

America didn't know either... though they still don't care.

B E C K · « **Reply #26 on:** Dec 04, 2007, 11:23:47 AM »

I liked one of the comments that was all "I thought Carson was dead."

I came across this other site, I think it's one linked by Wil Wheaton. And one of the blog entries is about things you as an audience member can do to help the strike. And as sorry as I am to say it, it's completely unrealistic. To paraphase off the top of my head, there were things like "stop buying and renting DVDs", "stop going to the movies", "stop watching TV", "call Les Moonves". Come on, now. And then the person would say something like "well if you don't stop going to the movies, at least stop seeing movies by the following four companies, blah blah blah".

I dunno, but I just trust that if this strike goes on for too long, the audience will be ready to roast the companies. Especially the LOSTies after we've had to wait nearly a solid year for a promised solid stream of new eppys, just to get a short stack. More than one blog has also made it clear that if the WGA demands were met, it would cost less than what it costed to make "Transformers". FTW.

However, there was also mention that contracts with the screen actors and directors' guilds would be up next June. So if the writers' get what they want, then that would call for increases with the other two. And if the writers' don't, the other guilds would be fucked.

IDE · « **Reply #27 on:** Dec 04, 2007, 11:53:26 AM »

I don't see how the other guilds would be fucked but if the corps give up money to the writers it would show weakness and the other guilds could move in for the kill. I'm not ready to join SAG but it would be nice if scale pay went up for when I am.

B E C K · « **Reply #28 on:** Dec 04, 2007, 12:00:44 PM »

Because the writers would be the first line successfully beaten down, that's how. There was this whole post-thing explaining it, but I'm too lazy to go find it.

IDE · « **Reply #29 on:** Dec 04, 2007, 12:05:15 PM »

Yeah it would set precedent for refusing demands just like giving in would set precedent for giving in. I don't see why the directors couldn't strike though.