Hollywood's Writers' Strike

Gemini Cricket · 11-05-2007, 11:28 AM

I thought this would be a good topic for a thread.
Your opinions?

Quote:

The strike has finally struck.
After an 11th-hour 11-hour-long (go figure) meeting between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers flamed out Sunday, the pens that power Hollywood are taking to the pickets.
According to the writers' union, scribes plan on picketing 15 Los Angeles locations, along with NBC's Rockefeller Center studios in New York, in four-hour shifts beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, every day until a new deal is reached.

Source

Ghoulish Delight · 11-05-2007, 11:30 AM

Are they allowed to write picket signs?

Kevy Baby · 11-05-2007, 11:36 AM

They stockpiled them before the strike began. They didn't want to have to use scab picket-sign writers.

BarTopDancer · 11-05-2007, 11:39 AM

I think the writers should be compensated for the work they do on direct to internet shows and the contracts should include compensation for the dvd sales. These things were not around or not projected to become what they are when the contracts were written.

I am not aware of what they are asking for, so I can't form an educated opinion if it is reasonable or unreasonable.

Disneyphile · 11-05-2007, 11:44 AM

Ok, I'm being extremely selfish about this one - this strike couldn't have come at a better time for me, and I'm thankful for it. Because of this, investors are "chomping at the bit" right now to find shows that aren't affected by this. The show I'm working on is a prime candidate for those investors.

Morrigoon · 11-05-2007, 11:49 AM

The temptation to try and become a scab writer is very strong. Anything to get out of this dead end I'm in.

(having a good day, can you tell?)

T, I did think of you when I heard this... GREAT news for your project!

Ghoulish Delight · 11-05-2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

I think the writers should be compensated for the work they do on direct to internet shows and the contracts should include compensation for the dvd sales. These things were not around or not projected to become what they are when the contracts were written.

A commentary I heard pointed out that they will be stupid to focus on DVD revenue. Yes the failure to predict that relevance of that at the time of the last contract has cost them big over the last several years...but that's the last several years. DVD's aren't going to last forever and they'd be smarter to not make that they're main sticking point, but try to get a contract written that will account for the emerging new media distribution methods, otherwise they'll find themselves in the exact same position with DVD sales disappearing and not getting a cut of whatever takes its place.

Gemini Cricket · 11-05-2007, 11:49 AM

There was a lot of traffic on Alameda this morning as I was driving to work. Picketers in front of NBC, Warner and Disney.

Morrigoon · 11-05-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

A commentary I heard pointed out that they will be stupid to focus on DVD revenue. Yes the failure to predict that relevance of that at the time of the last contract has cost them big over the last several years...but that's the last several years. DVD's aren't going to last forever and they'd be smarter to not make that they're main sticking point, but try to get a contract written that will account for the emerging new media distribution methods, otherwise they'll find themselves in the exact same position with DVD sales disappearing and not getting a cut of whatever takes its place.

Excellent point. Worth repeating.

BarTopDancer · 11-05-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

A commentary I heard pointed out that they will be stupid to focus on DVD revenue. Yes the failure to predict that relevance of that at the time of the last contract has cost them big over the last several years...but that's the last several years. DVD's aren't going to last forever and they'd be smarter to not make that they're main sticking point, but try to get a contract written that will account for the emerging new media distribution methods, otherwise they'll find themselves in the exact same position with DVD sales disappearing and not getting a cut of whatever takes its place.

That is a great point. I should have said (because it's what I meant) was that the new contracts should include dvds now as well as new media (because who knows how things will be in 10 years).

An ideal contract would account for all new media distribution methods.

11-05-2007, 11:30 AM	#2
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Are they allowed to write picket signs? __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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11-05-2007, 11:36 AM	#3
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	They stockpiled them before the strike began. They didn't want to have to use scab picket-sign writers. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
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11-05-2007, 11:39 AM	#4
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	I think the writers should be compensated for the work they do on direct to internet shows and the contracts should include compensation for the dvd sales. These things were not around or not projected to become what they are when the contracts were written. I am not aware of what they are asking for, so I can't form an educated opinion if it is reasonable or unreasonable. __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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11-05-2007, 11:44 AM	#5
Disneyphile SQUIRREL! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the curbside. Posts: 5,098	Ok, I'm being extremely selfish about this one - this strike couldn't have come at a better time for me, and I'm thankful for it. Because of this, investors are "chomping at the bit" right now to find shows that aren't affected by this. The show I'm working on is a prime candidate for those investors.
	Submit to Quotes

11-05-2007, 11:49 AM	#6
Morrigoon I throw stones at houses Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Location: Location Posts: 9,534	The temptation to try and become a scab writer is very strong. Anything to get out of this dead end I'm in. (having a good day, can you tell?) T, I did think of you when I heard this... GREAT news for your project! __________________ http://bash.org/?top "It is useless for sheep to pass a resolution in favor of vegetarianism while wolves remain of a different opinion." -- William Randolph Inge
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11-05-2007, 11:49 AM	#8
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	There was a lot of traffic on Alameda this morning as I was driving to work. Picketers in front of NBC, Warner and Disney.
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