THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Fun Stuff => ENJOY => Topic started by: leave for no raisin on 07 Nov 2007, 13:05

Title: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: leave for no raisin on 07 Nov 2007, 13:05
I'm sure by now most people have heard about the Writer's Guild of America going on strike.  Here is a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ55Ir2jCxk) that the WGA put out on YouTube to explain exactly why they're on strike, which I found helpful.  I knew the basic reasons, but the video kind of breaks it down and explains everything.

Oh, and apparently production of The Office is shut down until the strike is over.  Steve Carell informed NBC that he is unable to report to work because he is suffering from “enlarged balls.”

I fully support this strike, but I wish the a-holes in charge would just hurry up and give the writers their money so I could get my Daily Show back.

So QC, do you support the strike, or do you want your TV back?
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: Ladybug on 07 Nov 2007, 13:29
From what I've seen/read about this strike, I think I support them, but that doesn't mean it doesn't suck, and I hope it doesn't last for long. I read somewhere that the previous strike, a number of years ago, lastet 22 weeks or something, which is insane, but I somehow don't see that happening again.

For now, none of the shows I watch are "gone", but according to all the schedules I've seen, like 90% of them will disappear come January-February, so yeah.. (The one good thing that might come from that would be that shows like Men In Trees, which I think has quite a few episodes "ready", will get more viewers and maybe live on, but then again, maybe not, and I don't think it's exactly worth it.)
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: Mnementh on 07 Nov 2007, 15:42
Well, the nightly shows are shutting down because they tend to be topical and need writers.  Jon Stewart says he intends to continue paying the writers for his show and The Colbert Report out of his own pocket.  This is classy. (Jon is a pro-union guy).  A lot of other shows are shutting down because the actors and showrunners and the such are also walking the picket lines in a show of solidarity.  Good for them.  I support the strike.

I am amused that the UAW struck a month ago and the news didn't really cover it, but the WGA goes on strike and it's the worst thing since 9/11.

Hollywood is on strike, oil hit $98 a barrel in trading today, and the price of beer is going to go up up up (hops shortage is driving up prices). Corn is already through the roof so I can't imagine bourbon getting cheaper.

What's America to do?

I'm predicting the Great Beer and Bollywood Wars of twenty aught nine.



Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: Lines on 07 Nov 2007, 17:42
I fully support this. Yeah, my entertainment may have to be directed elsewhere, but they deserve what they're asking for and I sincerely hope they get it. I honestly don't mind if shows have to end earlier than expected, I'll just read more.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: Mnementh on 07 Nov 2007, 18:41
A fun article on it: http://www.openleft.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=2268
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: BoutASouffle on 07 Nov 2007, 19:37
Ok, so this is a cause that is gradually becoming near and dear to my heart, largely because this is the industry I'm trying to work in. I've been following it pretty extensively in my film/TV blog (Framewatch (http://framewatch.wordpress.com)). Basically, one of the main arguments is over whether writers should get residuals for internet sales and advertisement-supported streaming content. Right now they're not seeing any of the profit from the streaming content, which network lawyers are calling "promotional" even though they're drawing in money from those annoying commercials we have to watch online.

The two sides fighting here are the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (http://www.amptp.org/) and the Writer's Guild of American (www.wga.org and www.wgaeast.org). Both websites have biased information, but you can read between the lines.

I find it pretty awesome that a lot of the showrunners (writer-producers) are respecting the picket line, even though officially they're allowed to cross the lines as producers so long as they don't participate in writing activities. Seth Macfarlane (who has decided to neither produce nor act in anymore Family Guy episodes during the strike) was asked why he thought it would be stupid for Fox to let another producer run Family Guy during the strike. He replied, "Because I would be angry."

WGA has been putting up some informative and hilarious videos on YouTube. My favorite (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6hqP0c0_gw) is from the guys (and Kelly) who write and star in "The Office."

Edit: A completely list of showrunners who are respecting picket lines can be found here (http://wga.org/subpage_member.aspx?id=2529). Note that many non-writers and hyphenated writers are supporting the cause so that a precedent can be set for all creative collaborators to benefit from their creations.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: leave for no raisin on 07 Nov 2007, 20:55
Hollywood is on strike and the price of beer is going to go up up up (hops shortage is driving up prices). Corn is already through the roof so I can't imagine bourbon getting cheaper.

(http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j128/ashliemcginnis/multim7.jpg)
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: TrekkieTechie on 07 Nov 2007, 23:27
I fully support them. I'm taking a history of film class at my CC from a guild member, and he related this gem (obviously paraphrased from memory):

"The studios pay 50 cents for the plastic wrap around every DVD they sell. They pay us 4 cents."

I think that's a pretty stark contrast -- hard-working writers are worth less than plastic that is thrown away as soon as the DVD is purchased?
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: Caiphana on 08 Nov 2007, 01:49
I fully support the strike. I'll be working under a union for the rest of my life (teacher... whooo...), and union workers have to stick together. I know how crappy it is to be on strike (go look up the grocery worker's strike in southern California in 2003). That thing lasted four freaking months. I don't think that the writers walking the line are going to have piss-filled water balloons thrown at them, though, like we did.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: IronOxide on 08 Nov 2007, 03:04
The big thing about this strike is that while you're waiting on this strike, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES 'LEGALLY' WATCH A WRITTEN SHOW. The idea of the strike is to show the networks that they can't make money without their writers, so if you're really itching to watch some of The Office, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Scrubs, etc. TORRENT IT. You shouldn't help the networks make money until the strike is over and they actually start paying the writers.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: BoutASouffle on 08 Nov 2007, 05:54
The big thing about this strike is that while you're waiting on this strike, DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES 'LEGALLY' WATCH A WRITTEN SHOW. The idea of the strike is to show the networks that they can't make money without their writers, so if you're really itching to watch some of The Office, Grey's Anatomy, Lost, Scrubs, etc. TORRENT IT. You shouldn't help the networks make money until the strike is over and they actually start paying the writers.

Absolutely great advice. Also, you should probably cancel your Netflix subscription if this goes past the month you've already paid for. Film writers are also on strike.

I found another great video. This time it's a WGA moderate (and believe me, he's moderate) who is supporting the strike: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beMNePzqpzQ&eurl=http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog/

It's kind of nice to hear somebody explaining their reasoning that isn't in a liberal haze of protest.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: Caiphana on 08 Nov 2007, 16:05
What if you Tivo a show and fast forward through the commercials.

You know, there is absolutely NO way they can tell how many people watch a show. The best thing to do is pretend you've stopped watching. Write letters saying that you've stopped and won't continue. However, you shouldn't spend your money. Don't go to movie theaters right now, don't buy films or TV shows, don't rent any movies.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: beat mouse on 08 Nov 2007, 16:13
i buy all of my dvds used anyways. 4 for 20 deals will beat out any deal at a major distributer.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: IronOxide on 08 Nov 2007, 17:49
What if you Tivo a show and fast forward through the commercials.

You know, there is absolutely NO way they can tell how many people watch a show. The best thing to do is pretend you've stopped watching. Write letters saying that you've stopped and won't continue. However, you shouldn't spend your money. Don't go to movie theaters right now, don't buy films or TV shows, don't rent any movies.

Of all things, I think Tivo is the most monitored of all of  the ways of viewing. While it's true that your normal network viewing on basic cable probably won't be monitored (unless you're a Nielson household), but the big things to avoid are streaming video and buying episodes DVDs. But why the fuck would you want to pretend that you're supporting a cause when you're not? That is about the weakest shit idea that I have ever heard, if you don't mind me saying so. And hell, it is even if you do mind.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: Lines on 08 Nov 2007, 19:04
Yeah, I'm just not going to watch. I'll hit up my shows on DVD later after this is over. This is something I actually support (which really doesn't happen often) and I want to actually do my part by avoiding the shows that are affected.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: Boro_Bandito on 08 Nov 2007, 20:19
I'm fully supporting the writers in this strike. This is also the industry that I plan on entering upon graduation from college and I expect to be payed for all the work I do god damnit.

That is all.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: SusurrusIgnoramus on 09 Nov 2007, 06:36
do they make money off of rentals?  if so, how?  i figured the rental companies buy the DVDs, but then any money from each rental actually goes to the rental companies?  should i really stop using netflix?
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: Lines on 09 Nov 2007, 08:29
I am pretty sure the writers themselves don't, but the company does.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: BoutASouffle on 09 Nov 2007, 16:59
do they make money off of rentals?  if so, how?  i figured the rental companies buy the DVDs, but then any money from each rental actually goes to the rental companies?  should i really stop using netflix?

Yes, they make money off of rentals... In fact, most of their money comes from post-theatrical releases. Very few films do well enough at the box office to as much as break even. The way they get money from DVD rentals is simple: they sell the DVDs t the rental stores in the first place. The more their film gets rented, the more copies a store will order in order to fulfill the demand of its customers and replace worn-out disks (and believe me, they wear out quickly... just ask Garrett Hardin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons)).

So boycotting DVD rentals will have an effect. By not renting DVDs, you're preventing the store owners from ordering more DVDs and giving more money that will only go into one or two pocks.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: KvP on 11 Nov 2007, 22:27
For anyone who's wondering when the Strike will affect their preferred shows, here's a rough chart (http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Strike-Chart-Long/800026937?rssDate=12345678). It doesn't cover everything (my favorite show, The Shield, for instance, has all its episodes written but creator Shawn Ryan won't be on set if the Strike continues into the production schedule) but the big network shows are there. 5 more weeks of 30 Rock, at least.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: thehollow on 12 Nov 2007, 18:16
I don't really watch any of the network shows anyways, except for My Name is Earl. If I am watching TV, it's usually either something on Adult Swim, or something like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia or South Park, and as far as I know none of those are being affected too greatly by the strike. That said, I very much support the strike, and will continue my usual policy of torrenting shows instead of watching them on TV   :-D
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: Narr on 12 Nov 2007, 18:48
I support the strike by not watching TV?

I guess I've been supporting this strike for years, then.
Title: Re: Writer's Guild Strike
Post by: leave for no raisin on 12 Nov 2007, 20:23
EDIT:  I just noticed/realized that there shouldn't be an apostrophe in the thread title, and it's really annoying me.  Sorry.
(You can edit the thread title as well if you edit the original post)

I feel like a big fat retard now.  Thanks and fixed.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Jimmy the Squid on 12 Nov 2007, 20:29
I don't really watch tv anyway. Besides the only show I want to see is Heroes and I am waiting for the dvd to come out before I watch it. As such I am avoiding the Heroes thread here like the plague.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: valley_parade on 14 Nov 2007, 09:23
Quote
Scrubs: Eleven episodes will be produced. Three episodes have aired, so there are eight left.

That's about eight too many. They're really phoning in the final season. =/
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: talon on 15 Nov 2007, 15:00
i support the writers guilds cause... but it still sucks that i can't get my nightly Conan fix and weekly SNL. also, reality tv dosn't use the same writers (probably lower forms of ocean creatures) so if it gos on further into the season we're just going to have to live with more reality tv *gasp* as networks can't fill slated schedules. damn greedy producers... guess writers wouldn't be writers if they weren't struggling.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: thehollow on 16 Nov 2007, 00:25
Quote
Scrubs: Eleven episodes will be produced. Three episodes have aired, so there are eight left.

That's about eight too many. They're really phoning in the final season. =/

The last season wasn't the best either. I was really pissed at the season finale. Not "omg do they kiss or not!!!!!!!", more like "christ, what is this, Friends? are they really that out of ideas that they're doing this again?" It's a shame, the first 3 or 4 seasons were great. Despite my extreme dislike of JD/Zach Braff, the other characters made up for it.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: BlueChicken on 18 Nov 2007, 11:59
Maybe I'm wrong on this one, but don't most shows operate a bunch of episodes ahead? So really, we won't even notice for a while anyways.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Ladybug on 18 Nov 2007, 13:29
Yeah, if you'd read the thread, that would be obvious. Although certain shows have disappeared already (The Colbert Report ++), as previously mentioned by some.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: StaedlerMars on 09 Dec 2007, 12:25
OK. I can't take it much longer without my weekly fix of things.

House didn't show.

Any  news on when this will be over?
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: valley_parade on 12 Dec 2007, 07:35
Not only was it not new, but the rerun was from that horrid Tritter storyline last season.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Tom on 12 Dec 2007, 12:39
I got fed up with the Tritter sub plot and stopped watching till he left.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: KvP on 04 Jan 2008, 01:28
Let it be known, that if anyone could come across the image of Conan O'Brien screaming while singing "Sabotage" in Rock Band, and make an avatar of it, they would get their choice of hugs or drugs.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: chrobae on 10 Jan 2008, 12:47
Seeing as this is all a dispute over a profit margin I'm not going to take a side.  I have other sources of entertainment too...
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Liz on 10 Jan 2008, 13:21
Right now I'm just really happy that I enjoy reality television. I can go without the writers.

For a while.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Tom on 10 Jan 2008, 15:30
Dammit, I thought you weren't a mindless boob.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: KvP on 10 Jan 2008, 17:27
What I'm finding most irritating about the strike (I only watch Conan, Stewart and Colbert) is that the pool of possible guests has shrunk considerably given that most people with union sympathies are unwilling to cross picket lines and appear. It's gotten to the point at which most of Conan's guests are NBC hacks (Donald Trump, Hulk Hogan, etc.) and Stewart and Colbert, being by and large political shows, are stuck with conservative and neo-conservative guests who one imagines are actively against the principle of organized labor, let alone strikes. That hurts Stewart in particular, as he isn't a seasoned improv veteran like Colbert and he has to rely on interviews for nearly half the length of the show.

Apparently Leno and Kimmel are so stretched for guests they're appearing on each other's programs.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Lines on 10 Jan 2008, 17:49
Well, since the Golden Globes won't be airing, I'm hoping this will be over by the time Oscar season rolls around, considering that's such a huge profit for the network. Though I think it'd be kind of funny if the world had to do without the Oscars this year.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: BoutASouffle on 10 Jan 2008, 20:19
Right now I'm just really happy that I enjoy reality television. I can go without the writers.

For a while.
Dammit, I thought you weren't a mindless boob.

I caught my mother watching "Wife Swap" the other day and our relationship hasn't been the same since.

Well, since the Golden Globes won't be airing, I'm hoping this will be over by the time Oscar season rolls around, considering that's such a huge profit for the network. Though I think it'd be kind of funny if the world had to do without the Oscars this year.

There's something so deliciously trashy about the Oscars, though! It's like... what reality TV strives to be.

Juno's not going to win anyway, so there's not really a reason to watch it. For that matter, Amy Adams won't even get a nod for certain movies I will not name but that she gave an amazing performance in.

I think there should be a "best amazing actor despite a movie with a horrible premise" award. Hm, I'm not sure about the grammar of that award. Maybe I should sleep.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Inlander on 10 Jan 2008, 21:55
Actually I'm pretty sure variations on that award make up close to all the awards on offer come Oscar time.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Liz on 10 Jan 2008, 22:26
Dammit, I thought you weren't a mindless boob.

Yeah, well, fuck you. I also enjoy scripted shows.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: chrobae on 10 Jan 2008, 23:08
Watch anime instead.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Lines on 11 Jan 2008, 06:36
And read it outside so you can get some goddamn sun.

Actually I'm pretty sure variations on that award make up close to all the awards on offer come Oscar time.

Oh, they'll still give the awards out and stuff, it just wouldn't be this big huge socialite affair that is aired on TV. Most award shows don't air on normal TV, but this one for some reason is huge. People have parties and dress up and stuff, which I find a bit odd. I don't watch it unless some movie I really like has a possiblity of winning. Last time it was a Miyazaki film I watched part of it for.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Inlander on 11 Jan 2008, 19:17
Sorry, I was responding to this suggestion:

I think there should be a "best amazing actor despite a movie with a horrible premise" award.

What I meant is that as far as I can tell all the awards at the Oscars are for "best [something] in a movie with a horrible premise".
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Lines on 11 Jan 2008, 19:25
Aha. After a re-read, I did a mental face-palm. Der.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: ImRonBurgundy? on 11 Jan 2008, 22:26
I really cannot help but fear that this will end badly.

The producers' main tactic from the beginning has apparently been to try to starve the writers out and break the union.  I think this strike goes way beyond the producers' resistance to establishing residual rights for emerging media, it's indicative of a larger plan to weaken Hollywood's guilds and unions to the point of ineffectivity.  My dad is a member of the International Cinematographers' Guild, which is possibly the weakest guild in the entertainment industry (he's fond of saying that he can always tell the contract terms are going to bleak at the annual meeting when they open the proceedings with "Well, it was a tough negotiation, but we managed to save the health plan!").  If the producers are successful in their tactics and force the writers to back down, I'm afraid that this is the kind of thing that awaits them in the future, as well as the Directors' and Screen Actors' guilds, should their possible upcoming strikes come to fruition.

This whole ordeal has really soured me on my dreams of entering this particular industry.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Johnny C on 11 Jan 2008, 23:53
I genuinely don't think that the WGA will be caving. They hold pretty much all the cards here, except for the one where they get paid.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Paav on 12 Jan 2008, 00:14
Because the actors and directors are nearing the end of their contracts these negotiations have added weight, the producers don't want to appear soft, but the writers can hold out better because they have the support of the actors and directors.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: ImRonBurgundy? on 12 Jan 2008, 01:18
Really?  Everyone in L.A. I've talked to has a pretty dim view of the outcome.  Maybe we're just cynical.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: chrobae on 12 Jan 2008, 01:42
Read this news article http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0111/p02s02-ussc.html (http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0111/p02s02-ussc.html).  It's very objective about the whole situation.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: KvP on 12 Jan 2008, 19:16
Why the all-reality-all-the-time format doesn't hurt the networks as much as we'd like to hope it would. (http://www.slate.com/id/2181358/)
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Hat on 12 Jan 2008, 20:57
Man I am going to be so mad if the 4th season of Battlestar Galactica gets pulled because of this. It was already kind of on the ropes to begin with, but its looking more and more like this might be the nail in its coffin.

I'm definately sympathetic to the writers though, it seems like writers just do not get enough props in Hollywood, and I hope the oversaturation of reality TV that results from this might just convince people of how shitty a genre of TV it really is for the most part.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: KvP on 12 Jan 2008, 21:28
As far as I'm aware, the front 10 episodes are in the clear, and the back 10 are in limbo, which is more or less where the show was before the strike.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: KvP on 17 Jan 2008, 15:38
Double post!

The directors have reached a deal. (http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/entertainment/2008/01/17/D8U7TK600_hollywood_labor/index.html)

Start that strike deathwatch!
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: blanktom on 17 Jan 2008, 16:39
although i am glad, that news article really didnt go into enough detail.

i'm hoping its because the details havent been released and not because they dont really give a shit.

further note OH YEAH THAT MEANS HEROES WILL RETURN SOON AND LOST WILL BE ABLE TO STRAIGHT BROADCAST.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Johnny C on 17 Jan 2008, 17:11
I can't read it but I assume it's talking about the Director's Guild Of America?

Don't power up your TiVos just yet.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: KvP on 17 Jan 2008, 17:16
It's not a crushing blow, exactly, but part of the WGA's strength is its solidarity with the actors' and directors' unions. Each deal the producers strike shrinks the ground the WGA stands on.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Johnny C on 17 Jan 2008, 19:14
I remember reading an article in the Globe & Mail a couple months back talking about the Directors Guild contract negotiations going much better than the Writer's Guild negotiations and the Actors Guild negotiations. Let me see if I can find it.

Right, here it is (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080112.strike12/BNStory/Entertainment/home).

Quote
And there's one more piece to the labour puzzle: The contract for the Directors Guild of America also expires June 30. Those talks are set to begin soon and word is a settlement will be more easily reached, but if the writers don't settle and the actors walk, a Directors Guild deal certainly will not save the day for Hollywood – or Vancouver.

Do you suppose the Directors Guild used the strike as leverage?
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: KvP on 17 Jan 2008, 19:50
It's certainly a possibility. The Director's Guild's deal was a smarter and more reasonable one than what the writers have been asking for anyhow. It won't single-handedly fell the strike, problem is, the writers are already too deep into "making a stand" for this to have that kind of effect, but it could be the start of a downward trend. We'll have to see how it plays in the coming days and weeks.

It's going to be interesting to see how the 1500 DGA members that are also a part of the WGA will vote for the directors' proposal, because an affirmative would basically be a negative vote in WGA leadership.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Alex C on 17 Jan 2008, 22:03
The whole situation is rather surreal for me; I don't really watch television nor do I care about it enough to have any value judgement about whether or not reality tv is any worse than scripted shows, so in a way the strikers are providing me with more entertainment (I find the ramifications and back business considerations interesting) now that they're out of work than they did when they were employed. I honestly feel somewhat guilty about it.

Anyway, I'm just going to go by my gut feeling and past experience and say that I always expect the guys with the fancier suits to win in any given American labor struggle. I really don't think the WGA has a chance in hell; rich people aren't rich because they give things away. They might get some concessions, I guess, but I don't really expect them to get anything but a pyrrhic victory out of this at best.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: KvP on 07 Feb 2008, 22:11
Eisner sez Strike is kaput, to be made official on Saturday (http://www.cnbc.com/id/23057002).
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Lines on 08 Feb 2008, 06:55
Yay! I hope they got as close as they could to what they wanted.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Alex C on 08 Feb 2008, 19:21
Rather unlikely; one of the most contentious points was internet revenue. To make a long story short, nobody can project anything about how internet revenue will pan out yet, so how can anyone really make an equitable deal yet? Nobody knows anything yet, and everyone accepted that except for the stupid Writer's Guild. The Actor & Director guilds agreed to a short term deal in which the internet revenue topic would be revisted shortly once things started to get a bit clearer while the Writer's Guild basically said "Nuh-uh! You're holdin' out on us!" threw a highly public tantrum and then were dumb enough to be surprised when the production companies didn't feel like signing away an as of yet unknown quantity of cash for the foreseeable future. I mean, I hope they get the money they deserve and all, but even coming from a family with a pretty strong pro-Union background I think they're a bunch of dorks.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Dizzydes on 09 Feb 2008, 06:04
What are you on about!!!? have you ever watched anything on the internet? i used to watch colbert report on comedy centrals online service and for about 5 minutes of show there was at least one ad and your couldn't skip it, so we know exactly how internet revenue is going to pan out, as the younger generations who are pretty much wired to a computer at all times get older and form the majority of the population, more and more people will watch stuff on the internet instead of on the television. also on demand video is pretty much what everybody wants, scheduled programming is in its last decades, and current tv setup doesn't offer particularly good on demand services.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: Ozymandias on 09 Feb 2008, 11:42
Yeah, I'm sorry, I don't buy the "we don't know how it will pan out" argument.

A percentage or revenue is equitable no matter how it pans out. If there's no profit in the internet, it doesn't matter. If there is, they get paid for the work they did.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: KvP on 09 Feb 2008, 12:13
According to the WGA leaders, the deal is a flat rate for a certain amount of time ("promo time") and after a certain point the writers get a percentage. This is actually a better deal than the all-flat-all-the-time system the DGA got. The brass are saying the strike was a "unqualified success". Now it's up to the membership. If they greenlight it tomorrow, business will be back on Monday.
Title: Re: Writers Guild Strike
Post by: BoutASouffle on 13 Feb 2008, 06:05
Strike is over. Yay.