The Dreaded Writer's Strike!

[Assface]

We should be a bunch of scab writers and take over for some of these shows. I got dibs on The Office.

 

[Gaddabout]

There is no online market, hate to break it to people that don't know exactly what is going on.

I agree on the ridiculous royalty issues with DVD, but this whole thing about online revenue is ridiculous, because online doesn't make any money. There's no revenue to share.

That much I understand.

Think of it this way: What would you do if I took your creative idea and put it on the Internet for free? Would you still expect some compensation? I think so. I know I would.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Can't shows like, The Daily Show, keep going...since Jon Stewart is one of the writers? Or, does he have to follow the strike, too?

 

[O]

Can't shows like, The Daily Show, keep going...since Jon Stewart is one of the writers? Or, does he have to follow the strike, too?

The last thing someone like that wants to do is cross the so-called "picket line".

 

[Chaplin]

That much I understand.

Think of it this way: What would you do if I took your creative idea and put it on the Internet for free? Would you still expect some compensation? I think so. I know I would.

The only thing that does is hurt the little people that don't make nearly as much money as the writers do who are in the guild, i.e. those people that work on the various websites for those networks, which are basically just marketing materials.

Sure, I think the writers are entitled--but if they somehow got some sort of revenue sharing from the studios for online viewing, every other guild will look to do the same thing.

I can definitely see the studios caving on the DVD issue, but they can't give the writers money that isn't there. They actually LOSE money online because in reality, it reduces their on-air numbers.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Can't shows like, The Daily Show, keep going...since Jon Stewart is one of the writers? Or, does he have to follow the strike, too?

he can probably do guest interviews but that's it.

 

[Assface]

Cheesebeef, what kind of effect is this going to have on you personally?

 

[Gaddabout]

The only thing that does is hurt the little people that don't make nearly as much money as the writers do who are in the guild, i.e. those people that work on the various websites for those networks, which are basically just marketing materials.

Sure, I think the writers are entitled--but if they somehow got some sort of revenue sharing from the studios for online viewing, every other guild will look to do the same thing.

I can definitely see the studios caving on the DVD issue, but they can't give the writers money that isn't there. They actually LOSE money online because in reality, it reduces their on-air numbers.

I guess I'm convinced the revenue sharing thing is negotiation tactic, but we'll see. I work at a local affiliate. I can believe the stuff we give away on the website.

 

[Assface]

If the writers go on strike will David Stern be able to get replacements for the rest of the NBA season?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Cheesebeef, what kind of effect is this going to have on you personally?

let's just say if I seem especially edgy in the upcoming weeks (even more so than usual), you'll know why. I ain't a happy camper right now.

 

[Chaplin]

What's even more disconcerting for writers out there is that if I remember correctly, only about 40% of the guild actually bothered to vote--a MAJORITY didn't even cast a ballot about this strike.

But that's how it always is--I believe SAG went through the same thing, when a small minority, who really aren't hurting when it comes to finances, try to make a point, when all they really do is hurt the ones they claim to be protecting.

I work for a studio, but I'm also a writer at heart, so I'm pulled in two directions. I think the studios definitely are stingy in how they share revenue with writers, and there is plenty of room for improvement. On the other hand, unrealistic demands by the guild doesn't help anybody, and unfortunately leads to strikes--then NOBODY gets anything. The writer's lose salary and the studio loses advertising dollars because nothing new is being made.

 

[HeavyB3]

Maybe now they'll start accepting my scripts for tv shows! Desperation on the part of the other party is a wonderful thing! WOOHOO

 

[Gaddabout]

It's actually not bad time to have specs for a newer show where there's going to be some turnover post-mortem, but don't expect to get any attention while the strike is going on. As much as corporate television would love to bust the writer's guild, there's not a company in Hollywood crazy enough to hire scabs. TV and movie industry is pro-union across the board.

 

[Cheesebeef]

It's actually not bad time to have specs for a newer show where there's going to be some turnover post-mortem, but don't expect to get any attention while the strike is going on. As much as corporate television would love to bust the writer's guild, there's not a company in Hollywood crazy enough to hire scabs. TV and movie industry is pro-union across the board.

I think you're wrong. It won't happen in bunches, but it'll happen.

 

[Gaddabout]

I think you're wrong. It won't happen in bunches, but it'll happen.

Are you thinking about it? Just remember Damian Miller, who crossed the picket line to play baseball. He's a virtual ghost in the locker room. Don't know how it is with the Brewers, but he was often person non grata with the D-Backs. He doesn't get union benefits, like health care for his family.

That said, I've got some specs and some new connections, and I'm thinking about making my move. We'll see.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Are you thinking about it?

no way in hell... my connections are too good, I don't have a family to feed and I can survive as long as possible. some people aren't in the position I am.

Just remember Damian Miller, who crossed the picket line to play baseball. He's a virtual ghost in the locker room. Don't know how it is with the Brewers, but he was often person non grata with the D-Backs. He doesn't get union benefits, like health care for his family.

I brought this very thing up to Ouchie when he asked if the strike could help me.

That said, I've got some specs and some new connections, and I'm thinking about making my move. We'll see.

good luck being blackballed if you cross picket lines. it wouldn't be a smart move.

just of note - I met Paul Haggis, Eric Roth (Forrest Gump writer) and John Turtletaub (director, not sure what he was doing there) today on the picket line. I may not like a lot of Haggis' work, but he's a really cool guy and I give him major props for battling it out with the little guys on the picket line.

 

[Gaddabout]

good luck being blackballed if you cross picket lines. it wouldn't be a smart move.

I'm not sure I'd get the time of day otherwise. I'm weighing the risk/reward. Right now the reward seems to far outweigh the risk.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'm not sure I'd get the time of day otherwise. I'm weighing the risk/reward. Right now the reward seems to far outweigh the risk.

if you've got connections otherwise, you'd be a fool to be a scab Gad. That union holds grudges for a LOOOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGG time. I'm telling you man, it's not a good idea, especially if you ever want to get into TV where the writer has all the power to hire and fire who he/she pleases on their writing staffs.

unless you're just out for a quick cash grab, the long-term effects of a decision like this would seriously not be in your best interest.

 

[Gee!]

Are you thinking about it? Just remember Damian Miller, who crossed the picket line to play baseball. He's a virtual ghost in the locker room. Don't know how it is with the Brewers, but he was often person non grata with the D-Backs. He doesn't get union benefits, like health care for his family.

That said, I've got some specs and some new connections, and I'm thinking about making my move. We'll see.

Damian's name or likeness wasnt even allowed on World Series Champs merchandise...

 

[abomb]

Damian's name or likeness wasnt even allowed on World Series Champs merchandise...

Yep. Since he was not a member of MLBPA (which all licensed items are paid through) he wasnt recognized and didnt receive anything. He also was never in any MLB video games.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

best of luck to those involved - the whole union mess usually just makes me sick to my stomach though...... especially the scab comment, etc - just because you don't want to make a living, don't get pissed at the guy who does.......

 

[Cheesebeef]

best of luck to those involved - the whole union mess usually just makes me sick to my stomach though...... especially the scab comment, etc - just because you don't want to make a living, don't get pissed at the guy who does.......

sorry, "just because you don't want to make a living?" Are you serious? EVERYONE on the line is sacrificing making a living to PROTECT WRITERS - WRITERS THAT AREN'T EVEN IN THE UNION YET. To protect them from the BS the producers are trying to cram down their throat which will have impact for decades. To take advantage of their sacrifice is gross IMO. And that's what it is, taking advantage of other's sacrifice. I'm not even in the union and I would be DISGUSTED with myself if I crossed the line to undercut the group I wish to belong to.

 

[Cheesebeef]

There is no online market, hate to break it to people that don't know exactly what is going on.

I agree on the ridiculous royalty issues with DVD, but this whole thing about online revenue is ridiculous, because online doesn't make any money. There's no revenue to share.

Chap do you still believe the "ridiculousness" of your comments above? Online doesn't make any money... that's funny.

 

[Linderbee]

 

[Gaddabout]

best of luck to those involved - the whole union mess usually just makes me sick to my stomach though...... especially the scab comment, etc - just because you don't want to make a living, don't get pissed at the guy who does.......

I'm not going to get into a debate over unions, not in this thread, not in any other. But this logic is a bit silly. If we're going to commend the financial risk-taker for being shrewd, we should also commend the shrewd artisan that knows where his or her leverage is. Unions work when they maximize all their leverage. Holding union benefits over the head of would-be line-crossers is good business. I don't know how else one could view it, especially in the high-end entertainment industry where "making a living" is defined most elsewhere as "making a killing."

And I'm not suggesting anyone is doing that here. In fact, it was delivered as a concerned warning, not as an inciting threat.

Writers are some of the most underpaid talent in the industry compared to their bountiful creative contribution to a multi-billion dollar industry. The number of big earners is small, and most everyone who did make it to the semi-good life of syndication and big development deals ate garbage before they got there. I know more than a few. I was not willing to take the risks they did as young people to get where they are now. Now, a few them are head-scratchers -- I write better stuff in an e-mail to my wife than they do for their big-dollar projects -- but I won't deny they worked their butts off to get where they are.

So when I suggest I'm considering taking advantage of an available opportunity, I don't do it without the understanding that I never paid the dues the union writers did. Capitalizing on it ... causes me to take a pregnant, ethical pause.