Writers on Strike

[MaliceDR]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iE0uIqtrdPXiNMr1qniAIsCAa0fwD8SNBJ B00

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood writers will strike after last-ditch talks called by a federal mediator failed.

Writers and studios broke off talks late Sunday after East Coast members of the writers union declared they were officially on strike, the group representing producers said.

Last-ditch negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers ended after about 11 hours.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hollywood writers were back at the bargaining table Sunday in a last-minute push to avoid a strike against TV networks and movie studios over writers' share of profits from DVDs and the Internet.

The battle has broad implications for the way Hollywood does business, since whatever deal is struck by the Writers Guild of America will likely be used as a template for talks with actors and directors, whose contracts expire next June.

"We'll get what they get," Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg told The Associated Press.

Negotiators were meeting with a federal mediator Sunday evening in hopes of avoiding a strike that writers had set to begin 12:01 a.m. Monday.

The guild announced sweeping plans to picket every major studio in Los Angeles starting at 9 a.m. Monday, along with Rockefeller Center in New York, where NBC is headquartered.

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers previously called a writers' strike "precipitous and irresponsible."

Producers believe progress can be made on other issues but "it makes absolutely no sense to increase the burden of this additional compensation," said J. Nicholas Counter, the producer's chief negotiator.

The guilds have been preparing for these negotiations for years, hiring staff with extensive labor union experience, and developing joint strategies and a harder line than producers have seen in decades.

"We haven't shown particular resolve in past negotiations," said John Bowman, the WGA's chief negotiator. "The sea change is that this is an enormously galvanizing issue, and two, that the new regime at the guild actually has a plan, has an organization and a structure to respond to something."

The writers are the first union to bargain for a new deal this year. Their contract expired Wednesday.

In past years, actors have almost always gone first, although the Directors Guild of America, which is seen as the least aggressive of the three guilds, has sometimes taken the lead. Whatever deal was struck first was usually accepted by the others.

The guilds are aware that if writers fail to win concessions involving DVDs and the Internet, actors may have to take up the fight.

"This is an issue that touches every member of this guild and every member of the Screen Actors Guild as well," said Carlton Cuse, executive producer of the ABC drama "Lost."

Consumers are expected to spend $16.4 billion on DVDs this year, according to Adams Media Research. By contrast, studios could generate only $158 million from selling movies online and about $194 million from selling TV shows over the Web, although those numbers are expected to skyrocket in coming years.

Studios argue that it is too early to know how much money they can make from offering entertainment on the Internet, cell phones, iPods and other devices.

Hollywood unions have long regretted a decision made in 1984 to accept a small percentage of home video sales because studios said the technology was untested and that costs were high. Writers only get about 3 cents on a typical DVD retailing for $20.

The guilds have tried and failed for two decades to increase video payments, even as DVDs have become more profitable for studios than box office receipts.

Unions say they won't make the same mistake when it comes to the Internet.

"I think we all understand what a crucial time in history this is," Rosenberg said. "We really feel if we can't get a fair formula in new media, we'll dig ourselves into the same type of hole we've been in with DVDs."

The first casualty of the strike would be late-night talk shows, which are dependent on current events to fuel monologues and other entertainment. Daytime TV, including live talk shows such as "The View" and soap operas, which typically tape about a week's worth of shows in advance, would be next to feel the impact.

The strike would not immediately impact production of movies or prime-time TV programs. Most studios have stockpiled dozens of movie scripts, and TV shows have enough scripts or completed shows in hand to last until early next year.

The actors' union has urged its members to join the writers' picket lines during their off hours.

If a writers strike lingers and actors show support, producers could try and undermine the writers' position by seeking a more favorable deal with directors.

Writers and directors have clashed in the past, mostly over writers' feelings that directors take too much credit for a movie and neglect the contribution of writers.

In 2004, the directors' union settled its contract first and backed down from demands for a higher share of profit from the lucrative DVD marketplace. Writers and actors then had little choice but to accept a similar deal.

"This is a bare knuckle fight and a chess game," said Jonathan Handel, an entertainment lawyer at the Los Angeles law firm of TroyGould.

"If producers do reach a deal with the DGA, it would be to cut the legs right out from under the strike. Then the focus shifts to SAG."

The DGA said it has not yet scheduled contract talks but was closely monitoring developments.

They're pissed because the mediator couldn't boost their Brave. Discuss.

[UberDirector]

A writer strike? Heck, this should improve the quality of most things on Tv right now.

[Bernard_Monsha]

A writer strike? Heck, this should improve the quality of most things on Tv right now.

But think of the million monkeys who won't be typing on keyboards now to make jokes for Jay Leno or the manatee's who write Family Guy! How are they going to survive?

[Daishikaze]

A writer strike? Heck, this should improve the quality of most things on Tv right now.

We can only hope. Hey, maybe they'll be forced to put alot of crap on Hiatus and then they'll forget about it;)

Yeah, I know its not gonna happen, but I can dream. Seriously, this won't last long, they'll be back hacking away in no time, they have all the leverage

[Kenpachi]

this could be the end of all of the crap on TV. i really, REALLY hope so. everybody, start praying.

unfortunately, looks like the Daily Show isnt gonna be on for a while. but South Park should be good.

[animeotaku99]

I heard Jon Stewart is a part of this organization and there for must strike also, maybe COlbert also.

[Vaikyuko]

^Stewart is paying some people from his and Colbert's show out of his own pocket, apparently, so they can join the strike as well. In any case, good for them.

@Kenpachi: There's still reality shows...those godawful things aren't scripted.

[kenshinbebop]

I heard about this on the radio this morning. Hope it ends soon.

[animeotaku99]

^Stewart is paying some people from his and Colbert's show out of his own pocket, apparently, so they can join the strike as well. In any case, good for them.

@Kenpachi: There's still reality shows...those godawful things aren't scripted.

if Stewart is paying out of his own pocket shouldn't that mean his writers shouldn't be on strike, I don't want to see hi out of the spotlight.
and by "they" do you mean Stewart and Colbert or his people

[musashi1600]

Sadly, the only two American TV shows I care about (The Daily Show and The Colbert Report) are among the hardest hit by this, since normal TV shows can simply stockpile scripts and make other contingencies (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15858206) for cases like this.

[animeotaku99]

SO no new Daily Shows for a while then?

[Tenou]

See, now, this is why I'm so glad I live in Canada and can watch good, holsum, Canadian television. So what if I won't be able to watch new episodes of The Daily Show or the Colbert report or CSI or Law and Order or Moonlight or Grey's Anatomy or Desperate Housewives or ER or Criminal Minds.
I still have Degrassi.

[Alice Catherine]

GAH.
UGLY BETTY WTF???


...you know what? Since the writing quality of these shows sounds like they're written by 5 year old anyway, I bet me, Kelton, and Joanna could all write scripts for big networks and get loads of ****ing money and then Alex will love me because I can finally afford that plastic surgery he says I need.

[MaliceDR]

GAH.
UGLY BETTY WTF???


...you know what? Since the writing quality of these shows sounds like they're written by 5 year old anyway, I bet me, Kelton, and Joanna could all write scripts for big networks and get loads of ****ing money and then Alex will love me because I can finally afford that plastic surgery he says I need.
What kind of plastic surgery would this be? Face reconstruction? Muscle exaggeration?

....Boob job?

[fujyoshi]

hahahaha I heard about this on good day xD good thing I don't watch much tv

[Sushikins]

If this means no Daily Show or Colbert Report for a while, I'll be a bit disappointed, since they're my favorite shows airing on Comedy Central, well, after Scrubs.

[Suiko Eiji]

See, now, this is why I'm so glad I live in Canada and can watch good, holsum, Canadian television. So what if I won't be able to watch new episodes of The Daily Show or the Colbert report or CSI or Law and Order or Moonlight or Grey's Anatomy or Desperate Housewives or ER or Criminal Minds.
I still have Degrassi.

Best comment of the thread! XD

You know what I think would be hillarious - just as a test - the production companies should get a bunch of scab writers to replace their union personnel and then see which is panned and praised. Also, good old-fashioned strike breaking.

[Vaikyuko]

if Stewart is paying out of his own pocket shouldn't that mean his writers shouldn't be on strike, I don't want to see hi out of the spotlight.
and by "they" do you mean Stewart and Colbert or his people

Stewart is paying out of his own pocket so they (meaning both their people but to my knowledge neither of them specifically) can go on strike and protest without losing out financially.

[J Dude]

I remember hearing about this on the news the other night when my dad was watching it and they were making a big deal out of it. Real big deal... :rolleyes: At least not for me anyways. I don't even really watch TV nowadays. Maybe just the occasional re-run of Family Guy, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, or Seinfeld, but that's about it.

[Yukimura-Sanada]

Some how I doubt the quality of production is an issue here, and I don't think it will solve that issue either.

[Tenou]

Best comment of the thread! XD

You know what I think would be hillarious - just as a test - the production companies should get a bunch of scab writers to replace their union personnel and then see which is panned and praised. Also, good old-fashioned strike breaking.
Thank you kindly.

Yeah, see, the networks aren't planning on bring in scab writers. They're planning on bringing in more reality TV. I won't be watching. Reality TV is over and done with and bring it again... it's beating a dead horse.

Personally, I think that the Networks are going to get a wake up call when they realize that no one's tuning into the new lineup of reality TV. Traditional television is already in a precarious position where more households have computers rather than TVs. People have more options, they don't have to settle for what's on TV, they can watch broadcasts from all over the world, watch indi broadcasts on the web. Nope, I think the networks are going to loose out on this one.

GAH.
UGLY BETTY WTF???


...you know what? Since the writing quality of these shows sounds like they're written by 5 year old anyway, I bet me, Kelton, and Joanna could all write scripts for big networks and get loads of ****ing money and then Alex will love me because I can finally afford that plastic surgery he says I need.
I give up.

Some how I doubt the quality of production is an issue here, and I don't think it will solve that issue either.

The issue is over internet and DVD rights. The current contracts don't include royalties to internet revenue. Networks claim that these are promotional, however, we all know that when you watch an episode online, you probably won't watch it on TV and you are subject to adds, commercials even. If they are placing advertisements, networks are receiving a revenue and are not paying writers (which they rightfully should) for the revenue they are receiving from internet viewings. Revenue for DVD sales is also not universal.

[Yukimura-Sanada]

Which makes me wonder if this is on boarder line with illegal downloads.

[Tenou]

Which makes me wonder if this is on boarder line with illegal downloads.

Technically, no. The networks reserve all rights to their property. A network owns the right to their programs and basically contracts out (there are exceptions, but not many because networks prefer to keep control over what they air) and writers, actors, grips, directors, etc, have no claim on them. Networks have the right to do what ever they want with their property, and it is up to the other parties involved to make sure they aren't being screwed over. Highway robbery? Yes. Piracy? No.

[Bernard_Monsha]

See, now, this is why I'm so glad I live in Canada and can watch good, holsum, Canadian television. So what if I won't be able to watch new episodes of The Daily Show or the Colbert report or CSI or Law and Order or Moonlight or Grey's Anatomy or Desperate Housewives or ER or Criminal Minds.
I still have Degrassi.

I would have thought you would have at least mentioned The Red Green Show. :(

[Alice Catherine]

What kind of plastic surgery would this be? Face reconstruction? Muscle exaggeration?

....Boob job?

Fix mah teeth.


Eyebrow wax.

...yes. Boob job. Like. Like. Transfer the fat from my stomach and my thighs to my boobs.

[Leader Desslock]

I would have thought you would have at least mentioned The Red Green Show. :(
The Red Green show is great stuff. Almost makes me homesick to watch it, really.

[Kenpachi]

If this means no Daily Show or Colbert Report for a while, I'll be a bit disappointed, since they're my favorite shows airing on Comedy Central, well, after Scrubs.

Scrubs if f*cking hilarious.

[Tenou]

I would have thought you would have at least mentioned The Red Green Show. :(

I would have, great show that it was. But sadly, last year, after 15 seasons, the 300th episode was the grand finale. So I live on reruns. But Trailer Park Boys is great.

[drgenestarwind]

I'm glad for a strike it can accomplish two positive goals at the same time
1) reduce the crap on TV or get people doing other things like outdoor activities
2) if it goes on for long enough the networks could drop dealing with a union, hire people with backbones and another union goes belly up.

IMO the longer the strike the better.

[Suiko Eiji]

Yeah, see, the networks aren't planning on bring in scab writers. They're planning on bringing in more reality TV. I won't be watching. Reality TV is over and done with and bring it again... it's beating a dead horse.


The sad thing is, I know you're right. Not that you being right about anything is bad but it's just this statement.

So I live on reruns.

I wish we still got it on re-runs. I guess I'll have to break down and find some DVDs from CBC.

2) if it goes on for long enough the networks could drop dealing with a union, hire people with backbones and another union goes belly up.

I'm not sure exactly how WGA works in comparison to other unions and their relation to management/production companies but if its anything like how the UAW works with the auto industry, Hollywood can't back out of union deals. Once the union is put in place, there's nothing anyone can do - management or workers alike - to dissolve it.

Though, off on another tangent, I was listening to an editorial on NPR (National Pravda Radio, yes, I know...) that got me thinking - the production companies have asked the writers to turn over all script projects to them to prevent them from being worked on in the event of the strike but the Guild has stepped in and demanded the writers turn the scripts into them, again, for the same prevention, despite a contract between the writers and the Guild and the Guild and the production companies that new scripts are not to be shared with any third parties... Well, I guess this opens up a new front in the legal issues over intellectual property - who really owns the property? The person who labored over it? The person who paid for it? Or, the person who arbitrarily stepped in to act as a beneficiary of and for the laboror?

[Dorktron2000]

You know what came out the last time the writers went on strike? Cops.

[Ariel Tsuki]

I'm glad for a strike it can accomplish two positive goals at the same time
1) reduce the crap on TV or get people doing other things like outdoor activities
2) if it goes on for long enough the networks could drop dealing with a union, hire people with backbones and another union goes belly up.

IMO the longer the strike the better.

Or people surf on the internet longer than before. The only TV I watch is whatever is on Fox Channel and that's half the time. I'm a bit disappointed that TDS and TCR got interrupted because of this.

And I don't want the strike to go on. The strikers are in front of Kinokuniya in NYC and it was a HASSLE to get to the Concourse in Rockefeller Center when it's a simple crossing the street otherwise. ;_;

[Rawshark]

Or people surf on the internet longer than before. The only TV I watch is whatever is on Fox Channel and that's half the time. I'm a bit disappointed that TDS and TCR got interrupted because of this.

And I don't want the strike to go on. The strikers are in front of Kinokuniya in NYC and it was a HASSLE to get to the Concourse in Rockefeller Center when it's a simple crossing the street otherwise. ;_;

Did you get Tina Fey's autograph?:P 30 rock is a funny show it helped me get through my Arrested Development withdrawals.

[goddessofanime]

Guess I'll be watching DVDS, on the internet or reading...


For the regular shows...it won't be until January when they'll start running out of shows to air.

[Kyuu Dan]

...and then Alex will love me because I can finally afford that plastic surgery he says I need.

He's never said that. <_<

Anyway... Power to the writers!

[Tenou]

I'm glad for a strike it can accomplish two positive goals at the same time
1) reduce the crap on TV or get people doing other things like outdoor activities
It won't reduce the crap on TV. The crap will always be there. But with a strike, the crap will be reruns, which is worse than new crap.
As for outdoors... that's a lifestyle choice, mate. That will happen with or without a TV, but only when a person decides that outdoors is a good place to be (which it's not. It's cold and hurricane winds. Soon it will be hurricane winds with snow. I can't wait for this global warming so I can live on a tropical island with out moving).


2) if it goes on for long enough the networks could drop dealing with a union, hire people with backbones and another union goes belly up.

IMO the longer the strike the better.
They're going to have a hard time because a guild, it's not a union. And the WGA won't go down with out a fight. Besides, they're fighting a good fight (and I'm not a person who normally sides with unions. In fact, I think that many of the unions could be done away with because they have served their purpose and are no longer relevant.

The sad thing is, I know you're right. Not that you being right about anything is bad but it's just this statement.

I know what you meant. You're thinking: 'that damn Ten'ou, I wish she was wrong, once, just once so I could show that bitch up.' But don't worry, I like you anyway.


I wish we still got it on re-runs. I guess I'll have to break down and find some DVDs from CBC.
I don't know why they didn't start at the beginning, but the 1997 and 1998 seasons in their entirety are out on DVD (the rest of the seasons I think are out, but only select highlights from each season).



I'm not sure exactly how WGA works in comparison to other unions and their relation to management/production companies but if its anything like how the UAW works with the auto industry, Hollywood can't back out of union deals. Once the union is put in place, there's nothing anyone can do - management or workers alike - to dissolve it.

Though, off on another tangent, I was listening to an editorial on NPR (National Pravda Radio, yes, I know...) that got me thinking - the production companies have asked the writers to turn over all script projects to them to prevent them from being worked on in the event of the strike but the Guild has stepped in and demanded the writers turn the scripts into them, again, for the same prevention, despite a contract between the writers and the Guild and the Guild and the production companies that new scripts are not to be shared with any third parties... Well, I guess this opens up a new front in the legal issues over intellectual property - who really owns the property? The person who labored over it? The person who paid for it? Or, the person who arbitrarily stepped in to act as a beneficiary of and for the laboror?

Unfortunately, writers who are with the guild don't own their work. You belong to someone and what ever you produce belongs to them. Is it right? Not really. But that's the price you pay for the benefit of a guild.

[Alice Catherine]

He's never said that. <_<



He's basically implied it enough.

[Suiko Eiji]

I know what you meant. You're thinking: 'that damn Ten'ou, I wish she was wrong, once, just once so I could show that bitch up.' But don't worry, I like you anyway.

:lol: Not quite. I'd like to think we split our victories in intellectual disagreement pretty evenly. But don't worry, I like you, too.

I don't know why they didn't start at the beginning, but the 1997 and 1998 seasons in their entirety are out on DVD (the rest of the seasons I think are out, but only select highlights from each season).

That's kind of depressing, but probably better than nothing...

Unfortunately, writers who are with the guild don't own their work. You belong to someone and what ever you produce belongs to them. Is it right? Not really. But that's the price you pay for the benefit of a guild.

Thanks for clearing that up. Doesn't really sound like much of a benefit to me, though, but then again, I'm a control freak and guard my work almost jealously.

[MaliceDR]

Details.
http://tv.ign.com/articles/832/832730p1.html

Heroes! Oh noes!

[Leader Desslock]

...outdoors is a good place to be (which it's not. It's cold and hurricane winds.
Ah, now you're just makin' me homesick...

Unfortunately, writers who are with the guild don't own their work. You belong to someone and what ever you produce belongs to them.
Gotta love Work For Hire, don'cha? I've written whole textbooks and manuals that way. A big Pain In The Backside.

[Kyuu Dan]

He's basically implied it enough.

You can't prove implications, they're basically opinions. -_-;

And even if you believe he did, does it mean anything?

[germanturkey]

they cancelled 24. let the rioting begin

[Kenpachi]

South Park isnt going anywhere. the creators do their own work, so theres nothing to worry about.

did anyone see the new episode the other day with Guitar Hero? the end was f-ing hilarious.

[Jon]

"You are....fags!" I lol'd.

[Alice Catherine]

I don't really even watch TV besides the news, Dr. Phil, and I Love New York.

[xAndronicusX]

The WGA strike is due to writers getting screwed on DVD and digital distribution sales.

Writers currently get 0.3% of every dvd sold and 0% of digital sales. They wanted 5% of both, but the AMPTP is unwilling to negociate anything above their old contract. It's a completely lame deal.

For those concerned that Television and Motion Pictures will be ruined by this, don't start worrying yet. The majority of TV shows won't be affected until December when the shows have finished airing all of the episodes they've filmed or have already finialized the scripts. Also, any scripts for a movie that's already been revised is fair game to be filmed so there won't be a problem there yet.

And 24 isn't canceled, just postponed indefinitely.

[Rurouni Saiyan]

The Red Green show is great stuff. Almost makes me homesick to watch it, really.

Duct Tape...the reapair tool of the gods.

Its been so long since I watched that on PBS. A lol'd at a lot of stuff from that show. Something about Canadian humor that's...different.

[Ikari Warrior]

I really hope that Family Guy is affected by this. Seth Macfarlane needs to take a break and get his head straight, and stop turning his once-classic show into a gawdawful gratuitous vomiting freak show!

Seriously tho, does this affect animated shows? How about the shows on Adult Swim? Seriously, that's all I watch. No robot chicken = /me sad.

[goddessofanime]

Well..all I watch on AS is the anime and I know that ain't gonna affect anything. But what I do know about animation in general is that they produce seasons a little differently than live action. They usually have episodes made way before the actual airdate.

I know this probaly doesn't have anything to do with the WGA, but I was just curious on how much a writer on, say an anime series, gets a percentage of in Japan.

[Kenpachi]

i think this is going to last a while.

[Tenou]

Duct Tape...the reapair tool of the gods.

Its been so long since I watched that on PBS. A lol'd at a lot of stuff from that show. Something about Canadian humor that's...different.
We're a funny, funny people. We bash our politicians and policy makers, force them to sing songs in embarrassing outfits, and they come back for more... Except Harper. He hasn't learned how to play nice yet.
Ah, now you're just makin' me homesick...


Gotta love Work For Hire, don'cha? I've written whole textbooks and manuals that way. A big Pain In The Backside.
Want to be even more homesick? We just got our first snow, which, of course, can't be a nice, gentle snow, but has to be a nasty, bitter snow, just to rub it in my face that winter is nigh.
Well..all I watch on AS is the anime and I know that ain't gonna affect anything. But what I do know about animation in general is that they produce seasons a little differently than live action. They usually have episodes made way before the actual airdate.

I know this probaly doesn't have anything to do with the WGA, but I was just curious on how much a writer on, say an anime series, gets a percentage of in Japan.
I don't know who does the writing for 'America' cartoons, but I know a great many of them have the audio track recorded in Canada... though with the Canadian dollar so much higher than the American, I don't think that's going to last too long. And the point of that is: writers may be Canadian.

[Prons]

This sucks because it means Scrubs is going to end like 4 episodes short.

[Dorktron2000]

Seriously tho, does this affect animated shows? How about the shows on Adult Swim? Seriously, that's all I watch. No robot chicken = /me sad.

Animated shows are not under the contract of the WGA; though writers may stop in a show of solidarity.

[MaliceDR]

Not the Daily Show. (http://www.rumorsdaily.com/2007/11/14/not-the-daily-show/)

[Bernard_Monsha]

I have a lot less respect for Colbert and Stewart since it is obvious they are not that astute or funny without a teleprompter and a dozen writers.