Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily » ADVISORY: Newly Updated Talks Day #8

ADVISORY: Newly Updated Talks Day #8

It incorporates new information received by me from the WGA to clarify details from the AMPTP. I believe this is now an accurate account of what happened Friday.

Posted by Nikki Finke on Saturday, Dec 8th, 2007 at 06:03PM | Permalink |

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83 Comments »

I have a question about where this all stands now. Will talks resume whenever the AMPTP wants to resume talks? or are there measures the WGA are intending on taking (without giving in to the AMPTP’s demands) to get them back to the table? I guess my question is - does ANYONE know when both sides will likely go back to the bargaining table?

Comment by CONCERNED — December 8, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
There seems to be a very real risk of the industry breaking the union. If that happens, all bets are off. At the end of the day there are a lot of talented writers in the world, but a very narrow river the money flows through. Eventually the top-tier writers will start to miss their million dollar paychecks and the lower tier writers will face being replaced by non-union writers from around the world.

This is a very dangerous game indeed.

Comment by John — December 8, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
There are rumors going around that networks are going to remake some old shows, using the same scripts. For example, they’d go back to the vault for an old show like “Miami Vice” and just reshoot those 1980s scripts with new actors. Looking forward to seeing “Death of a Salesman” starring Chad Michael Murray and “A Streetcar Named Desire” starring Jessica Alba any day now. Anyone else heard this?

Comment by nice — December 8, 2007 @ 8:10 pm
Last night my husband, an accomplished channel surfer, handed me the remote, with the anguished comment that there is nothing to watch that he hasn’t seen - and that “the writers strike has finally affected me”. Hang in there. We viewers get it and we want you back - but only once you get your fair share.

Comment by Fan from the northeast — December 8, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
“There are rumors going around that networks are going to remake some old shows, using the same scripts.” — Comment by nice - December 8, 2007 @ 8:10 pm

Honestly, ‘Nice,’ did you post that in an attempt to frighten the WGA membership, to suggest that we can be replaced by our own work? Would you have us believe that the companies might actually spend umpteen million dollars to produce what are essentially reruns? Who would watch them? (I don’t care what you say about writers, but when you start insulting the taste of the American audience, them’s fightin’ words!) Besides, would the advertisers buy commercial time on such shows? Pul-eeze, if you’re going to spread nasty rumors, make them credible.

Comment by Long Time WGA Member — December 8, 2007 @ 8:54 pm
I am a camera assistant, out of work from Nov 1, without savings, a career, the ability to support my family or, at this point, much hope for the near future. I’ve read every one of Nikki’s posts since a week before the strike. I’ve read United Hollywood. And I’ve read the AMPTP press releases.

At this point, despite the obviously childish behavior of J. Nicholas Couter III, I feel the WGA: (1) overestimated its bargaining power, (2) underestimated the will of the producers, (3) undervalued the upcoming DGA/SAG negotiations and their effect on the producers, and (4) chose leaders with poor judgment and even poorer negotiation skills. For this, half a season and a pilot season appear to be lost, many will suffer greatly, and few working writers will ever reap greater benefits than income they lost. As in 1988, it looks like a lose-lose situation in the making.

Believe it or not, I’m on the WGA’s side, but cannot help be reminded of the Eastern Airline mechanics who struck for a couple dollars an hour, then watched their jobs disappear forever as the airline filed for bankruptcy.

Comment by Not a Shill — December 8, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
Why aren’t these posts about Dewey Cox? I love that trailer and I really want to see that movie, but I’m torn about supporting any film in the theater at the moment. Seriously, I feel superbad about it.

Comment by Superbad — December 8, 2007 @ 11:33 pm
Oops. I was superwrong. Though I’m still struggling over this Cox issue.

Comment by superbad — December 9, 2007 @ 12:10 am
I hear the networks are already flying dozens of Bollywood writers to Los Angeles. The next crop of pilots will be shot in both English and Hindi for the US and Indian markets. And they will be musicals.

I also hear Jessica Alba has already been signed to play Mary Tyler Moore in the reshot version of the “Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Ed Asner is reprising his original role.

I hear “Mork and Mindy” scripts are to be taken from the vaults, too. Not sure who is going to be cast, though. And “MacGyver.” So I hear.

Anyone else hear this?

Comment by busters r us — December 9, 2007 @ 12:31 am
Dear John,
Here are a few tips on being a shill, and feel free to pass this onto the others the AMPTP hired.

Don’t just jump out with a bald, “the world is gonna end” kind of statement. Couch it a little, make it a little more casual.

When you first show up here, you need to try and blend in a little. Maybe mention something cool about the big rally the other day and then sneak in your propaganda simple and quick, right at the end.

You’re too neat. Forget a few capitol letters, put some commas in the wrong place, screw up a few words and don’t break for paragraphs.

All of you need to pick better “comment” names. John, Fred, Sally, names like these are not convincing in the least. You need like a one or two-word turn of phrase like, Strike-guy or tiredofbullshit.

I wish you guys luck and you can take my How-To-Shill course at the Learning Annex where I’ll be teaching to supplement my income until the strike is done.

Comment by shills-suck — December 9, 2007 @ 1:02 am
I can’t wait for the “Becker” remakes!

Comment by Becker-4-ever — December 9, 2007 @ 1:04 am
I hope they remake Viva Laughlin.

Comment by GLG — December 9, 2007 @ 1:11 am
That’s it. John convinced me. I’m never writing again. The AMPTP wins. Cause they’re going to re-shoot Miami Vice with that kid from “Chuck” or something. I’ve already told my family I’m going to be replaced by some guy from Uzbekistan because I’ve been playing Chuck’s dangerous game of “Making Crap Up Off the Top of My Head Because Seriously, I’m Not That Good a Troll and I Want to Apologize to Everyone Also the Writers Suck.”

That felt better.

Comment by Greg — December 9, 2007 @ 1:39 am
As an outside observer, I must say that “What you earnin’, Peter Chernin?” as a t-shirt slogan pretty much sums up the writers’ misguided egotism. Consider that one of NewsCorp’s biggest deals of the last few years was purchasing MySpace, something whose success has NOTHING to do with screenwriters, for $600 million, leasing its Search rights alone for $900 million to Google, and seeing it add $15 billion in market cap to NewsCorp - more than all annual box office combined - and they might want to accept that Chernin is earning his pay off of smarter business than them.

Comment by Observer — December 9, 2007 @ 3:29 am
What’s truly amazing the new trained monkey who the AMPTP has employed… Bryan Lourde. What’s he still doing around these talks. He doesn’t represent the bulk of the membership and his honey pot is the studios… not the writer/producer/directors that he handles… Ask him about his corporate representations… Conflict there. I think so.

Comment by David G. — December 9, 2007 @ 4:41 am
How about remaking “Family” or “Eight is Enough”

Comment by kathy o'brien — December 9, 2007 @ 5:50 am
Re: turning old scripts of old series into new series

They were going to do that during the last strike. Dust off old scripts of the original Mission Impossible series. They did end up making the new series but I think they shot it in Australia and just used Australian writers to tweak the scripts or else something happened and they got WGA writers to work on it despite the strike. Not sure what exactly happened with that but it’s been mentioned on various boards of late.

Google it if you wish.

If they go that route during this strike, they won’t remake recent series. They’d like remake something from the seventies or eighties which the key demographic likely wouldn’t have seen because they were too young (or weren’t born) or else people will remember the old series and check out the remake for the retro value. And I doubt it would be a comedy. Comedies tend not to age well (except The Golden Girls). They’d go for something that’s more action oriented which would be helped by a remake because the stunts and action could be shot better and more realistically.

If too many of these midseason shows like Cashmere Mafia crash and burn, the networks would probably start raiding their vaults. I don’t think they’d do it until things are pretty dire though.

Comment by Sherilyn — December 9, 2007 @ 6:18 am
I’m extremely disappointed in the latest AMPTP press release. Having worked on the first draft and getting notes, they stole the press release from me (without me getting a shot to make revisions) and gave it to another studio exec who instantly changed all the names and and took full credit. My draft was much more of a light romantic comedy and the new writer turned it into some deranged, serial killer kind of a thing. Worse than that, they took my name off the press release, which means I can pretty much kiss the residuals goodbye.

Comment by Studio Exec — December 9, 2007 @ 6:21 am
The only way to win this is to let go of any hope that we will. Hope will drain us and weaken us.

To my fellow writers and all others this strike is affecting, let go of the hope. Prepare yourselves emotionally and financially for this strike to continue for at least a year. Take other jobs, take out equity in your homes, rent out a room in your apartment, sell your car, live in your car, babysit, mow lawns, eat ramen, sell crap on ebay or craigslist… prepare yourselves. If we are not ready to suffer in the short term, we will absolutely suffer forever after.

If we cave now, they will absolutely go after our base fees, pension and health fund next time around. There is a great article on the Forbes website on how if we don’t win this one - our union is broken. And if they break us, they’re going to break every union out there - including you IATSE and DGA. You are not immune from the brutal, unmerciful, pillaging corporate machine. Maybe you are this time around - because they’re trying to use you to get to us - but I assure you in the future you won’t be immune.

Back to hope… If we get angry at Nick Counter, then we are helping him succeed in his job. That is his goal. He wants us to be worn out emotionally so we will cave. He gives us hope, then yanks it away. If we want to win this, we need to spend our energy - not on this boomerang of faith then despair - but on preparing ourselves for a long, long, long strike. The only way to hurt this machine is to stop feeding it for as long as possible. This is the only way. Let go of the hope, my friends, hope will sink us.

And for anybody who’s complaining about not being prepared for this strike in whatever line of work you do - this strike’s been talked about for six month’s before it started - so you better get ready for the long haul now. And remember this - THIS STRIKE IS ABOUT EVERYBODY’S UNION, EVERYBODY’S SALARY, EVERYBODY’S QUALITY OF LIFE, AND IF YOU DON’T THINK THESE CORPORATIONS ARE GOING TO TRY AND CUT YOUR PAY NEXT NO MATTER WHAT YOUR JOB IN THIS BUSINESS - YOU ARE COLOSSALLY NAIVE.

Comment by muststaystrong — December 9, 2007 @ 6:30 am
My requests… to get it right the second time:

Earth 2
Seaquest
M.A.N.I.M.A.L
Hello, Larry
Emeril (dude just lost his job on the FN)

Actually, I wouldn’t mind if Apatow re-tooled “Freaks & Geeks”. And I always thought that “Buffalo Bill” coulda been great. Coulda.

Comment by BJS — December 9, 2007 @ 7:03 am
I think it’s time to change the WGA negotiators. Not because they’re doing a bad job. I think they’re doing a GREAT job. But the producers have succeeded in making them angry and insulted. All the talk about who slammed doors or how loud someone yelled is immaterial. It takes us away from the facts. We have to look at the proposal they gave us COLDLY. As though it’s the first thing we ever received from them. And then counter based on that.

We KNOW they wanted to end talks. We KNOW they’re liars. We KNOW they’re unfair. Who gives a fuck? They are cold and heartless. Writers, by nature, are thoughtful, and embrace emotions. Which is why we don’t belong in this fight! It’s why we have agents! Fight fire with fire and fight ice with ice. We need to get some cold shark in there to fight for us.

The producers throw out intentional distractions like “We wanted to meet but you didn’t!” We respond with “Yes , we did! We told you !! You’re lying!! We saw you drive away!! We can prove it!!” That’s their game. To make us defensive and insulted. To talk about how we can’t trust them. OF COURSE WE CAN’T TRUST THEM. When they drove away it was a calculated choice. They did it so we would think they were evil.

Then, one day down the line, they’ll put out something that sounds logical and decent and they’ll present it in a nice way. We’ll be so shocked and happy that they’re being nice that we’ll take it. And compliment them for their behavior. Because we’re so glad that we’re finally being treated well.

Abused spouses fall for that trick all the time.

We need a guy who will walk in and not allow discussions about what came before. Not respond to ANYTHING but the contract.

A cold, calculating gun for hire. An emotionless businessman. The kind of person we would hate if he sat next to us at a dinner party. Because it’s not a fucking dinner party.

Comment by Change strategy — December 9, 2007 @ 7:21 am
If you think all the AMPTP wants is a fair resolution, you’re more lost and naive than Dorothy in Oz. In the face of new media, the producers are fighting for their livelihoods and survival just as much as all of you (or are you so self-absorbed that you hadn’t even stopped to realize that). This is a fight to the death, not a poker game. The viciousness of the way they are fighting is in direct proportion to their desperation (much as your own) to maintain their livelihood and need to stake a solid claim on the new media pot of gold. They CANNOT and WILL NOT let you walk away from the eventual settlement of these negotiations with your spirit and organization in tact. If they did, it would be their biggest business mistake in decades.

In other words: it’s in the producer’s best interest to break the WGA’s back and watch the guild die a slow death. Why now? Because the opportunity has presented itself (thanks to your leaders who called the strike too soon, with too little leverage and unrealistically high expectations of the AMPTP while at the same time underestimating their resolve and disdain for the WGA) and, most importantly, because they cannot let the WGA go into new media with power and authority that will compete with or get in the way of theirs. The rules of old media that held them back or presented brick walls MUST be broken or, at the very least, tested to its limits lest they drag that dead weight and those brick walls into new media (that’s Business Common Sense 101).

Contrary to what many of you think (and what the AMPTP tells you in their PR campaigns), this is nowhere NEAR a partnership (nor do they want it to be, nor will it ever be). The producers/studios do not respect your “talents” on the whole NEARLY as much as YOU do (some of you should really get over yourselves in that department - you’re not exactly writing the great American novel) - therefore, you will NEVER get what you feel you deserve from them. Duh. Furthermore, unlike most of you, they ENJOY this all of this… they live for it… it is how they make millions at the top of the corporate chain… they look forward to the battle and the blood it will draw. The WGA walked into the lion’s den — it’s not going to walk out without getting mauled.

Call me a shill (or worse). Doesn’t make a dent in my life one way or another and, besides, it only underscores your frustration and powerlessness. But one thing is an irrefutable fact: everything I have posted on these boards so far has come to pass exactly as I said it would. Contrary to what many here think, that isn’t because I’m on the “inside”, it’s because it’s so damn obvious to those of us on the OUTSIDE. Again, wake up!

Comment by ChuckT — December 9, 2007 @ 7:36 am
Dear Not A Shill,

I feel for anyone who is truly hurt by the strike. Thank goodness that most other entertainment workers understood that at some point you can’t keep letting yourself be forecfed shit without pushing back.

That said, you are old enough to remember the Eastern Airlines strike but you’re a camera assistant with a family and no savings, despite knowing that you work in an awfully fickle business? I’d feel bad for your story wasn’t so obviously false. What’s coming next from the AMPTP, a grip who was once an air traffic controller who’s going to warn us that the PATCO employees dared strike and lost all their jobs?

Sorry folks, the story doesn’t wash. The AMPTP’s paid-flak brigade is working weekends. Like I said, these Clinton people don’t know the industry and are posting items that are untrue on their face. They should bring back Barbara Brogliatti. At least she could make a fake post look somewhat plausible.

Comment by YesYouAre — December 9, 2007 @ 7:36 am
Busters are us wrote:
I hear “Mork and Mindy” scripts are to be taken from the vaults, too. Not sure who is going to be cast, though. And “MacGyver.” So I hear.
Anyone else hear this?”

Yes, I heard that MacGyver is going to be played by that Oliver kid from Hannah Montana.

Comment by Futurist — December 9, 2007 @ 7:38 am
wga overplayed its hand — badly. does anyone seriously doubt this?

how can this end any way but badly — i.e., with a near-complete cave by the writers? does anyone seriously believe that the conglomerates hadn’t already factored a worst-case-scenario into their plans BEFORE the strike started? too bad the writers didn’t do the same.

victory goes to the best prepared…in this case, that’s amptp.

Comment by wgaw-member-since-1990 — December 9, 2007 @ 7:45 am
Here’s my favorite part of the strike so far: Gavin Palone and others keep saying how the studios have all the leverage. I see. So a television network like CBS doesn’t have to broadcast any television for a few years and they’ll be just fine. Is that how strikes work, Gavin? Thanks for teaching me. So I suppose under your logic, UPS would see no burning need to deliver packages for a few years, Kohler no need to sell faucets, The Washington Post no need to publish news. I bet all the top brass at those companies would like nothing more than to sit back in their offices for a few years and watch their enterprises go idle, their stocks pluge, their options drown under water.

One final thought, Gavin, what’s with not shaving for a national TV appearance? Didn’t your parents teach you ANYTHING? Oh wait, never mind.

Comment by WE have the leverage — December 9, 2007 @ 7:47 am
Anyone paying attention has known all along that a short strike will accomplish nothing (these are smug people we’re dealing with); a strike that drags on longer merely begets fear and recrimination, with our guild the convenient target of those most afraid and least informed. But a prolonged strike packs a punch–if writers brace themselves against the slings and arrows, stay strong, remember what’s at stake, and take constant solace from the knowledge that we can WRITE and that this will always be a marketable skill. I have small kids. I miss the income. But my kids will continue to eat. And one day I’ll tell them about this strike, and how we won it.

Comment by StickingWithMyUnion — December 9, 2007 @ 7:48 am
I cried when Baby Gracie got christened the other night on Friday Night Lights, knowing it would be years before I’d see her sprout her first tooth.

But I support you writers a thousand percent. Please do not let them bust you.

Comment by patrizia — December 9, 2007 @ 7:55 am
This may be a left-over rumor from 1988, actually. I distinctly remember a plan at that time to take original Mission: Impossible scripts and re-film them with a new cast. (When the strike ended this evolved into an actual “the next generation” show with its own writing staff.) So it *could* be proposed. Thing is, it wouldn’t've worked then and it wouldn’t work now — Mission: Impossible doesn’t work without convincing up-to-the-moment technology, and, say, Hill Street Blues, Ally McBeal, Buffy, Twin Peaks… no. The older shows are too much a product of their times, and the newer ones are too much wedded to our memories of the “right” cast. Also, can you imagine the potent outrage of the writers of these scripts?! A reminder like that - that we don’t own our own scripts - might just fuel a push to demand our copyrights back! Frankly, I hope they try it and uncork some REAL fury.

Comment by (Not) Working Writer — December 9, 2007 @ 8:21 am
Gavin should negotiate for the WGA.

Comment by Retard — December 9, 2007 @ 9:30 am
Dear wga-member-since-1990,

Nice work. I see you’ve followed my “How-To-Shill” class to a T. The “comment” name had no capitol letters and you dropped in some hyphens. Nice touch. No capitol letters throughout, well played. You were a little too dramatic at the start but a nice follow-through. For the next one, pull back a little on the top and you’ll be in great shape. I give you a solid B.

Comment by shills-suck — December 9, 2007 @ 9:41 am
big media owns nothing. they own air. television is a dinosaur . The internet is the new reality and we all know it. If people don’t want to turn their heads slightly and watch things on their computer then someone needs to invent a device that sends a digital signal from the computer to the television and this will be over.

the future is independent studios with their own money from private investors - making television, films, whatever they want. they aren’t tied to these bastards who couldn’t care less about quality as long as it brings in numbers.

and you know what the writers are doing when they’re not on the picket lines? working on the stuff they always wanted to do but didn’t have time for. channeling their rage at the selfishness of the enemy we’re dealing with into their product. I sure as hell write my best stuff when i’m angry. we’re going to come back stronger, with some amazing shit. advertisers, you want in? sure - meet us at our website - but you’re on the side not in the middle of our f**king art

Comment by wendy — December 9, 2007 @ 9:47 am
“wga overplayed its hand — badly. does anyone seriously doubt this?”

I do. I seriously doubt it. I also don’t think you can make a determination that a hand was “overplayed’ until all the cards are shown. At this point of time, the AMPTP may be bluffing and we’ve got a Full House (created by Jeff Franklin).

Comment by member since 1988 — December 9, 2007 @ 9:54 am
The thing that both parties fail to recognize here is… the internet is global. This is new territory and now matter how hard the AMPTP or the WGA try… they cannot “control” this new market. Both organizations will be hard-pressed to gain a foothold when the internet replaces television and motion pictures as the premier entertainment delivery method on an international level.

That’s why neither party really knows what the hell is going on here. This is open territory… the “wild west”.

Comment by Paul — December 9, 2007 @ 9:56 am
Let me give you all something to boost your spirits. I am not a writer, but rather someone who knows one of the ‘moguls’ personally. They are scared. They never thought it would come to this and breaking off talks is their last ditch effort to spread panic among the rank and file of the WGA. There is dissention among the ‘moguls.’ Among them (as you’ve all heard) are certain people who want to make a fair deal. The gap is widening in that alliance. I believe that with very little prompting, a true split will happen. These are companies with diverse interests beyond Hollywood. This is not the 1980’s or 90’s. This is an entirely new, different and ever-changing world of entertainment. It’s changing so fast and so completely that Nick Counter is out of his element, past his prime and his ‘old tricks’ don’t work anymore.

His negotiating style has worked int he past, but the internet has given the WGA more real-time and honest reporting among its members. This was not true during the last negotiations. The WGA had to rely on the trades and rumor on the strike line for all information. I believe it’s ironic that the thing the ‘moguls’ are so vehemently fighting for control over (the internet) is the same thing that will sink them now and moving forward.

Nick Counter’s days are numbered as he is being increasingly perceived as ineffective and simply a loud mouth… a bad step-parent who scolds everyone (including ‘moguls’) barking at them to trust him. How’s that for irony, folks?

His promises to the moguls to stand firm are falling on increasingly deaf ears and severely eroding confidence. Stay strong. Weather this storm and seize what you so richly deserve. In the mean time, placing calls to the company’s shareholder relations is an effective tool. Voice your concerns as a viewer, shareholder or consumer. These messages get ‘collected’ and passed on. The recent press, despite ‘mogul’ ownership is increasingly in your favor. Panic is swelling within the AMPTP. Have you ever heard a report about Nick Counter being so visibly upset? That’s not what people in a position of power and confidence do.

What will America do without new programming? Corporate greed! These headlines make investors take note. You’re gonna win this won. But only if you stand up to these guys. There are some of them that want you to, so they can proceed with a real agenda to get the town back to work!

Comment by mikey — December 9, 2007 @ 10:31 am
If the networks are actually floating the idea of reshooting old series, then they really are desperate and it’s only a matter of time. Producers can’t remake even the most successful films or shows without hiring a dozen WGA writers to bring them up to date and add more room for effects and stunts, so how in the name of Ford Almighty could a dusted-off teleplay from 1988 ever garner an audience today? It couldn’t. Look at Bionic Woman, for crying out loud. NBC spent millions in development costs and went through three A-list showrunners, and it still isn’t a hit. If you were an exec at NBC-Universal, how far do you think you’d have gotten by floating the idea of simply filming the original pilot as is? You would have been laughed out of the conference room, obviously.

Comment by Nick — December 9, 2007 @ 11:35 am
The comments by Mikey (10:31 a.m.) are exactly right. All of us in the WGA would do well to read them again and again in the coming days.

Comment by sTICKINGwITHmYuNION — December 9, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Thanks for the post Mikey. You may or may not speak the truth… but I’ll take this little ray of light in these darkened times.

Comment by Writer — December 9, 2007 @ 11:39 am
What would it take for Counter to be fired? To lose his cushy job that pays him 1.5 Million a year? Would a group of moguls have to tell him it’s time for him to retire? Or would members have to vote to put him out to pasture?

Comment by Anonymous — December 9, 2007 @ 11:40 am
Thank you, mikey. I just wish (and have been repeating it for ages now) that the WGA would start talking to these companies individually. They’re competetors, for crying out loud. I’m still waiting for a “What we’re going to do next”-type statement from the WGA homepage or United Hollywood. Waiting at the table is wonderful and symbolic, but we’ve agreed that AMPTP are pigs and that what they gave is an ultimatum. Time to work with the less piggish ones, or at least the ones who would make a deal because they will be hurt the worst and are smart enough to realize that. The studios can be broken and it doesn’t have to take months. But we need to throw a wrench into their system, and picketing along won’t stop that. Keep walking and talking, WGA. But don’t be afraid to make these guys crumble. They’ve asked for it.

Comment by Caitlin — December 9, 2007 @ 11:53 am
Murdoch just bought the Dow Jones today.

Are the shareholders going to really know what’s going on?

Comment by d — December 9, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
Good try mikey.

Comment by nice — December 9, 2007 @ 12:19 pm
I don’t think everyone who comes on these boards and complains is a shill, but I think many are short-sighted and probably not informed about all the issues. Many are afraid. So are the writers — we want to have jobs, too.

But we also want to see a future in this industry for everybody. And the truth is, the AMPTP is going this far not because the demands of the WGA are too expensive, but because they are more interested in busting ALL the unions. Fi we don’t get internet residuals, then none of the unions will — that includes the BTL folks whose pension and health funds are fed by residuals, too. In 2-5 years, there will be no television “broadcasting” — it will all come into the home through the internet… and if we let them define their own terms for the internet today, we will suffer tomorrow. We have to stand strong now because are determining the future… Though I’m sorry for people who are laid off (please seek financial help through the Motion PIcture Fund or through funds set up at your union to assist people affected by the strike), we are all in this together.

Comment by Jennifer — December 9, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
wgaw-member-since-1990 is yet another shill. they’re out in full force today. it seems to be a common theme here, whether by gavin palone or another shill, to tell us how ready and prepared the amptp was, and how they have all the accounting and consulting firms figuring it all out for them.

then how come we caught them off guard by walking out as soon as the contract expired? how come they didn’t have extra episodes stockpiled? how come they didn’t think the showrunners would stay out? it seems to me that they have been wrong on everything so far. and if it cost them millions because they paid some accounting and consulting firm to get it all wrong for them, all the better.

Comment by Shills Are Parasites — December 9, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
dear shills-suck,

you’re funnny and write on with your comments and analysis. but for your next post please note: it’s capital letters, not capitol. capitol is for that big white building in washington.

i’m not a shill — i’m a fan of yours. keep up the shill-busting.

Comment by ShillsAreLameAndEvenWorse--Obvious! — December 9, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
Chuck T said:
“But one thing is an irrefutable fact: everything I have posted on these boards so far has come to pass exactly as I said it would.”

No it hasn’t! You said the showrunners would never walk out. You also said they’d never be united. You said the studios would be able to keep television production running indefinitely but that hasn’t been the case at all. You also said the WGA would never have the guts to actually strike. You also said the AMPTP would stand together but there are already backchannel negotiations with CBS going on. You’ve been wrong on many things. Honestly, you’re pretty clueless.

Comment by Chuck T. Cheese — December 9, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
Looks like Chuck T. is also working weekends. I bet the AMPTP pays you time-and-a-half for weekends, right? You know, Chuck, reality writers don’t get time and a half. They don’t get overtime either. I know you think that’s the way it should be and that six-year-old boys should still be working in coal mines for 35 cents a day but the world has passed you by Chuck.

But my favorite Chuck T quote was this: “If you think all the AMPTP wants is a fair resolution, you’re more lost and naive than Dorothy in Oz.” Dorothy won Chuck. The Wicked Witch was slain. At a minimum, your analogies are retarded.

Comment by Chuck T's In Love (with himself) — December 9, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Hi there… struggling writer… longtime reader… first time blogger. I wanted to share a few facts about our good pal Gavin Polone:

He’s a registered Republican and one of the rare Hollywood producers who is open about his conservatiism. Take out of that what you will. He also claims to have had a sad childhood, adding that his only friend for many of those years was the family cat. Things obviously haven’t changed all that much for poor Gavin. After making no friends and hundreds of enemies, we all know that Gavin the Terrible was fired from two separate agencies in less than ten years. Perhaps he should have chose to pursue a career with the CIA instead, which he did in fact test for after college. With a guy like Gavin calling the shots, the WMD debacle would not have even been an issue. He would have planted them throughout the Iraqi desert, gone on FOX News to proclaim victory and called it a day. But the smart money says that their nasty interrogation methods (water boarding) were too tame for Gavin, who once bragged to a writer client of his, “that he would kill for them… slaughter anybody in their path.” Really? Now it seems like he would just as readily throw that said writer in front of the bus, rather than risk breaking a sweat and using his vast skills in martial arts to protect us. Thanks a lot, asshole.

Comment by Sloop John B — December 9, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
Mikey, I have also heard about the division in the AMPTP, but not from a mogul but rather from my agent. Apparently it was topic number one on Friday with most of the speculation on CBS, where a meeting was supposedly held last week to determine a “drop dead” date at which point they would tell the advertising community of their decision to postpone the upfronts to summer or later. Despite earlier internal debate, they supposedly have decided NOT to front an all-reality schedule to make a May upfronts date.

Comment by Yup — December 9, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
Here’s the thing everyone: AMPTP keeps criticizing David Young for having no experience in this industry, but the Nick Counter situation is far worse — the man has 25 years in this job but until last month was never challenged before. As any writer knows, true character is revealed under pressure.

Upon encountering his first difficult negotiation with a real challenger, Counter has botched things every step of the way. I completely believe that the men who run these studios are the type to never back down from a confrontation — but do you think they wanted a strike in the first place? No way. The strike has already cost them more than it would have cost them to give the writers every single thing that they asked for.

That was Counter’s job number one: to get a good deal for the AMPTP without a strike. People will sometimes post that the WGA wanted a strike, but those are people who have already forgotten about the NO RESIDUALS ANYMORE PERIOD proposal that Counter first put on the table. This guy has made one miscalculation after the other, and as the L.A. Times reported, this has led to some of the moguls wanting him gone.

There is speculation that a faction of the moguls have put Gavin Palone out front and center in this as an audition to replace Counter but have so far been unable to convince their brethern to pull the plug on Counter. But if this drags into pilot season, there is a real possibility that change will take place. Hopefully Palone will at least have the decency to leave the air conditiong on in the AMPTP’s conference room while the WGA is caucusing there.

Comment by From the Trenches — December 9, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
Let’s see how viable those stories will be since they pre-date things like cell phones, PC, the internet etc.
The old Columbos and Mission Impossibles are fun to watch because the tech is so Polaroid/analog. The crimes and stunts don’t hold up today. Sure you could have it take place back then but the writing isn’t the type todays sophisticated audiences are used to. Hey studio guys “What else do you have?”

Comment by ReelBusy — December 9, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
I’m curious (and for real, not being snarky) what would have happened if the WGA had said, “Okay. We take animation and Reality TV OFF the table. NOW give us what we want in streaming, DVDs, downloads and Internet broadcasting.” ?

The AMPTP would be forced to do something. If they want this to end, both sides must compromise.

“There are rumors going around that networks are going to remake some old shows, using the same scripts.”

Those rumors, I believe, came from an LA Times columnist who suggested it in a recent column.

Comment by AnonAnon — December 9, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
If David Young were a pushover, the studios and their shills like Palone wouldn’t be calling for him to be replaced, they’d want hiim to stay put.

Palone is also saying that the WGA needs new negotiators because otherwise they’ll look weak. Wrong! Firing our current negotiators is what would make us look week.

The truth is, and Palone knows this in his heart — let me finish — that it’s the AMPTP that is stuck with a disastrous negotiating team that has forced the industry into a strike. Talk about a “current team” that “can’t make changes because they feel locked to their past statements.”

Comment by Go Guild! — December 9, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
To shills-suck:

I’ve been thinking of a new “arguing for dummies” course myself. Tell me what you think of the outline:

I. if someone disagrees with you, do one of the following:
A. call them a shill for “THE MAN”
B. if that doesn’t work, call them an idiot
C. whatever you do, do not address the merrits of the arguments used, especially if you know they’re right.

A+

Comment by screwed — December 9, 2007 @ 5:28 pm
Hey Mikey,
really nice and positive post. How do we know you’re not a WGA shill? All that you write, while uplifiting, is not substantiated and everything we’ve already heard.

Who’s the mogul? And if you don’t want to tell us, then give us a quote. And if you can’t quote the man, then paraphrase what he said. This is journalism 101.

Comment by Question for mikey — December 9, 2007 @ 5:55 pm
Nick,

Maybe that’s the point. Too many writers involved.

Only have the original writer who wrote the script in 1988.

Why add more names to the credits and more shit to the pile?

That’s why I actually think most of the movies that are shooting now will be better than those that get messed up thanks to idiotic rewrites during shooting.

Comment by Sherilyn — December 9, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
Message Board Etiquette #1:

Whenever someone disagrees with you (even if they present facts), automatically scream shill. If you scream it often enough and loud enough, it becomes true.

***

With that said, I don’t see this ending until June because the fat cat moguls are off to Europe/Aspen soon for the holidays.

Their intent is to break the unions. Keep that in mind.

Comment by Francine Fishpaw — December 9, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
You shill busters are awesome! Nicely done Bros!

Keep on rockin’, it’s f’n hilarious…

Comment by PJ - Writer — December 9, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
AMPTP: “Your Animation proposal, W-14, is likewise unacceptable. As you know, there is another union which has long had jurisdiction over the work you are now seeking to cover by your proposal. We believe that it should be up to the writers in this field, using the procedures carefully established by Congress in the 1940s – in the same legislative act that validates the very existence of Writers Guild of America, East and West – to express their desire as to whether they wish to be represented by the WGA or that other union. It is not for us as Companies to usurp the secret ballot democratic election process established by the National Labor Relations Act by agreeing to another top-down union organization proposal.”

When is the vote?

Comment by Klaatu — December 9, 2007 @ 7:01 pm
Hey, Sloop John B–

So Polone’s a conservative Republican, you say with great flourish….as though that explains his perfidy. Guess what: I’m a 10+ year WGA member, have walked the line every single day of this strike, brought two bags of stuff for the food bank (surely you did the same, yes?). And I voted for….George Bush. Twice! With a big fat smile on my face. This isn’t a strike of lefty Democrats Sloopie–despite our leadership’s shameful genuflection in the direction of Jesse Jackson and John Edwards. This is a strike of writers, and please respect that we’re a diverse bunch. Or does “diversity” have only a PC meaning in this town?

Comment by StickingWithMyUnion — December 9, 2007 @ 7:05 pm
Speaking as someone completely on the outside of all of this, I have to say I don’t understand how the AMPTP could be winning right now. The PR from this is a nightmare. Sure FOX is fine but then again they’re not exactly known for quality original programming anyway now are they? They won’t be feeling the effects of this till their studio suffers in the next fiscal year. It’s those numbers they’ll be concerned about. The other studios are a different story. CBS just announced a new building project and they’re going to need revenue to finance that. Disney is constantly reliant on the growth of franchises and High School Musical 3 hasn’t been written yet plus ABC was finally providing success with original programs. This strike is doing nothing but hurting that success and holding back that growth.

Then there’s the SAG to worry about. A deal with the writers and DGA would help set a precedent for the actors but the way negotiations are going this could go right into THAT strike. Plus there’s how awful the AMPTP strategy seems to be. (I mean why is it that I knew what the AMPTP was going to do a week before they did it? If I know it the the WGA knows it and if they know it then what’s the point?) In fact I think this thread is really funny with all the jerks talking about how the WGA is DOOMED! Oh really? Because the last time I checked the WGA isn’t the group that has to explain to stockholders and board members why ratings are tanking and movies are sucking at the box office. Remember that one of the moguls (Robert Igor) has his job as the ultimate result of a stockholder revolt within his company. Yeah I’m sure they’re anxious for production to be halted through August. We’re not talking about one year of damage at this point. We’re talking about the rest of the DECADE. Who has more to lose again?

Oh and to the guys talking about being laid off and starving kids… I don’t understand you. I really don’t. I knew this strike was coming in JANUARY. Me. I knew this because of news stories on the internet. You all must have known by then. If you’re not wise enough to be prepared then you dug your own grave. And I still think it was brilliant of the WGA to strike early before the SAG. It hurts the AMPTP more and helps the WGA’s cause because they get to set the precedent.

Hold STRONG writers. The rest of America is with you. Democrats, conservatives, smart people… we all support YOU. Besides… I’m losing weight with all the exercise I’m getting from not being a couch potato!

-Vallen C. Tucker

Comment by Vallen C. Tucker — December 9, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
Mikey at 10.31am:

This does not boost my spirits. You start talking about conflict between AMPTP members then go on to write almost entirely about dissatisfaction with Nick Counter. So what, they just get another negotiator. Their methods may be different but not their goals.

Listen, first the WGA advised members to strike in early November as it’s a crucial period to shut down production and will ensure a short strike. Then the WGA put about that advertisers will start demand money back and pilot season will be threatened so the media companies need to make a deal real soon. Then the WGA spread that the moguls were arguing among themselves, yet the moguls all decided resuming negotiations was a mistake and together they orchestrated another walkout.

The WGA so desperately needs to get some good industry researchers, financial analysts, to understand the media companies. This is business, not personalities. Look at television. It’s ratings are being destroyed by DVRs, delayed watching to skip commercials. They can’t even promote their own upcoming shows like they used to. This will permanently damage their revenue and the main way for them to hold on is to cut costs. The strike has forced them to face this sooner then they wanted to, but in the end it may do them a favor.

That’s just one example of how much you have to know about your enemy to know the possible responses to every action you may decide on. Do some research before taking the next step in this campaign.

Comment by raelnumbersplease — December 9, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
ZZZOMMMMGGG..MIKEY’S A WGA SHILL! SINCE I DON’T AGREE WITH WHAT HE SAYS, HE’S OBVIOUSLY A PLANT BEING PAID BY THE WGA TO MAKE COMMENTS ON A MESSAGE BOARD ON A SUNDAY NIGHT! ZOMMGGG!!

Do you realize how stupid some of you sound? Calling anybody that disagrees with you a shill? Believe it or not, some people have other opinions. It’s funny how much some of you sound like your worst enemy W. Completely unable to listen to or respect an opinion that differs in any way from yours.

Comment by oh noes — December 9, 2007 @ 8:28 pm
StickingWithMyUnion said -

“So Polone’s a conservative Republican, you say with great flourish….as though that explains his perfidy. Guess what: I’m a 10+ year WGA member, have walked the line every single day of this strike, brought two bags of stuff for the food bank (surely you did the same, yes?). And I voted for….George Bush. Twice! With a big fat smile on my face. This isn’t a strike of lefty Democrats Sloopie–despite our leadership’s shameful genuflection in the direction of Jesse Jackson and John Edwards. This is a strike of writers, and please respect that we’re a diverse bunch. Or does “diversity” have only a PC meaning in this town?”

StickingWithMyUnion… Sloop John B here. I agree with you to a certain extent. Many of my closest colleagues would label me “Republican” as well. (Although, I would claim to be a moderate myself.) That being said, it troubles me that we’ve only heard from the current crop of Democratic Presidential candidates as to where their sympathies lie. Whether this is them simply politicizing the issue or not, I still can’t help but notice the silence from the Right side… it rings loud and clear.

Still, I certainly respect that the WGA is a diverse bunch… but also feel that it is equally important to know your enemy… his politics, ideologies or otherwise. Yours and my personal politics aside, I think it is pretty clear that Mr. Polone has an agenda of sorts. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he had a hidden initiative with the corporations CEO’s. What better way to get that cushy leather chair and that office with an awe-inspiring view than by kissing some major mogul ass. He obviously isn’t concerned that he has alienated himself from nearly every screenwriter following this strike.

His current attitude towards the WGA and his appearance on FOX News only serve to solidify my opinion of him. Fox News is of course run by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation… the very media conglomerate that also controls 20th Century Fox studios, FOX television, as well as Myspace. He has obviously picked a side on the issue and unfortunately, it’s the side of the moguls and corporate America. An entity that, I’m sure you’ll agree, has zero love for any sort of unions.

As intelligent and business savvy as some feel Gavin may be, the fact remains that what he is posting on these blogs is simple propaganda and not an unbiased expert industry opinion. People need to be made aware of this. (And just as we do, he has every right to present his opinions, whether we agree with them or not.) In the end, the more we know about Gavin Polone, the more we can ignore his senseless rhetoric (and that of his authoritarian masters) and stand firm for a common good and for our common cause, united as one.

- Sloopie

Comment by Sloop John B — December 9, 2007 @ 8:35 pm
@Sherilyn:

Even the original writer from 1988 can’t work on the script, because he’s in the WGA and is therefore on strike. You would not be able to change one single element of the script; if there’s a long dialogue about the Bush/Dukakis debates, you can cut it but you can’t replace it with an up to date version without bringing in a new writer. And frankly that would be the least of your problems, because in 99% of cases the show is going to seem horribly dated no matter what. TV shows are written to be exciting and topical for the audiences watching them at the moment, and maybe the next few years on DVD. That’s not to say they don’t bear revisiting at a later date, because certainly many of them do, but there’s a big difference between rewatching something you know was made many years earlier, and refilming the same words and scenes with a new cast and sets and pretending that it’s current. Best case scenario, you end up with Gus Van Sant’s “Psycho,” and we know how that turned out.

But you’re right that piling on more and more writers to “fix” things is not always the best solution. Except studio execs are generally the ones deciding to do that. Other times it’s directors, or powerful actors, but it’s almost never writers who are in favor of that strategy. And even the studios don’t love throwing away more and more money on script development and last minute rewrites — it’s just that they honestly don’t know any other way to do it. And that is why they are so very, very eff-double-star-kay’ed.

Comment by Nick — December 9, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
Dearest ShillsAreLameAndEvenWorse–Obvious!

I lead by example. I did mis-spell capitol for effect for our up and coming shills. It shows how their comments shouldn’t look too thought out, that they need to appear rushed so it looks as though their thoughts really came from the heart. It should seem that they’re filled with so much passion that there’s no time to check the work and getting the message out is more important than grammar, spelling, etc…!

“How To Shill” Tuesdays and Fridays at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn in Studio City. Classes continue until the end of the strike.

Comment by shills-suck — December 9, 2007 @ 9:12 pm
So “Golden Compass” made 27 million but cost more than 200 million to make? So that’s a loss of more than 173 million but Palone and his minions want to flak that the studios aren’t even beginning to feel that pain?

You’re telling me that if Nicole Kidman or Daniel Craig had been all over Letterman, Leno and Stewart that this movie still would have tanked? Doubt it. Certainly not like that.

The $173 million bath they just took is more than it would have cost to give the writers every single thing they asked for over the next three years. Let the shareholder derivative suits begin!

Comment by Sue The Studios — December 9, 2007 @ 9:40 pm
Shills-suck,

I get your point and all and I actually kind of like it. It’s good to remind the shills that we’re on to them but we don’t know who exactly is or isn’t a shill here. Continue on with it but you don’t need to pull out specfic people so much. If people honestly have a different view, we should still hear from them and we shouldn’t discount them blindly.

And I misspelled a few things for you.

Comment by I'm just sayin' — December 9, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
Sue,

Stop with the idiotic comments already. Nobody is that stupid, you must be shillin’ for the wga. Although this movie is not gonna be successful it did not lose $173 million the first weekend. It’ll have a subpar run, make less than $100 million U.S., then earn about half that overseas. It probably qould’ve done about the same even if Nicole “Box Office Poison” Kidman had apepared on the late night shows.
and please, Sue and other writers, if you’re gonna lampoon Gavin Polone non stop at least spell his name right.

Comment by Jerry Smith — December 9, 2007 @ 10:23 pm
Who isn’t a shill? You’re a shill for your union or a shill for the AMPTP. Anyone who disagrees with anyone is a shill. It’s all so very productive! Keep up the good work. Keep insulting each other. That’s the way things get done. I don’t agree with every thing that ChuckT says, but why does that make him a shill? Fans are shills. BTL’s are shills.

Blindly following your union into ineffectual negotiating tactics makes you a shill. Just a shill of a different color. What most people on this board are saying, yes, even Gavin Polone, is that the writers are getting screwed, but that they have to fight a smarter fight to avoid it. Some of the damage done is unrecoverable. But there is still the opportununity to not only mitigate the damage, but greatly strengthen your position for the negotiation 3 years from now. but, don’t take my word for it, because I must be a shill.

But you decide your fate. Scream, yell and cry. Call people shills. OR get your act together, get some businessmen behind you, and get something done. And next time you go into a strike, be prepared for it. And stop insulting each other for your divergent opinions. That is being the ultimate shill. I think all the posters calling people shills are the actual shills because they divide the cause.

And, p.s., calling yourself a showrunner or hyphenate is just silly and self-indulgent. It might, in an alternate universe be truek, but you are probably just an angry term writer. I think a lot of people posting gave themselves some promotions thinking that when they scream “Shill!” or any other insult, it will have more clout. Sorry. But I don’t think you’re Chuck Lorre. Or any other showrunner, great or small.

Shame on almost everyone. Shame on the AMPTP. Shame on the WGA. Why don’t we all just be self-proclaimed shills? Then at least there will be solidarity. That word has been lost for some time now.

Shills Unite! It’s time we form our own union. One that will get the job done.

Comment by Everyone is A Shill — December 9, 2007 @ 10:40 pm
What are the chances of replacing Tommy “Concessions Galore” Short?

Comment by s — December 9, 2007 @ 11:03 pm
Sherilyn is Gavin in drag.

Comment by Strike Grrrrl — December 9, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
Uh Sue…you do realize that the movie has only been released for one week right, and the $23M is not its total and final gross?

Regardless, the reasons that this movie tanked are several, but nothing to do with the late night shows:

First, no big name stars. As Nikki has pointed out many times, Nicole Kidman can’t open a movie. Ditto for Daniel Craig (Bond doesn’t count, it has a built in audience regardless of who is in the title role).

Second (and in my mind most importantly), it was folly to release a movie that had an air of religious controversy about it during the Christmas season. This was easy fodder for the Christian activists, and parents aren’t going to go en masse to a movie at Christmas time when they’ve heard bad things about it from their church or from media outlets. This would have probably done a little better during the summer time, its winter theme notwithstanding.

Comment by SueYourself — December 10, 2007 @ 6:39 am
Does the AMPTP really have the right to decide whether Reality and Animation writers join the WGA? Shouldn’t that be solely up to those writers and the WGA. I don’t understand. I remember when the Script Supervisors forced the Production Coordinators to join their local. Even though many Production Coordinators didn’t want to. Did the AMPTP decide that? Does anybody know the answer to this question? And if so, can someone please explain why that is possible and why they have the jurisdiction to make that decision. It doesn’t make sense.

Thanks for any insight.

Comment by A Question — December 10, 2007 @ 8:09 am
They can remake Titanic for TV… starring Nick Counter).

Comment by dante writer — December 10, 2007 @ 8:35 am
Comment for Sue The Studios.

Your math comparison is illogical. Did you really expect the movie to make back all it’s expenses in the first weekend? As far as I know, the movie is still playing in theaters today.

I agree, a 27 million opening doesn’t look good after you spent 200. It definitely shows poor management at New Line.

JMO
Mark

Comment by mark7deep — December 10, 2007 @ 8:58 am
The time has come for both DGA and SAG to step into the negotiations.

It’s clear now that AMPTP will not negotiate with the Writers unless and until they know where bargaining with the other two guilds is heading.

In a perfect world, we’d have DGA, SAG and WGA sitting together across the table from AMPTP. That’d be true strength in numbers and true solidarity among the unions.

Barring that, though, DGA and SAG must start their own negotiations now. We’ve learned from the Writers’ hubris that waiting until the last minute is a recipe for disaster. The other two guilds, though, can at least bargain on the backs of the current strike as leverage against stronger strikes in 5 months (strikes that would truly shut down production is my definition for “stronger”).

Comment by BTL Guy — December 10, 2007 @ 10:19 am
“No it hasn’t! You said the showrunners would never walk out. You also said they’d never be united. You said the studios would be able to keep television production running indefinitely but that hasn’t been the case at all. You also said the WGA would never have the guts to actually strike. You also said the AMPTP would stand together but there are already backchannel negotiations with CBS going on. You’ve been wrong on many things. Honestly, you’re pretty clueless.

Comment by Chuck T. Cheese”

I never said any of the above. Period. So let me get this straight, you are not only pathetic and incapable of any analytical skills of depth but you are also a LIAR (and a pathetically bad one at that)? Ah, the mark of the truly desperate and powerless.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

“Looks like Chuck T. is also working weekends. I bet the AMPTP pays you time-and-a-half for weekends, right? But my favorite Chuck T quote was this: “If you think all the AMPTP wants is a fair resolution, you’re more lost and naive than Dorothy in Oz.” Dorothy won Chuck. The Wicked Witch was slain. At a minimum, your analogies are retarded.

Comment by Chuck T’s In Love (with himself)

All of you “shill” shouters are starting to sound pathetically unoriginal (like most of the crap on tv). You’re a writer, for godssake, CREATE another lie to insult people with - the “shill” thing is old. However, I understand the weakest of you choose to do this because you are incapable of debating intelligently and you don’t have a valid counter-arguments.

As far as my “Dorothy” reference, the analogy was in reference to the naive attitudes on the part of a lot of writers compared to Dorothy being naive in Oz NOT a comparison of both situations as a whole. It is a simple and valid argument for anyone who has been educated past junior high school. Honestly, your stupidity is exhausting. No wonder the producers hate you and refuse to talk to you.

Comment by ChuckT — December 10, 2007 @ 10:48 am
Still not a shill. Really. We can agree to disagree, can’t we?

Why did I not save up, knowing a strike was coming? Well, I work in the sitcom world where for over thirty years camera and sound departments were paid a “3 for 2″ deal because we only worked two days per week on a show. But when the cameras went from film to digital, the studios insisted we be paid a “2 for 2″ deal as had been the standard on video shows. The same was true for the sound folks, even though they did not have an equipment change!

This was a cut of 33 1/3 % in pay for everyone in camera and sound. Now, with a “2 for 2″ I make less that $26K for a full season. On top of that, I do not make enough hours to keep my health hours current. That’s why there’s no ca-ching in the till.

By the way, when this change took place, the showrunners and writers didn’t stand in the studios’ way. Certainly, they didn’t fight for us to have a “fair deal”. Nor did our union, I might add, because the long time rate was technically over scale.

So our bank accounts shriveled. Everyone I know is on a short leash. Most of us support the writers getting their foot in the door on the Internet issue. But as for reality and animation, I agree with the producers — go out and organize. If you are strong, people will want to join. And you will never, ever, win the right to go out on a sympathy strike with other guilds. So let that one go too.

Comment by Not a Shill — December 10, 2007 @ 11:20 am
Again, and I can’t tell you how much I could care less about the whole “shill” business, I don’t understand how the WGA is losing right now or where they’re going wrong in negotiating. I mean I see kids throw temper tantrums like Counter’s everyday and the parent who is stoic and doesn’t give them what they want is usually fine. Ultimatums are a bad strategy, they never really work. See the AMPTP seems to be forgetting the fact that, ultimately, the WGA doesn’t HAVE to go back to work for them. See the contract is up. They can just walk away. What’s to say they have to come back at all?

Starting the strike early destroyed this year’s TV season. That also effects DVD sales next fall and revenue coming in. Someone explain how not having revenue is GOOD for the studios? They can BS about cutting costs all they want but that doesn’t change the fact that without revenue they’re toast. American Idol and Dancing with the Stars only go so far you know. Sooner of later America is going to get royally pissed. It’s already starting on some level but around the time the Olympics are over and the actors are striking and the writers have different jobs, these guys are going to start wondering what they’re going to do.

See this is what you do with a tantrum. You ignore it and walk away. You don’t let them know there’s an effect at all.

I’m no advocating that you blindly follow the union. I just think they’re playing it right so far. Keep the suits unbalanced and predictable. The public is behind the writers and will demand these guys learn how to swallow. Stay united and you’ll win. I may not understand the industry as well as most but I do know that change is needed and will come. Will this change be more honest and for the better or not?

Also, who else can’t wait for the FCC to start asking questions? Write your politicians!

Comment by Vallen Tucker — December 10, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
Everyone Is A Shill @ 10:40pm–Excellent post. Well said. Thank you.

Comment by Pete Aronson — December 10, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
Vallen Tucker,
Not a bad point. And I’m not singling you out and this in no way detracts from what you say.

But please, people, writers, everybody: Stop saying “I could care less.” Say “I couldn’t care less.” Because what you mean is “I couldn’t care less.”

I apologize for even posting this, but it just drives me crazy. And I should care less.

Comment by Pet Peeve — December 10, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
Hitting the advertisers is the way to go. TV fans, take note.

For instance, Target is a company that gives 5% of their income to charitable endeavors in Arts, the Environment, and “Community”. This is a very admirable thing. Yet, with every dollar they spend on Network TV, they fuel the beast that is causing many an unhappy Christmas for many a hard worker. Indirectly, they are contributing to the disgusting tactics of the AMPTP.

This support is hypocritical of Target, and should be pointed out to them, to the press, and to the fans of every scripted show on every Network that Target advertises on.

It will only take one company to pull their ad dollars to rattle the cages of the Networks. If we cannot heap shame upon the Studios/Networks, then let those who support them feel the shame for what they are doing to the writers, and by default, every other poor bastard in LA that makes a living creating these shows.

Comment by ShillForMe — December 10, 2007 @ 10:00 pm

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