"Very Productive Day": WGA-Mogul Talks

49 Comments »

1. But will the writers be left holding the bag again. How ridiculous if all this time they did not get a decent agreement. I mean, when was the last time the AMPT went on strike, it just doesn’t happen. If it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage. And the only way that happens is with hard work and a lot of talent and passion. Producers should rethink how they treat writers in a medium they just love to work in.

   Comment by The Silver Fox — February 1, 2008 @ 6:26 pm

2. Glad you can see the funny side of that spoof, Nikki. Get well soon. Look forward to reading more posts when you’re ready!

   Comment by Michael Dobrofsky — February 1, 2008 @ 6:49 pm

3. yeah, and what about all of us who had our pilot deals cancelled. we will never make that money back. the union sucks, the studios are fucking evil

   Comment by they should all get dick cancer — February 1, 2008 @ 6:49 pm

4. Holding the bag in what way? As a “below the line” worker who has not a a paycheck in months, I have to ask: “what exactly are the writers looking for?” Why is it after all this time there is no agreement? The so called BTL workers have taken concession after concession to keep work in LA, to ensure their members keep working. There are no residuals for us. If we don’t work. we don’t get paid. Period, full stop, end of sentence. If you want to work in a medium that values “talent and passion” write a play. If you can’t make a living as a writer, get a day job, and let the rest of us get back to work.

   Comment by Polly Lucke — February 1, 2008 @ 6:50 pm

5. Here’s to our negotiating committee hanging tough and making sure we make money if they make money. No freebies. We don’t want to back here in three years, even if that means we have to keep picketing a while longer. A sliding scale is the best option for all and would keep this town working.

   To all those who want to throw in the towel, I say get out of this industry. Everyone knows it’s a crap shoot. One day you’re working, the next you’re not. When I create something everyone enjoys, I want to be paid. Not once, but as long as others are making money off of my idea. If your agent is pushing you to accept the DGA deal, ask your agent to take 2 cents on the dollar instead of 10 percent!

   Comment by United — February 1, 2008 @ 7:01 pm

6. Nikki, while I appreciate the update, please allow yourself a break - a real break. We can survive a few days without you (hard as it may be). Get well soon!

   Comment by Rebnej — February 1, 2008 @ 7:03 pm

7. Hey, Silver Fox - knock it off. Why assume such negativity. YOU and YOUR ATTITUDE are directly responsible for this being the mess it is. No matter how much you hate it, this is a business not the commissioning of great art.

   Comment by IATSE JE — February 1, 2008 @ 7:05 pm

8. Nikki,
   could you maybe hire an assistant?

   Comment by Walk The Line — February 1, 2008 @ 7:05 pm

9. Silver Fox - you know - i’ve made 25 years worth of deals with producers. some good. some lousy. to be more than honest - i’m sick to death of this hardline rhetoric. i want you guys to get what your asking for. i do. but guess who’s gonna get the better deal? it ain’t gonna be you. it never will until you’re on the other side. either you’re in the ten percent of the elite WGA that can hold out forever and not give a shit about anyone else. or you’re comfortable enough to go several more months.

   but personally - i mean personally. this shit is killing me. so you go ahead and strut your stuff, while i call you up and ask you for a personal loan. cause that’s how bad it is for a LOT of us.

   you wanted to be treated well? in THIS business? good luck.

   Comment by none — February 1, 2008 @ 7:26 pm

10. Still has to be the right settlement before I’ll vote for it.

    Comment by WriterBob — February 1, 2008 @ 7:42 pm

11. Get well soon, Nikki.

    But can you clarify if these are AMPTP sources, WGA sources, or both?

    Comment by Jimmy — February 1, 2008 @ 7:50 pm

12. Thanks Nikki,

    I think we all ahve to think positively and will it to work out. I’m tired of feeling negative. It takes far too much wasted energy.

    Be good to yourself and get healthy.

    Comment by OriginalJoe — February 1, 2008 @ 8:25 pm

13. Thanks for the update, Nikki. I’ve been sitting on pins and needles all week and I’m glad to hear things are going well so far. Here’s to hoping a fair deal can be reached soon, and that you feel better even sooner!

    Comment by Lisa — February 1, 2008 @ 8:58 pm

14. As before, be willing to quote where you’re hearing it from or shut your yap. This is getting silly already. Speculation without open sourcing is just setting everyone up for later.

    Comment by Jeffrey — February 1, 2008 @ 9:04 pm

15. Glad if it’s true, but still certain that in the end, it will not be a fair deal but more of an inevitable settlement. Meaning we’ll have settled. For the deal they finally decided to give us.

    I only wish I didn’t have to work for these people anymore, because no matter how misguided my union has been at times during the strike, the companies have shown themselves to be insulting, greedy bastards.

    But of course I will work for them again. Grrrrrr.

    Comment by fedup A-lister — February 1, 2008 @ 9:09 pm

16. omg, that spoof site, i was rolling on the MF GROUND, lol…

    hope ya feel better, nikki…

    Comment by Johnny — February 1, 2008 @ 9:09 pm

17. “ha ha” to that spoof website about you, your still reporting more then that guy even when your sick! Other entertainment reporters should be taking lessons from you!

    Get well soon, nikki.

    Comment by canadian teenager — February 1, 2008 @ 9:16 pm

18. These talks will only be productive if whatever it is they’re talking about results in the members of the WGA voting for it.

    Really want to be optimistic, but not feeling it.

    Comment by progress — February 1, 2008 @ 9:43 pm

19. That “spoof” website is utterly hilarious - and so dang accurate it might as well take over for the REAL site ; )

    Comment by holt — February 1, 2008 @ 10:19 pm

20. Well, now that the House of Representatives is involved…..they will be wanting to see the books of both sides and I’m sure that they are going to pull every stop out to get this resolved…..can anyone say IRS? Can anyone see how many laor laws have been broken? Can anyone see how many fraudulent disability and unemployment scams have gone on? Oh yeah, Uncle Sam is going to start coming down really hard on both sides!
    rHob

    Comment by Rob Wlliams — February 1, 2008 @ 11:31 pm

21. Not to worry Silver. The WGA membership has made it clear to their negotiators that they will kick a bad deal to the curb faster than Jeremy Piven the morning after that night before.

    Comment by mheister — February 1, 2008 @ 11:38 pm

22. But will the writers be left holding the bag again.

    If it’s not a good deal- the right deal, we vote no. Oscars go down in flames. And we wait for June.

    Simple.

    My hopes aren’t up. These rumors are coming from the AMPTP and can’t be trusted.

    Let’s just see a good deal, please.

    Comment by WGA Writer — February 1, 2008 @ 11:55 pm

23. It’s meaningless. Until Verrone, Young or Bowman tell us themselves there’s progress or, better yet, a deal we are as on strike as we were November 5th. Fight on!
    And remember, the picket coordinators just met with the LAPD about the logistics in picketing at the Oscars. That plan is still be much on track. Fair deal or no Oscars.

    Comment by lkb — February 2, 2008 @ 12:25 am

24. The AMPTP needs to understand that making movies takes more than just millions of dollars. Like Silver Fox said, it needs imaginative and hardworking people to create the stories that end up on the screen.

    They need to see that it’s a collaborative industry, and not an adversarial one.

    Hope you feel better soon.

    Comment by Furious D — February 2, 2008 @ 4:04 am

25. Hopefully both sides can keep their dicks in their pants this time and quit the theatrics so this strike will be over and people can get back to work and paying their bills.

    Comment by Jason — February 2, 2008 @ 6:20 am

26. Silver Fox, be positive. Why do you think they are not getting a decent agreement? It’s about compromise for the millionth time. It’s only for three years. Nothing drastic will happen for probably 7.

    Comment by LindaDDLOo — February 2, 2008 @ 7:35 am

27. Hey Nikke, what do you make of Variety’s reports of frustration and discouragement within the mogul ranks, re the lack of progress in their talks with the WGA? Are they just shilling, as usual, or is/was there something to it?

    Comment by Curious — February 2, 2008 @ 8:43 am

28. Did Matt Damon cross the picket line by performing in that skit with Sarah silverman on Jimmy Kimmel?

    I think so.

    Comment by michael — February 2, 2008 @ 9:08 am

29. I don’t mind being out of work for over 3 months. The only thing I care about is the Academy Awards.
    Sheeesh!

    Comment by Yippie — February 2, 2008 @ 9:13 am

30. Nikki, I know anonymous sourcing is what you do, and I’m okay with that. But why not at least indicate which side of the negotiations your anonymous source is from. Was it a WGA or AMPTP negotiatior who thought it was a “very productive day?” Knowing that sort of thing would really help your readers and it’s what most newspapers do when they have to quote an anonymous source.

    Comment by Mike — February 2, 2008 @ 9:19 am

31. I think i caught the optimism bug, thanks alot Nikki!

    *sneezes*

    Comment by PubliusClodius — February 2, 2008 @ 9:32 am

32. Feel better soon, Nikki!

    And yes, while it does seem like talks are progressing, I urge WGA members not to get too excited. The AMPTP knows that raised hopes makes it easier for them to now lowball the WGA and threaten another walkout from negotiations that will completely discourage the WGA membership.

    Think about it… They talk for a week or two, hopes are soaring, then they offer their lowball offer. The WGA leaders refuse it as its terrible for their membership. The AMPTP walks out and writers are left saying, “What’s wrong with our leadership?” When in truth they are defending writers and not falling for an obvious but incredibly effective bargaining ploy.

    Comment by George Glass — February 2, 2008 @ 9:33 am

33. Well I’m optimistic. Get Well Soon Nikki.

    Comment by Kelly Anne — February 2, 2008 @ 9:38 am

34. I would like to be holding the bag if it is a bag full of money and maybe also some candy. But I would not give Nikki any of the candy, because she has diabetes. Maybe some of the money, though. Please get healthy, ma’am.

    Comment by Barry — February 2, 2008 @ 9:39 am

35. “Holding the bag…” What about the below the line folks, myself included, who are holding the bag, out of work and when its all done, we won’t be getting anything but our scale rates again? My patience is wearing very thin. You don’t always get what you want, make your deal and lets all get back to work.

    Comment by DOUG — February 2, 2008 @ 10:37 am

36. I hope your sources are right and mine are wrong, Nikki. The person I spoke to said that very little progress has been made on Internet/download/streaming issues and that even though the meetings have been polite and civilized, everyone’s patience is wearing thin.

    Let’s pray good news prevails.

    Comment by yetta-nother-writer — February 2, 2008 @ 11:44 am

37. Feel better Nikki but please don’t play into the raised-expectations game.

    Comment by writer — February 2, 2008 @ 12:12 pm

38. The New York Times website is reporting that the last major substantive hurdles were cleared today and that a deal could be in the offing.

    Comment by rl — February 2, 2008 @ 12:47 pm

39. Actor here and just want to say to all you writers reading this, stay strong and get the right deal. Remember, the “it’s only three years” mantra is beyond goddamn dangerous, as it is going to be VERY difficult to rally membership a second time to stomach a strike. The unity you have now will be tough to come by in three years.

    As a postscript, got a friend who works for Viacom buying up companies around the globe. The majority of what he has been doing the past three years is buying up internet portals. Doesn’t take a genius…

    Comment by crissyo — February 2, 2008 @ 2:11 pm

40. Why are you idiots already badmouthing an imaginary deal you know nothing about and talking about voting it down? For months we’ve listened to you talk about how brilliant and infallible your negotiators are, and when they bring you a deal and tell you it’s the best you’re going to get…you’ll vote it down? Can you possibly be that dumb?

    Comment by jeez — February 2, 2008 @ 2:27 pm

41. Seriously guys, the Oscars are the last bit of leverage the WGA holds right now. Now is the best time to get this deal settled, otherwise it will be many more months. Does anyone really think the out of work writers can last longer than the studios if this gets into a (more) protraced pissing contest?

    All these side deals are making it easier for the studios to continue doing business. Television as a business is being irreparably changed (perhaps for the better) but so far while the ratings overall are down they aren’t tanking and some of the new reality shows are doing very well. One could argue that the decreased ratings are just part of the continuing trend of viewer erosion from tv, although I’m sure the lack of favorite shows is helping to accelerate this.

    My point is, while the militant attitude plays well to the hard core base, its not productive and will further the suffering of all affected industries. Sign a good deal, but don’t hold out for the perfect deal. Realize that you won’t get everything, the studios won’t get everything, but when people are back to work there will be good money to be made by all.

    Comment by RealityCheck — February 2, 2008 @ 2:35 pm

42. If the AMPTP does not make this deal now every ounce of leverage will be with the writers and actors. They know that. The longer the studios wait the worse deal they will get. The wga and sag will not cave at this point. But, let’s see the numbers and hear what our leadership has to say. I trust them.

    Ed

    Comment by Ed Wood — February 2, 2008 @ 3:13 pm

43. There will be a deal this coming week however nobody is going to be happy with it. The last three months have been a total waste of time and energy and the money lost will never be recovered, not by the writers or by the moguls or by the poor suffering BTL’ers who have been the real victims here.

    Many of them won’t be able to recover financially from this three month forced hiatus. Three years from now the real strike will have to be waged and it will have to go for at least six months to get any real profits.

    By 2011 the internet revenue model will be enormous and impossible to deny or to minimize. If the Guild wants to be smart they should insist on just a two year contract now. And the next strike must be timed with SAG so both groups go out simultaneously.

    Verrone made a huge strategic blunder by striking in November. He was and is a moron when it comes to effective tactics. Had he simply gone for a temporary extension until July 1st he would have set the stage for one of the most substantial victories ever seen.

    Instead he shot his wad 10 months too soon. Talk about premature ejaculation. Same goes for Young all he wanted and got was some silly stupid headlines about being a rock star and wreaking havoc. The two of them should be exiled and banished from Guild leadership positions forever.

    The writers have to elect real working writers showrunners who know what’s happening and won’t backstab their members the way John Wells did.

    Comment by Anonymous — February 2, 2008 @ 3:36 pm

44. “Real Working Writers”, anonymous, 3:36pm? Have you checked out Pat Verrone’s or John Bowman’s resume? (I’m not sure if that John Wells guy has done very much, though.)

    ‘mon,,,let the guys in the room get it done. If a deal doesn’t come out soon, bitch about it then. If a deal does and it sucks, bitch about it then. As much as I need this strike to end, I also need to stop reading the miserable bastards who only live to find problems and not solutions to what is going on here.

    Comment by mike MARTINEAU — February 2, 2008 @ 4:04 pm

45. WGA Writer is clearly an AMPTP shill masquerading as a WGA shill.

    Someone pass the smelling salts! I’m going cross-eyed here.

    According to the TV, the deal may be signed tomorrow. I wonder where all those fire-breathing writers who consider the studios and everyone who works in them to be the devils incarnate are going to do when the deal is signed?

    Hop back into the Mercedes and go back to work?

    But wherever will their bile be directed at then? Hmmm. Or maybe those calling themselves WGA members aren’t WGA members (or even writers) at all and are just shit-stirring trolls who belong on Zoetrope.

    Comment by Sandy Daley — February 2, 2008 @ 4:34 pm

46. #

    Holding the bag in what way? As a “below the line” worker who has not a a paycheck in months, I have to ask: “what exactly are the writers looking for?” Why is it after all this time there is no agreement? The so called BTL workers have taken concession after concession to keep work in LA, to ensure their members keep working. There are no residuals for us. If we don’t work. we don’t get paid. Period, full stop, end of sentence. If you want to work in a medium that values “talent and passion” write a play. If you can’t make a living as a writer, get a day job, and let the rest of us get back to work.

    Comment by Polly Lucke — February 1, 2008 @ 6:50 pm

    And what “WORK” WOULD THAT BE Polly? Whatever show/film you’re working on it all started with a script !

    All director’s, actors and creative technicians (a.k.a. below-the-line ) have their jobs BECAUSE of writers. They wrote is, sold it, and got the deal that puts all of us to work. All this devastation now just goes to show HOW VERY MUCH they are needed.

    And I say this as an actress/crew member who will lose her apt. in March.

    Peggy Lane O’Rourke

    Comment by Peggy Lane O'Rourke — February 2, 2008 @ 8:30 pm

47. As someone who recently had the bronchial flu, missed three days of work because of it, and is still coughing a week later, I can empathize with you. Feel better, Nikki. Thanks for posting even though you’re not feeling too well.

    Comment by Gil — February 2, 2008 @ 9:51 pm

48. Of course it starts with a script…but it ends with an editor, and in between usually around 100 people that transform it from a piece of paper with words into a piece of art that the public will pay for to watch. The arrogance shown by some of the “writers” posting during the strike is astounding. They need us as much as we need them, and all of us need the studios to put up the money and pay our bills while we hope our product captures the imagination of middle america.

    Comment by oh please — February 2, 2008 @ 10:34 pm

49. From what I’ve heard, if the WGA were to take a bad deal, SAG would be pressured to take it as well, leading to another strike in June. Does anyone know whether or not that’s the case? Because if it’s true, the WGA should hold out to get a contract SAG would also find to be acceptable. Otherwise, in a few months everyone will be out of work again.

    And as much a I feel for Below the Liners, some of the posters on here blaming the writers, rather than the studios for this mess, are misguided. It’s like someone finally getting a separation from an abusive spouse to encourage them to get some help for their problem and to ultimately improve the marriage, only to have family members blame the person leaving, as though they should just stay and take it to keep everything together.

    Yes, the writers went on strike, but at the time, the studios were offering ZERO for streaming video on the internet. They were also claiming the internet made no money. This went beyond negotiating tactics. They were not bargaining in good faith. Now that the strike has disrupted them, they finally admit there’s money to be made and offered the DGA at least something for the internet rather than nothing.

    Really, these BTL’s being angry at the writers is like they are saying, don’t worry about your situation, ours is more important. And then they have the nerve to say the writers are the ones being selfish.

    Comment by Cameron — February 3, 2008 @ 8:03 am

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Leave a comment