(Breaking news... keep refreshing for latest version...)
The long-time Hollywood maxim is that he who loses his temper first, loses. Well, the AMPTP has pitched a hissy fit today after days and weeks of defiance and needling by the WGA and its members. What did the moguls expect: that they could issue an ultimatum and then walk away from the post-strike negotiations (as News Corp. No. 2 Peter Chernin and the other Big Media CEOs had planned all week and told their pals privately), and the writers wouldn't portray them as total douchebags?
The AMPTP's new PR idiots Fabiani & Lehane may be fond of talking tough, but in the entertainment biz the powers-that-be who bully usually end up losing their jobs because no one on the creative side wants to work for them. On the other hand, today's two whiney missives make the CEOs look like putzes. They do know this strike will eventually end then they'll have to face the bigwig writers, right?
That's why I'm now insisting that the moguls need to take back these negotiations from their loathesome spinmeisters and their labor lawyers and their lapdog Nick Counter and start meeting face-to-face with a self-selected group of Hollywood's top showrunners and screenwriters and work this thing out. As for continuing to demonize the WGA's Patric Verrone and Dave Young and John Bowman, sure they're far from blameless. I, too, have written that the strike never should have happened. I, too, have posted that jurisdiction over Reality TV or animation writers -- while an important issue because they're now an oppressed and exploited underclass of Hollywood -- isn't a central issue of this strike, not with New Media formulas so vital to their members' incomes. On the other hand, it can also be argued that including these writers strengthens the WGA ultimately, so in a sense it does benefit all members. But the WGA leaders can't be expected to stop pushing on contract terms like those (which have been long-time parts of their proposals) without some inducements from the moguls beyond, "Because we told you to." Get real. These aren't your yes men, like IATSE local boss Tom Short.
(Actually, the AMPTP letter below reads as if it were dictated by Short who's been butt-kissing the AMPTP at every twist and turn of this strike. How utterly embarrassing for him that only 300-500 below-the-liners showed up for the big weekend march intended to speak volumes on their behalf. It turned into just a whisper. I swear more BTL'ers come on my site and make comments than walked in that rally. It's inexplicable.)
Note to thin-skinned moguls, I can't believe you're sweating the small stuff. Note to prankster writers, keep it up. Note to me: Keep posting and try not to get thoroughly sick of both sides in this awful mess they've created.
A letter the AMPTP Board of Directors sent today to Companies represented by the AMPTP in the 2007 WGA Negotiations:
By now you know that those in charge at the WGA have injected substantial new doses of vitriol into the important and continuing debate on our industry's future. On Monday, in a letter to members of the WGA East, the president of that organization wrote: "They lie. And then they lie again. And then they lie some more."
Then, someone from the WGA offices happily distributed the link to a hijacked parody website that even many rank-and-file WGA members felt was over-the-top. All of this is happening right along with the WGA's continuing series of concerts, rallies, mock exorcisms, pencil-drops and Star Trek-themed gatherings.
Amidst this alternating mix of personal attacks and picket line frivolity, we must not forget that this WGA strike is beginning to cause serious economic damage to many people in the entertainment business. While the WGA's world-class health care benefits remain secure, tens of thousands of below-the-line workers are seeing their health insurance jeopardized by the
continuing strike. In addition, our entire Southern California community is beginning to feel the effects of the grinding shutdown of an industry that is the lifeblood of the region's economy.We believe that the best way to end this economic harm is for everyone to understand, in detail, the significant issues involved in this dispute. That is why we will continue to explain our position at every opportunity and promptly refute, with facts, the mistaken assertions made by the WGA's spokespeople. We will also continue to emphasize what we believe: writers
should be compensated from the revenues created by new media and we have backed this up with several new proposals in this area.In addition, we believe everyone impacted by this strike should know that negotiations have broken down over the WGA's jurisdictional demands -- demands which have everything to do with increasing the union organizers' clout, but very little to do with the real needs of working writers. We also want to make clear our determination to do what is right for this industry by making a fair deal that allows us to compete successfully in a rapidly changing marketplace. We recognize the importance to your employees and shareholders in creating a modern economic system that works for all of us.
That is our paramount goal -- a goal we will continue to work for until it is achieved.
Sincerely,
AMPTP Board of Directors
Since that wasn't enough, the AMPTP spokesman issued this statement today. Note how it calls Verrone's event a "concert". In truth, Tenacious D performed two songs -- one written for the occasion -- at a rally about Reality TV writers outside of Freemantle, one of the biggest makers of the fare. Among those speaking at the rally were Patric, and writer/producers from two Reality TV shows, Temptation and America's Next Top Model, about the working conditions Also read was a press release from California State Senator Carole Migden, chair of the Labor & Industrial Relations Committee of the Senate. The release announced that she and her committee will be holding hearings starting February 1st on widespread and systemic abuses of wage and hour laws by the Reality TV producers. Hardly a "concert":
Talks between the AMPTP and WGA broke down Friday over jurisdictional demands that would expand the power of the Guild's organizers and have little bearing on the issues that matter most to working writers. As reported in Hollywood Today, the organizers' focus on union power and not negotiating on new media will be once again demonstrated today at a labor action in Southern California involving Arden Realty and its security personnel that has nothing to do with the core issues of new media. The WGA's jurisdictional demands have been rejected repeatedly in these negotiations, and in negotiations past, yet they were still front and center at Friday's negotiating session and at the concert that WGA's Patric Verrone attended on Friday while the negotiations were going on, as the attached video link - -and subsequently reported comments from Mr. Verrone demonstrate.
For further reference on the WGA organizer's insistence on their jurisdictional issues, see WGAW President Patric Verrone's comment from the concert on Friday (Daily Variety, Dec. 10, 2007, "Strike's war of words resumes"): "And it's notable that negotiations melted down a few hours after WGA West president Patric Verrone insisted at a Friday rally outside FremantleMedia's Burbank offices that reality jurisdiction had been part of the guild's negotiating package contract from the start and had never been taken off the table. 'It will be in our next contract,' Verrone flatly told the crowd.
Translation:
WE’RE GETTING OUR ASSES KICKED– DO SOMETHING!
Comment by e — December 12, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
What a bunch of dicks.
Comment by Striker Guy — December 12, 2007 @ 12:43 pm
Wah!
Comment by Crying as I type. — December 12, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
They really are annoyed about those mock exorcisms aren’t they?
And the pencils. And Star Trek.
And that website. The one they forgot to register.
They’re so annoyed, that they forgot to mention the central issue, how this is all about a fair deal for New Media. They forgot to talk about that.
But, it’s understandable. You get annoyed, you get confused. You get forgetful.
You even forget that you’re supposed to be at the negotiating table, instead of farming out press releases.
Cos you know the funny thing? All that stuff that’s annoying them, is by writers who can’t do their normal jobs, because the AMPTP won’t set a decent contract. Writers who have time on their hands because they have nothing else to do.
Whereas all the AMPTP’s stuff is coming from people who should be at the table setting a decent contract. And instead they’re huffing and puffing.
Comment by BlesstheAMPTP — December 12, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
When AMPTP started these negotiations with RIDICULOUS demands that they clearly intended to pull off the table so that they could say they were “negotiating” with the WGA, well that was just fine by them. The WGA didn’t leave the table. Now the WGA does the same thing back (reality jurisdiction will fall away, it’s just a negotiating card), and AMPTP storms out of the talks like eight-year olds. Can’t take your own medicine, huh, boys?
For every non-supportive comment AMPTP struggles to dig up, there are a hundred anti-AMPTP, pro-WGA comments out there. Plus, it’s hilarious that the quotations they’re forced to use include comments like “and I am no friend of the producers,” or “So why did WGA leaders think they could mobilize against a bunch of cutthroat billionaires.” That’s the best AMPTP could find? Comments that call them cutthroat billionaires? Priceless! Keep trying to sway the public, cutthroat billionaires. Lucky for them they have deep pockets, because that’s clearly all they have.
Comment by Bill — December 12, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
al•ba•tross
Pronunciation [al-buh-tros]
1. Any of several large, web-footed sea birds of the family Diomedeidae that have the ability to remain aloft for long periods.
2. A seemingly inescapable moral or emotional burden, as of guilt or responsibility.
3. Something burdensome that impedes action or progress.
eg: The albatross of the current WGA/AMPTP negotiations is the WGA’s jurisdictional (and secondary) claim for organizational authority over reality television and animation.
…IMHO
Comment by Jeff — December 12, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
These AMPTP guys are not going to change public opinion or divide the WGA membership on this. The above is pretty funny. It’s as if they’ve spent their time since walking away from the table writing and rewriting this crap. Maybe they could make a statement for 22 minutes, run it on a network website and sell some Tide Detergent or a new Lincoln!
- writer, not in the guild, but very, very gifted
Comment by outside the gates — December 12, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
“All of this is happening right along with the WGA’s continuing series of concerts, rallies, mock exorcisms, pencil-drops and Star Trek-themed gatherings.”
Hmmm. Given that the last two events mentioned are fan-supported/initiated events, I for one really do not appreciate the implied slight.
Dear APMTP: Antagonizing the fans is rude.
Comment by Suzdal — December 12, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
When AMPTP started these negotiations with RIDICULOUS demands that they clearly intended to pull off the table so that they could say they were “negotiating” with the WGA, well that was just fine by them. The WGA didn’t leave the table. Now the WGA does the same thing back (reality jurisdiction will fall away, it’s just a negotiating card), and AMPTP storms out of the talks like eight-year olds. Can’t take your own medicine, huh, boys?
For every non-supportive comment AMPTP struggles to dig up, there are a hundred anti-AMPTP, pro-WGA comments out there. Plus, it’s hilarious that the quotations they’re forced to use include comments like “and I am no friend of the producers,” or “So why did WGA leaders think they could mobilize against a bunch of cutthroat billionaires.” That’s the best AMPTP could find? Comments that call them cutthroat billionaires? Priceless! Keep trying to sway the public, cutthroat billionaires. Thank god you have deep pockets, because that’s clearly all you have.
Comment by Bill — December 12, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
All this and ANOTHER press release too… all chaff, to disguise the fact that they walked out of the negotiations.
By the way, Nikki, in their latest press release they put up a bunch of quotes from the comments here and said they were ‘blog posts’ on DHD.
You might want to ask them about that.
Comment by John Brownlow — December 12, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
yeah WGA!!! We are totally winning this thing!!!!
Comment by it's true — December 12, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
What assholes, seriously. If they respected Writers in the first place and offered us a fair deal, we wouldn’t be in this situation.
It is truly sad. For those who don’t believe this is about respect, listen to WGA Negs like John Bowman, it is EXACTLY what this is about, respect and fairness.
I am trying to restrain my anger, but it is fueled by the behavior of these people. When are they going to get the message that we are United like never before BECAUSE of the way we have been treated in the past, hoodwinked, bullied, lied to, stolen from and are being dealt with to this very day.
When will THEY learn the cost of this Strike is already more than the price of settling it?..
… and that number will grow exponentially over the next few months. By March, at least 350 million in lost Ad revenues by the Networks, by May, well over a half billion, all because they want to control Mew Media instead of share it. Why?…
Because they got away with it before and they don’t give a shit about Content Creators, the very one’s they profit from…
I’m sorry, But EVERY WRITER I know is dug in for the long haul, they are tired of this shit and want a fair deal, whatever it takes… and these suits spend their money hiring swarthy dirt merchants to try to divide us, well, it won’t work, it won’t even make a dent. The only dent being made is that their incredibly myopic behavior is resulting in cratering the local economy and the Industry in General.
It is inconceivable Nick Counter will survive this process, he is driving it into the ground… because we no longer trust him. I said at the very start of this strike, nothing good will happen with him around, that he should be replaced, it is more true every day…
I think our guys should zero out EVERY concession made thus far, and in rebuttal to their “ultimatum” put everything back on the table and demand Counter be replaced. That means no more DVD concessions to start with. We removed them and look what happened, he fucked us, therefore if he is bargaining in bad faith there is no more trust between us, the single MOST important aspect needed to continue.
We cannot and should not bow to any more of this bullshit, which is what it is, bullshit bullying.
One more thing: Bryan Lourd is NO friend of the WGA, he gets paid by the Studios. If he pulled our Negs aside to whisper to us that this is our best point of leverage when we were in the process of being skewered, well, he ain’t any good to us. When Bryan pled to David that we need to “trust” these guys when they were planning all along to screw us, well Bryan, at the very least your judgment is severely impaired, and at the worst, you are our Judas.
And as far as the way David, Pat and John have conducted themselves I say Thank God. Keep it up.
And Nikki, you are an Angel to us. Thank God for you too Darlin’.
Comment by PJ - Writer — December 12, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
CliffsNotes version of the story: And then the AMPTP went, “Waaaggghhh!!!”
Fred Armisen’s last video 1, F&L’s move to label us a bunch of commies, 0.
Up next, “The WGA wants to ruin your Xmas!”
Comment by Brando — December 12, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
If expanding health care and pension and overtime protections and minimums to writers who work in reality and animation is an issue that doesn’t matter to working writers, as the AMPTP keeps insisting, then does that mean that reality and animation writers aren’t… working? Aren’t writers? Those things actually do directly affect working writers, (which, by the way, is a larger group than just WGA members) I’d argue even more so than new media residuals. The AMPTP isn’t even making sense now.
Comment by John — December 12, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
Why not just ask the reality and animation writers if they want to be covered under the wga contract?
I would bet a million bucks if I had it they would overwhelmingly want to be under the wga jurisdiction.
Nikki, any chance you could do a poll of these folks?
Comment by lawriter — December 12, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
It’s all “white noise” at this point. Who was where when who said what and the way they said upset whoever… That was all kinda entertaining at first — But now can we get some bodies back in a room and hash out the real stuff?! Agents, executives, show-runners, the janitor; doesn’t matter who. LET’S GET GOING!
Comment by movin'-on — December 12, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
I work on “ER”. Yesterday was our last day of production. John Wells came down to the set to tell the crew that he believes the DGA will settle in January — before WGA negotiations begin anew. There continues to be far too much vitriol on both sides of the WGA/AMPTP dispute. With so many people’s financial futures in stake, how can both continue to play this game? We can only hope that the DGA can negotiate their new contract in a more responsible manner. I would love to get back to work in February — which now seems to be the best-case scenario. Happy Holidays!
Comment by SoonToBeUnemployed — December 12, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
I notice they are following the Fabiani & Lehane playbook and have stopped calling us “negotiators” or “writers” and have started using the oh so Commie-like “organizers.”
Comment by zencat — December 12, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
“We believe that the best way to end this economic harm is for everyone to understand, in detail, the significant issues involved in this dispute. ”
Or, you could try negotiating.
“In addition, we believe everyone impacted by this strike should know that negotiations have broken down over the WGA’s jurisdictional demands ”
And because we walked out.
Comment by strikingwriter — December 12, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
I decided to go to Variety’s website today to give them one last chance and here’s the first headline I came across:
“AMPTP keeps its promises: Another press release”
Insuating, of course, that the WGA doesn’t stick to their word. With this type of biased coverage I now see no reason to differentiate them from the tabloids.
Comment by Mark S — December 12, 2007 @ 1:56 pm
To: Steve Schmidt, Chris Lehane
Re: Notes on AMPTP Release
While we are pleased with the progress made in this most recent draft, we believe much work remains to be done if we are to present a lively and intelligent press release we can all be proud of.
1. Cut quote from WGAE. “They lie. And then they lie again. And then they lie some more.” (This only serves to reinforce the public’s opinion of us!)
2. Cut link to parody website. (Why call the public’s attention to http://www.amptp.com??? This could backfire on us.)
3. Cut reference to “WGA’s continuing series of concerts, rallies, mock exorcisms, pencil-drops and Star Trek-themed gatherings.” (Makes the strike sound “fun” and only reinforces public’s perception that writers are clever and creative.)
4. Rewrite or eliminate phrase, “Amidst this alternating mix of personal attacks and picket line frivolity … (etc.) (Frankly, it sounds stuffy and pretentious.)
5. Change or cut the phrase: “That is our paramount goal –” (Why bring up Paramount and not all the other studios? Remember, they’re all paying for this.)
We hope these suggestions are helpful and we look forward to the final draft.
Nick Counter,
AMPTP
Comment by Scre — December 12, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
I’ve understood that some writers feel that these “jurisdictional demands” (reality writers, right to strike) are NOT important to them, and should not be in the way of negotiations. Any idea where that idea lies on the truth/crap spectrum?
Comment by e b molloy — December 12, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
>Talks between the AMPTP and WGA broke down Friday >over jurisdictional demands that would expand the >power of the Guild’s organizers and have little >bearing on the issues that matter most to working >writers.
Reality show and game show writers think it would have a lot of bearing on them…and YES they are working writers. So that’s yet one more lie on the growing mountain of lies from the fat cats.
Comment by Jenny — December 12, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
Okay, AMPTP, we read it — so you wanna play nice and get back to the table or just send out these press releases? Put your money where your mouth is. Hanukah is over but we can still salvage xmas and kwanza.
Comment by nlc — December 12, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
Wait a minute… isn’t this the next step in your AMPTP strike-breaking playbook? Sow discord amongst the rank-and-file by pointing out how the WGA leadership is screwing up the negotiations?
Comment by Maynotlast — December 12, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
The AMPTP responds just like bullies usually do when you poke fun - they get all hot and bothered and defensive and cranky-pants.
And just for the record, I’d be interested to hear in person from actual WGA writers who thought the AMPTP.com site was anything but brilliant parody. I was with a bunch of ‘em yesterday at NBC/Disney/Universal yesterday, trying to deliver a load of pencils, and I have yet to hear from one that they thought it “over the top.”
Nice try, AMPTP - the only thing it was “over the top” of was your heads. It must suck bigtime to have funny, funny writers as the other side, huh? I’d suggest you hire a writer for your PR team, but… oh yeah… kinda tough for you at the moment.
Comment by QuoterGal — December 12, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
I agree with you about how the moguls should meet the writers and showrunners and hash out a deal, because the so-called ‘experts’ are just making things worse.
But all the moguls seem to have these days are contempt, greed, and absolutely no common sense on how to run a business like Hollywood.
Hollywood’s business is in the telling and selling of stories.
You need writers for that.
Comment by Furious D — December 12, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
Note to AMPTP:
1) When you make a colossal PR blunder (like neglecting to secure your own domain name before you pick a fight with 12,000 comedy writers), don’t call attention to it by issuing a hysterical press release. This only guarantees that the story will extend into another news cycle.
2) No professional publicist would have written something as ill-advised as this, so it’s clear that some higher up, such as Nick Counter himself, drafted it in a fit of pique. Your publicist, Chris Lehane, should have advised strongly against releasing it. That’s part of what publicists do: they protect you from yourself.
3) Fire Lehane. Hire a good PR firm. Obey them. Get your act together. You’re embarrassing yourselves and your whole industry.
Comment by A Friend of the AMPTP — December 12, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
I find it completely entertainting that these old stuffy white guys somehow think that constantly saying that Verone was at a “rock concert” instead of in the negotiating room is some sort of terrible thing.
Could you be any more old school and out of touch?
First, he was at a rally for his union, and second…were any of the studio or network presidents in the negotiating room? LOL. No, they don’t go to negotiate, you send negotiators.
The fact is, if Verone and Young were actually incompetent fools, the AMPTP would be slurping them day and night. Haha.
Comment by Jimmy — December 12, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
If the moguls were really worried about the effect on the crew and the LA economy, they would still be in negotiations.
Comment by A viewer — December 12, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
In case you haven’t realized it yet, Fabiani & Lehane’s AMPTP message will continue to be the following, in every release:
-Divide the WGA from the BTL’s: Hey BTL’s, the writers make a lot more than you do. Worse, you’re out of work because they want to make even more. How does that make you feel? These guys aren’t your friends. The writers aren’t taking this seriously. They don’t care that you’re all out of work. Haven’t you seen them on the picket lines? They think this is one big joke. But it’s not a joke to you, is it? You have maybe a couple more months before you can’t pay your mortgage. And they’re just laughing at you.
-Divide the WGA leadership from their base: Hey guys, we want to make a deal. We want to compensate you for your work. But your leadership isn’t letting us. They don’t care about you, they’re just pursuing their own agenda and it’s tying our hands. Guess you’ll have to get a more agreeable leadership, huh?
As mentioned infinitum, this is standard FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt.) mind games. They’re so confident in their position that they are just toying with you. The brilliance of this strategy is that they don’t have to actually present their own alternative argument to win, they just have to make you question yours.
Prepare yourself to hear it. Know why they’re saying it, and make sure others know too.
Comment by Again, PLEASE try and be less obvious — December 12, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
If the AMPTP is going to demonize Verrone for attending a WGA rally while negotiations were in progress, I think that writers should find out and publicize exactly what Chernin, Murdoch, Moonves, Zucker et al are doing every day while the WGA waits for the AMPTP to cool down from its indignant hissy fit and come back to the table. All those cozy gondola rides at Vail would look great up on YouTube while the BTLers starve and the WGA waits. All these so-called moguls have such a contemptible sense of entitlement they act offended when someone has the gall to put up a fight.
So now they are trying to foist the blame for the breakdown in talks on the WGA when they were the ones who issued a unilateral ultimatum and stormed out like little brat kids. Ultimatums are never negotiating and nothing is ever non-negotiable. I can only imagine what Counter and his PR dogs would say if the WGA issued such an ultimatum.
When the AMPTP writes that “talks between the AMPTP and WGA broke down Friday over jurisdictional demands that would expand the power of the Guild’s organizers and have little bearing on the issues that matter most to working writers” they only refer to the working writers already in the guild, and even in that they are wrong. Having a stronger union would help all writers, none more so than the working writers called “animation writers” and “reality writers”. Beyond that, having a strong WGA helps all unions and, in fact, everyone who works in Hollywood, as a check against the unbridled greed of megaconglomerates.
I think it sucks that the AMPTP spends so much money on high-priced hatchet PR men and so much time drafting these disingenuous press releases to vilify the WGA instead of spending time talking to the guild negotiators. How do they expect this to end if they refuse to deal? It’s more of a lockout than a strike right now.
Comment by Venice — December 12, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
I think its so nice of the AMPTP spokesman to articulate what the WRITERS really want. They have clearly been the Real spokesman for the WGA rank and file, not the negotiating committee or the board.
Having fought legal battles with a AMPTP member Company for years over funny accounting practices, which would never be tolerated in any other industry by the IRS, I find it absolutely appalling that they are playing this cry baby game about how poor they are and how honest they are. They have proven time and again how they will try to rip-off honest workers, both above and below the line, at every turn if they can get away with it. And sharing the wealth with the people above and below the line is necessary and right - if they need to save money, stop paying the execs so much. They could cut every CEO’s salary in half and they would still make more then 99% of all workers on the planet. Millions more.
If Reality and animation writers don’t want to be in the WGA -Then let them vote on it. IF they choose not to join the WGA fine. If they do - Then sign a contract. And stop framing the view of the “average” writer as the 200 out of 12,000 who make big bucks - and pay up fairly to the rest of us!
The issues are constantly being examined from the POV of the tiny percentage of Show runners and writers who make big money. The issues that are being fought about here matter to the writers that are not able to name their own deal. And It is wonderful that the big name writers are throwing their weight behind this fight for ALL members of the WGA. That’s what solidarity and union/guild membership is about!
The WGA presented a fair proposal in its last presentation. If there are details to hash out - do it from that place - not from a take it all off the table and do what we tell you stand point.
All this game playing by the AMPTP is good in one sense - More writers are realizing the entrepreneurial stance they need to start taking to own what they create on the internet and circumvent the studios all together.
Comment by Brian — December 12, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
None of the writers I know thought the AMPTP.COM website was “over the top”. We all think it’s funny! We also think it’s funny that the AMPTP is battling us over the future of technology when they aren’t even smart enough to reserve other domain names!
Comment by Matt Huemor — December 12, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
“Picket line frivolity.” Suddenly the AMPTP sounds like a spinster librarian in a 1940s movie.
Comment by Watcher — December 12, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
Well said Nikki.
Comment by Tammn — December 12, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
So the AMPTP demanded that the WGA pull six of its proposals off the table in exchange for, well, nothing… and the WGA didn’t go for it? That’s weird.
Now, I am not a brilliant negotiator like Nick Counter, but perhaps, if he would like the WGA to give up on these proposals, he should offer us, well, something.
Just a thought.
Comment by Anonymous — December 12, 2007 @ 2:54 pm
Writers are fighting with their best weapon, creativity. Every parody, joke, insight and action is simply writers doing what they do best. The Internet is new to the ugly business of a strike. I say continue to use it, needle away. I have honestly found some of my years best entertainment from following the strike and I have incited many to check it out only to find simmilar reactions. Writers should be using every tool to express themselves as it furthers insight to the viability of the Internet for true entertainment. See how that fits into the “unproven business model” of new media. EXPRESS ON!!
Comment by Use your BIG GUN — December 12, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
We all know that talks broke down last Friday because the AMPTP had planned to walk out, they had prepared their press release in advance blaming the WGA!
The AMPTP wants to divide and demoralize the writers, and they will keep trying to blame the writers for not accepting less pay, and no residuals for running shows on the internet laden with advertising.
The studios and networks think they own the news, and in large part they really do, but the lies - out and out lies - being told by the AMPTP will continue to be exposed online!
TV viewers like me will continue to support the writers, post online, and engage in any kind of frivolity which will help keep the strikers’ spirits high.
Comment by Marian Martell — December 12, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
Jurisdiction is an extremely important guild issue regardless of whether the WGA achieves its goals in area of reality and. Animation may be a more complex matter because of the history, but everyone’s well aware that there’s a whole lot of writing is going on with these reality shows that continue to gobble up significant chunks of prime-time television real estate. Now, I don’t care what you call the guy that drives the grip truck to the set, but at the end of the day, he’s a teamster. The same should be true for writers.
Now I’ve got a sleek, flat-screen computer monitor on my desk right next to an old Quasar television monitor. I can watch re-runs of shows on either one. Now you’re going to tell me that if I watch it on the quasar a writer gets paid but if I watch it on flat-screen with the nicer image, a writer gets nothing? And if somebody writes a show specifically for my nice flat screen and I watch it, a writer still gets nothing? If the AMPTP weren’t behind this lunacy, they’d call it piracy, and everybody knows how hard they’re pushing to stop piracy in China and around the world. Well, I say piracy stops right here. If a writer writes, he gets paid regardless of which monitor I choose to view his efforts.
Copyright was created to protect individual creators over an average human life span, but now the corporations are gobbling up copyrights and pushing to extend their duration well beyond anyone’s normal life span. They are trying to perfect the protection of their own intellectual properties so that they get paid no matter what. But the poor individual for whom copyright law was created to protect, well, they’re shit out of luck.
Comment by Scribefire — December 12, 2007 @ 3:04 pm
$250 for a year of streaming and free promotional use is not compensating writers for their work. I can easily make more than the AMPTP is offering for a year of use in two slow nights of bartending.
I should not be able to make more bartending than I would for an entire year of one of a LOST episode streaming on the net.
Comment by Cluoulite — December 12, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
If there’s anyone with a brain left over at the AMPTP, they’d recognize the PR value in just shutting up. Say nothing. Nothing, at this point, is preferable to what they come up with. Every time they respond, they wind up looking more infantile and agitated.
Jesus, does anyone proofread this stuff? To wit…
“All of this is happening right along with the WGA’s continuing series of concerts, rallies, mock exorcisms, pencil-drops and Star Trek-themed gatherings.”
The AMPTP has pulled off the impossible: making a strike sound fun.
Comment by Deal This — December 12, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
“Then, someone from the WGA offices happily distributed the link to a hijacked parody website that even many rank-and-file WGA members felt was over-the-top. All of this is happening right along with the WGA’s continuing series of concerts, rallies, mock exorcisms, pencil-drops and Star Trek-themed gatherings.”
Translation: “How dare you writers have fun! Stop it RIGHT NOW!”
Comment by Reader — December 12, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
I’ve said it before. I’m saying it again.
Everybody in this business, in this town brace yourselves for a long, long, long strike.
And to all unions, if the WGA loses, you too will lose in the future. Because the AMPTP is trying to break unions. This is just the beginning for them.
The number one reason for the ever dwindling middle class is erosion of unions. Read about this fact. Google “disappearing middle class.” It’s happening all over this country.
IATSE and DGA ask yourselves this - when they start reducing contributions to your unions and they will if the WGA loses now - do you really want to pay a thousand dollar deductible before your kid can see a doctor? Because that is what will happen when they reduce contributions to your unions. SAG’s health fund is already having problems and money has not been taken away from them yet.
Again, this is not about putting companies out of business. This is about sharing a tiny portion of the profits.
Get behind the WGA and suffer now for a few months, or suffer FOREVER if unions are divided.
Comment by muststaystrong — December 12, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
First of all, the producers will NOT have to do this all over again with the DGA and SAG. The DGA deal will get done first and the WGA will be in the exact position they didn’t want to be in — bargaining off the DGA contract.
Second, Short is not the AMPTP’s “yes man.” He represents all the btl folks that have lost their jobs to ridiculous posturing on both sides. He wants his people working. Too bad the same can’t be said for the WGA.
Comment by not exactly — December 12, 2007 @ 3:24 pm
If they keep calling our negotiators “organizers” can we start calling theirs “running dog imperialists?”
Gotta ring to it…
Comment by i10 — December 12, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
Awww. Poor babies. It must be hard to be a billionaire. We’re sorry the nasty mean bad writers stood up to to. There there. Here’s a stuffed toy we had custom-made to look like David Young. Hit it with a hammer. You’ll feel better.
Now wash your hands before dinner or no num-nums for you.
Comment by Occasional Showrunner — December 12, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
To me this seems to be the biggest stumbling block with all of the media companies under the control of a few corporations, essentially they are colluding against the writers. Unfortunately, the writers struggles aren’t that dissimilar from a miners strike, there are the miners striking against the mine owners who have banded together to essentially form a monopoly – I think this may become more than a simple or complex labor issue into a industry monopoly issue which the SEC or FCC may ultimately have to deal with.
On the bright side other than the fact that the “fat cats” are large contributors to both political parties, I don’t think the Dems want to loose the unions going into an election year (as demonstrated by the debate being called off) …. So there may be some light at the end of the tunnel…..lets just hope it’s not an oncoming train……
It was also interesting to see the AAMP citing Variety who has remained steadfastly neutral on the whole strike issue (sarcasm intentional).
Sorry not a writer (but supporting them)….
just a viewer (or previous viewer)right now….
and I hate “reality TV”…..so I am really hurting…
Comment by Jed -- Just a Veiwer — December 12, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
You know, I find it rather amusing that the AMPTP takes such insult at the WGA’s taking lemons and trying to make lemonade - having fun while striking.
Note, I’m not making light of the situation. I feel for the writers, the actors, the BTL people, the reality/game show/animation writers, et al. But I think it just shows the spirit of the unions and their supporters that much more profoundly.
Go WGA and friends!
Comment by Frogg — December 12, 2007 @ 3:42 pm
I am a member of IATSE, but I have also done some non-Guild writing, and my sympathies definately align with the Writers here, though it has put me out of work.
One quote from Tom Short about the WGA rankles above all else (and virtually EVERYTHING Short says rankles): “These guys don’t know how to negotiate a contract.”
Well, sure, from the AMPTP’s POV, Short is the perfect ‘negotiator’ on the opposite side of the table — throw Short a few crumbs and he’ll accept the AMPTP’s offer. NO NEGOTIATION. Take it or leave it — and Short accepts the offer and his members take it in the shorts every time. Double our Prescription co-pays? “Yes,” says Short. Take away our Saturday pay after midnight Friday? “No problem!” Short replies. Work into a Holiday, without Holiday double time? “You got it!” Short tells the AMPTP. etc etc.
FINALLY, a labor group stands up to the AMPTP and you see the conniption fit they are in. NOBODY ‘wants’ a Strike, but, there are times when you have to stand up or else you will NEVER be taken seriously again at the bargaining table.
Comment by Anon — December 12, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
let’s see if I have this straight…Verrone, Young and Bowman tell me that if I stick this fork in my eye the studios will cave…ow, that hurts…and now they and their fans want me to keep sticking it into my eye for another six months at least so that…jesus, this really hurts…somehow the studios will cave in…that’s the kind of magical thinking my kids left behind at six years old…everybody already knows we’re going to crawl back sometime in 08 with the deal that’s on the table now, as adjusted by the DGA deal…but I guess we’ll be able to say We Showed Them as we survey the wreckage of the industry this insane strike and its mishandling are causing…
Comment by skeptic — December 12, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
Flat out wrong, “not exactly.” Can’t speak for sure about the DGA, but SAG is more hellbent on new media that the WGA.
Comment by Bill — December 12, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
You are right, not exactly,
Tommy Short is not the AMPTP’s “Yes man.” He appears to actually be their bitch.
If fighting for the BTL guys is spoon feeding them shitty contracts for years, then congrats.
The guy was arrested for stealing from you union, he put out a cigar on his teenage son’s head, he was appointed president after the previous president’s death, he beat up a reporter in a drunken rage and used to call a bar his office.
You keep talking shit about the WGA leaders, but until I hear a word about Verrone putting out cigars on his kid’s head, don’t compare him to your criminal/president.
Comment by DA in LA — December 12, 2007 @ 3:59 pm
It’s called negotiating.
You want something to go away, you offer up something as an incentive.
Early on they wanted the DVD thing to go away and the WGA made it so. For their troubles they got… nothing. Nothing at all.
So far as I can tell all the AMPTP has offered is 250 dollars for a full year of streaming episodes. Oh, and they’ve offered to let us take their original pile of leaves and an empty bag of chips… over… and over… and over.
I’m quite sure reality and animation can be made to go away… just make an offer.
Again, it’s called negotiating.
Comment by Jeffrey — December 12, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
To Not Exactly: (Almost perfect screen name. I would suggest “Head up your ass” as an alternate.)
Tom Short is far worse than a yes man. He’s a drop your rifle and run man. He keeps his balls in a drawer in his desk. They still have the price tags on them because they’ve never been used. I’m sure Tommy Boy gets a big piece of meat in his soup from the AMPTP prison guards for selling out his people. I hope he chokes on it. I cant wait to see the next garbage deal he negotiates for his people. I plan to sit back and laugh.
As for the DGA, they can negotiate whatever shitty deal they please. It will have NO effect on the deal the WGA negotiates. None. So stick that in your crack pipe and smoke it.
Comment by RJDocky — December 12, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
We should be fighting for jurisdiction over animation.
The writers of THE LION KING (an original script) were paid about 50K for their work. The film had made over a billion dollars by 2000, according to Eisner in Fortune Magazine.
That is insanity. No health insurance, no residuals and not enough money to make a downpayment on a house in LA for writing a movie that has brought Disney billions.
Solidarity, animation writers!
Comment by JS — December 12, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
The AMPTP’s divisive tactics are failing and failing miserably. Their latest missives scream desperation. Together we’re standing strong. Hang in there, everyone. Writers, directors, actors BTL’ers. It may be painful now and may grow ever more so in the coming weeks, but Wall Street and Madison Avenue are tuning in and getting pissed off. Networks are paying ad buy-backs and the amount of money they stand to lose in the coming weeks and with the destruction of the 2008 pilot season is devastating to them.
I’m sure their new PR people have been tasked with ways to get back to the negotiation table and save face. We’re in the right. They’re in the wrong. Everyone knows it and their iron-clad facade is starting to crack. I, for one, am loving this news.
Comment by TommyJ — December 12, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
Who dictated this post to you, Nikki? Verrone or Young?
Comment by jeez — December 12, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
The AMPTP sounds more and more like Kafka. Blaming the WGA for lack of movement when they have failed to respond to offers again and again? Do they really think reality writers and animation writers do NOT want to come under the WGA? I know plenty of reality writers and they would LOVE to be covered by the WGA. I know several animation writers who left daytime animation because they didn’t get the same coverage that the WGA gives to other writers. They would LOVE to be under the WGA. The AMPTP just sound delusional.
Comment by confused — December 12, 2007 @ 4:31 pm
“Talks between the AMPTP and WGA broke down Friday over jurisdictional demands that would expand the power of the Guild’s organizers and have little bearing on the issues that matter most to working writers.”
I guess this is what they paid their genius PR guys for. They repeat that exact phrase over and over. I sure hope F and L are getting residuals for it! It’s like Through the Looking Glass. What has more bearing on the lives of working writers than fair pay and benefits, on the internet and in all writing under the aegis of the six companies? We don’t want anybody out of work either. We want a real negotiation, a fair deal and an end to all the claptrap. Then maybe we wouldn’t be “wasting our time” sticking pins in these creeps time after time and standing back when the gas blasts out.
Comment by Another Hyphenate — December 12, 2007 @ 4:31 pm
Notes from Below The Line-
House is going in foreclosure in Jan or Feb, no Christmas this year for my two kids. I know of two friends in the same situation, several more on deck….
Please stop the rhetoric and posturing, deal with the original issues, and get this thing worked out.
As the nuts & bolts of the industry, we are also the first ones to get screwed.
Comment by RJ — December 12, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
muststaystrong, I was going to balk at your “long, long, long” strike, until I saw you meant “a few months”. I’ve seen people say that and mean a year or more. If it’s going to take that long, it’s not worth it. I’m not saying the fight isn’t fair, and I know it’s for many years in the future, but just too much would be lost in that situation. Personally, I still believe it doesn’t even have to take as long as you anticipate, if the WGA would just take advantage of the mounting weak spots in the AMPTP. But a few months seems like a good estimate regardless now. The studios overestimated the strength of their power and underestimated ours. It may take a while before they feel it, but between the crumbling in their own ranks and advertisers getting pissed off, it doesn’t have to take ages. Please, WGA, take advantage of these situations. If you do, this might not be that long at all…
Comment by Caitlin — December 12, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
Their press releases with their insane lies and exaggerations just strengthen my resolve TO STRIKE LONGER, HARDER & LOUDER.
Thank You AMPTP!
Comment by Strike Grrrrl — December 12, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
I’m starting to notice various viewer websites offering tips on what to do during the TV strike. (See: http://www.themerryperi.blogspot.com/ ; http://www.dandelife.com/story/37843 ; http://mindyklasky.livejournal.com/123612.html ; etc.)
I’m wondering if the execs have a plan for wooing viewers back after the strike is over.
Comment by Scanning the Net — December 12, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
What a bunch of pathetic, withered old men. We will prevail. We’re gonna go broke, but we will prevail.
Comment by Sammy Glick — December 12, 2007 @ 5:09 pm
BILL: The WGA strike fund can barely afford to buy coffee for all of the picket locations. And everyone knows that coffee tops the writer’s hierarchy of needs. Safe to say that if the guild can’t afford the go-juice, they’re probably not financing many people’s mortgage payments. It’s sure not financing mine.
But hey, that’s the usual way that it goes for most writers in Hollywood — years of unemployment punctuated by moments of sheer terror…
Comment by Simon Jester — December 12, 2007 @ 5:22 pm
The rhetoric of this press release is designed to cast the AMPTP as dour, stern parents and the writers as precocious, fun-loving kids. Dean Pitchford should get residuals since he already wrote this script over twenty years ago. It was called “Footloose” and it carried the tagline: “They said he’d never win. He knew he had to.”
And he did. There are no degrees of separation. We are all Kevin Bacon.
Comment by unitedwesit — December 12, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
AMPTP: Don’t make me pull this car over.
WGA: You’re a fat pig!
AMPTP: That’s it, where’s my switch?!
WGA: Check behind mommy’s black eye!
AMPTP: One more time and I’m coming back there!
WGA: Have another drink Daddy!
AMPTP: Seriously, this is your last warning!
WGA: I remember when you said that back on November 4th!
AMPTP: Wait, is this a battered child conceit or strike commentary?
Comment by Jimmythegreek — December 12, 2007 @ 5:40 pm
How dare the AMPTP say this:
“While the WGA’s world-class health care benefits remain secure, tens of thousands of below-the-line workers are seeing their health insurance jeopardized by the
continuing strike.”
when the truth is that the AMPTP and its ilk are revoking the healthcare benefits that its employees once had, leaving them with nothing:
http://gawker.com/news/evil-corporations-in-action/the-viacom-permalance-slave-system-329798.php
There is no reason for the studios to take away people’s healthcare rights, nor is there any reason for them to not want to pay writers for the Internet. It’s just corporate greed. Oh wait, corporate greed and small penises and mothers who didn’t love them.
It’s one thing to want to maximize profits. I’m all for that. But wouldn’t CBS’s profits be a lot higher if it paid Les Moonves half of his I’m-the-highest-paid-CEO-in-the-world salary? Not even Hollywood accoutants would deny that.
Comment by Save Some For Us — December 12, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
I’d like to address this to my fellow WGA members who are annoyed that reality is still on the table:
A few years ago I went for a meeting at the Wayne Brady Show, a comedy-variety talk show. The show had just won an Emmy and was flying high. It was a perfectly nice and typical meeting, where they discussed the writing I would be doing if hired. Typical talk-show, comedy-variety stuff.
Then they said, oh, and by the way, even though you’ll be a writer we’re going to be calling you a producer and it won’t be a WGA job. They were that blatant about it. AND THE PRODUCERS WERE A SIGNATORY.
Many of the jobs in this jurisdiction battle are jobs that were once WGA and should continue to be WGA. But don’t just do it for the reality and comedy-variety writers who are being screwed.
The truth is, bringing reality into the fold helps screenwriters. How? Because when it’s time for the next contract battle after this one, if reality writing jobs are WGA jobs, then there will be nothing for the networks to show and it will give us a lot more leverage, which benefits both television AND feature writers. That’s why the studios don’t want to let it happen. It’s much better for them if the WGA only covers half of primetime, not the 95 percent that it used to cover. That’s why they won’t say yes, even though, compared to the Internet and DVDs, covering reality would barely cost them anything, just a small percentage for pension and health.
Please don’t look at reality television as a superflous issue. It may not affect you directly if you’re a film writer, but at this point, bringing reality writers under our contract would increase the number of WGA television jobs out there by 50 to 100 percent. It’s huge for us.
Thanks.
Comment by comedy WRITER — December 12, 2007 @ 6:56 pm
The AMPTP said: we believe everyone impacted by this strike should know that negotiations have broken down over the WGA’s jurisdictional demands — demands which have everything to do with increasing the union organizers’ clout, but very little to do with the real needs of working writers.
Could one of the AMPTP shills who are paid to post on this blog please explain to me how getting reality jobs covered by the Guild would increase our union leaders’ clout but not benefit working writers?
Would these new Guild members (or old members with new WGA jobs) not be working writers? And wouldn’t increasing the clout of our leadership (whatever tf that means) benefits the working writers, AKA members? Wouldn’t it be better for any union for its leaders to have more “clout”?
It makes no sense, and someone got paid to write that — probably with overtime and healthcare, too.
Comment by "Working Writer" — December 12, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
To the BTL people angry at the writers,
I understand the frustration but I hope you are sending at least an equal amount of angry messages to the AMPTP who are, undeniably, the ones who walked away from negotiations.
Of course the writers voted to strike! Unless the AMPTP offered a fabulous deal before the contract was up (HAHAHAHA!), the WGA would have NO leverage in renegotiating the contract. It’d be: “You better give us a fair deal or… we’ll… ummm… call you big mean jerks!”
Look, I feel for the BTL people and all the people affected by the strike. But the bottom line is the really wealthy and successful writers aren’t going to be homeless but by the same token they obviously aren’t motivated by greed since they stand to lose more money by striking than they will make in the next 3 years of even a best-case-senario contract.
The writers who are living paycheck to paycheck are in the same boat as the BTL people and will have to find other sources of income. So, it’s obviously not a matter of greed but a matter of what’s fair and what will set the precedent for the future of not only writers but SAG, DGA and all the unions.
You can argue the timing of the strike if you want and MAYBE it was a miscalculation or whatever but you can’t convince me that any of the writers are doing this out of greed. Because if they were purely motivated by their own short term bottom line (as the AMPTP so clearly is) then they wouldn’t be striking.
In other words, at the very least, they’re striking as much for themselves as others.
Comment by TZS — December 12, 2007 @ 7:19 pm
According to the AMPTP, “negotiations have broken down over the WGA’s jurisdictional demands — demands which have everything to do with increasing the union organizers’ clout, but very little to do with the real needs of working writers.”
The animation writers who wrote Shrek don’t have to worry about the paltry 4 cent DVD residual. They get zippo. Something makes me think that these “working writers” would have benefited had that been a WGA project.
Comment by has done animation — December 12, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
Seriously, no writers are striking out of greed.
We’re taking a beating financially.
But we are striking for equitable treatment.
That is really different.
We may disagree about a few things on the fringes but there is complete unanimity on the central issue of internet downloads and sell-through.
If the studios hold out on this there is going to be a massive realignment of the industry. Do they really think the writers are gonna sit on their hands? We’re going to get together with other money and other distribution systems. Many of us are already in the process. Agents and managers are already helping us.
You know, there will always be stories. There’ll always be writers. There’ll always be audiences.
Studios, not so much.
Comment by john Brownlow — December 12, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
The weekend before the strike, the AMPTP and the studio cheifs told us in no uncertain terms that if we took DVDs off the table then they would offer us something for Internet. Unfortunately, that was a trick and we fell for it. We took our big demand of 20 years off the table and got nothing back for it but laughs and jeers.
So last Friday the AMPTP told us that in order to continue the talks and get somewhere on Internet we had to take six items, including reality and animation, off the table. Having gone through this experience only a few weeks earlier, how can the Amazin Mazin or anyone else think we were wrong to say NO.
The simple truth is that when the studios want a deal we will get a deal. And quickly. They have obviously decided that, unless we take the same kind of bare bones deal we have taken for the last 20 years, they will make us wait. And hurt. And suffer.
They want SAG to see that a strike might cost them their homes, that it might last the good part of a year, that even if it means the complete shutdown of all film and tv production, even if it means the loss of two television seasons, even if it means the loss of viewers to the Internet who will never return, that they’re not going to cave.
The AMPTP might not be consciously trying to break our union, but if we cave, then WE will be the ones who break our union.
I am not one of the members who thinks Mazin is a traitor. I don’t think he’s trying to help the other side, I think he’s trying to get a deal that’s focused on the issues that are important to him. I just think that for someone who was a WGA board member, he is remarkably naive. He has no understanding of the concept of bargaining chips, and no understanding of the way the art of negotiation is practiced by legal and corporate professionals.
It is not his fault that he was made to look like a fool on the front page of today’s L.A. Times. He was played, just like the current leadership was the night before the strike.
The only way to end this thing earlier than the studios intend for it to end is for the studios to feel some SURPRISING economic pain. Fox is reportedly a holdout, being well equipped with American Idol and a diverse corporate parent. But something along the lines of a fan-led boycott of Idol, or past stars like Carrie Underwood or Clay Aiken speaking out and asking viewers to refrain from watching until the strike is over, might cut ten percent off the ratings, a huge blow to Fox.
Similarly, I understand that plans are underway for a national campaign asking Americans to wait until the second week of a movie’s release to see it. The idea being that it would be unrealistic to ask people to refrain altogether from watching films and TV, but that a campaign to simply wait one week could succeed, and destroy the “opening” of every film until the strike ends.
Similarly, I hear a campaign is underway to ask fans to TiVo their favorite shows and then wait a week to watch them, when the viewing of such shows would no longer be counted in the ratings. It is the type of viewer who has a TiVo who is the exact type likely to be loyal to our cause.
Surprising economic pain is the only thing that can bring about a settlement earlier than the moguls would otherwise choose. So please, if you post on fan sites, if you follow the sites for your shows and your films and respond to fan comments, let them know about the above campaigns and urge these loyal fans to take part. As anyone who’s bathed in the “Chocolate Rain” knows, with the Internet the leap from small fan base to worldwide participation can happen in a heartbeat. If even one of these proposals catches the imagination of the country and finds the kind of overwhelming support the strike overall has found, we will inflict the kind of unforeseen economic blow on the studios that will encourage them to begin to truly compromise.
Comment by Where Things Stand — December 12, 2007 @ 8:29 pm
The AMPTP rhetoric is just that, rhetoric. And, I don’t think they’re actually even mildly annoyed let alone Hot and Bothered. They’re just trying to spin a funny prank and WGA Statements. Because that’s what PR people do. They just don’t have very good PR people. I think it was intended to be inflammatory, but it’s just boring. Unfortunately, the WGA statements reek of similar rhetoric. ZZZZZZZZZZ.
I much prefer AMPTP.com to AMPTP.org. I think it is more effective in demonstrating not only the value of writers and illustrating what they are up against than any official release from the WGA. And anyone one either side who overreacts to it is overreacting. Condemning parodying of the strike is the same as condemning political satire during election years.
Comment by Shill Squared — December 12, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
Dearest Working Writer, Shill Sniffer, Shills Suck, Shills are Parasites, Go Shills, etc.
Since you have figured out our maniacal plan to plant shills on the Comments section of a Blog and undermine your determination leading to an instant resolution of the strike, we regretfully will have to cease their employment. On top of the fact that their various posts did not cause you to rollover and give up as we anticipated, some of our paid shills have been taking credit for the posts of actual writers. I assure you we will take prompt legal action against them as well as terminating their employment.
We regret the financial loss our shills will suffer. They were paid a reasonable flat rate of $20 a day - enough to buy EIGHTEEN items at the 99 cents store after taxes. That could easily feed the largest family. We now realize that not only have we wasted the stockholders money of the corporations that we faithfully represent, but that you, yourselves are our greatest allies.
You divide, then we conquer. And we don’t have to pay you a cent.
Please continue the good work.
Many thanks,
The AMPTP
Comment by AMPTP Representative — December 12, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
“Sorry to be blunt but though you say your fight is our fight and all unions will lose unless you get it all sounds pretty hollow as you continue to get paid your residuals for past work and access your strike assistance fund too.”
Yeah, sorry, but I think I am going to have to call you a company troll. In the first place, residuals aren’t really enough to live off, ask for a show of hands how many have cashed a $4 cheque. In the second place, you’re in a btl union and you’re complaining that we had the nerve to use a percentage of our dues to form a strike fund? WTF? It all rings a little hollow when you don’t seem to understand the first thing about a union, what its function is, or why you’re “in” one.
Comment by WTF? — December 12, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
sure, let’s stay out for 6 months on behalf of the reality ‘writers’ who are still hard at work while we’re losing money and careers…and I’m pretty sure there are longshoremen in Nigeria who are also getting shafted who should be in the guild, too…
Comment by skeptic — December 12, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
I find it hard to get behind WGA’s jurisdiction issues when these writers continue to work. If they walked out –and I have no actual understanding of this, but just saying– and halted production on the only shows on TV, (not saying all of them, but say 1/4 or 1/3 — breaching a union contract is serious stuff), could the WGA THEN come in to cover them?
Sorry if this is totally naive. I’d just like to understand how this reality/animation writer discourse might actually play out should they ACT on it. Otherwise it’s only a leveraging tactic for the WGA, and shame on them if it is. I’d hate to see any writer take a leap only to be left without a net. Again.
Comment by The Reality — December 12, 2007 @ 9:21 pm
Anyone actually watch the video linked in the second press release?
It only shows Verrone introducing Tenacious D - but not his speech beforehand, nor any of the other speakers at that rally… and not even the D’s performance itself. It’s just the isolated few seconds that makes it look like Verrone was at “a concert”.
In other words, it’s a clip that avoids showing anything actually interesting… and therefore a clip that no one would legitimately put up on YouTube.
Unless it was intended with just such an agenda in mind…
And the account… “MrBob04″, who joined YouTube yesterday, has uploaded no other videos and has watched none…
Holy smokes, kids - dontcha see what this means? The AMPTP has figured out how to put a video on YouTube. We’re doomed!
Comment by What About Bob? — December 12, 2007 @ 9:41 pm
More reason to Stay Strong:
An excerpt from a recent News Article:
STRIKING FEAR
Horizon’s Cohen and Shari Anne Brill, senior vice president and director of programming for media buying agency Carat USA, said advertisers are growing increasingly worried about the ratings impact of a prolonged strike.
“Clients are in an upset state without knowing what’s six weeks away. We have (programming) schedules through January, but nothing is really set for the month of February,” Cohen said.
“Ad agencies have to negotiate with networks for revised schedules based on current strike replacement programming and get client approval for the revised schedule. We’re working on a month-to-month basis,” he added.
Brill said the advertisers placed their money on different expectations.
“If the networks are in this ratings under-delivery situation now, it could only worsen in the event of a prolonged strike,” Brill said.
“Advertisers generally prefer to be in scripted content, and will not readily accept being put into lower-quality reality fare when their upfront dollars were spent on the expectation of being placed in quality scripted content,” she said.
Comment by PJ - Writer — December 12, 2007 @ 10:19 pm
Skeptic,
Please make sure the fork has staph before you stick it in your eye.
Thanks
Comment by Hates Turds — December 12, 2007 @ 10:43 pm
I feel bad for the real folks on here who are facing serious money trouble but there are some posts that can’t be real. I mean, I’m a writer with a family and I own a house and if things don’t get better by spring, I have to say goodbye to my place as well. Yet me and my other writer friends who are in the same boat don’t feel compelled to just put a blunt, “Stop or I’ll lose my house” message on here. Again, I know some are real but others or so melodramatic that it’s a clear reminder that there are hired hands writing fake comments on this thing as well. I know I’m being obvious but it’s not bad to remind everyone once in a while
Comment by shillreminder — December 12, 2007 @ 11:05 pm
I am prepared to strike for a year. How? By getting another job. Anyone who is worried about not making their upcoming mortgage payments should do the same. Immediately.
Leave DHD and go to monster.com
I will outlast the AMPTP and I want other writers and crew members to be able to do the same. When you don’t have to go to Daddy for “allowance”, you don’t have to live by his rules.
Comment by TTTimothy — December 12, 2007 @ 11:25 pm
Actually there will still be studios in the future. It just depends on who is operating them. Does anybody in the AMPTP seriously think that Google, You Tube, Microsoft, Apple, and others would sit still and allow the other media to hold all the official content to themselves? I think not. Besides, even though you writers are out on strike, I thank you for entertaining me with your work. That http://www.amptp.com website was a work of genius. I don’t get to United Hollywood.com or lateshowwritersonsrike.com everyday, but when I do, I am entertained. I am just a poor schmo in North Dakota that is the total and 100% bane of the real AMPTP. This strike will not turn out to be like 1988 with the internet. If anything, you will likely be getting everything including the kitchen sink when this is all said and done.
Comment by Jessy S. — December 12, 2007 @ 11:41 pm
Comment by Teresa K. — December 13, 2007 @ 5:43 am
Hey, everyone, I figured it out!
You know how that youtube clip of Patric Verrone was posted by “MrBob04″? Well, you’d think Mr. Iger would have better things to do than mess around with youtube (ie. dealing with his stockholders, freaking out over how Moonves’s deal is better than his) but you’d be wrong.
Comment by unitedwesit — December 13, 2007 @ 6:04 am
But the thing is we don’t know if MrBob04 is truly Bob Iger for sure. I’ll agree with this one thing, it is his office that made the post. Still he has to be fretting over everything that the AMPTP has been releasing over the past few days because he is losing this strike.
Comment by Jessy S. — December 13, 2007 @ 8:55 am
Are those negotiating on behalf of both the AMPTP and the WGA grown men or just simpering two year olds?
Grow up and end this thing!
Comment by Ruby Redlips — December 13, 2007 @ 1:54 pm