A huge thanks to everyone reading DHD, tipping DHD, praising DHD and even criticizing DHD. I especially love all the photos and links and comments. It's just been, well, overwhelming. I fell asleep at my computer last night. I was horrendously late with my LA Weekly column this week. And today, this site had technical problems on top of all the traffic.
To better serve you, I have added another email address: deadlinehollywood@gmail.com in addition to nikkifinke@deadlinehollywood.com. Both are operable.
The paragraphing problem has also been fixed (sorry you had to read those blocks of copy).
I also apologize for putting up advisories and then taking hours to post on them. It takes me time to write and refine my reporting. But I feel news alerts are helpful.
You should know that my pay is in no way connected to my page views. So do keep refreshing for the latest news and postings. You should also know that I have no idea who advertises and who doesn't a) because nobody tells me and, b) I don't want to know.
A week ago, DHD began allowing comments for the first time in its brief 20-month history. (I started DHD in time for the Oscars on March 3, 2006.) I wanted to provide a forum to express your strike opinions, rants, sorrows. In order for a comment to post, I have to approve it first. You see, I own this website so everyone has to play by my rules.
If you don't see your comment right away, it's because a) I'm busy, b) I'm asleep, or c) I deleted it. I want to present both sides, so don't expect me to just post "pro" or just post "con". But I also won't post comments that are virtually word-for-word repetitions of other approved comments (as if some group is trying to manipulate insiders' opinions.)
Keep it pithy, or I'll delete. (I mean it: be briefer!) Stay on topic, or I'll delete. Be intelligent, or I'll delete. Don't attack anyone personally, or I'll delete. Don't be racist or sexist or any other stupid "ist", or I'll delete. Don't impersonate Jeff Berg or Steven Spielberg or Barry Meyer, or I'll delete. (I'm now verifying comments "signed" by well-known names before I'll approve them.) Don't make wild unsubstantiated claims, or I'll delete.
Remember that your comments will reach a big national and international audience of DHD readers so don't just argue one-on-one. Fine to post anonymously, but ID yourself like, "I'm a writer", "I'm a producer," "I'm a wannabe," I'm a fan," "I'm a hater," so people know your POV.
In response to requests, I'll try to organize DHD's posting of strike news better. My idea is a) to arrow to headlines for the most important news at the top, and keep updating those and changing their order in order of importance, b) then write up the details for posting lower down, or add new items at the bottom of the post. When something is happening in real time, I'll provide a time stamp. Hope that helps.
What else should I improve?
I’m a writer. With all the drama playing out around us, I think it’s important that we know what the best captions were for the photo from yesterday. A moment of comic relief wouldn’t hurt us.
Thanks. Other than that - I appreciate the site and what you’re doing as a master communicator. It helps that you care about things getting resolved too.
To jump topics, don’t you think Bill Clinton is staying out of this because he and his wife’s camp know that if he fails to bring folks together and solve the problem it will reflect poorly on him/her and might make for a mark against his significance in her campaign and Presidency? Could that be what is keeping other folks in politics away from being more publicly involved - this fear of failure?
Comment by outsidelookingin — November 8, 2007 @ 7:57 pm
First. Amazingly good reporting on this whole mess. I was wondering if you had a twitter stream going as well. I’m sure you’d get a lot followers quickly, and then people in the field could twitter updates. May I suggest using #wgastrike as the code (put that at the start or end of every post).
Also, the TAG blog reports that some TV animation is now going dark because the showrunners are striking. I thought animation would be safe. What other genres will be affected by the showrunner’s solidarity? And how does this extend into film? Where do those producers stand?
Comment by John from thedisneyblog.com — November 8, 2007 @ 7:57 pm
Frankly, your reportage is already improving our spirits, our sense of security (knowing what the hell’s going on) and, therefore, our chances for the recommencement of negotiations.
So you don’t need to improve another damn’ thing.
Seriously outstanding reporting, and a dedication to the power of the honestly written word and the objective POV that’s sadly missing from today’s media discourse.
Thanks, Nikki, for everything.
Comment by Dakkar- WGA Writer/Producer — November 8, 2007 @ 8:10 pm
Nikki,
I really appreciate the hard work you’ve put into this. Having to review all the comments coming in on top of everything else you’re doing can’t be fun. But, its been a great forum to hear different people’s opinions, and I’m sure its been cathartic for those in the midst of this horrible and stupid strike. Take care–
Dave
Comment by Dave — November 8, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
Here is something you can improve - its not exactly giving both sides if you decide what you will and will not let be posted.
Comment by Iworkatahugestudio — November 8, 2007 @ 8:48 pm
Your work is fantastic, in fact I’m going to recommend it to our readers (those who speak english, at least) via the blog of our website (I already recommend it on my personal blogs).
Keep on offering us all this. I was 20 in 1988, there was no such tool then. The only trace we got of the event here are reruns of New Mission: Impossible (shot in Australia, no rush to Down Under or New Zealand this year? ;-))
Comment by Thierry Attard — November 8, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
Great work, Nikki. Get some rest if you can. Your posts are really appreciated.
Comment by Michael Dobrofsky — November 8, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
schwarzenegger is staying out of it due to self-interest. he doesn’t want to alienate the studios because they are big business and campaign money. yet he can’t come off as anti-union especially after he bungled that proposition regarding teacher’s union a couple of years ago
schwarzenegger should step in but he’s trying to be a centrist because he thinks he’s going to get a constitutional amendment and be president.
his calculated “man of the people” statement about concern for the populace is laughable because his primary interest is his own political preservation, but his primary obligation is to the people of CA.
unlike the presidential candidates, he is in office to govern CA and should at least try to take a role.
Comment by agentx — November 8, 2007 @ 10:06 pm
I read your column on bloglines. I am an ordinary person. I look forward to your meaty, studied, cogent reportage. Seriously. What can you improve? I don’t know. I thank you for reporting on the stuff that matters (to me, anyway).
As for the writers’ strike? I am with them 100 per cent! Without them there is nothing. I only hope powerful producers and directors and others get a clue and support them, walk with them, and turn the tide. Anything else is obscene. Okay, I can dream.
Thanks for all your hard work!
Comment by fluffy — November 9, 2007 @ 11:46 am
My multicamera show was shut down until further notice. Of the Staff of nine writers, the lowest paid gets just over $20,000 per episode (the showrunners are getting $100,000 per). Due to the shut down, that’s more than I’ll end up making during the entire series - yet striking writers are receiving freebies? What gives?
Comment by crew — November 9, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
Your updates and promo pix of celebs and agents, etc. are great but overall, it does seem rather one sided (the WGA side). which is fine, but you shouldn’t keep saying you’re presenting both sides.
Comment by eyewrite2 — November 9, 2007 @ 11:45 pm