Back on December 6, 2007, Directors Guild Of America President Michael Apted, Negotiations Committee Chair Gil Cates, and National Executive Director Jay D. Roth received a letter from 300 of the joint WGA-DGA members asking them to refrain from entering negotiations. Supposedly the DGA is going to announce on Thursday a start date for its negotiations. This letter sure makes it sound as if they expect to wrap up the talks by the end of January. (My understanding is that the DGA's hired gun, uber-attorney Kenny Ziffren, has put together a New Media proposal that has significant -- and what the agents are telling me, potentially positive --consequences for the other guilds.) Here's the text:
Dear Member,
We didn't want to let too much time go by before we answered your letter. We want you to know this response comes from our heartfelt understanding of the difficult times we are all in together.The DGA Negotiations Committee had its fourth meeting yesterday and we discussed your letter. We mention this so you will understand that this response reflects the very open discussion we had with your fellow Guild members.
To begin with, we understand the importance of new media and its potential impact on all our futures -- and on those who follow us. DGA has spent close to 18 months developing research, meeting with outside experts, and talking to our members about these issues. They have been discussed by the Board and the Negotiations Committee for well over a year.
We understand well the importance of protecting our members. We will not rest until our members get a fair and equitable deal for the work they create in both old and new media. Since its founding, the Guild has consistently fought hard for that goal. For more than 70 years we have managed, often without fanfare, to negotiate good deals for all of us and we are proud of the strength of our Basic Agreement. We have no intention of letting our members down or betraying the rights of the directors who went before us. There is a reason that few in the industry ever accuse the DGA or its members of being pushovers. We've never been that and we don't plan to start now.
This issue is not between the DGA and the WGA. To make that the fight only strengthens the other side. But sharing a goal is not the same as sharing tactics and strategy. And our differing views of the best way to achieve our goals may lead us to act differently. Traditionally our negotiations start early and usually are done by January. This has been our pattern for the past 20 years for a very simple reason: We believe -- and our experience shows -- that this is the most effective way to negotiate the best deal. The WGA has made a different decision on how to handle their negotiations. Out of respect for them, we have done what you asked for in your letter -- we have refrained from commencing our own negotiations. And, at the same time we have refrained from commenting publicly on our thoughts about the direction of their proposals and the progress of their negotiations.
But the reality is that WGA and the AMPTP have been meeting since July -- and, despite a strike that has put tens of thousands of people out of work, they seem nowhere near reaching a deal. Each passing day, more people are unemployed. We are getting calls from members who are worried about their economic livelihood and their families. We're sure you feel the same concern for yourselves and the people who work for you.
Because so much time has gone by without any resolution, we find ourselves faced with some hard questions. Is a fresh perspective -- and additional muscle -- needed to get the job done? Is it our turn to sit across the table from the AMPTP? What we know is that we cannot abdicate our responsibility to our members by putting their fate in the hands of another union whose tactics and strategy we have not been able to influence. Our members expect the Guild to fight for them when things get tough. We promised all of you we would do that in our most recent membership letter. We believe this is the essence of responsible unionism, which is the least you and all our members have a right to expect from us.
Sincerely,
Michael Apted
DGA PresidentGil Cates
Chair, DGA Negotiations CommitteeJay D. Roth
DGA National Executive Director
This is the best piece of news since we heard that the AMPTP had returned to the table two weeks ago (of course, we all know how well THAT turned out).
Let’s hope civility, planning, and decent negotiating skills prevail…
Comment by BTL Guy — December 12, 2007 @ 5:51 pm
Seems…reasonable. What am I missing? Or has there just been so much bull$#!* flying that Jerry Springer should be hosting strike coverage?
Comment by Not from Around Here — December 12, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
You all see the handwriting on the wall?
Comment by nice — December 12, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
That’s a big F U, right?
Comment by tf — December 12, 2007 @ 5:56 pm
You know what? I could give a crap where the deal comes from if it’s a good deal. If it’s a bad deal, it ain’t gonna fly. The DGA wants to play good cop to our bad cop, I got no problem with that.
Unless they screw up like they did in ‘88. Oh, and ‘01. And ‘04. Then they’re gonna get hit with the phonebook, too.
Comment by Occasional Showrunner — December 12, 2007 @ 5:56 pm
What does this letter say?
are they going to start talks or not?
Comment by Rob K. — December 12, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
So it says the DGA did an 18 month of research on new media. Has anyone seen it? What conclusions did they reach?
Comment by Hyphenate — December 12, 2007 @ 6:07 pm
The DGA can allow the companies save face. They can make a good deal so the companies can then turn to the writers and say “See, that’s how it’s done.” Then we writers are all “humiliated,” and countless articles are written chiding the WGA, saying “was it worth it?”
And then the WGA gets the same deal as the DGA.
Ooh, I hope they humiliate us!
The DGA’s leverage is coming from the fact that the WGA and SAG are not going to accept a bad deal. They must get a good one or face having nothing to direct.
As “occasional showrunner” says, happy to be the bad cop. Let’s just get all the cops back on the beat, yes?
Comment by DaveSteve — December 12, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
I respect that the DGA has a responsibility to represent its members. I also agree that the more “muscle” we have behind us the better. But there is no reason any hypothetical DGA agreement with AMPTP should have any bearing on the WGA’s negotiations with AMPTP. It’s two different groups with completely different demographics (most DGA’ers are BTL/no residual crew), so to have the same deal make no sense anyway. If the DGA comes to a deal with the AMPTP before the WGA, so be it. A DGA agreement amounts to a hill of beans without scripts to direct. This is where the WGA’s interests directly intersect with the DGA’s and where our leverage lies. Should the DGA sign, we may have to wait until SAG’s contract expires if the current levels of pain aren’t enough for Leslie “highest paid/worst performing CEO” Moonves and the other overpaid stuffed suits stinking up the corner offices.
We’re all in this together, DGA, WGA and SAG, no matter what the DGA does. And until IATSE comes to see that Tom Short is an AMPTP’s lapdog, they probably won’t make any great advances in their contracts either.
Right now I think we should be sitting at the table alone, waiting for the AMPTP stop shooting off their collective mouth with vitriolic and misleading press releases and return to negotiate ALL of the points they categorically reject. These “negotiating sessions” should be publicized as widely as possible. I’d love to see it on the news and on YouTube. The only people who think that the AMPTP is negotiating in good faith are those that have a vested interest in their destruction of the unions. I’d like to know how the AMPTP is going to get out of this and still save face, since saving face is so important to these fatuous egomaniacs — even more important than getting back to negotiating so all of us, the writers and suffering BTL’ers can get back to work.
Comment by Venice — December 12, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
The thing that keeps coming back to mind for me is that the DGA generally only has one director per project who gets all the royalties per his guild contract. However, concerning the WGA and writers, there generally are multiple writers all sharing a percentage that is often equal to what one DGA director is getting all to himself.
SAG gets a bigger check to split amongst multiple actors. Another thing, there are lots of directors who also produce and negotiate better positions for themselves. There are far fewer writers who are able to do this. It’s not an even playing field in any way.
- writer, not yet in the guild
Comment by outside the gates — December 12, 2007 @ 6:10 pm
The DGA isn’t some kind of white knight riding to the rescue. They’re weak and they’ve always been weak. Even this letter isn’t a strong endorsement of their position. They’re ready to roll over. The only unions that can keep Hollywood a union town with middle class jobs are the WGA, SAG and the Teamsters. Let’s hope one of them succeeds because the DGA is already showing it’s ready to take whatever crumbs are offered.
Comment by Another Thought — December 12, 2007 @ 6:11 pm
we have done what you asked for in your letter — we have refrained from commencing our own negotiations. And, at the same time we have refrained from commenting publicly on our thoughts about the direction of their proposals and the progress of their negotiations.
But Nikki just badassly outed this letter, and so his second point is now moot. It’s public. Hmm. Was that intentional?
Regarding the WGA, this letter is something a Christian parent of a gay son would say: “I love the sinner, but I hate the sin.”
Or, as tf above puts it more simply, “kind of an FU, right?”
Comment by let the games begin — December 12, 2007 @ 6:14 pm
Let’s see… AMPTP has pretty much shot all their big guns… in public no less revealing their terrible aim and lack of quality armor. Even the tinest theme days seem to get under their super sensitive skin…
The DGA has been doing in-depth research while watching AMPTP bit itself in the bum…
Hmm. I won’t want to be on AMPTP’s side of the table if the DGA pulls up their chair next to the WGA.
pb, it’s going to be a bumpy ride…
Comment by pb — December 12, 2007 @ 6:17 pm
“Writing on the wall?” Sure.
DGA makes a strong deal for internet and the WGA then follows, using that strong deal to support their own.
Why is that a problem?
Everybody keeps saying the DGA is in a much better negotiating position than the WGA — good. Let’s see it in action.
Comment by tg — December 12, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
How ’bout if the dga makes a crappy deal the wga adds one more demand to our list — all films must have the words “a script by” before the title of the movie.
Comment by a script by — December 12, 2007 @ 6:28 pm
Occasional showrunner exemplifies the bitterness and unrealistic ideology that has been the hallmark of the WGA strike. It’ll be easy to call me an AMPTP shill, but I’m not. I’m a DGA UPM/Line Producer who will be out of a job in about a week. One of the guys wondering how I will pay my mortgage, etc. I’m proud that my guild will enter these negotiations from a sound, rational perspective.
As far as screwed up goes, let’s not forget that the average DGA member makes far less than a WGA member in base salary. Even if I rise to the top of my rank as a producer hyphenate, I won’t make as much as a WGA-producer hyphenate in base salary. Add that to the average workday being 14 hours for me, versus 8-10 for a writer. Oh, and an additional script fee for the writer.
Wanna talk screwed up? I don’t. I just want to do my job. Thanks to the short-sighted and ridiculous negotiations by the WGA thus far, I can’t. Let’s hope that the DGA can rationally get this back on track, and that the WGA can be adults about it and quit whining about the us.
Comment by DGALP — December 12, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
I had this letter translated so that my eight year old could understand, and it says:
We’re not waiting for you guys to resolve your strike WGA. We’re going to make a deal QUICK, and agree to VERY LITTLE, so that your leverage gets even weaker than it already is.
SIGH…
Comment by JUST GREAT — December 12, 2007 @ 6:36 pm
Although it is historical that the DGA negotiates early, and with a softer hand, I think that watching the WGA negotiations unfold (or not unfold) is a compelling incentive to get into the trenches now and wrangle out their own deal. The WGA is every bit as guilty for causing rifts with other unions as the AMPTP. Both the WGA and the AMPTP are using sledgehammer tactics. The WGA just has a smaller sledgehammer. WGA members have already been badmouthing the DGA in anticipation that they would not side with them. And they won’t. Who could blame them at this point. SAG might stand a little tougher, but I wouldn’t expect too much.
Other union members are running scared watching this strike. Some are vocal about it, many not. But the mishandled negotiations on part of the WGA would make SAG and DGA look like lemmings if they were to put into force the same strategies and tactics as the WGA. And when the AMPTP makes a reasonable deal with the DGA and they don’t strike, it will make the WGA look worse. And it will undermine support from other unions, and to some extent viewers and the general public.
This strike will make a great documentary. Writers asked for fair compensation for their work. Then did everything possible to insure that they wouldn’t get it. Why? Poor leadership that is consistently ignored or blindly defended by its members.
It’s not funny. It’s not a travesty. It’s just plain tragic.
When the strike is over maybe you can recoup some of your losses selling your picket signs and solidarity pencils on ebay to Emerson students.
Comment by Yet another Shill — December 12, 2007 @ 6:36 pm
What????? This is a HUGE F U.
Comment by Lance Oswalt — December 12, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
A couple of things stand out. To wit: (paraphrasing) This is not a fight between the WGA and the DGA. And our tactics and strategy won’t be the same.
Swell.
But even if the DGA signs a contract tomorrow, it’s my guess unless it’s good for the WGA membership the leadership won’t agree to the same terms (and they shouldn’t agree).
This time around (unlike ‘88), the WGA is willing to fight it out (as they should) to get what’s fair. And nothing any other group does will change the WGA’s resolve.
Comment by Jake Hollywood — December 12, 2007 @ 6:55 pm
Well, the response to this is gonna be fun. (Personally, I want this done. But the WGA deseves a fair deal. Crossing my fingers this can speed things up without spelling doom)
Comment by Caitlin — December 12, 2007 @ 6:57 pm
Yes, tf, that there is a big F U.
Comment by unfortunate is an understatement — December 12, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
If they can get good deal, great. No one in the WGA cares where a good deal comes from.
But this isn’t 1988. if the DGA makes a deal that doesn’t satisfy the WGA membership they’re going to learn the same lesson that the AMPTP has: the WGA is unified and determined. Unlike the DGA, the WGA membership directly elects their leadership. We elected them for a reason. And despite the AMPTP’s efforts to convince us otherwise, our leaders know that reason. “NEW” MEDIA. So, the DGA seems determined to go ahead and negotiate. And they should. They owe that to their membership. But they had better understand that if they don’t make a good deal, the WGA and SAG will reject the DGA template. And then the DGA will have destroyed the one thing they care about more than anything… their status as the most powerful union in town.
So go DGA! Be the hero of the industry! We are all rooting for you! But you’d better do one hell of a great job… or you’ll find you won’t have any scripts to shoot or actors to direct. And you will have sacrificed your golden boy status in the process.
Comment by striker McStrikerstein — December 12, 2007 @ 7:04 pm
Can you please tell me how the DGA has screwed things up in ‘88,’01′and ‘04? After all, they’re not the ones striking to make up for an incompetent negotiation in 1988. The DGA has negotiated gains for their members in each of their new contracts. If we could say the same for the WGA maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess, watching the WGA desperately trying to make up for lost time.
Comment by get real — December 12, 2007 @ 7:16 pm
good game, thanks for playing. DGA is going to start their negotiations and make a deal. SAG isnt going to strike if their members have been out of work since nov. and they even “somewhat” like the DGA deal. enormous pressure will be coming from all the unions for WGA to accept the deal DGA and SAG have.
hope you like what the directors negotiate for you.
P.S. i’d like to invite Verrone and Young to my poker night.
Comment by 66sputnik — December 12, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
Also, different unions have different needs. If the DGA can get something good for their own people that’s somehow and unfortunately NOT good for the others, well then… strike on.
Comment by Steve — December 12, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
The Writers Guild of America, my union, has my vote to strike as long as necessary to get the deal they feel is best for us. If that’s six months, then it’s six months. If it’s five years, then it’s five years. I can always find other work. so you shills and naysayers and doommongers and Gavin Palones of the wrold can portend the end of all things in writerdome until I Love Lucy reruns cease to air indefinitely. I don’t care. We will fight the good fight until the end. You all underestimate our resolve.
Comment by Rupert Murderock — December 12, 2007 @ 7:52 pm
The DGA doesn’t OWE the WGA anything. They OWE their membership the best representation possible. The WGA owes their membership the same.
As an outsider I can see the validity for most of what the WGA is asking for. However you lose my support every time you try to wield your power to force others to join you in your cause.
If you want the public’s support in the long run, let your positions stand on their own merit and forgo the heavy-handed tactics trying to coerce others to sacrifice on your behalf.
Comment by Anonymous — December 12, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
Occasional Showrunner put it well…they’ll play good cop. Great. I hope so. Someone needs to be charming. BTLs will only support us so long, and if you monitor these responses you can already sense a sea change as people not in the WGA look far past the holidays before there’s any hope of a return to normalcy. Of course, after the 88 strike, normalcy never did return for the networks…
I recall getting Written By magazines months ago in which virtually all the content was tales of the 88 strike, and what struck me as propaganda leading up to this strike. Maybe it was chest thumping, sending a message of solidarity as a negotiation tactic. Or maybe it really was meant to be informative. But at the time, I was pretty pissed that it was being treated as a foregone conclusion we would walk.
Make no mistake, I think our requests are just and fair. But I also think we have painted ourselves into a corner of bitter words, and coming out of that corner now without appearing to ‘lose’ is going to be one mean trick indeed. The more posturing and promises at rallies, the deeper and darker that corner gets. I have no doubt that personalities on both sides have led the march into a battle that saner heads, with luck, might be able to end.
So let it be the directors. Then they can take the much ballyhooed “a negotiation by” credit - and say they earned it.
Comment by Harris — December 12, 2007 @ 7:55 pm
If the WGA holds out to June what happens? Can someone explain? The actors go on strike with them and this goes until next year at this time?
Comment by caught in the middle — December 12, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
You all are so quick to condemn the WGA negotiators, it’s embarrassing. The studios have stiff-armed the WGA, and we’ve taken a strike, for all of the guilds. The DGA now gets a chance to carve a better deal, because we’ve scared the hell out of the AMPTP, and we’ve shut network television down, the TCAs are cancelled, the upfronts are in jeopardy. For all of the DGA hubris, they have as lousy a deal on dvds as the rest of us. Yes, some of their A list guys negotiate better deals for themselves, so they don’t have to worry about minimums, but most DGA directors and ADs get the same lousy deal as writers.
If the DGA pulls a good deal out of our strike, fine. If they sell us out, along with their 1400 WGA/DGA members, and their many SAG members, they will neither have scripts to shoot, nor actors to direct.
Obviously, the AMPTP doesn’t think of th DGA as more competent neogiators, they’ve done everythig they can do to avoid negotiating with the wGA, and their licking their chops in anticipation of another sweetheart DGA deal. In the past the DGA has taken easy short term gain and given up on the big issues. If they do it again, they do it alone, to their eternal shame.
And to those of you who somehow think the studios have your interest at heart, and the WGA doesn’t … may I suggest you look at your pensions and health plans and residuals, and think about who won those gains.
If you think the DGA has ever made a big gain, in their entire history, you are delusional. The letter from the guild, to its own members, smacks of condescension. Let’s hope they deliver, instead of sell out.
WGA, on strike, and willing to stay on strike until we get the internet.
Comment by Anonymous — December 12, 2007 @ 8:04 pm
By the way, EXTREMELY DISINGENUOUS, for Apted, Roth et al to write, “What we know is that we cannot abdicate our responsibility to our members by putting their fate in the hands of another union whose tactics and strategy we have not been able to influence.”
The DGA has been invited into the process from the get go, and they’ve refused every offer. They even refuse to share their research with their fellow creative guilds.
Cutting self-serving deals that then obligates other guilds to go along with their pattern is what led to the lousy dvd deal. If you’re a DGA member, don’t believe your leadership for a second when they claim not to have had influence on another union’s tactics and strategy. They’ve chosen, as they so often have in their past, to collaborate with the studios, instead of their fellow guilds.
Good luck to them, maybe the strike has caused so much damage the AMPTP will cut a deal to get out from under, but don’t expect SAG and the WGA to forget this DGA/AMPTP collaboration. We know what it is, and this time, we aren’t obliged to play along.
Comment by Anonymous — December 12, 2007 @ 8:12 pm
The translation:
We always start negotiating early and are usually done by January - We’re going to do the same thing this time.
On new media we’ve done our homework and we know what WE want - We plan to make a deal on on new media that serves our members interest as WE see it. We’re not going to worry about issues that don’t affect our union.
Bottom line, they’re going to start negotiating. They have a number in mind and they’re going to try to get it, but they aren’t going to care if WGA likes the number they settle on or not, and they aren’t going to pay one moments attention to issues outside new media.
I don’t expect them to just roll over on the new media formula, but doesn’t sound like they’re going to revisit DVD, or push for anything beyond a continuation of status quo.
If the studios don’t decide to be true dicks they will be done in January, if the studios take the exact same position they’ve taken with WGA, there’s going to be big trouble. They’ll get a number, and it’s going to be a number no on likes - (except the mogals, but they’ll pretend they hate it too)
For what it’s worth, there you have it.
Comment by tenfoes — December 12, 2007 @ 8:15 pm
Ah, sure enough. Look, if the DGA gets a good deal, fantastic. If they get a bad deal, keep striking. I’m on your side and it would have been nice if they’d held off. But you aren’t entitled to having everyone on your side. You deserve that, but it’s not the same thing. Fight for yourselves. The fans are with you, and I think the DGA is too, despite this obviously being worded with “intentional sympathy”. But many, many, many of us just want to see this END. With a fair deal, of course, but still. And a lot of people have a lot more invested in it than I do. I just have my TV shows. Other people have their lives. So pray for a great deal. And if it doesn’t happen? Again, keep striking. We won’t be happy to have to be in it for the long haul. But we’ll be happy when you win, all other guilds aside.
Comment by Caitlin — December 12, 2007 @ 8:20 pm
My opinion: the moguls are counting on the DGA to take a less-than-perfect deal, so SAG won’t strike, shaming the WGA into accepting it. The moguls aren’t counting on what needs to be done - DGA, SAG and WGA holding the hard line, shutting everything down this summer if they don’t get anything less than a great deal. This may be naive, but it seems like the guilds have the power, ultimately, not the moguls. Each guild will get what they want if they just hold the line and not go back to work until they their deal.
Comment by Lanny Grant — December 12, 2007 @ 8:23 pm
in ‘85, a good deal was negotiated for home video. (2.5% of 100%) in ‘88, the DGA undercut that deal with a worse deal to get something IT needed. (2.5% of 20% of 100%) the AMPTP used this as “the standard” in the WGA negotiations - and we’ve been stuck with that lowly number ever since.
the DGA feels burned by what happened to them in cable back in ‘01. don’t be surprised if they used their “research” to demand a BIGGER piece of the internet than the WGA is asking for. they are not stupid enough to lose more money - TV directors have already lost half their salaries when their episodes aren’t rerun but instead played on the web.
also, residuals for the DGA are divided among the DGA “team” - the director, AD’s and UPM’s. and they are not nearly as important as they are to writers.
their good deal is a good deal for the WGA. their bad deal is a continued strike for the WGA - and SAG.
Comment by shadow writer — December 12, 2007 @ 8:27 pm
Please remember that a deal is not a good deal unless it’s good for both sides. If the AMPTP suddenly realizes it gave the WGA the world on reality, then they’ll just stop producing reality. The DGA will go in there and say we like status quo. We’d like our residual structure to apply to new media as well as old media. We don’t want any more and we don’t want any less. And the AMPTP will agree. When you come in like gangbusters asking for the moon, you’ll get the cold shoulder every time.
Comment by BTL DGA — December 12, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
DGALP, above in the comments says, “Add that to the average workday being 14 hours for me, versus 8-10 for a writer.”
Working as a writer is a 24 hour 7 days a week job. Writing involves thinking, researching, preparing, and then writing, editing, and rewriting. It’s a process that you clearly don’t understand, but that’s understandable.
The DGA will cave and “fold like pup tents” as Nikki wrote some weeks ago. Just like the AMPTP’s other shill organization, the IATSE.
If you have a problem working 14 hour+ days, take it up with your union, the labor board, the state of California, and the US Department of Labor and OSHA. I think it’s a serious safety issue that should be part of any labor contract, that any union truly interested in their membership would bring up. Sadly, it seems the DGA isn’t such a union.
Comment by Logan — December 12, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
If the negotiations resume, I would love to see them TELEVISED… or at least videotaped by an impartial third party. Just set up a camera in the room and aim it at the table. That way we don’t have to depend on heresay. Everyone will have to take responsibility for their actions: stupid or smart.
Comment by ontheTV — December 12, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
The issue with the DGA is that their interests are too divided to get a good deal for the other unions. This is not a criticism; they get the best deal they can for their union, which is made up mostly of people who are below the line and don’t get any residuals, while the members who are “directors” as we all know the term, usually have their own residual deals negotiated by their agent.
In other words, they don’t have the same incentives or needs or desires as the WGA or SAG. Most of their members have never had residuals, so a huge fight over new media residuals would be a waste of their time. That’s why people are negative about them making a deal because it may end up being a smoke screen that allows the AMPTP to claim victory when in reality the DGA has nothing to lose and if the WGA wins, pattern bargaining means their deal improves automatically anyway.
Comment by Simon — December 12, 2007 @ 8:48 pm
This is the first piece of correspondence/PR that I have read, relating to happenings in this strike, that makes me want to shout “Hallelujah! There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Don’t get me wrong. I’m an actor and very supportive of the WGA. I still honk my horn in support of the picketers and hope the best for them. And how the AMPTP has treated the WGA makes me literally want to throw up. The ONLY thing I’ve enjoyed about this strike are the Speechless videos and the other related satire clips and amptp.com — to laugh at what has made this strike is sick … but necessary?
HOWEVER…
The amount of sludge that has been thrown in both directions between the AMPTP and the WGA (with SAG heaping on more) is enough to make you want to crawl into a hole, hibernate, and be told when to come out after a long winter’s rest (while your bills still get paid, mind you!). I think the AMPTP has been entirely unreasonable. And I also think the WGA asked for a strike. So how’s that for progress!
Anyway, back to the DGA’s letter — look at how this letter is worded. It is kind, yet direct. It does not demean, yet points to an exit which can likely help everyone. It fosters union and solution, not harsh justification and enemy fighting.
A new viewpoint should be something both the WGA and SAG need to look at — after all, what’s going on now isn’t getting us back to the bargaining table.
I encourage the DGA to move forward. They’ve been very patient. I believe the attorney they have hired is excellent and will do not only the DGA justice but will, in the end, be a godsend to other unions as well … as we look to the end of this horrific strike.
Comment by Tweety — December 12, 2007 @ 8:57 pm
To DGALP and others,
You have just validated the WGA position. The writers are the only ones who is not under contract…everybody else is under their current contracts and look what happened.
The writers are the foundation and without them…YOU DON’T HAVE A JOB.
So if you think, that the DGA is going to settle this, I don’t think so…if the writers are left with that lousy deal the AMPTP offered.
It ain’t gonna happen…especially after that big fat contract Moonves got…it won’t happen…it just means a longer strike.
Comment by boo — December 12, 2007 @ 8:59 pm
Maybe Apted should gather all the folks from his 7-Up films and create a super negotiating team. That guy that studied nuclear fusion seems pretty smart.
Comment by Scoots — December 12, 2007 @ 9:21 pm
The DGA deal is not going to be a “good deal” for the WGA. It will either be a deal that forces writers to accept crap or it will be a deal which will force writers to continue to strike. They will not be taking terms that benefit writers in any way and the Conglomerates — as they should be known — will not be offering them anything that will be a saving-face move at assuaging the WGA.
Hope to be wrong.
Comment by tf — December 12, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
I guess I don’t see the bid FU here. I see that the DGA has a way of negotiating that some WGA members and leaders don’t agree with. I see that the DGA feels that they have waited long enough with respect for the WGA negotiations and have decided to start theirs soon. I don’t see them as divisive however I do see WGA posters calling them names like “rollovers” and “weak” which could cause an existing rift to grow wider. They have as much right to begin to make a deal as WGA has their right to strike.
Let’s get on with it!
Bill
BTL
Not a shill
Ready for a solution
Comment by Bill — December 12, 2007 @ 9:37 pm
Apted’s letter sounds reasonable to me. By mid to late January the congloms will be feeling more pressure and it’s obvious that the DGA –whom have been in the room with the WGA NegCom, as I understand it– will have so many eyes on them if they rolled there would be an uprising. I could care less where a good deal comes from. Jurisdiction issues off the table (or pending a reality/animation writer-walk-out, to show solidarity) things will get done for the WGA too.
–non-union writer not writing.
Comment by ReasonableRandy — December 12, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
I really can’t imagine how any of you are trying to spin this as anything but what it really is:
A HUGE FU to the WGA.
It says two things:
First, it says, PUBLICLY that the DGA thinks the WGA’s leadership aren’t capable of hammering out a deal. To suggest otherwise is to lie to yourself.
Second, it makes it very clear that they believe they can force closure to this labor strife themselves. Read it again, it basically comes out and says “we aren’t going to let the WGA hold our members hostage if we can make a deal of our own that will force an end to the strike”. And it seems clear they believe they can do just that.
Sounds like the beginning of the death rattle to me.
Comment by Hooper — December 12, 2007 @ 9:51 pm
To DGALP:
You know why you make less than us? Because we “created” your job. Without us, you have no job. You’re a hired hand, my friend. Anyone can learn to do your job. Anyone can be a UPM/LINE PRODUCER. And I’m sorry about your long 14 hr days. Our days are 24 hrs, 7 days a week. We spend months, sometimes years working on something so you can have a job. And good luck with your negotiations. We’re all holding our breath in anticipation to see this wonderful deal you’re going to get.
Comment by Oh, please.... — December 12, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
“My understanding is that the DGA’s hired gun, uber-attorney Kenny Ziffren, has put together a New Media proposal that has significant and what the agents are telling me, potentially positive consequences for the other guilds.” –Nikki Finke
A calm, rational and strategically sound statement by the DGA to lay the groundwork for their negotiations. This should come as no surprise as they have Ken Ziffren, a professional dealmaker, who is crafting their proposals and guiding their strategy…kinda makes you wonder what it would be like if the WGA had hired one of those, doesn’t it?
Comment by Pete Aronson — December 12, 2007 @ 10:05 pm
Hey, bring it on. Either the DGA negotiates a good contract, and we pattern-bargain, or they don’t, and we stick it out until we get what we want.
Comment by Fly on WGA Wall — December 12, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
The main thing that the AMPTP and all of the paid shill lurkers on this board need to remember: the WGA is not obligated to accept the DGA’s deal. Neither is the SAG.
What the DGA needs to remember is that more than the writers or actors, their Health & Pension plans are paid for with residuals paid on behalf of their below-the-line members directly to the DGA Health & Pension plans. If the DGA decides to roll over and accept a $250/year residual payment just to please their corporate masters, then they’re going to wake up in six years without Health & Pension plans, the end.
Let the DGA negotiate themselves into Oblivion. I can’t see very many of us in the WGA following them into the pit… again, we’re not obligated to accept their crap deal. We’ll just hold out until June and go on strike with SAG until the AMPTP’s eyeballs bleed. I mean, it’s nothing new, rare, or unusual for many WGA members to go six or eight months without income. Can the pampered execs of the AMPTP say the same?
Comment by Nick Cunter — December 12, 2007 @ 10:38 pm
I’m a non-union writer and would like to see animation and reality writers covered by WGA. But to count on striking members (and non-members) to voice their plight is not a strategy I would count on. I know animation/reality writers have tried in the past, and got burned. And I know they have contracts to honor. Yet with no show of force (ie walking off shows and joining the line), jurisdiction is a mute point.
So…
There will never be a time like today to take the leap. We’re ALL out of jobs, and have no guarantee of work once this strike is over. If reality/animation showed up on the line, the action would say more than ten thousand blogs expressing their frustration. It would also make the WGA put their money where their mouth is. If leadership is serious enough to have the issue on the table, they’ve got to be serious enough to fight for it. They’re asking to be trusted — so trust them.
Comment by A Comment — December 12, 2007 @ 11:05 pm
The DGA in 88 and 81 rolled over on the WGA by saying that if the AMPTP puts more into their Pension & Welfare Fund then they would look the other way set precedence on Video/DCD residuals that the WGA was forced into taking. Brain Walton in 88 didn’t do the WGA any good then so I can’t blame everything of the DGA. Although let us face it, First & 2nd Assistant Directors, Stage Mangers (TV), Unit Production Managers, Technical Coordinator, Assistant Director Trainees do not even participate in residuals so why would they care what the writers will get on residuals.
The bulk of the working DGA Members are the above mentioned non-directors. This puts the WGA in the backseat and can undermine our negotiations with the AMPTP. Yes, we don’t have to take the deal the DGA negotiate with the AMPTP but it will set a precedent industry standard.
DGA I do understand that you want people who are out-of-work because of the strike finding it harder to make ends meet but remember the Alamo. Don’t be the MEXICANS killing the writers this time!
Davy Crockett
WGA/SAG member
Comment by Chris Jackson — December 12, 2007 @ 11:11 pm
Yes, exactly, Mr. Aronson.
Writers, remember that. Ken Ziffren. How are you going to validate your past defenses for your union leadership after the DGA deal is made? They not only have one of the best possible persons to represent them. They are also going in with cool heads and they aren’t intentionally trying to piss people off. That always feels good for the moment, but it is the worst possible negotiating strategy when you are fighting an entity that has more power, and if possible, bigger egos.
But, we know you’ll find a way to defend your big talk after the DGA scores a far better deal than what has been offered to the WGA. And SAG is going to jump on that bandwagon. Fast. They’ve been a little smarter than you. They have supported you without self-destructing and alienating the other unions.
Somehow at the end you’ll turn yourselves into the heroes and the martyrs. The ones with the “integrity.” Because everybody knows, writers are never, ever wrong.
Comment by Anonymous — December 13, 2007 @ 12:05 am
Everyone arguing that the WGA screwed up negotiations is doing it from the standpoint that the AMPTP was willing to deal. Fact is, they were never going to settle with the writers. Never. Now it’s merely a question of if they decide to go nuclear. Destroy the ‘08/’09 TV season or not… The only negotiation that’s on-going is the game of chicken they’re playing against themselves. And they might actually have the balls to do it. Too bad they’re too arrogant to know that “pushing the button” is just going to accelerate their demise. New era of entertainment, here we come. Call me a dreamer, but you’ve already seen it happen in Music. This is just another arm of the same viciously greedy and short-sighted beast.
Comment by Confused — December 13, 2007 @ 12:16 am
So, let’s say the DGA settles (and, like some others here, I think them playing good cop would be great). I hope they get a great deal, which is strong enough to kickstart everybody else’s deals. They can be heroes, in that way.
But, say their deal isn’t helpful to others. What will they direct under their new contract, if the WGA still doesn’t get a satisfactory settlement?
Writers have the best leverage: scripts.
Without scripts, the directors can have the best or worst deal. Doesn’t matter. Every director needs a writer.
Without scripts, the town shuts down.
Comment by BlesstheAMPTP — December 13, 2007 @ 1:18 am
Comment by a script by — December 12, 2007 @ 6:28 pm
Given the fact that EVERY script is re-written before it’s shot, normally by the director, I wouldn’t hold my breath for a ’script by’ designation. The Directors are in a much stronger position because a great director is much more rare than a great writer (and in all honesty, more important and influential to the final product on screen) I write and direct and have always felt the director’s chair was far more important. Not knocking writers (obviously) but it’s not as important as many make it out to be. There is a reason TV shows have a ‘formula bible’ and cycle in a new crop of writers every season since, well, just about anyone with a modicum of writing skill can write the ’stuck in the elevator with my crush/enemy’ episode.
Comment by BlesstheAMPTP — December 13, 2007 @ 1:18 am
Every director needs a writer…except the 20-30 or so who write and direct their own material. In which case they only need themselves.
Comment by director/Writer — December 13, 2007 @ 2:25 am
“Comment by director/Writer
Every director needs a writer…except the 20-30 or so who write and direct their own material. In which case they only need themselves.”
True. The half of themselves that belongs to the WGA.
Comment by blesstheAMPTP — December 13, 2007 @ 4:52 am
the dga can be divisive and make a deal bypassing wga, but it doesn’t matter
if wga doesn’t get a fair deal, nobody works
the dga is as foolish and shortsighted as btl - PRESSURE amptp from ALL sides and this strike ends now
wga will not get strike fatigue or be pressured into taking a bad, or even a mediocre deal. this is what amptp is counting on - it will NOT HAPPEN.
for you backseat drivers who say wga could’ve handled things better - HOW?
Comment by Observers — December 13, 2007 @ 5:26 am
FYI AMPTP - I’m in the WGA and not the DGA and I will strike ’til the end of time before I take a bad deal.
Comment by muststaystrong — December 13, 2007 @ 7:10 am
I wonder if they’ll try and get the animation directors into their union…
Comment by freelance worker bee — December 13, 2007 @ 7:14 am
boy, would you want to work for this guy:
“To DGALP:
You know why you make less than us? Because we “created” your job. Without us, you have no job. You’re a hired hand, my friend. Anyone can learn to do your job. Anyone can be a UPM/LINE PRODUCER. And I’m sorry about your long 14 hr days. Our days are 24 hrs, 7 days a week. We spend months, sometimes years working on something so you can have a job. And good luck with your negotiations. We’re all holding our breath in anticipation to see this wonderful deal you’re going to get.
Comment by Oh, please…. — December 12, 2007 @ 9:54 pm ”
i’m sure that your staff and crew will be thrilled to support your brilliant “creation” when this is all over.
and the “davey crockett” statement:
“Although let us face it, First & 2nd Assistant Directors, Stage Mangers (TV), Unit Production Managers, Technical Coordinator, Assistant Director Trainees do not even participate in residuals so why would they care what the writers will get on residuals. ”
do your homework. under the dga agreement downloads are treated like dvd’s, and the entire dga team participates in the residual pool, so we all have the same STRONG interest in new media issues.
everybody stop looking for revenge, stop hating, stop the paranioa, stop thinking nobody is your friend, stop posturing and start talking; get back in the room, make a good deal to get us all back to work!
Comment by hurting — December 13, 2007 @ 7:20 am
Some one up above commented that it should be televised. Now there is some reality television I would watch. It would keep everyone responsible for their actions, give the public a clear view of what is REALLY going on and the AMPTP could sell advertising time like blazes. With the heat this issue has built up I bet ratings would be through the roof. I’d watch it at least.
Comment by Jacob Tucker — December 13, 2007 @ 7:47 am
Correction: “which clears the way for the DGA to step up and negotiate without stepping on the WGA’s toes”
Comment by ChuckT — December 13, 2007 @ 7:50 am
I’m pretty sure the “script by” was a joke. And a funny one.
This board is getting so testy.
I don’t like negative posts in general but that’s because they’re so often mean or paranoid or both. But when they’re funny. Well, they’re just funny. I’d rather be around a funny, bitter writer than a hacky bitter writer any day.
Comment by Ummm — December 13, 2007 @ 9:15 am
Writer/Director:
I have seen directors take a mediocre script and improve it. But I have also seen directors take a great script and destroy it.
It does start with the written page. I’m tired of and sickened by people using that as a a way to demean crews, like Oh Please, but it is still true.
I also hate when people say “anyone could do it.” If anyone could do it, they would. But if you’re going to play it that way: What I think anyone could do is sit in an “important” chair by the monitors, have the Showrunner tell you what shots to change and then “direct” the camera coordinator to change them.
Comment by Ywt Another Shill — December 13, 2007 @ 9:35 am
I strongly support the WGA and feel what they’re asking for is fair.
I also agree that the DGA does have a responsibility to its members, so should consider their needs only.
However, to an outsider watching from the sidelines, it seems like it’s in all parties’ best interests if the DGA joins SAG actors and the WGA to force a quicker, better agreement that all can use as a model.
No one (or two) parties work without all three working.
Comment by Scott G — December 13, 2007 @ 9:39 am
Of course the DGA can’t be trusted to look after the WGA’s interests, any more than the AMPTP can. Their responsibility is to their own members — just as the WGA’s is. On the other hand, I do cringe a little bit when I hear people say that the WGA is really striking for “all the guilds,” since that’s clearly more a side effect than the main goal. Let’s get down to brass tacks here — it’s every guild for itself, the DGA’s deal is the DGA’s business and the WGA’s deal is the WGA’s business. If the DGA wants to take advantage of the “good cop” position they’ve landed in as a result of the strike, that’s fine, and good for them if it works. And the WGA has no right to try to pressure them into negotiating differently than they plan to. But once all that’s over, the fact will still remain that the WGA’s deal is the WGA’s business. If they need to strike another 18 months to get what they want, so be it, and the DGA will have no right to complain about the strike keeping them out of work.
In other words, it might not be the DGA’s responsibility to negotiate a deal that gets the WGA closer to their goals. But it will certainly be in their financial interest to do so.
Comment by Nick — December 13, 2007 @ 10:00 am
I am one of the 1400 WGA/DGA members.
Wanna know how this could’ve been handled better?
Don’t accept a bad deal, absolutely, but… also…
Don’t strike!!!
Keep talking. And keep working.
That, my friends, is what we should’ve done.
I was in the 10 percent that voted NO to authorize a strike. And I was right then and I’m right now.
As much as you can keep “assuring” us that the WGA won’t take a bad deal, what WILL happen is that we will take the same (or worse, dare I say) deal as the DGA.
The end.
Fade To Black.
Credits.
Comment by Pepe Tplete — December 13, 2007 @ 10:55 am
We are in the room!
We are wating for the other side! Why don’t you come help us put some more pressure on?
Comment by A Writer — December 13, 2007 @ 11:39 am
The negotiation that matters most is the one no one’s talking about - quiet, ongoing WGA/Apple talks. Stay tuned.
Comment by forwardlooking — December 13, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
DGATL called me out saying:
Occasional showrunner exemplifies the bitterness and unrealistic ideology that has been the hallmark of the WGA strike.
CUT FOR TIME
As far as screwed up goes, let’s not forget that the average DGA member makes far less than a WGA member in base salary. Even if I rise to the top of my rank as a producer hyphenate, I won’t make as much as a WGA-producer hyphenate in base salary. Add that to the average workday being 14 hours for me, versus 8-10 for a writer. Oh, and an additional script fee for the writer.
Uh, seriously? 8-10 hours? I fucking wish. My wife and kids might actually recognize me then.
Let me let you in on a little secret. When you go home and pour yourself a martini, we go home and work some more. I clocked in 90+ hours a week on my last show. Granted that was a bit on the high side, but it wasn’t much different than most of the gigs I’ve had. Typically it’s about 80+.
Plus I’m not sure what they average DGA member makes, but it’d be interesting to see the figures. Myself, I suspect the median DGA income and the median WGA income are comparable.
Wanna talk screwed up? I don’t. I just want to do my job.
Us too, brother. We’re all on the same side.
Thanks to the short-sighted and ridiculous negotiations by the WGA thus far, I can’t.
Just a typo correction here. That should read “Thanks to the piggishness stonewalling of the AMPTP.”
Let’s hope that the DGA can rationally get this back on track, and that the WGA can be adults about it and quit whining about the us.
I said in my original post I hope the DGA can strike a wonderful deal we can all get behind. I also pointed out that if they cut a deal that sucks for us, it won’t accomplish much of anything except alienating SAG and the WGA and shortchanging their own membership.
The DGA leadership already knows that though.
I seriously don’t care where a good deal comes from though. I was gratified to see the DGA slowtracking things a bit and using language that suggests that they understand what’s at stake and are gonig to fight the good fight.
Hopefully the AMPTP will sit back down with us. But if not, I wish the DGA good luck.
Comment by Occasional Showrunner — December 13, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
Honestly, someone has to end this thing and I don’t give a shit who it is. Even if Carrot Top was the one to solve this crisis, I’d consider him a hero. Too many people are without jobs and money and have been put in dire financial straits because of a chosen few. Enough is enough. Put your dicks away and strike a deal.
Comment by Ruby Redlips — December 13, 2007 @ 2:01 pm
Obviously, I hit a nerve.
As you are a showrunner, you’re privy to budgets. Check out what the DGA hyphenates make against the WGA. You might be surprised.
And, as far as going home and pouring a martini while you work at home - ha. I wish I could go home. I am there in the office at 830AM on a day with a 3PM call. I am there til wrap the next morning. I would kill to work from home. Consider yourself lucky. I work OT and Saturdays and unpaid weeks prepping shows, as I’m expected to. The hours are tough for all of us. I rarely see my house or family in daylight after Tuesday.
As for your comment about the AMPTP, don’t forget it takes two to tango. Don’t put all the blame on them. The WGA must take equal responsibility for how you’ve conducted negotiations and what you’re doing to this town as well.
A warning, though: If I was a WGA member, I wouldn’t be as concerned about residuals or even jurisdiction. You’ll wind up with that eventually.
If I were you, I’d be concerned about the studios hiring fewer writer-producers and more freelancers. Script fees account for maybe 1/3 of a tv writer-producer salary. The producing fees are the bulk of your compensation. The studios are already making plans to reduce the ranks of writer-producers under the showrunner level, having smaller staffs and using more freelancers. There will be less steady, lucrative work going around. No one is talking about that, and it’s something the WGA contract can’t protect anyone from. This strike will cause a major re-alignment and people stand to lose a good chunk of salary. The longer this goes on, the more the studios will pay for the losses with major cuts in staff.
The productions will always need grips, electrics, makeup, hair, etc. Those numbers won’t change. But they won’t be hiring as many writer-producers, and that will hurt everyone out there walking the lines.
Oh Please commented that anyone can do my job. I don’t think that’s true about any of our jobs - I would make a lousy grip. Unfortunately, it’s that kind of elitist attitude that karma loves knocking down a peg. I hope karma’s looking the other way.
Comment by DGALP — December 13, 2007 @ 3:21 pm