The Writers Guild of America East had hundreds of members on the picket line at Rockfeller Plaza in NYC this morning at 9 am Eastern time. Here in the West, WGA picketing starts at 9 am Pacific. Tipsters, keep me informed what's happening on your picket line. Who's there? What do the wittier signs say? How have you been greeted and treated? Give me color. I'm also going to eyeball some of the 15 picketing locations.
I'll revisit yesterday's 11th hour negotiations. Then I'll look ahead this week.
But let me say this first: both sides have to be brought back to the bargaining table immediately. Don't let pettiness derail the real progress that was made yesterday. The moguls feel burned, the WGA feel burned, and no one wants to even think about facing off again for a while to try to break the deadlock. THAT IS RIDICULOUS! This isn't personal, it's business. Your business. Stop acting like pussies and swallow your pride and hammer out an agreement before even two weeks of this walkout have passed. Otherwise, here's what lies ahead: 9 months of a long, costly and bitter strike bearing a price tag of $1 billion to everyone.
[b]
This is a total disaster. If there was actual progress on new media and the writers walked in the middle of negotiations… now they look like complete morons.[/b]
I think WGA Jimmy said it best. Writers are now on everyone’s shit list.
It’s too late Nikki.
Comment by Bouncing Castle — November 5, 2007 @ 9:31 am
I work over at Disney, only about 20 picketers outside the gate. Just the standard WGA signs, all are wearing backpacks, with snacks I hope. ?Security is upped here today also, but all in all, they are just doing their thing. I drove in the the lot at 9:15 and they weren’t there yet, so I guess they got a late start. However, I drove past WB at 8:55 and they were waiting at the parking structure across the street and I snapped a photo.
Comment by DISNEYwqorker — November 5, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Nikki,
You’re too damn hot and on top of this! I say you run president! You got more balls than most guys.
The one thing we can say now is the trades are officially nothing more than studio propaganda. Cause of this shit-kicking Nikki has become a full fledged star and has won the admiration of both sides, well played! Truth always wins. I wish our political writers covered the world with this passion.
You’re the Christine Amanpour Of Hollywood.
I am still hoping ALL the unions get on the same page and get rid of those no strike clauses, we should have everyone out on the streets today!
Peace!
Comment by The Hyphen — November 5, 2007 @ 9:46 am
Amen to that.
Comment by Average Joe — November 5, 2007 @ 10:10 am
A cooling off period is just what the negotiations need. For the record, this is s**t because the AMPTP clearly is the big baby in this negotiation. Anybody who treats deadlines as a true deadline for negotiations to end is a big baby. I took a college class on conflict resolution and walking out on negotiations isn’t a key to conflict resolution. I hope that the WGA takes all concessions off the table and start anew just to punish the AMPTP.
Comment by Jessy S. — November 5, 2007 @ 10:11 am
to Bouncing castle,
Writers are always on everybody’s shit list. We’re kind of used to it, but also find it helpful in generating conflict which is the source of stories. I’m looking forward to a lot of stories from this, possibly tragic, certainly comic as your comments are.
Comment by CM — November 5, 2007 @ 11:07 am
Nikki,
Thanks for staying very up-to-the-minute with all of this. You’re our eyes and ears.
When is the governator going to step in?
Comment by HK — November 5, 2007 @ 11:13 am
I work as a script supervisor for films and television, using my head and my heart to protect the writer’s words all day long. I’m not working right now and drove by Fox Studios at around 10 am, just out of curiosity. Every gate had it’s WGA picket lines, but the numbers seem too small. Maybe there are 100 to 150 strikers spread out over 5 different locations at FOX. There are the frequent honking horns from passing cars showing support, the witty writer chants, and a lounging BIG BLACK DOG dressed in a red WGA STRIKE t-shirt, but the turnout of strikers was disappointing. I’m thinking that I might just join you tomorrow to show my support….
Comment by writer protector — November 5, 2007 @ 11:16 am
As my big fancy showbiz lawyer taught me, the first draft of a deal from a Hollywood studio is known as “The Sucker Draft.” In other words, if you sign it, you’re a goddamn sucker.
So at 12:01 a.m. E.S.T., the Sucker Draft got tossed out. Good riddance! No reason to freak out people; this is standard operating procedure. Back to the negotiating table!
“It’s not personal, Sonny. It’s strictly business.” — Michael Corleone
Comment by The Schwartz — November 5, 2007 @ 11:21 am
We took the DVD residuals off the table?
Right out of the gate we showed them our tell? The AMPTP only understand one facial expression: resolve. Their thuggish demands show that they have no intention of bargaining with the WGA.
You don’t give into a bully.
Most of us were weakling kids who got picked on all the time. We know bullies firsthand. Perhaps the band of “moderates” who tried to broker a deal over the weekend - and imagine what THAT deal would have looked like, or felt like when it was being inserted - were good looking “in crowd” guys but I wasn’t. I was shit upon all through my childhood so I know an oafish thug when I encounter one.
Did we really expect more from John “Oh and staff, the newly-won raises don’t apply to you” Welles?
Comment by Justanother Member — November 5, 2007 @ 11:25 am
Regarding strike numbers: We need at least one location in LA where the number of strikers is significant throughout the day, from 8AM to 8PM. We need to create some great visuals for the media and everyone involved.
Time to turn up the volume and put some fear into those that drive across a picket line! Make sure some of the top executives see their names on some of the strike signs as well–they need to have some stakes at risk in this poker game, not just us writers. Best of luck everyone. Stay strong and united!
(Remember to help support Ms. Finke’s website and click on the ads occasionally.)
Comment by Mark S. — November 5, 2007 @ 12:48 pm
Both sides need new people to do the negotiating because those in charge now so obviously hate each other to the degree that they just won’t agree to anything simply out of spite. Get some new brains into the room from both sides to hash the damn thing out. Keep it professional and get rid of the personal baggage that both sides are bringing to the table with them now.
Comment by Brad — November 5, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
nikki - keep it up. best reporting on the strike!
Comment by cm — November 5, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
Photo caption:
Writer: Nice suit.
Agent: You paid for it.
Comment by ds — November 7, 2007 @ 9:19 am
CLIENT: I’m only gonna get $200 a week strike pay!
AGENT: That’s okay - I’ll only take five percent.
Comment by Chris Sullivan — November 7, 2007 @ 9:28 am