New Details Throughout: 
Like most things in Hollywood, there's the official story, and then there's a parallel reality, and the truth usually lies somewhere inbetween. So it was with today's news that striking Hollywood writers disrupted a Paramount movie filming in Pacific Palisades today -- and the pic's star Eddie Murphy, who was in the middle of shooting when the picketers arrived at 10:30 AM, left soon after and did not come back for the rest of the day. On that much, there's no debate. Yes, the comedian had been scheduled to be on the location all day. And, yes, the 100+ strikers massed at Palisades Park where the movie Nowhereland was supposed to be shooting today, tomorrow and Monday. The WGA tried to portray what happened as Murphy for reasons of conscience refusing to cross a picket line. But, technically, there was no picket line when Murphy reported for work early in the morning, so it was unclear if he would have refused to cross it.
Sure, WGA sources claimed to me he stopped work once a picket line was set up in a show of unity with the writers. "The WGA definitely hearts Eddie today. Big cheer for him," a writers guild source told me. But Paramount refuted that, claiming Murphy left because his 8-year-old co-star was "upset and crying" because of the chanting picketers so filming couldn't continue. The studios told me shooting would go on tomorrow as planned. So do we have Eddie Murphy, the working writers' hero? Or do we have Eddie Murphy, the aw-fuck-it I'm out of here after a crappy day.
(See protest photos left.) Even a small nugget of news that the production at one point parked 4 big trucks trucks between the filming and the chanting picketers to try to prevent more disruption can be interpreted and re-interpreted. The WGA sources told me that the Teamsters, in an apparent demonstration of solidarity with the writers, moved the trucks back to their original locations, prompting the strikers to chant "Thank you, Eddie" and "Thank you, Teamsters!" on their megaphones. But then again, the Teamsters drove those trucks into position in the first place. So go figure.
The picketers supplied music on a trumpet, tambourine and guitar -- songs included included "Won't Get Fooled Again" and "Which Side Are You On?" -- to accompany their marching around Palisades Park, which ironically enough is a place where under normal circumstances many children of both studio/network execs and TV/movie writers play sports. As it happens, the crew spent the rest of the lost production day there playing football.
No one refutes that the production was disrupted. Sources say the movie's filming permit was a particularly "hard get" and the exterior of the local rec center had been made to look like a school. To save the day, producer bigwigs at one point tried to persuade Ed Solomon, one of the two writers on the movie and a WGA leader, to intervene with the picketers. Solomon reportedly let it be known that he supported his guild. But I also understand he wasn't happy about the movie being halted.
Like him or not, there's no doubt that Murphy is one of a handful of Hollywood icons who have incredible leverage in this town. But whether he's the kind of person willing to use that clout for a cause bigger than himself is a huge question. I've repeatedly heard of studio CEOs caving on a major negotiation when they get in the same room with well-known actors. (I've written previously that there's just something so needy within the Hollywood moguls' psyche that they want to be liked and respected by the creatives they in turn like and respect. I assume this is why these businessmen make TV and movies instead of toothpaste and mattresses.) This is why lots of folks in Hollywood are wondering where major A-List stars like George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, and others haven't taken up showbiz survival as their latest "cause".
Given what a standstill everything in Hollywood is right now because of this strike, I say whatever professional, personal and even psychological pressure these top-of-the-heap artists can put on the moguls and the writers could make all the difference in getting settlement talks back on track. Now that's in everyone's self-interest.
Go, Eddie, Go!
Sorry, I was trying to come up the lamest cheer possible. Good job though.
Comment by Trott Felipe — November 15, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
Yet Day Nine of the strike heads towards a close and nobody is winning anything.
Can’t wait to see the smartass writers on day 159.
Comment by Bouncing Castle — November 15, 2007 @ 3:36 pm
forget george clooney - his career is teetering
where’s MATT DAMON recently named the most bankable/profitable star ??
spielberg, too, has been interestingly silent — being a studio mogul, writer, director, producer
Comment by producers with conscience — November 15, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
I don’t get this. Why is the WGA picketing and disrupting productions that have nothing to do with this strike? Can someone please explain this?
Comment by Bored — November 15, 2007 @ 4:01 pm
Dear “Bored”,
EVERYTHING has to do with the WGA writers’ strike! The more noise we make, the more disruption on productions we do, the more we get the word out will only help to get the attention of the CEO’s, and piss them enough to bring them back to the bargaining table!
They may not notice us out there on the picket lines, but they sure as hell will notice when it costs them more money because their main talent (such as Eddie Murphy) walks out on a shoot.
Comment by Cathy Krasnianski — November 15, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
DEAR BORED -
Disrupting productions sends a message to the AMPTP to get back to the table and negotiate.
Even every big actor walked off their sets, this would be solve in five minutes. And everyone would be back to in a week.
Comment by wga writer — November 15, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
Shutting down production is the only way the writers can have an impact on the companies. It costs them money, which is the only way to lure them back to the table.
Comment by Striker — November 15, 2007 @ 4:37 pm
Has anyone considered that Eddie might have simply walked off the set when he couldn’t concentrate on filming with all the noise? Considering his previously known or rumored diva-ish behavior, I wouldn’t be surprised…
Comment by Just an Observer — November 15, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
Pay attention kids, this is the definition of spin. The crew broke for lunch, which is why the trucks were moved and then replaced with black backing (think:why would the teamsters not show solidarity by putting the trucks in place, and then deciding they should show solidarity by moving the trucks again?). SOME of the crew played football for their LUNCH break because they were at a park. They resumed shooting (yes without Eddie, because he doesn’t like crowds, not because of solidarity) when the helicopters stopped hovering. The background were children, being released because of their 8 hours coming to a close.
Keep writing, this is good stuff.
Comment by dumbfounded — November 15, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
Bored:
Most important thing is to set up a (legal) picket line in case Teamsters or actors or anybody else make an individual decision not to cross.
Chanting can screw up sound, which slows production and costs the studio money.
Studio losing money is the one and only leverage that might possibly get them back to the table, which means a shorter strike.
The movie will of course eventually be shot, so the crew still gets paid.
Comment by Dave — November 15, 2007 @ 4:50 pm
George Clooney and Matt Damon are both not shooting movies now…why single the two out when the only stars to be seen on the picket line are mostly tv actors…if you’re going to ask about George and Matt..what about Nick Cage, Tom Cruise and Will Smith.
Comment by Julie — November 15, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
Yeah I’d love to know where George Clooney and all these other actors who like to refer to themselves as writers are too.
Anyone seen them on the picket lines?
Or are they only writers when it’s convenient for them (using said job title to act as if they’re smarter than their fellow actors)?
Seems so.
Comment by Francine Fishpaw — November 15, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
How lame on the WGA to picket the production companies. They have nothing to do with the strike. The scripts were finished long before the strike. At least let the only working crew left in this town work. The WGA should leave the working alone. They have already ruined enough peoples lives. Remember people IATSE and Teamsters have a no strike clause in there contracts and will continue to work as long as they can. Shutting down a production is a waste of money and energy on your parts! Keep the inncocent out of it!
Comment by outofworkcrewmember — November 15, 2007 @ 4:59 pm
Hey Bored,
Any production being shot by a signatory company has to do with the strike. The more product the studios have, the longer they can go without offering a fair deal to writers that would end the strike. Hence, the immediate need to shut down as much production as possible.
Nice to see Eddie fighting for the cause!
Comment by Production Buster — November 15, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
To: Bouncing Castle:
“…Can’t wait to see the smartass writers on day 159.”
The ’smart ass writers’ all want to go back to the table and come to a fair and equitable deal. It’s the smart ass studio heads and network execs you should be carping at.
Comment by Connecticut Yankeeecticut Yankee — November 15, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
Any production that is written by a member of the Guild has something to do with the strike. They are performing our work.
That said, I was there and can say that the picketers were not just “protesting” but were also there to explain to members of other unions what is at stake. Many members of IATSE and the Teamsters are unaware that they receive residuals too. But theirs go directly to their Health & Pension funds. So if writers residuals disappear, theirs will too. Putting their insurance and retirement in jeopardy.
We felt it was equally important to share our views as be disruptive. We were quite thankful Eddie understood that and respected our statement.
Comment by Picketer — November 15, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
‘Bored’ - there’s a clue to the answer to your question near the top of the article, in the phrase ‘…disrupted a Paramount movie…’. Somewhere in those four words is the clue. Read it again: ‘…disrupted a Paramount movie’. Have you got it yet? Keep looking….
Comment by Four Cent — November 15, 2007 @ 5:28 pm
No one disrupted anything. The WGA was present at the location, respectful. In fact the director lives in the same town as most of the picketers. So there was no loud confrontation.
Eddie Murphy made a moral choice.
Comment by gagscribe — November 15, 2007 @ 5:35 pm
Wow - the WGA is preventing Eddie Murphy from making another shitty movie. Get back to tables and settle this!!!
Comment by that's awesome — November 15, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
Hear that? It’s the swell of egos of 50+ writers!
Comment by Anonymous — November 15, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
Dumbfounded,
Thanks for the info… still sounds like the star of the movie walked off and shooting was slowed, which is a pretty good impact.
Comment by Dave — November 15, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
outofworkcrewmember,
You’ve got your facts wrong. The Teamsters do NOT have a No Strike clause in their contract. The WGA strike has been sanctioned by Local 399, and many of their drivers are refusing to cross the picket lines. Shutting down a production is indeed a waste of money - it’s a waste of the conglomerates’ money. Since money is all they care about, hitting them in their fat wallets is unfortunately the only way to get them to return to the bargaining table.
Comment by Joe Gillis — November 15, 2007 @ 7:15 pm
Dear “out of work crew member”,
First of all, I’m sorry you’re out of work. Truly. I didn’t want to go on strike, and I certainly didn’t want anyone to be out of work period, much less at this time of year. Please understand that we’re picketting these locations in an effort to get you BACK to work as soon as possible.
Our main goal at this locations is to slow work down in order to cost the studios money, and hopefully get the crews overtime or extra days. We’re not trying to end your jobs, we’re trying to extend them.
The sooner the studios feel the financial burn that we’re all feeling, the sooner they’ll come back to the table and start actually bargaining.
None of us expect the hard working IATSE and Teamster professionals to violate their no strike clauses. We’re not hassling them or guilting them for crossing the line.
And please remember that we all have a dog in this fight. IATSE, Teamsters, and several other unions get large health and pension contributions based on WGA residuals (something like $300 million a year). If we lose our residuals as TV is replaced by the Internet, you guys will lose the lion’s share of funding for your pension and health plans. We’re not just fighting for ourselves, we’re fighting for every union, and for the future of this business.
Comment by strinking for all of us — November 15, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
Hey Four Cent — i get it, thanks for the condescending tone. I wasn’t being smug. Keep disrupting these movies if you think it’ll bring the producers back to the table. It might. Then again, it might piss them off more. I’m thinking they can wait this out longer then you can. I just don’t see how doing this a few times (and really, will it be more than a few times?) is going to amount to anything.
Comment by Anonymous — November 15, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
Great idea. Lets force all production out of state so we can really screw up our business. Are you kidding me? Run away production is killing LA and you are going to focus on the few productions left here? Get your strike fund to send you to New Mexico and create some havoc there for Gods sake.
Tom
Comment by Tom — November 15, 2007 @ 7:54 pm
That’s awesome, do you have a magic wand that we can borrow? Because for the 999 trillionth time, we are at the effing table. It is the studios who will not negotiate. By putting pressure on the productions, we are attempting to convince the studios to return to bargaining. See, Eddie Murphy walked away from filming today. Affecting production costs the studios money. They don’t want to lose money. Therefore, they might be persuaded to return to the table as quickly as possible. If you still don’t get it, ask a three year old child to explain it to you, it ain’t that hard.
Comment by Yeahwell — November 15, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
What is amazing, is that this article has a curious slant. I was there, the trucks were brought in, with one particular teamster willing to get in the face of anyone who dared walk in front of them. They were only moved once the strike captain pointed out that the trucks were in a fire zone, and were not permitted to remain at the site.
Yes the crew broke for lunch, and I hardly think Mr. Murphy’s act was anything close to solidarity. Also, they will be back tomorrow, as wintessed by the continued presence of their production base camp at Temescal park.
While I hope for more high profile industry players get involved, I do not think any writer wants to put anyone out of work. It is just a matter of timing that the writers contract expired before the directors and actors. This is the battle for them as well as the writers. When did the climate in this world change to support big business profits over the workers? Very sad to me.
Comment by Just a Witness — November 15, 2007 @ 9:12 pm
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117976121.html?categoryid=2821&cs=1&nid=2854
Clooney said he plans to make this the first of periodic donations to the fund, and said he is prevailing upon his peers to do the same. The goal is to provide some cushion for workers who find themselves in dire financial straits after being laid off. Clooney said he chose the Actors Fund because applicants do not have to belong to a union to be eligible for relief, and because the fund issues grants and not loans.
“To people like myself, the strike is a forced vacation, but with the rhetoric high, and two other strikes looming, there is the fear that a prolonged strike can destroy people who make a living in this industry,” Clooney told Daily Variety. “My hope is that people who can afford it will take responsibility for this and help out. This felt like the right place, because the Actors Fund is the most inclusive. It helps writers, and everyone from craft services workers to agency assistants who have been laid off.”
Comment by Below The Line — November 15, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
Joe Gillis-
YOU have your facts wrong. 399 does indeed have a no strike clause. They also have language that allows individuals to make the choice as to whether they want to cross a picket or not. They can choose to not cross, and the company can ‘choose’ not to bring them back for the next day. By sanctioning the picket lines, the IBT offers some level of recourse for any IBT member replaced for refusing to cross the line, but that doesn’t help much in the immediate future.
And Striking for all of us - our residuals are not based on WGA residuals. They’re based on, well, IATSE residuals. Please don’t predict our future based on your vision, allow us to do that, based on ours.
If you really consider yourself to be fighting for all of us, IATSE included, please stop, take care of your own, and we’ll do the same. This recent rebranding of the WGA as a ‘Si Se Puede’ rings as hollow as the ‘assistant and BTL’ day at the picket. If the WGA was even vaguely interested in supporting the other trade unions, they could have done so locally by becoming members of the Cal Fed, and the LA fed, and had a voice in Labor issues in Los Angeles.
Comment by Belowtheline — November 15, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
Just a thought, but perhaps Clooney and Jolie are keeping quiet because they don’t want to piss off the studios? They are after all counting on the studios to pay for their Oscar campaigns.
Comment by Alex — November 15, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
Francine Fishpaw,
I did see an actor/writer on the picketlines today at CBS Studios at Radford. Albert Brooks was walking the lines with fellow WGA strikers.
Comment by Eric — November 15, 2007 @ 9:51 pm
You mean those people weren’t simply protesting Eddie making another turd movie?
Comment by One Time Sitcom Writer — November 15, 2007 @ 10:49 pm
Alex, if you really think stars like Jolie and Clooney are worried about offending the studios, and not the other way around, you don’t understand how this town works. No offense. There’s a reason Eddie Murphy, or any other A-list star, can walk off the set and, if they choose, never come back without any fear of consequences. The studios will do ANYTHING to be in business with these guys. If, for example, Warner Bros. decided to punish Clooney, the other studios would not pile on. Instead, they’d be falling over each other to finally lure him into one of their movies.
Tom, runaway production is a huge problem, one we should all be concerned about, and I would love to see Sacramento, and Washington, get more involved in trying to fix it. That said, it’s absurd to think the strike is going to push the rest of SoCal production out of state. If filming out of state was always the better, cheaper choice, why would anyone still be shooting here at all? The truth is, most production still takes place here and there are a lot of reasons, including financial ones, that so many choose to stay in LA. Even the congloms can’t afford to pack up the entire business and move it to Vancouver just to avoid a couple of thousand picketers (no offense, writers!). The solution would be far more costly than the problem.
Belowtheline, I was a Teamster for many years and I will be pro-union until the day I day. This strike isn’t just about writers, it’s about the very relevance and survival of unions in the 21st century, including your own. The congloms, not just in Hollywood but everywhere, laugh and high-five every time they see this kind of inter-union sniping and squabbling. I’m sorry you feel the WGA has not done enough to support local unions. How about we put aside the bitterness and the grudges and use this opportunity to start building some solidarity?
Comment by Don't Believe the Hype — November 16, 2007 @ 12:09 am
Hey Yeahwell the magic wand is held by the WGA leaders. Call of the pickets and they will go back to the table. Both sides agree the producers got up from the table when the wga refused to call off the pickets in the east. The producers said they wont negotiate while the pickets are up. I think you are the one who should to seek the advice of a three year old.
Comment by Dadder — November 16, 2007 @ 8:49 am
Eric,
Albert Brooks is hardly in the league of George Clooney and although this other wannabe “renaissance men”.
It’s not like Albert’s got anything else to do.
Where’s Matt Damon? Ben Affleck? All these other stars who like to call themselves writers? Everyone’s so quick to snatch a writing credit but God forbid they show up on a picket line.
And what of Craig Mazin and JJ Abrams and these other writers who are directing films at the moment? Why aren’t they picketing (at least in their lunch hours)? And don’t tell me they don’t have time when Craig is posting on his blog seemingly every five minutes.
Comment by Francine Fishpaw — November 16, 2007 @ 9:56 am
If the writers were African babies, Angelina would help.
Comment by nycguy123 — November 16, 2007 @ 10:30 am
Francine,
I agree with you about Craig Maizin. That guy’s hostility to his own guild during a strike is just astounding. His undeservedly influential blog (why do these lazy reporters assume this hack co-writer of Scary Movie sequels speaks for ANY real writers?) has been a source of disinformation as reliably as Variety. He’s published false information about the strike that always happens to be damaging to the WGA. And when he “corrects” it, he doesn’t change the original entry.
This is how Fox News and the Drudge Report operate — get damaging information out there without caring whether it’s true, then quietly “correct” it after it has done its damage.
And he’s working during the strike. “Directing” a comedy that he wrote (word is more experienced directors are looking over his shoulder at all times). Ever seen a comedy being shot that didn’t have new lines and adjustments constantly being written on the set? Ever?
If Craig Maizin had any loyalty whatsoever to his guild, he’d at least make a token appearance on the picket line. But you’re right — although he posts entries and comments to his blog CONSTANTLY, in two weeks couldn’t find a single hour to report to a picket line, even though there is no doubt one just minutes away from his home. It’s like he TRYING to display public contempt for the WGA and its membership.
Someone really needs to do a story about this guy. A kept man of the AMPTP who did their bidding basically in front of everyone — and has gotten off scot free so far.
Comment by Mark G. Meagher — November 17, 2007 @ 9:57 am
Mark,
Agree with you about Craig Mazin. And that’s why I no longer go to his sorry excuse for a blog. I mean, the guy didn’t even vote and he kicks up a stink about the most asinine things.
He’s done so much damage to the guild by making nonstop idiotic posts on his blog while knowing full well that it’s going to be in the trades the next day. You know, instead of getting off his fat ass and picketing. And don’t get me started on his constant bragging about the “seven figures” he gets for writing crap comedy sequels.
He’s an embarrassment to all writers.
The only well known writers that appear to be on the picket lines are the TV guys. I haven’t seen a single A-list movie scribe.
Comment by Francine Fishpaw — November 17, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
Francine,
You’re not looking very hard to find A-list movie writers on the picket line.
Paul Haggis, Cameron Crowe, Robert Towne, Ed Solomon, David Twohy, and plenty of others have all been on the picket lines at Sony. Haggis and Twohy have been there just about every day.
Comment by Joe Gillis — November 18, 2007 @ 11:39 am