I just heard today from various sources that the Hollywood studios are truly in more of a panic mode than anyone thought possible as they try to get all their current movies in production wrapped up by the end of June in case SAG strikes. So this may be a bit of good news to the entertainment biz in general: I'm told that AMPTP president Nick Counter and executive VP for business Carol Lombardino have invited SAG to begin formal bargaining the first week of April starting on March 31st. 
And it was talked about today inside SAG at a meeting to discuss various administrative matters by SAG national executive director Doug Allen and his AFTRA counterpart Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, and other assorted staff from both unions. Allen, who's the chief negotiator, officially replied: "We need to consult our board, AFTRA and the Joint SAG/AFTRA board before we can respond to the AMPTP." In other words, it wasn't a no! Still, I think the best course of action is for Peter Chernin and Bob Iger to negotiate this contract themselves, and leave Nick Counter the hell out of it. After all, as I've previously reported, the Big Media duo have already broken the ice with the SAG leadership. (See my EXCLUSIVE: Big Media Moguls And SAG Leaders Meet Secretly)
At least Counter’s chair is broken in and ready for the long haul. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen!
Comment by pb — March 12, 2008 @ 8:03 pm
Counter-productive, that is!
Comment by Craboo — March 12, 2008 @ 8:42 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The AMPTP does NOT want a SAG strike. The ONLY thing they care about are the movies. They will gladly destroy an entire television season because apparently ANYONE can be on tv, but the movies? They’re sacred. The only thing that ended the writers strike was the Oscars. And even if AFTRA makes good on that stupid, stupid threat to negotiate by themselves, they are not in the movie business. Yet.
Peggy Lane O’Rourke
Comment by Peggy Lane O'Rourke — March 12, 2008 @ 11:51 pm
Well that sucks that Counter is still involved…it shows that the moguls haven’t learned much.
If I were on either of the actors union negotiating teams if there is only Counter and AMPTP flunkies in the room and not at least one mogul I would immediately cease talking and wait to restart serious discussions until at least one of the moguls is in the room.
That is probably the hardest lesson the writers learned and the actors should interpret the presence of ‘Skippy’ Counter and the AMPTP lackeys and no muguls as the moguls not being serious about deal making, and only interested in stalling.
Let’s hope the moguls actually take things seriously this time.
Comment by VDOVault — March 13, 2008 @ 5:44 am
A deal will never get done with Nick Counter at the table, his incompetence, theatrics and ego are the reason for the WGA strike. The CEOs should sideline this yutz and negotiate directly so that we might avoid another strike.
Comment by Walk The Line — March 13, 2008 @ 11:00 am