TV and film producer (and ex-agent and manager) Gavin Polone is again drawing attention to himself by making anti-WGA comments on TV while the rest of his ilk stay strategically silent. This time, he's appeared on CNBC's Fast Money in a segment called "Trading The Hollywood Strike" warning the writers, "You can't push around Sumner Redstone and Rupert Murdoch." But not before urging CNBC listeners to buy media stocks Viacom and CBS. He says WGA support is eroding, thinks the guild doesn't have much leverage, and believes the writers should take the new AMPTP offer. The last time he did this, a lynch mob of scribes formed. (Well, almost.) "Can't wait to receive the love from you and your acolytes when it is over," Gavin emailed me before the segment.
UPDATE: Polone explains himself. "The reason I’m saying all of this stuff in public, and putting my name to it, is because I think the WGA is mishandling this situation and I do not believe enough members are truly considering much of anything other than what they hear from other members or the leadership. Some do but they are too fearful of being censured by their comrades to speak up. I know this because they send me confidential emails saying so."
Isn’t it time for Larry David and Conan O’Brien to denounce Polone’s rhetoric and disassociate themselves from him?
Comment by SickOfHisCryForAttention — December 2, 2007 @ 9:58 am
Hey, it’s America. Gavin Polone is allowed to state his opinion.
By the same token, aren’t we writers allowed to come together and make a pact to never work for this guy again?
Comment by Mr. NoName — December 2, 2007 @ 10:09 am
Sad, isn’t it that only the washed up types like Polone, Mike Ovitz and the will-be-left-behind-when-the-last-helicopter-leaves-the-roof Carson Daley are making anti-WGA comments. I wonder when Omorosa and Carrottop will enter the fray?
Comment by anotherWGAmember — December 2, 2007 @ 10:16 am
You hear John Ridley on NPR Morning Edition Friday? Thought that was pretty uncool.
I’m an independent producer, a dying breed, signatory to the WGA, a “struck company,” getting screwed by this strike and nothing to gain from it, but I’ve never crossed a picket line in my life and think that writers and people who work with writers should keep their mouths shut.
Comment by Indieprod — December 2, 2007 @ 10:23 am
Gavin should be admired for not being any old industry jerkoff, but an exceptional jerkoff among jerkoffs.
Comment by Billy Baru — December 2, 2007 @ 10:35 am
I’m sure the AMPTP has made all kinds of promises and inducements to Gavin in exchange for shucking-and-jiving for them, but what writer is going to work with this guy when the strike is over?
Comment by Dave — December 2, 2007 @ 10:50 am
So Gavin Pallone deserves the millions he’s made off of everyone else’s backs, including numerous members of the Guild, but writers should have taken the first crappy offer from the AMPTP regardless of how insulting it was. Regardless of how much it shut them out of their own futures.
Gavin’s an extremely successful manager. I can’t imagine that’s how Gavin or any other manager would ever advise one of their clients. Something seems fishy.
One of Gavin Pallone’s top clients is Conan O’Brien. Maybe there’s another agenda here. Conan announced he’s paying his staff NEXT week, but for how long? Until the Carson Daly scandal dies down?
Let’s see how long Conan stays off the air and whether or not he’s the first major host to cross. It looks like NBC is setting the table for his return.
Meanwhile, keep all this in mind as you read comments from Gavin Pallone. Maybe he’s just earning his 10%.
Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous — December 2, 2007 @ 11:09 am
This guy is mental, and inconsequential
He was marginalized after being canned by UTA and knows in the digital age useless parasites like him will be obsolete
He’s clawing for relevance — with his nose pathetically up Redstone’s rear-end, and it’s now a sad spectacle
The studios best pick to bring down the WGA is this tool?
AMPTP is desperate, circling the drain, folks.
Behold how they are pinning hope of victory on the likes of Carson Daly and this polone guy.
Not even worth responding to this guy
The more he speaks, the more he helps WGA.
Comment by insidetheAMPTP — December 2, 2007 @ 11:12 am
I’m told by people very close to Gavin that his TV business has collapsed. Where years ago he had 30(!) pilots in production, now he has to implore writers to work with him at all.
So it may be that he’s realized that he has nothing left to lose. He may be angling for a studio or network job. One thing’s for sure: he has an angle somewhere.
Comment by david — December 2, 2007 @ 11:13 am
Gavin who?
Comment by Phineas Gage — December 2, 2007 @ 11:14 am
The fact that he appeared in a segment that was basically about how people could make money off the strike should demonstrate pretty clearly where his allegiances lay, and therefore the filter through which to hear anything he has to say about the strike itself.
Comment by b!X — December 2, 2007 @ 11:18 am
And what if….nbc uses the strike to break their deal with conan?
are their feet cold or hot about the deal they made with Polone and Conan?
hate jay or love jay it doesn’t matter his numbers are strong. nbc blew it. and everyone knows it. Perhaps ABC will collect on the war spoils.
Comment by jupiterjoy — December 2, 2007 @ 11:20 am
To SickOfHisCryForAttention:
Agreed. We’ve lost respect for Larry David, being associated with this loser.
To Mr. NoName:
Agreed. However, polone won’t be a player in the coming digital era. Should he manage to squeak up through Rupert Murduch’s butt cheeks though, writers should definitely not work with this guy.
To anotherWGAmember
Agreed. LOL !
Comment by producerswithRELEVANCE — December 2, 2007 @ 11:21 am
Gavin Palone is a parasite. I trust no one is surprised. He knows he can say whatever he wants about writers because there’s lots of them, and few executives who agree to buy TV programs and movies from him. He’s just making sure that the next time he has lunch with them, they believe he acted in their best interest. Let’s be honest, no matter what a writers’ convictions are, no one will not take his phone call if he wants to do business with them.
Comment by Strike, Schmike — December 2, 2007 @ 11:22 am
“You can’t push around Sumner Redstone and Rupert Murdoch.”
No, but apparently you CAN kiss their asses.
Comment by yet another acolyte — December 2, 2007 @ 11:23 am
It’s funny, because pimps usually try to get the MOST money for their whores, not sell them off cheap.
Comment by anotherWGAmember — December 2, 2007 @ 11:28 am
Conan actually selected this moron to be his rep? I have lost all respect for Conan O’Brien. I will never look at Conan the same way.
Comment by advertiser — December 2, 2007 @ 11:28 am
Let’s start the list here:
I vow, as a writer of the WGA, to never work for Gavin in any capacity, regardless of how much money or bullshit he throws in my direction.
Anyone else in?
Comment by Fuck Gavin Writer #1 — December 2, 2007 @ 11:30 am
Gavin knows his comments are false — that “morale is low”, that the WGA could have taken the insane deal that was offered on Nov 4 — so it’s not a matter of him simply “shooting from the hip”.
He’s clearly sucking up to the Master, at the price of his own credibility.
How the mighty have fallen.
Comment by Gavin's Mom — December 2, 2007 @ 11:35 am
As lousy as last Thursday’s AMPTP offer was, it was demonstrably better than what they were offering in November. Meaning the strike has already gotten results, and Polone is full of crap, just as he was the last time around. If we had done what he counseled and bent over for the studios in November, we’d be stuck with an even worse framework for Internet and new media compensation for the forseeable future– not that Polone particularly cares.
Comment by Zack — December 2, 2007 @ 11:36 am
It doesn’t help things that he’s been absolutely, 100% right so far in terms of predictions.
Not saying I agree with his opinions, but his take on the AMPTP using the talks for PR leverage, and giving us an offer hardly any better than before and not really being stung by the strike at all seem to be on the money, I’m sorry to say.
I just hope his “6 to 9 months” scenario doesn’t play out.
Comment by Scribesey Wibesey — December 2, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Damn, Gavin, you’ll be sitting down to a second Thanksgiving dinner when you have to eat your words. WGA, forget the viewers and out-of-work employees for a second. Get a great deal fast so you can kick this idiot in the mud.
Comment by Caitlin — December 2, 2007 @ 11:43 am
Why doesn’t the WGA create a petition (a la Pencils Down) of writers who will no longer with Polone once the strike ends?
Comment by Anonymous — December 2, 2007 @ 11:51 am
One ironic consequence of this strike is it has provided a real keyhole into network news and how corrupt and self-serving it is
in a time where network news viewership is plummeting, one wonders why it keeps broadcasting clear propaganda which only alienates viewers
viewers are too sophisticated these days - they spot the propaganda. this is why ratings are down - there are too many other sources for truth online
we know gavin and if these news networks are promoting him as an expert on anything, it casts suspicion on all “experts” who appear on these news channels
Comment by executive sense — December 2, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Gavin may be right about where things are heading.
But the deal we are being offered is horrendous and it will, over time, destroy the WGA and hurt the quality of life of writers… and actors… and teamsters, for that matter (they depend on residuals for their pension fund).
What kind of coward would accept that without a fight?
Comment by Anonymous — December 2, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
what a strange phenomenon this strike has become. a couple of observations.
1. If you don’t agree with the strike you are employed by the AMPTP. (BTL people need to make money somewhere)
2. The AMPTP forced the writers to strike. (Kinda like Saddam made the US attack iraq)
3. Writers don’t know how to get out of the way of moving vehicles. (Maybe they should get someone to watch them on iChat and tell them when to move)
4. You aren’t greedy for wanting more money. (You are only greedy if you don’t want to pay your “nongreedy” employees more money)
5. It is smart to negotiate for a cut of a business model that hasn’t evolved yet. (Writers got screwed over DVD and VHS cuz they didn’t know what it was really going to be worth in the future, and they are repeating their same mistake with internet media. But its OK cuz at least they will get something)
6. Its OK to be a hypocrite during a strike.
Comment by reality bites — December 2, 2007 @ 12:06 pm
wow, that polone guy is really unattractive
Comment by female viewers — December 2, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
Gavin Palone is so boring and desperate and OVER. I feel sad for his pathetic, uninformed displays for attention (FUNDED BY THE STUDIO - NO DOUBT). He just makes me want to walk the line five days instead of four, eight hours instead of three.
Santa, bring me a new pair of walking shoes!
Comment by Strike Grrrrl — December 2, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
how embarrassing that this dude is obsessing about what a bunch of comments on a website will say about him as he steps on to national tv about a major international business issue
a mogul he is not
is this the best face the amptp could dig up from the crypt to rally for its cause?
yikes.
Comment by equityfund — December 2, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
Mr. Polone is reinforcing the basic fact that words are, indeed, very powerful tools in the right hands.
And in the wrong hands, they can prove to be a millstone of unconscionable weight, even when preaching a sermon to the choir.
pb
Comment by pb — December 2, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
NOTE FROM NIKKI: THIS RESPONSE IS FROM GAVIN POLONE
Indieprod,
You seem very confident in how you think others should act, yet you lack the confidence to sign your name to your thoughts? What scares you? Haven’t you read above that I am washed up? Maybe you would not be a “dying breed” if more like you stood up and said “this is who I am and this is how I feel.” Maybe you can foment change. It is difficult for others to assign credibility to the thoughts of those who don’t show enough confidence to stand next to what they say.
The reason I’m saying all of this stuff in public, and putting my name to it, is because I think the WGA is mishandling this situation and I do not believe enough members are truly considering much of anything other than what they hear from other members or the leadership. Some do but they are too fearful of being censured by their comrades to speak up. I know this because they send me confidential emails saying so.
The one thing the WGA leaders have done well is intimidate those who disagree with them. Surely, I’m not the only one who noticed in the WGA’s update of 11/29 that they first say “Thursday morning, the first new proposal was finally presented to us. It dealt only with streaming and made-for-Internet jurisdiction, and it amounts to a massive rollback,” and then, in the same memo, went on to crow, “Any movement on the part of these multinational conglomerates has been the result of the collective action of our membership, with the support of SAG, other unions, supportive politicians, and the general public.” So they are saying that the only movement has been backward and it is, heroically, on account of their strategy and action. Yet nobody stands up and questions anything. Well, maybe John Ridley, and good for him.
And still, many, many people are out of work. Not rich writers but people who live hand-to-mouth and are worrying about their mortgages. People who have never received a residual in their lives. Why? Why? Why? I’ll tell you why: because Patrick Verone and David Young are the George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld of the WGA.
Comment by Anonymous — December 2, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Gavin who? This guy was relevant five or ten years ago but now he’s gone blabbermouth in order to try and keep his profile up….sad, really.
Comment by Walk The Line — December 2, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
Polone not only represents Conan, who has given ZERO support to the writers, but also Larry David, who buys most of the story ideas for Curb from other WGA writers but NEVER gives them story credit.
Polone says WGA support is eroding, but I haven’t seen it. I’ve been on the line every day and I can’t believe how united we are. People are willing to strike for a year if need be. Everyone knows what’s at stake, and we’ll do what we have to do to get what we deserve.
Comment by ForAsLongAsItTakes — December 2, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
I’d like to think Conan is a better guy than that. But if Conan crosses, we will picket his ass in New York. Every day. A lot of SAG guests will not cross that line.
Striking East coast writer.
Comment by ng East coast writer — December 2, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
I’m in your head
Comment by blackball gavin — December 2, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
From Wikipedia:
In the spring of 1996 UTA dismissed partner and television department head Gavin Polone, after an agent accused him of sexual harassment and threatened to go public if she was not released from her contract. Polone immediately threatened legal action, and UTA soon issued a public apology and agreed to buy out his contract. He was one of the firm’s most powerful agents, and his departure cost UTA Seinfeld’s Larry David, among others. A year later the agency sued Polone, alleging that he was guilty of defrauding clients, sexual misconduct, and other unethical behavior.
Comment by NuffSaid — December 2, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
re: Gavin & Conan -
I can assure you, with absolute certainty, that Gavin has nearly zero involvement w/ Conan at this point in their respective careers and his comments aren’t agenda driven.
Comment by Billy Baru — December 2, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
What kind of awful childhood must Gavin Polone have had? Every day I feel blessed to have parents who love me, especially when you see what happens to people whose parents did not. I feel sorry for Gavin, I really do.
Comment by StrikeTillTheEnd — December 2, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
The last few site posts have dealt with NBC’s desperate shenanigans.
We honestly cannot remember the last time we viewed anything “on NBC.” If NBC disappeared from “the dial,” we wouldn’t even notice.
Comment by 18-49withmoney — December 2, 2007 @ 1:37 pm
Well he’s richer than I’ll ever be so he must be right.
Comment by Ted Striker — December 2, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
Here’s an interesting alternative perspective:
Gavin is a self-interested person losing income because of the strike. He wants the strike to end, which can happen if the writers accept a shit deal. The End.
Comment by Anonymous — December 2, 2007 @ 2:01 pm
If Gavin Polone didn’t exist, Ricky Gervais would have to create him. Polone comes across as a real-life version of David Brent. They’re both pathetic, selfish, puffed-up characters. Both make me laugh, but only one does so intentionally.
Comment by youknowwho — December 2, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
@Strike, Schmike who said: “Let’s be honest, no matter what a writers’ convictions are, no one will not take his phone call if he wants to do business with them.”
only new writers or has-been writers will take polone’s call
writers in demand, or fast on the rise, will NOT work with polone - part of it is his writer-hatred, but part of it is also that he’s pathetic and ineffective
Comment by showrunner — December 2, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
“If Gavin Polone didn’t exist, Ricky Gervais would have to create him.”
Oh crap, I almost squirted my nice drink of cold milk out my nose on that visual image…
And that burns y’know.
Thanks for the laugh. And the revealing the power of mere words when correctly applied to the funny bone…
pb
Comment by pb — December 2, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
I tried to post this earlier, but it didn’t get through. I’m going to try one more time. Just for the sake of balance on this issue. Here goes…
Oh my god, I may be Gavin Palone! I don’t WANT to agree with what he’s said, but I feel that in the real business world, he’s right. So then, the writers can stick it out, or cave. Whatever you want. But don’t jump on him for speaking the reality of the situation. You can put your fingers in your ears and sing the National Anthem and pretend he’s ignorant or anti-WGA or you can acknowledge that he is very savvy, experienced and has a wealth of experience with all the sides involved and therefore is much better equipped to evaluate the situation. So now just figure our what your next step is. I don’t think it is wrong for the writers to fight for what they deserve. But at least know what you are fighting against. You should thank him, not crucify him. He’s arming you with the information that you need to wage your war. You’re not going to win anything with your heads buried in the sand. I’m sure this post will make you all sick. And you probably think that I am a “troll” or a “schill” which I am not. And now in resoponse to his response - he is also right about your leadership. It sucks. They should have been able to get you a much better FIRST offer. But nobody did the research, nobody did their due dilligence in any are of how this strike would play out. The Bush/Rumsfeld analogy is perfect.
No, he doesn’t have 30 pilots this year. But he is far from washed up. That’s just another way to comfort yourself against what you don’t want to hear. And MANY writers respect and like him. Many don’t. That’s status quo for the job(s) that he does. Tons of writers hate Ari, but they’d kill to be rep’d by him.
And to further prove how right he is - I’m not using my real name. I’m too afraid of how ugly the writers have become towards each other and every one else after only ONE MONTH of striking.
Don’t give up, but demand better leadership and get your stats together. You can start with one of Nikki’s posts today. That’s the kind of information good leadership has going INTO a negotiation. And they could have put your dues towards getting it, instead of whatever it was that they weren’t getting for you.
Comment by Ignorance is Bliss in WGA — December 2, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
ok, polone really is a mental case trolling this site
ooh, how convenient that his defense is shadowy “confidential” e-mails, just like variety’s “stories” are only supported by “anonymous sources”
these e-mails do not exist. we know for a fact.
it is a routine ploy for those with no valid argument to divert attention away and on to irrelevant issues, i.e. how people sign their comments
it is irrelevant, except for one point: some people are employed by companies and as he knows have specific language in their contract governing how they represent their employer in public - a contractual term he violated and got fired by uta for, and nearly sued for. the only reason uta initially “apologized” was because polone was going to divulge company info via public litigation, but uta later retracted the apology.
he’s trying to become relevant again by shilling for amptp but he’s helping you writers because he’s such a buffoon
Comment by amptpinsider — December 2, 2007 @ 3:30 pm
Polone said:
And still, many, many people are out of work. Not rich writers but people who live hand-to-mouth and are worrying about their mortgages. People who have never received a residual in their lives. Why? Why? Why? I’ll tell you why: because Patrick Verone and David Young are the George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld of the WGA.
Okay, I knew Polone was a jerk, but I never knew he was stupid before. And like he gives a crap about poor people. Ha! But my favorite part is his theory that the highest ethical standard known to man is signing one’s name to one’s post. Yeah, sign your name and that forgives all the accusations of sexual harrassment, income tax evasion, and on and on and on.
Dude — you are only about to BEGIN to understand the meaning of the word Pariah.
Comment by ProudToBeAnonymous — December 2, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
I vow to not ever take a dime from this prick.
Jennifer Glickman
WGA since 1995
Comment by Jennifer Glickman — December 2, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
Dear Showrunner,
Is that your given name? You just proved a point for him. If you are that powerful, give your real name. You are obviously in demand and/or fast-on-the rise so what are you afraid of? That is not a facetious question. I am serious. What are you afraid of? I just don’t understand. If you are proud of your cause, show it. It gives you more power and clout. I know you are not a showrunner I ever worked for recently, because they would not have been afraid to use their name if they made such a strong statement. But I ‘ll assume if you really are a showrunner, you’re a showrunner I’ll never work for now…
And like me, or hate me, everyone, but I hope you’ll at least respect me for using MY real name because it can potentially cause me a lot of damage since I rely on you for my jobs.
And for the record, I support the writers. But I also agree with the fact that there has been some bad leadership in your guild, and that if you want to look united and strong you need to throw your names behind your words. You do it on all your scripts. Now come out from behind your computers and do it in your posts. Show the AMPTP and everyone else you’re not afraid. Fear is deadly in negotiations.
Comment by Erin Braun — December 2, 2007 @ 3:52 pm
If my post gets posted, I may have decreased my hirability, but maybe my Starmeter will go up a little!
See, you have to look at the bright side during strikes…
Comment by Erin Braun — December 2, 2007 @ 4:04 pm
“Billy Baru” wrote:
re: Gavin & Conan - I can assure you, with absolute certainty, that Gavin has nearly zero involvement w/ Conan at this point in their respective careers and his comments aren’t agenda driven.
Since the words “absolute certainty” always set off my radar, I just called two people I know who work for Conan (one left recently, before the strike.) They both said that Polone is Conan’s guy, then AND now. In fact, one said the only closer relationship Conan has “is with that damn guitar.”
Comment by anonymous comedy writer — December 2, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
Comment by youknowwho SAID”If Gavin Polone didn’t exist, Ricky Gervais would have to create him.”
Sort of funny that Ricky Gervais is a lead in Palone’s next film. How many of you would have wanted to write for “Tell Me You Love Me”? I bet most of you out of work writers, if you had an agent, and that agent got you a meeting with Palone for an HBO show a year from now, you would kill to be on it.
Comment by Anonymous — December 2, 2007 @ 4:16 pm
Polone is no worse than 80% of the producers I’ve worked for over the last 20 years. On second thought, make that 90%
If I had to approve of the personality and politics of every producer who offered me a job, I’d never take an assignment. Not one. I’d starve. And so would my wife and kids.
Stop behaving like children and grow up. If Polone offers me a job and I like the assignment, I’ll take it. He’s no differnet than any other jerk/producer/agent/manager/asshole in this town.
Comment by 20yrWGAwriter — December 2, 2007 @ 4:21 pm
Go, Jennifer Glickman! A real name! A real writer! I am proud to say that I have worked for both you and your husband on 2 shows. I knew the writers I’ve worked for weren’t the cowards.
Comment by Erin Braun — December 2, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
Is “Tell Me You Love Me” really one of Pallone’s shows? That is perfect! What a piece of crap that show is. The married people at work the other day were saying how none of the situations on that show resemble any relationship in the real world. It’s like a toilet paper commercial. All it shows is how dead and desperate HBO is that they would need to continue that pretentious piece of crap for another season.
Comment by TV Watcher — December 2, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
Gavin,
You claim that the WGA should have accepted the AMPTP’s intital offer presented on Nov 4.
That proposal “offered” writers a de facto 0.0% of all revenue from downloads and streaming. As an additional enticement, it “offered” to remove writers’ names from all movie advertising.
Is this the kind of deal you struck for your clients when you were an agent? You sure drive a hard bargain!
Fascinating, by the way, that you seem to think that increased *billboard advertising* will make up for CBS’ lost upfront money when the next season-and-a-half of scripted TV gets blown out of the water in February. To say nothing of the media buyers who are already migrating to Google. Have no fear, Les Moonves: billboard advertising is the wave of the future!
Comment by laughing at Gavin — December 2, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
Thank you Gavin, for saying something that needed to be said. WGA needs better leadership like it or not.
Comment by nice — December 2, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
erin braun is a production manager and associate producer who is hired by PRODUCERS
she’s also very annoying and focused on the irrelevant
Comment by insider — December 2, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
They both said that Polone is Conan’s guy, then AND now. In fact, one said the only closer relationship Conan has “is with that damn guitar.”
if true, respect for Conan O’Brien just nosedived
Comment by viewers — December 2, 2007 @ 4:59 pm
My name is Larry Levin. I have known Gavin personally and professionally for over twenty years. As my agent for eleven years we enjoyed a successful, mutually beneficial relationship. We had a good run that ended cordially and amicably about ten years ago.
I would say to all of you who have written such eloquent responses to Gavin’s comments - don’t waste your time. Gavin doesn’t care what you or anyone else thinks of him. If he did, he wouldn’t defend the studios one day and audit them the next, branding them as “criminals.” He wouldn’t fiercely protect writers one day and ask them to scab the next. Everything Gavin does and says is calculated for maximum effect. He enjoys provocation. I bet even in his wildest dreams, he would never have imagined this kind of outcry. While watching him on CNBC and Fox Business Channel, I witnessed how much he craves attention and the limelight. Why give him more?
To all of my fellow guild members who are considering responding to Gavin, I say again, don’t waste your time. Our job is to show up on the picket line in force. And in solidarity – an alien concept to someone like my old friend, Gavin.
Comment by Larry Levin — December 2, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
to 20yrWGAwriter
so, your definition of being grown up is behaving like a soulless whore?
not everyone is like you, and not everyone is desperate
the difference is us other “assholes” aren’t spouting insane inflammatory lies on tv to advance our own personal agenda
Comment by producer — December 2, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
nikki, no more postings on polone
it makes him seem relevant and he’s not
he’s thriving on this attention, because even negative attention is better than obscurity for someone like that
and to the moron who said writers put their name on scripts and therefore should on comments - scripts are copyrighted material for payment purposes
negotiations are not taking place on this message board, glad that woman is not on the negotiating commitee not to understand the distinction
many people on this board aren’t writers but not everyone pathologically needs their name in lights, and one certainly is entitled to an opinion irrespective of how a comment is signed
as someone else said, stop diverting attention from the large, substantive issues with yor petty points
Comment by producer — December 2, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
Jennifer Glickman–
Is there something specific that I said that makes me a prick and not worthy of having my dime accepted, or is it just that I don’t agree with the WGA leadership in general? Is it possible that, sometimes, pricks are just people who don’t agree with you on some things?
I think the WGA misread how little leverage they would have in a short strike and didn’t stop to think about the damage that would be caused by a long one. Certainly, they didn’t plan on having IATSE come out against them. I think all of the chanting and name calling has worked to their disadvantage. I also think, if the WGA had analyzed their opponent correctly and was planning for a long strike, they would not have taken the DVD residual, long thought of as a terrible wrong that needed to be made right, off the table A MONTH AGO. If they were going to hold out, why not try and get the big money (it is indisputable that far more would have come from increasing the DVD formula than the download formula, during the term of the contract)? I think that showed weakness and the AMPTP recognized it. Doesn’t that all make some sense? If not, tell me why the AMPTP hasn’t come up more in their proposals? I’ve been in many negotiations (I’m sure you can grant this old prick that) and have found that when you are hurting someone, they tap out pretty quickly.
But thanks for printing your name. I’ll hold on to that dime, in case you change your mind.
Erin Braun–
I doubt anyone worth working with will blacklist you or harm you because you said what you thought. Anyone with any power over your being hired wouldn’t be afraid to say who they were. But it is great and brave of you to take the chance, anyway.
Comment by Gavin Polone — December 2, 2007 @ 5:28 pm
amptpinsider,
I don’t see how any contracts can stop someone from calling me names or stating how they feel about the strike. Most of what you say is about me and I don’t think you work for me, do you? My employees don’t have contracts anyway. If you are bound by a contract that says you can’t say stuff about me, I release you from that portion of the contract. Just don’t say anything about your employer, if I am not your employer. I absolve you from the threat of litigation. I will not sue you for what you say here on DHD. So feel free to come out into the light of day and hurl your insults and make your false claims about my past.
You’re so tough and I’m just a buffoon. I’m truly fearful of what you might write about me, using your own name, now that you are untethered by that nasty employment contract.
Or, maybe, you’re just ashamed that all you have are misrepresentations and insults?
Waiting
Comment by Gavin Polone — December 2, 2007 @ 5:43 pm
“Billy Baru” writes:
“re: Gavin & Conan - I can assure you, with absolute certainty, that Gavin has nearly zero involvement w/ Conan at this point in their respective careers and his comments aren’t agenda driven.”
Meanwhile Gavin Palone writes:
“Hey, thanks for all of the attention. I want to make sure that I get more than Ari (Emanuel)”
Coincidentally, Ari Emanuel is Conan’s agent at Endeavor. Odd that these two are so out in front on all of this, especially since so few people are commenting at all. I’m sure the fact that Conan is one of both of their top clients is a mere coincidence.
Feel free to deny all of this more Billy and Gavin but your words don’t matter. Everyone will be watching to see what Conan does in the weeks to come.
Comment by Anonymous — December 2, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Did I magically go back in time ten years to when what Gavin Pollone said mattered to anyone?
Comment by Archie Berman — December 2, 2007 @ 6:47 pm
Dear producer,
My definition of being “grown up” is not insisting that everybody I work for agrees with me on every issue that’s important to me.
I don’t care about producers’ politics. I don’t care about their religions. And I don’t give a flying fuck what they think or say about the WGA.
Comment by 20yrWGAwriter — December 2, 2007 @ 7:26 pm
Who cares? Polone is like any other gross personality in the business…he will keep running his mouth and mistreating people, getting a sad kind of notoriety for it. Eventually, his cockroach like ability to keep himself afloat will wane and we writers will still be out there with an actual craft at our disposal.
Comment by Merry Jensen — December 2, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
Regardless of Gavin’s nonsense, let’s give Conan credit. NBC would obviously love him to be on the air but he has refused to do so and we should appreciate his commitment to the WGA strike. Then he helped non-writing staffers.
What Gavin says is wrong, thanks to WGA members like Conan letting the strike bite the networks.
Comment by Anonymous — December 2, 2007 @ 8:03 pm
anonymous comedy writer: Since the words “absolute certainty” always set off my radar, I just called two people I know who work for Conan (one left recently, before the strike.) They both said that Polone is Conan’s guy, then AND now. In fact, one said the only closer relationship Conan has “is with that damn guitar.”
I don’t have a horse in this race, just correcting misinformation. What I wrote is accurate. Polone is Conan’s guy, but “has nearly zero involvement” with Conan. They speak - used to speak quite often, but now that Polone is less a manager, they very rarely speak.
While the comparison to Conan’s guitar is humorous, it reveals your friends’ level of access. Off the top of my head, there are several who are closer to Conan than Gavin is, going back years.
absolute certainty.
Comment by Billy Baru — December 2, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
Here’s the thing; Palone might be right, he might be wrong but why doesn’t he just shut up?
For me it’s not so much his point-of-view or his use of freedom of speech that’s the real issue here. It’s about the pure joy he finds in “poking the bear!” He’s like an arson after setting a fire, standing there laughing as he watches homes go up in flames.
People say that he doesn’t care what any of us think… Then why does he comb through and comment on this thing after every one of his inflammatory interviews?
I know Conan, we’re not best friends or anything but I do know that how he’s perceived by his peers is very important to him. This Palone bullshit is the kind of thing that gets under his skin. Next time I talk to him I’ll nudge him a little and make sure he’s clear on how his representation is casting a dark light on his reputation.
Comment by BigTonyG — December 2, 2007 @ 9:09 pm
Who, in any work realm, agrees with their employers? You may like or not like Mr. Palone’s opinions, but slinging personal trash on this site only weakens it for those attempting to learn about the strike.
Many people would kill to have the mainstream forum Gavin has access to — but instead we have Nikki’s site, so show some class and keep it professional.
Comment by Say What? — December 2, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
Attention Gavin haters: Regarding Conan, I am pretty sure it was Gavin who made what I would describe as an “awesome” deal for him at NBC. NBC has to let Jay go and give Conan the slot. Hello? Prescient anyone??
Who doesn’t love having a big nasty agent or manager doing the heavy lifting? Try and separate the hate from the slander.
Comment by buckzollo — December 2, 2007 @ 9:23 pm
Dear “Producer” and “Insider,”
As far as I am concerned you are faceless muggers who only have the guts to attack from behind the safety of a mask. Your remarks that I am annoying or a moron mean nothing if you don’t have the guts to attach your name to your remarks. All you do is strengthen the position of Mr. Polone.
I am willing to put aside your gutless remarks and stand by the wonderful writers that I had the luck to work for and throw aside your ridiculous comments that I (a) am hired by PRODUCERS since I am not important enough to matter to them - it is WRITERS who hire me. And (b) What the hell does a copyright have to do with my comment about putting a name on a script? My point, although it may not have sat well with you, was completely missed.
I stand steadfast in unity with MY writers, and what THE writers are fighting for, but I would rather give Mr. Polone a piggy back ride to his office everyday in my underwear than work for somebody (that’s you) that doesn’t have the integrity to attach their name to an attack against someone that has little or nothing to gain from your strike and still actually expressed support for them and WAS willing to risk giving their name, knowing that there could be repercussions. From both writers and studios. Maybe a nominal risk, but still a risk. More than you can say for yourselves. If you want to hate me or say mean things about me, do it to my face or do it privately amongst yourselves. But don’t just hit and run like cowards. Perhaps it was misguided in its execution, but i was hoping it would encourage writers to really stand up and rally and stop being afraid. The picket lines are almost as anonymous as posting. It is the names and the people that stand by their convictions that end up meaning something in the end.
At the end of this day, I put myself on the line while you threw rocks from behind a tree. You should be very proud of your wealth of dignity. Is that how you garner and maintain support? Nice job.
This will be my last post (no applause necessary), so I hope it actually gets posted.
I remain a fan of Nikki Finke’s and a fan of many, many writers.
Comment by Erin Braun — December 2, 2007 @ 10:11 pm
i had a meeting at pariah a few months ago and they went on and on about how much gavin loves writers. just loves ‘em. can’t get enough. i have his business card right here and will now deposit it in the trash.
Comment by idiot newbie — December 2, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
NOOOOOO…..Gavin its not just that your slimy bravado is disgusting… How are you getting away with saying the same thing you did before?????: WGA had leverage before the strike???? The logic in this statement is so ridiculous. Logic says AMPTP had projections of what the strike would do to their companies even if those projections were probably wrong, a product of misjudging how losing the work of WGA members would affect their bottom line.
And if companies are now benefiting from the strike as you say Gavin (a statement which you continuously fail to backup with a shred of evidence except the asinine claim: “If CBS network TV suffers, Good Ole’ Les Moonves will make his money from Billboards” ), would not the companies have foreseen this (un-verified and probably fictitious) benefit, would not the companies have welcomed the strike even if they were wrong about the gain it might give them, obviously holding pennies more dear than the jobs of below the line workers they have let go right before a holiday season!!!!
As for giving you my name, fuck you, you arrogant prick. You may have reached a place where you feel oblivious to the whim of some asshole that can make or break your career, but i won’t risk mine or trust that you wouldn’t try and fuck it up on whim.
But you know2 what I would love to hear Polone, if you are such a big man who’s proud of coming out into the light, why don’t you say what you really feel about how the Moguls have behaved, their spinning of things, their greed, or as you CLAIM Les Moonves or Sumner Redstone’s oblivious prowess which you seem strangely…proud of, as if you think it’s good. Say it. Try it. Be honest. What do you really think, about them? About Nick Counter? Lay it down for us big boy. Are they shrewd and cunning? Genius in their calculations. How should we admire them? Don’t just present your lame analysis, give us the Jerry Macguire. C’mon, dig deep you can do it!!!!! Send us the memo.
Comment by polonix — December 2, 2007 @ 10:18 pm
Erin Braun,
This is Hollywood, dear. I’ve watched people crush other people’s careers for standing up for themselves and ruin other’s future employment just because it was a slow day. Maybe you’ve never schmoozed on the phone and then hung up and said “Cocksucker” but 99% of this town has.
This is a safe place to state our opinions and by not stating our names, there are no reprocussions. The fact that you would rather give Mr. Palone a piggy back ride on your back in your underwear every day then work for someone that has not left his or her name by their comments is going to give you some slim pickings for jobs - 95% of the comments here are anonymous.
That doesn’t make them any less smart, relevent, informative or courageous. As a Writer that is on the line everyday wearing the tread out of my shoes, I can tell you, the picket lines are not anonymous AND NONE OF US need you to encourage us to stand up and rally and not be afraid. Because WE ARE RALLYING EVERYDAY and WE ARE NOT AFRAID.
Comment by Strike Grrrrl — December 2, 2007 @ 11:00 pm
Many years ago, when Polone was an agent, he was trying to sign a friend of mine, who was fresh out of USC Film School. Polone took my friend to a hill overlooking the city. He then said that, if my friend signed with him, my friend would soon own the town. My friend signed with him. My friend never worked a day in Hollywood. My friend is now a lawyer.
Comment by MY FIRST COMMENT — December 3, 2007 @ 12:39 am
Dear Strike Grrrrl,
I value and honor your argument. Because you gave me your reason. But still isn’t fear of repercussions still fear? My piggy-back statement was made to two individuals only, not you. I have read many smart, relevant, informative statements. But they are not courageous while anonymous. If this board is just a safe place to vent, then there is no reason to give your name. If you (figuratively, not YOU) are claiming it is a site for PRODUCERS to gauge strength, which is often posted, than I believe that the anonymity is harmful. And if posters are insulting people anonymously, then that is just hurtful, mean, discouraging, sad, and weak. And it definitely detracts from what I am assuming is unwanted and un-needed support from non-writers.
And, actually, yes, I have been in the room when a network or studio exec has said something to the effect of “that cocksuker” after a writer has refused to address a note, or demanded to do a location that totally screws the budget. And it is my job to say “No, he is not being unreasonable, you just don’t understand his vision yet, you’ll understand it was worth it when it’s in the can.” and 80 percent of the time, they get it. And the other 20% of the time, when the expensive joke didn’t pay off, I say “Sorry, that was my fault, my judgement was incorrect.” I NEVER blame the writer or the director. And that is support and that is loyalty. And I know we will never work together, but you would never have somebody more loyal or respecful of a writer’s talent, than I.
Again, I do not withdraw my unwanted support, but I am discouraged by how my comments have been taken. So, I will sadly accept my slim pickings. I guess I better do some back-strengthening exercises, because my own, the people I most respected, are turning on me. As predicted by a certain someone.
Totally unrelated, I hope you are feeling better, Nikki. And I am glad that you not only posted my posts, but the posts of those who disagree with me. Because that is fair. And fairnesss is rarely recompensed monetarily, but i still believe in aiming for it. Even though this is Hollywood.
Comment by Not my last post — December 3, 2007 @ 1:17 am
Laughing at Gavin–
I never said the WGA should have just accepted the first proposal. I said I thought they should have kept negotiating, not gone out, and closed the best deal possible. That is what they should do now: conclude the negotiation, and the strike, under the best terms possible.
Larry Levin–
I can’t say that I disagree with most of what you say about me. I see no benefit in solidarity behind a flawed strategy but I do see much damage. The examples of groups following inept demagogues into destruction are legion. So what if I enjoy going on TV shows and provoking people? My enjoying this exercise doesn’t make my reasoning wrong. Reread the 11/29 update from the WGA and tell me if they do not contradict themselves. Think about why, if the strategy is working, there hasn’t been more movement from the AMPTP. Consider what the cost of a 6 or 9 month strike will be versus the potential reward and if that long of a strike is even sustainable.
And, I sincerely do consider you a friend. If your saying that about me was facetious, call or email me and let’s talk about it. My best to S.
Polonix–
There was a certain leverage, before the strike, in the unknown. They should have used that to get a better deal and closed. I don’t believe the negotiators knew the WGAE was going out and misjudged how the AMPTP would react when they did. A grave miscalculation. If I’m wrong and they were planning for this, why give up the DVD residual, worth way, way more than the other stuff over the next 3 years, and then, lamely, put it back on the table? If the strike is hurting Les Moonves and Peter Chernin, why would they come out in public and say otherwise, creating a possible Sarbanes-Oaxley violation? Why wouldn’t they offer more during the 3 day negotiating session?
I don’t love the studios. I’m currently auditing two of them and their behaviour, when it comes to accounting, is ghastly. I will most likely sue one of those two. This will not be the first or even sixth time I have initiated legal action against a studio during the last 10 years, as Larry Levin has attested.
The AMPTP has not handled their side of the PR battle well. As for their negotiating position, I can’t see how they would conduct it differently, given the aggressiveness of the WGA leadership. The AMPTP hasn’t been winning this contest, the WGA has been losing it. This isn’t a court trial or a senate debate, it is a business negotiation. Negotiations are about leverage and maneuver. The WGA doesn’t seem to get that. The AMPTP does.
And, Madame, you can justify it any way you choose but calling people names behind a wall of anonymity is just cowardly. But, maybe, your job is so great that it is worth sacrificing your integrity.
Strike Grrrl–
You say this is a safe place? You might want to look at who’s threatening whom. I haven’t threatened anyone and will not try to damage anyone who speaks their mind on this site, or anywhere. Clearly, from what I’ve read, I’m irrelevant and a buffoon anyway, so where is the risk? On the other hand, I and Erin Braun have been threatened because we expressed our opinions using our own names. Look at the language and tone you have used in your gutlessly anonymous posts and think about your part in making this site “safe”.
Comment by Gavin Polone — December 3, 2007 @ 2:35 am
Wait, Gavin. Your advice is that we attempt to conclude the negotiations and the strike under the best terms possible?
FUCK, man. Why aren’t you on our negotiating committee?
Boggled by your genius.
Comment by Stephen Falk — December 3, 2007 @ 6:45 am
Gavin, what you don’t seem to GET is that you are now viewed as no more than a sad publicity hound. Nobody’s even listening to your message anymore. It’s just “there goes that Gavin guy, flapping off.” How many of us will now will NOW NEVER want to sit across from you in a meeting? Oh, I know, you don’t care. And dude, that’s the only message we’re hearing: you DON’T CARE.
Burn in hell.
Comment by writer — December 3, 2007 @ 7:28 am
Gavin, at this point I don’t care if you’re right or wrong. What I don’t understand is WHY DO YOU KEEP TALKING? WHY DON’T YOU JUST SHUT THE EFF UP ALREADY? To a normal human being it would be embarrassing the way you can’t stay out of the news and have to to keep coming on here and answering anonymous criticisms.
Seriously. What’s wrong with you? Did you not get enough attention as a child?
I mean, it’s starting to get very Gloria Allred, if you know what I mean.
Comment by writer — December 3, 2007 @ 7:33 am
I am a former studio president, a former showrunner, and a WGA member since 1998. I have had significant dealings with Polone over the years and I can assure you that he is an egomaniacal asshole. He is everything people have called him on this posting and more but Larry Levin is correct in that Polone could not care less what anyone thinks of him. That said, and I know this is not going to be a popular stance, he is correct in saying that Verrone and Young are outgunned, overmatched and will not get the best deal for us, regardless of strike length. The truth is, our guys are not professional media industry dealmakers, it is not what they do for a living. If you understand the internal workings of how deals get made at these companies, and as a former high level studio exec for both Disney and Fox I do, then you know that you must engage the studios in a way that our current leadership could not possibly fathom.
The smart play here would be for our union to appoint Peter Benedek, Jim Wiatt, Steve Lafferty, Chris Silbermann and, yes, Ari Emanuel to negotiate for us. This is what they do. They are professional dealmakers, they fight with these guys everyday, it is in their interest to get us a great deal as they commission it, all of it, in the end.
In closing, yes Polone is a complete piece of shit as a human being and a no talent parasite as a producer, but that’s just the “given” in our little theorem. Our real concern should be getting a deal. We all know there is one to be done, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, we know a deal will close eventually so let’s get professionals in there to make it happen sooner rather than later.
Comment by Pete Aronson — December 3, 2007 @ 7:48 am
gavin,
you didn’t answer my questions at all sufficently. You still have not backed up your claim of pre-strike leverage. You just regurgitate stuff that’s plain heresay to prove your point.
And you still haven’t attested to how you feel about how the studios are conducting themselves, stonewalling, laying off below the line employees, or are you saying that business is no ground for ethics. Would you lap the writers with those layoffs? How? Who actually laid those people off? Do you not support the effort of a union to work towards a fair deal? Wouldn’t your analytical mind be best put to trying solve the problem instead of grandstanding with what really and truly sounds like armchair drivvle in an expert’s clothing? Why no comment ON TV on how the companies have lied to either WGA or THEIR STOCKHOLDERS? But yet you feel it right to go ON TV AND TELL PEOPLE TO INVEST IN SUCH FRAUDELENT COMPANIES. MAN YOU ARE FUCKED, JUST PLAIN OLD STUPID FUCKED.
c’mon Gavin, really say it, GO ON TV AND say THAT THE COMPANIES LIE!!!!! THEY LIE ABOUT ACCOUNTING, THEY LIE ABOUT PROFITS. DON’T DO IT HERE YOU WHERE YOU THROW YOUR SWAGGER AROUND LIKE KINGSHIT. Say what you think and feel about the companies, their business ethics and so forth.
This is not a sporting event, that ends on sunday afternoon, and all go home satiated as you call the plays like some slimy brent mussberger. This is a real fight for the future of how entertainment players will be paid. can you not see that? Are you blind??????
Comment by polonix — December 3, 2007 @ 8:00 am
I have no dog in this fight with Mr. Polone, but the fact that he is coming here via Nikki’s site to communicate, even with those that hate/ love him or his reputation shows that he is concerned about the strike, even if only from his own perspective. But why not listen to his points, even if he is off-the-page from someone’s POV? Consider his contributions “notes” and see how they might fit this ongoing complex story that is still being written.
Here’s a recent statement of Mr. Polone’s where he expresses some thoughts (and they are presented as his opinion, not facts) that I too have wondered about:
“There was a certain leverage, before the strike, in the unknown. They should have used that to get a better deal and closed. I don’t believe the negotiators knew the WGAE was going out and misjudged how the AMPTP would react when they did. A grave miscalculation. If I’m wrong and they were planning for this, why give up the DVD residual, worth way, way more than the other stuff over the next 3 years, and then, lamely, put it back on the table? If the strike is hurting Les Moonves and Peter Chernin, why would they come out in public and say otherwise, creating a possible Sarbanes-Oaxley violation? Why wouldn’t they offer more during the 3 day negotiating session?”
Were the WGAw and WGAe on the same page? Had things already broken down in the meetings so that this strike was enviable? But the huge question was what in the heck was going on with the DVD residual? Was that poorly handled? By whom? That laid the foundation, IMHO, pertaining to New Media. That three day window… talk about a what the F moment… more questions than answers to be sure.
And a question for Mr. Polone or someone familiar with the Sarbanes-Oaxley violation… (C’mon you USC lawyer/writers, get in here) I would like to hear more about that. That sure got my antenna twitching.
There is a great deal of interesting news, gossip and anger simmering on these pages Nikke has provided and as the strike continues, that anger will boil over more and more.
But I would hate to see any last vestige of logic and calm discussion and disagreement lost. That is what I treasure here the most and what I learn from.
The “let’s burn the bastards out” helps blow off some pressure but the net results aren’t always the best no matter what the intent.
I look at the thoughts expressed here as those at the pub over a pint after a grueling day or perhaps over the first cup of coffee at the start of the day. Food-for-thought with a nice mixture of BS to keep things interesting.
pb, still searching for the light.
Comment by pb — December 3, 2007 @ 9:10 am
I don’t know whether Gavin Polone is a good manager or not, but he’s famous for telling you the bad, deal-breaking news first, to get it out of the way, instead of being the stereotypical Hollywood sort of person who tries to soft pedal the bad news.
In this situation, Polone is coming off badly, in some people’s opinion, because he’s telling writers what he believes to be the bad news. Who knows whether he’s right or wrong, but I don’t think he’s saying, “The networks and big production writers should be able to use writers’ work on the Web for free.” He’s saying that, in his opinion, the WGA is in a bad negotiating position. If the WGA thinks Polone is wrong, the way for the WGA to express that is to get a good deal, not for people to come here and trash Polone on DHD.
Also: It seems to me that Conan is in a much different position from anyone else involved in this, because, just because of who he is and where his office is, he’s way more intimately connected both with the writers AND with the network and studio people than most WGA members.
Who knows what he really thinks about the strike and the WGA’s strategy, but it seems to me that, if in fact he’s a smart, observant guy who has intelligent thoughts about all of this, the WGA ought to be picking his brain. Whether Conan thinks the WGA has botched the strike or not, it seems as if he would be someone who’s fundamentally pro-writer and also understands what makes the AMTP people tick.
Comment by a wife — December 3, 2007 @ 9:19 am
The idea of ANYONE sending “Mr. Warm and Fuzzy” a confidential message made me laugh out loud.
Comment by Lyla — December 3, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
gavin,
much of the venom that has been directed at you is not because you are bearing a message that we are unwilling to hear, but because you are being disingenous at best in your statements to the media.
you told cnbc that writers morale is low. I don’t know what makes you think you can present yourself as an expert on writers’ morale, but I can assure you, having been on the picket lines and in the meetings and in private conversations with dozens of writers, that morale could not be higher. I suspect that you know this. You only extend the strike by presenting this falsehood in the media.
I think that if you were simply presenting your point of view, people would respect that, and listen closely. Much of what you’ve said on this board has been intelligent and worthwhile, and I respect you for dealing with your detractors in a forthright way. But when you make statements that you know to be false, the only thing we can read into your actions is malice.
Feel free to say whatever you want to the media - it’s your right. But don’t presume to speak for us.
Comment by david — December 3, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
Doesn’t this Polone guy have ANYTHING better to do?
Jesus!
Comment by Fussy Protocol Droid — December 3, 2007 @ 1:48 pm
Dear “A Wife,” You had me until here:
“Whether Conan thinks the WGA has botched the strike or not, it seems as if he would be someone who’s fundamentally pro-writer…”
The key word there is “seems,” for Conan is NOT supporting the strike. He has stayed out because Jay and Dave have, admirably, and with vocal support, stayed out. Conan is alone among the major late night hosts to have not provided a syllable or taco’s worth of support. One can only imagine what he’s thinking or planning.
Comment by WaitingForConan'sSupport — December 3, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
David’s (1:47pm) post says it best. Thank you.
Comment by Say What? — December 3, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
Anyone venture to guess that possibly Mr. Palone was approached by the studios and asked to go around spouting this stuff? Maybe because they know he’s fearless and happy to curry favor with them? (Maybe because as a producer, he’s one of them.)
He says morale is low when even Variety is forced to report how high morale is and how united we are. All the showrunners walked out in unison, thousands and thousands of people showing up to picket every single day, massive support from the residents of this city as well as the entire naiton, people who are willing to strike for a year if need be, no public fissures, and as if to prove Mr. Palone wrong, Larry David, famous cynic, out on the picket line constantly — and admirably — supporting the cause.
Do we want to be on strike? No — who would? But thanks to the AMPTP’s original proposal to scrap all residuals — A.K.A. Counter’s Folly — we are united because we know the future of the Guild and our livelihoods are at stake. And the Meet The New Economic Partnership Same as the Old Economic Partnership has also backfired on the AMPTP because it has made us realize that we are all in this till at least the summer when the actors walk out with us and we shut down whatever small part of this town isn’t already shut by then.
Comment by Solidarity Sol — December 3, 2007 @ 4:43 pm
For those who say that Gavin is only acting in his self interest and would sell the writers who made him his fortune down the river by going around spewing the moguls’ party line on television, remember he said this:
“In a weird way, it has allowed me to push forward a lot of scripts that would normally have taken a long time to get to the point where they could be produced because everyone likes to tinker with them. Not having the writers available, and having the threat of a SAG strike, which is potentially going to happen on June 30th, has gotten the studios to not tinker at all with the scripts and to push more things into production because after June 30th they might not be able to produce anything.”
In other words, he is actually benefiting financially from the strike and his attempts to demoralize strikers and get them to settle for a bunch of outrageous rollbacks is entirely for their own good—the strike’s kicking his feature producing into high gear! A WGA acquiescence to the insulting offer on the table would slow his business down!
Either that or he’s full of shit.
Comment by wga462 — December 3, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
writer—
For a guy who is not listening to me and who wants me to burn in hell, you seem to be spending a lot of time on this thread listening to me. But, to answer your question, I don’t want to shut up and I will continue to express my opinions as I see fit. If that means you don’t want to take a meeting with me, I guess I’ll have to learn to live with that. But I do have an idea for you: stop reading anything about me or by me. If you happen to be watching a business network and they say “coming up, Gavin Polone,” change the channel. Really simple. It can’t be fun for you to get so angry, so why not avoid what causes this obvious rage you generate?
Hope that helps.
Pete–
Hadn’t thought about you in some time. Last time I heard about you was when you were up for that FX job. You still writing? Anyway, I think your idea about bringing in new negotiators is a sound one. Not only would they be better at the job, it would offer the opportunity for a change in tone, which is much needed.
Good luck.
Polonix–
This is a dollars and cents negotiation. I’m commenting on leverage, negotiating style and cost vs. benefit. There is nothing unethical that has been done on either side, just tough negotiating. Of course, the union should negotiate to get the most it can for its members, taking inconsideration the cost of getting that deal. I don’t think they are analyzing their leverage accurately and I think the tone of their communication is injurious to their cause.
I don’t know of the media companies lying to the WGA. Maybe they have but that isn’t something I know about. I don’t know about any of them lying to their shareholders, though I wouldn’t doubt that they are guilty of something. That is a part of big business. If they have lied to their shareholders, the Sarbanes-Oaxley rules have created penalties for such conduct and, I would assume, litigation would ensue if that could be proved.
Now you answer some questions. What do you fear about using your real name? Do you think it will inhibit your ability to act all tough and call me names? And, do you really think that I don’t expect this kind of reaction from some? What does it really accomplish? Have you seen me back down when someone says something nasty? Does it get me to stop speaking my mind?
And, I’m sure you will agree, that whatever the outcome, the media conglomerates won’t change their business practices because of this strike. So, they’ll be just as unethical as you seem to think they are, when it is all said and done. Since you don’t think people should invest in their stocks, can I assume that you won’t work for them, either? Why not print your name, you coward, and make a written pledge nto work for these unethical businesses? Then, after the strike, you can say the reason you are a waiter or substitute teacher, or whatever, and you’re not working as a writer is because the studios are unethical, rather than having to tell people that you can’t be hired because you aren’t good enough.
David–
I wasn’t speaking for you and I did not say I was. I don’t think I said morale was low. Here is what I think: as people remain out of work due to the strike they will become angry about their situation; pressure will increase on the guild to make a deal and opinion about their cause will turn negative; the DGA will start negotiating with the AMPTP as soon as these talks break down; TV numbers won’t decline too much, as the network’s reality shows will pick up a lot of slack; the reduction in costs due to the layoffs and cheaper production will make up for the decrease in ad revenue; much of the ad revenue lost will flow to other arms of the same media conglomerates; Letterman and Leno will go back on the air within weeks, instead of laying off 120 or so employees that work for them (same as in ‘88), alleviating the one true injury that has been suffered by the studios so far. All of this means for a weaker negotiating position for the WGA within the next few months. The tide will turn back in their favor a few months beyond that but I don’t think they’ll make it that long and, if they do, I don’t think the gain will out weigh the loss. I think the deal available to the WGA in two months will be the same as the one that can be had now, with continued negotiation and less angry rhetoric. Of course, making the deal now will spare many people the pain of being without a paycheck for the next couple of months.
That is my opinion. Hope it is clear.
pb–
Well said. Why can’t everyone just calm down? It doesn’t any good to evidence so much anger. Obviously, it doesn’t shut me up, if that is really the goal of the most aggressive.
All–
Why not keep this to a debate about the issues? As I said before, the insults don’t bother me but I do think they take up a lot of space and intimidate others who may be more sensitive. What is the point? If you don’t like me personally, why even read this thread? If it angers you to hear an opinion that differs from your own, why not avoid that opinion? You can go watch the speechless videos again.
Comment by Gavin Polone — December 3, 2007 @ 6:32 pm
OK, if nothing else has come from this discussion, there is some true genius within.
I ask you all to consider this question, who makes the deals in this business? The AGENTS! Pete Aronson is right; they should be in this fight. Imagine the room containing the biggest agents in the business united across the table? The WGA does not have the juice, not to mention the potential loss of revenue, like the agencies. Nothing like a hungry dog in a fight.
Every agency should get a letter from their clients requesting that they enter the fray on their behalf and get a real offer together. Talk about unleashing the real dog into this fight. If agencies refuse, how will they look to their clients, or the industry for that matter? If they can’t fight for their clients here, what will they fight for? See this as support for the effort, not a change of leadership. Invoking this would be the best support the WGA could ever get.
Comment by Unleash the REAL dog into the fight — December 3, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
Gavin, oh Gavin… Aren’t you embarrassed? I sure would be. Not just for the media whoring, but for the unthruths. Writer’s morale is down? Say what? Writers’ morale is unbelievable given the shit the AMPTP is trying to shove down our throats. Seriously. Unprecedented morale everywhere I look. So in what way is it helpful to the writers, whom some say you care about, to claim our morale is down? It’s NOTHING but HARMFUL to our cause. So why would you say that other than to hear yourself talk? You are causing harm. Period. So if you can’t find a way to say what you’re saying constructively, just please just up.
Comment by ifwestrikeletsmakeitcount — December 3, 2007 @ 9:54 pm
dear unleash,
you obviously have not been paying attention. exactly the scenario you describe took place during the recent negotiations. representatives from all the major agencies got involved, led by bryan lourd of CAA. then the amptp played lourd for a chump. it turned out agents aren’t such big dogs after all. you really should pay attention.
Comment by pay attention — December 3, 2007 @ 9:55 pm
Gavin Polone said:
Letterman and Leno will go back on the air within weeks
Whoever posted yesterday saying that Polone’s comments are not to benefit AMPTP but rather to benefit his client, Conan, was right. How glaring an omission to mention Letterman and Leno in this context but say nada re Conan. This is all about doing Conan’s bidding and you can’t blame Palone for that, after all, he works for Conan.
Also, Polone says that we shouldn’t have pulled DVD raise off the table because we wll make so much more from DVD’s over the next three years of the contract than from Internet. That is absolutely true, but the lesson we (hopefully) learned from DVD is that once the studios get a rate set, they wll never increase it. Thus the need to sacrifice DVD now for the best Internet rate possible, since in all likelihood we will be stuck with it forever.
I have tried to keep the tone of this civil; I hope it is received as such. Interesting to hear your point of view, even if I can’t always figure out what’s behind it.
Comment by Anonymous coward — December 3, 2007 @ 10:19 pm
Waiting for Conan’s support, NBC is leaning on Conan hard, and he’s resisting. I really doubt that he’s staying out because of Dave or Jay or Jon Stewart, like what, they’ll be mean to him at the late night picnic? He’d face no long-term penalties of any kind for going back, most likely, what would happen to him? But his going back would be a serious blow to the WGA, so let’s give him some credit for supporting the srtike where it makes an economic impact, here. Let’s be honest, it’s probably likely that Jay would be the first back if he weren’t so angry at NBC for screwing him over, so all the more credit to Conan for resisting when he’s the beneficiary of NBC’s actions there.
Comment by Anon — December 3, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
gavin,
I can assure you that you said morale was low. Check the video on cnbc.com.
As for your other arguments, I would encourage you to read an article in the wall street journal from a few weeks back. I believe it was called “For studios, weeks of cushion”. the piece features detailed analysis on the strike from wall street media analysts. it makes some of the same points you do: that the strike costs networks nothing until january. after that, however, the meter starts running. by march, the strike becomes very costly indeed. a major factor in this - a factor you haven’t mentioned but I can’t believe you haven’t thought of - is the ongoing exodus of advertisers to targeted internet advertising i.e. Google. media buyers are already transitioning away from television entirely, and a season and a half of reruns of csi can only aggravate the situation. network tv is a dying business model, and this strike is the last thing network execs should be wasting their time on in a period of transition. silicon valley execs are shaking their heads in astonishment at this (along these lines, I would also urge you to read a piece by marc andreesen called “suicide by strike”). that’s the biggest flaw in your argument — that you don’t seem to realize that the only beneficiary of this strike is google.
as for our resolve: five months is the benchmark for a writers strike. we stayed out that long in 88 even though there was far less at stake (one hour forign residuals). wga unity is vastly greater this time around: everyone is on board, from the showrunners to the rank and file. everyone knows that the future is at stake here. when writers talk about how long this strike will last we ASSUME six to nine months. so we know how long it will take to hurt the networks, and we’re prepared to stay out longer.
my fear is not for the guild, but for the business itself after a six month strike. the fact that the studios have picked this fight at this moment tells me that studio execs have no more idea of the precariousness of their situation than did the music industry execs who preceded them. apparently neither do you. and that’s scary.
Comment by david — December 3, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
Dear Pay Attention (if that is your real name)–Neither Bryan Lourd nor any other agent has been officially empowered by the guild and its membership to negotiate on our behalf. They were solicited to bring both sides back to the table, and did so.
If we actually got professional dealmakers into this and gave them the power to do what they do best, you would see results that would far outweigh anything you can hope for from Verrone et alia. Why? This is what they do for a living. They are not writers, they are not union organizers, they are dealmakers. They are creative and innovative in figuring out ways to extract revenue from the conglomerates on behalf of their clients and, therefore, themselves. They do it without bullshit posturing because they know Jeff Zucker and the rest of the jerk off posse, they do business with them every day.
Let me put it this way: If there was a $200M deal from News Corp on the table and their negotiator was Peter Chernin, who would you send in the room to get your money? You’d send your agent, or in this case five agents. I am not playing divide and conquer here. There is a deal to be made, we all know that, so let’s be dispassionate and let media industry professionals do their job on our behalf.
Comment by Pete Aronson — December 3, 2007 @ 11:21 pm
To Waiting For Conan’s Support:
It’s hard to know from what Conan has said whether he’s really pro- or anti-strike, but, as far as I know, he hasn’t actually criticized the strike or the WGA; he seems to love his writers; and his writers have been really active in picketing and in working for the WGA.
Example: The WGA East site has a picture of Chris Albers (a Conan writer who’s an immediate past president of the WGA East) and Mike Sweeney (Conan’s head writer). Maybe Conan thinks the WGA strategy was flawed, but why would Sweeney be picketing if he thought Conan was really anti-WGA?
So, of course, it’s possible that you’re right, but I doubt it. I just think Conan probably figures he can be more useful as someone who can have a polite conversation with Zucker and Immelt than as someone who is pulling around giant inflatable pig.
- Al Bell
Comment by A wife — December 3, 2007 @ 11:51 pm
Solidarity Sol–
I never said morale was low. I said support was eroding. I do think some writers, too intimidated say anything, are losing faith or never had it. But I was referring to Tom Short of IA coming out against the WGA leaders and the DGA making it known that they were ready to pursue a separate peace.
David–
Again, I said support was eroding. Again, that meant IA and the DGA are not supportive, as well as some writers and others in the business. I do think all of the non-working WGA members, you may be one of them, are fully in support of the WGA and are fine with a long strike. I also think a high-percentage of the other members are supporting the strike.
As for the financial stuff, let’s see what happens. I don’t agree with you and you don’t agree with me. I appreciate your refraining from being nasty and profane and I think it is helpful to have you express yourself as clearly and objectively as you did in your post. Why not print your full name?
Regarding the destruction of the business, I also don’t agree. I think that the business may change and become more efficient. The music business was crushed by new technology, just like the horse buggy business and the gas street-light business were. People said the movie business would die when TV came along.
The upfronts and the current way of producing pilots are way inefficient and unproductive, in my view. Maybe that will change? That benefit is still not worth the personal cost to all of those who will be out of work in a 6 to 9 month strike. Though much of your logic is sound, do you ever think about the $700 a week assistant who is now out of work? What about the $600 a week guy who works for the caterer? Do you think that the PA’s on Letterman are hoping he will stay out for 6 months after he has stopped paying them at the end of the year? What about the electrician who makes $100K with a subprime mortgage?
If the WGA gets a bigger residual on Internet work, won’t it mostly benefit the big writers of blockbusters like Transformers and the creators of hit TV shows? What do those guys make now? I promise you, the writers of Transformers are going to see a 7 figure residual with the current formula. That is in addition to the 7 figure fee they made to write. How much will the creators of any hit comedy make in profit? I can tell you, the answer is a mid-8 figure to low 9-figure payout. This is because, unlike with the IA members, writers can negotiate individually. A significant point.
Pete–
You’re right. Professional negotiators would get a better result. Hell, A-Rod’s wife would get a better result.
Comment by Gavin Polone — December 4, 2007 @ 3:02 am
Anon said: “Let’s be honest, it’s probably likely that Jay would be the first back if he weren’t so angry at NBC for screwing him over, so all the more credit to Conan for resisting when he’s the beneficiary of NBC’s actions there.”
Based on what? I don’t know Jay, never met him, but that is just moronic to make that assumption. Jay has been to the line often and has been vocal in his support. Conan, alone among the major hosts, has offered ZERO support. And yet you assume Jay would cross the line first? Why, because you don’t think Jay’s as funny? You should do some research. Jay has been a big union supporter. Conan thinks unions are dumb.
If I knew you, we’d make a bet about who’s gonna go back on first, and it’d be the easiest five bucks I ever won.
Comment by WaitingForConan'sSupport — December 4, 2007 @ 8:34 am
In war, a General brings his best troops and weapons to the battle in order to win and do so in a decisive manner. The goal for any sane warrior is to end the conflict and bring all the parties to the treaty table.
To end this “war” the best weapons at hand are limited to working in the back rooms, the shadowy corridors, Evian in hand. These weapons are the top agencies Big Guns. In the confines of the current battle, they cannot bring their true power to bear to resolve this debacle.
Others here and elsewhere have noted that who is better suited to sit at the negotiating table than the Big Guns. Who indeed? They have a vested interest in resolving this strike and doing so without killing “the messenger” or prolonging this situation needlessly. Who better understands all the tiny print on the contracts? The Big Guns.
And is there a simpler way to “put a price” on the unknown factors of New Media? And even existing revenue streams, such as DVD, Pay Per View etc.
Forget the 4 cents. Let’s use the British model. A percentage. If the price of a unit changes, so does the residual payment. Let’s say 5% for WGA, 5% for DGA, 5% for SAG with the 20% still in place for below-the-line funding.
There are ads on online TV shows. 5% of that income. Try to do an end run by calling the online re-viewing of a broadcast show as promotional… Fine.
If the viewing is limited to less than 10% of total run time of the original. It’s hard to cheat a clock.
Want to show the entire show as promotional? Fine. A base fee of 7.5% to each of the three major guilds based on the initial budget as per each guild’s fees. That should nip that in the bud.
Also in place a bare bottom basement residual in place so that the creative entities are covered. 2.5% of the 50% rerun fee on any reuse of any product.
Or the guilds could just use the studio accountants and never see a dime! Everyone knows that the studios make films only to lose money. Or at least that is the way the books are cooked.
pb, loves cooked books with salsa…
Comment by pb — December 4, 2007 @ 12:21 pm
Gavin said, “Do you even think… about the electrician who makes $100K with a subprime mortgage?” So now we should give up the fight for our pensions and health care because somebody got a shitty bank loan on their house?
You’ve got to be kidding me. And as for assistants who make $600-$700 a week - yes, I feel bad for them, but that’s also what middle class in America makes (married, with kids). And many of these assistants will becomes writers and even though they might not see it now, be grateful for this fight.
I certainly am for the ones who fought before me.
FEAR & GUILT DIVIDE. Don’t give Gavin what he wants.
A WRITER who is happy to walk 6 - 9 months or whatever it takes
Comment by Strike Grrrrl — December 4, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
gavin,
it’s remarkable that you can have a discussion of any ad-driven business in 2007 without using the word “google”. you seem blissfully unconcerned about the disruptive effects of the internet on our industry. this is one case where I sure hope you’re as smart as you think, because otherwise, we’re all in trouble.
as for your concern about the innocent bystanders in this conflict — I find it hard to buy your sudden pangs of sympathy for these people, since your comments seem intended to drag out the strike. rather than urging both sides to negotiate in earnest — a position no one would have a problem with — you claim that writers are weak and demoralized, which only encourages the studios to hold out longer in expectation of a better deal (of course, this assumes that they’re actually listening to you). besides, we didn’t fire these people. if you have a problem with it, blame your new friend sumner redstone. and tell him we’re ready to end this strike tomorrow, if he’s ready to negotiate in good faith.
as for my employment status — I am very much a working writer. thanks for your concern.
Comment by david — December 4, 2007 @ 6:40 pm
gavin, why do you assume “writer” is a guy? Because I know writer. Writer is a very good friend of mine. And, you, my friend, can’t be
Writer is a top level female showrunner with huge features to her credit. Do we need to add old fashioned out-of-touch-sexist to the list of things we’re not loving about you right about now?
honsestly, gavin. There’s a way to make your point and be constructive about it. I don’t think you’ve been constructive, and half the time I dont think you even know what you’re talking about. As for the half when you do… at this point, you should just keep it to yourself.
But we know Gavin needs to see Gavin in the news, so that’s not happening.
I’m an A- list writer. Sure, you have no way of knowing if that’s true because I’m too cowardly to give my name. But it’s true. I didn’t know you before. I would never want to work with you now.
Comment by we're not stopping — December 5, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
we’re not stopping–
I guess I didn’t know Writer was a woman because, uh, she’s too fearful to use her real name.
Why are you too cowardly to use your name? You don’t want to work with me, so there can’t be any retribution from me? You are an “A-list” writer and that gives you some clout, right? 70% of those on this website agree with you. I don’t get it.
You’re saying I should “keep it to myself” is the problem with this strike. You and others don’t want others who disagree to express their opinion. If you are secure that I’m don’t know what I’m talking about, why would it matter? You really think supression of opposite opinions is “constructive”? Why can’t people consider what I have to say and either use it or dismiss it? I’m only doing it because nobody else is doing it. Because people like you are saying that those who disagree should “keep it to themselves”. I’m astounded that nobody is looking at the WGA’s comparison of the proposals where they deduct $100M for streaming from the AMPTP schedule but don’t adf it into their own, making it look as though the disparity is much larger than it is. Others must have seen this but don’t want to say anything. If you balance your check book, you can see how bogus that analysis is. Yet, nobody is saying anything. To me this shows something wrong is going on. And it is a direct result of people “keeping it to themselves.”
And, I’m pleased that I am being spared the problem of finding out that a writer with whom I’m working is intolerant of those who express opinions with which they don’t agree. Especially, cowards who lob insults over walls of anonymity and then run away.
Seems like we both win here.
Comment by Gavin Polone — December 5, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
I think that it is a waste of time to post on what is probably a dead thread, but we all have a lot of free time on our hands right now.
I agree with much of what you have to say. You SHOULD fight for the future, as did those before you. But, do you understand how patronizing some of your remarks are? Because “somebody got a shitty mortgage on their house?” No, that is not your concern. But why do you have to say it that way? Do you think that gets people behind you? And I’m sorry, but you contradict yourself in every post. You say you are not afraid and have no fear, yet you have openly expressed fear in the repercussions of what you say by the moguls. Are you afraid or not afraid? If you are truly afraid, I respect that, even though I think that you have nothing to fear.
But you can’t have it both ways. Shit, I’m afraid of what I’ve already said on this board. But it’s too late for me. But at least stand on one side. Stand on that side with integrity. And stop patronizing those in this business that aren’t writers that still CHOOSE to stand behind you. If you want to throw out the numbers of how well compensated the crew is for working for you, that’s okay. We are. But don’t throw an insult in with it. Right now, it sounds like the only one you care about yourself is you. If so, fine. This is YOUR war. But if you want to fight a PR war, you are losing it with the tactics that you choose.
Comment by Erin Braun — December 5, 2007 @ 6:08 pm
Dead Threads…
I for one, consider the thoughts, opinions and information being exchanged here to be very worthwhile reading — perhaps some of the best insight into the overall ongoing and unfolding situation.
Keep it coming.
pb, a fan of zombies too. Even Rob.
Comment by pb — December 6, 2007 @ 8:00 am
gavin,
since you are obviously deeply concerned about the plight of electricians with subprime mortgages, may I suggest a contribution the the wga solidarity fund? the fund has been set up to benefit non-wga staff and crew who have been fired by the studios. numerous events and actions are planned in the coming weeks, and while the lion’s share will come from wga members, this is one project for which writers will still gladly accept your money.
Comment by david — December 6, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Erin Braun, Please go away. You are insulting every writer you ever worked with. We are not fighting a PR war. If you don’t see that, this is SO FAR beyond explaining for you.
A Showrunner
Comment by macy — December 7, 2007 @ 12:32 am
Isn’t “Speechless” a PR campaign? And why are so many writers now voicing their opinions on the Mogul thread that the public and media get invloved. Would that not be a PR campaign?
Comment by Just Wonderi' — December 7, 2007 @ 10:05 am
Showrunner,
I disagree with you. There is a PR war being fought. The WGA needs the support of the media, the public, it’s crews and its viewers. A huge PR war is being fought by writers every day on the internet. The longer the strike continues, the more crucial PR will become. Perhaps it only one of the battles within scope of the entire war. But it should in no way be discounted.
Comment by A — December 7, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
I’ll gladly write on the pilots and movies he has…Gavin’s a smart guy. And we smart about the fact that the strike was mishandled. I, like many, were out of work for months due to “my” unions poor decisions and unwillingness to communicate. I think he is courageous. I’ll be sending him my resume.
Comment by bee — March 7, 2008 @ 2:50 pm