EXCLUSIVE: This is one of those stories where I don't want to put the kibosh on possible progress by reporting on it. But I also need to post news as it comes to me. I just learned tonight that certain Hollywood agents are "really in the middle of this right now." A source tells me that a partner in one of the major tenpercenteries is having "much conversation" with WGA negotiating committee topper Dave Young. At the same time, a partner at a different major agency is talking to AMPTP president Nick Counter. (For the moment, I'm not going to reveal the names of the agents involved.) Together, the agents' goal right now is to just bring both sides back in touch with one another. A phone call is about to happen, or may have already happened, between Young and Counter today, I'm told. "Apparently, there will be a chat," the source said. I'm told the agents involved are "encouraged by the activity today." There's also hope the agents can help clear away side issues and facilitate the re-start of settlement talks, now at a standstill.
Back on November 7th, I expressed the opinion in my post, It's Time To Seriously Solve This Strike, that Hollywood should "Bring On The Agents." Let me excerpt what I wrote: "For crissakes, these people negotiate for a living on behalf of clients like the writers. And they're licensed by the state. And they make multi-million dollar deals based on their word. They could, under the auspices of their Association of Talent Agents, mediate this dispute. Look, I respect these guys. I have confidence that they could work out a proposed settlement lickety-split which at least could provide the basis for bargaining."
Late last week, I was tipped about a secret meeting Thursday between the WGA and key partners of Hollywood's five major agencies, but told only on the condition that I not write about it. So I didn't. Then I picked up Friday's Los Angeles Times and saw a Business section story about it. The truth is, there was nothing especially newsworthy that came out of that meeting.
WGA president Patric Verrone and chief negotiator Young conferred with CAA's Bryan Lourd, United Talent's Jim Berkus, William Morris' Jim Wiatt, ICM's Chris Silbermann, and Endeavor's Rick Rosen. It wound up being more of an informational confab where the agents shared their concerns on behalf of their clients and offered their help and support to get both sides back to the bargaining table. The tenpercenters said it had been the worst week they'd ever had as agents, especially dealing with striking clients who'd been threatened with lawsuits, or suspended, or crying on the phone out of fear for what would happen to them. With negotiations at a standstill, the agency partners offered to do anything possible as a "collective resource."
My understanding is that this latest activity I describe is a direct outgrowth of that meeting but involves just a few of the participants. Please, may they make progress.
I was thinking about starting a vicious rumor that CAA had been in secret talks to try and negotiate a deal between the Guild and AMPTP. In exchange, CAA would sign the Guild and get ten percent of all dues of all members.
Instead I’ll just say, I hope these agents can get everyone back to the table.
Comment by stuck in development — November 11, 2007 @ 8:10 pm
Lets hope for everyone’s sake that there is something to this and progress is made. Fingers crossed…
Comment by Dave — November 11, 2007 @ 8:11 pm
While working on a Pilot called R7 a few weeks ago….I listened to a conversation on the set between an agent on his cell phone. A very well know agent (not dropping names)
The conversation was “I know we won’t be able to get involved but if this looks like then (poss last strike) we will have to step in at a certain point to protect our interest. This strike is the biggest threat to our agency this year and maybe next too.”
I figure these guys will get the snow ball running.
Comment by Big daddy Al BDA — November 11, 2007 @ 8:12 pm
“May the force be with us”
Comment by hopeful — November 11, 2007 @ 8:17 pm
Thanks Nikki…
They could cut a deal in an hour if both parties want them to. All they have to establish and agree on is a New Media Formula to work with to move forward IMO. And Pat V, stop with the DVD proposal being taken off the table. Geez, have some balls, DVDs will be sold through for many years, certainly more than 3 years.
Based on what we (WGA) were left with last Sunday I’m not so sure that will happen. Not a good deal anyway. But maybe a strategy and time table could be set in motion to have this thing settled by early ‘08.
AMPTP still has to bargain in good faith and agree to a fair deal. If they do, this could be over lickety split. If they don’t, this will run up to The Sag Contract Expiration date next June.
And you Studio Moguls, maybe if you stopped making all these insane frontloaded Talent gross participation deals, you might actually see more profits from successful Movies and leave some meat on the bone for the rest of us.
Comment by Pj - Writer — November 11, 2007 @ 8:26 pm
Good lord, I hope these agents DO get both sides back to the table.
Too many lives are riding on this. Especially with the approaching holiday season. Who the hell wants to be out of a job at Christmas?
Comment by Non WGA Writer — November 11, 2007 @ 8:29 pm
Your last line needs repeating…………
“Please, may they make progress.”
Guys / Gals there is no less than lives at stake here, really. This is a great industry and our country deserves to be strong in the few great industries we have left here domestically. It is hard to think there is any altruism left in this sometimes narcissistic business, but we need that spirit here. Come together and lets get back to work - keep this large piece of our economy proud and working.
Comment by IATSE JE — November 11, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
First they offered me free parking for the big rally, then they gave me delicious churros… if my agents actually fix this mess, I might be willing to give them 11 percent.
Comment by once and future show runner — November 11, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
This is honestly the best news I’ve heard in a very depressing week. I really hope it’s true. On a humanitarian note, there are thousands of people, most not writers (not saying the writers are overpaid, just that they won’t suffer first) who will have a struggling Christmas with the strike going on. On a selfish note, I want my Ugly Betty! Lol, it’s petty, yes. But there’s supposed to be a musical episode, damn it!
Thanks for this! You’d better be right.
Comment by Caitlin — November 11, 2007 @ 8:36 pm
Save our shows, agents! Don’t sacrifice them!
Comment by Anonymous — November 11, 2007 @ 8:47 pm
Thank you so much for this! A glimmer of hope. Please oh please let it build into something substantial that will help get this strike settled and over as soon as possible!
And thank you for keeping us informed. I visit your site a couple of times a day to keep abreast of the latest, and I really appreciate all of your efforts in making sure we all know what is going on, esp. since the mainstream media has been so very bad about keeping us informed on this.
Comment by HMS — November 11, 2007 @ 8:55 pm
The only side that needs to come to the table is the AMPTP. The ball is in their court. The WGA has come back to the table again and again, each time giving up something that matters in the interests of getting a deal, only to be told by the AMPTP: Great — so what else ya got for us? The WGA is not getting fooled again — Lucy can only pull the football away so many times before Charlie Brown gets wise. So if the AMPTP comes back with an offer, great — otherwise, screw it, it’s useless.
Comment by ashley — November 11, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
Nikki, Thanks for all of your updates and great reporting. My Husband is
an Editor on a top 10 show. We need to get this settled and your
words are encouraging. Keep up the Great work.
Every day I go online to hear what you have to say. Thanks Again
Comment by Joan — November 11, 2007 @ 9:11 pm
Thank goodness.
I work for a “Big Five” agency, and my job is on the line. Over the past few months, I’ve literally been eating refried beans for dinner, preparing for all of this. I’m in my 20s, so I guess that comes with the turf, but come on - we college grads are eagerly lining up to work ourselves to the bone for this industry, and they’re telling us to cinch the belt, take the pay cut, and wait for the storm to be over.
I feel for both sides. I do. But the issues have been the same for months. They’re going to be the same in June, so let’s forgo the Oliver Twist holiday season and get back to making things happen. Please!
Comment by MajorAgencyLackey — November 11, 2007 @ 9:29 pm
Thanks for the glimmer of hope.
Comment by writer — November 11, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
Who’d ever thought that Hollywood agents would be the ones bringing them back together?
Comment by Kevin — November 11, 2007 @ 9:58 pm
Ashley,
The WGA absolutely HAS to keep coming back to the table, even if the AMPTM doesn’t even bother showing up. That’s not to say that hard negotiating doesn’t have to take place, but just saying that it’s “useless” makes your side look obstinate and obstructionist– and just as arrogant as your opponents. There’s a lot more riding on this issue than just the pride of the strikers (he says, living in fear that his job is going to get the axe every single day).
Fingers crossed. Keep up the good work, Nikki.
Comment by Jack — November 11, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
Yes, this week is important - if the WGA wants the energy and focus to continue on the picket lines, we need to hear SOME positive news on the two sides meeting again. Yes, the ball is in the studio’s court, but there comes a point where some force (the agents, the ghost of Xmas past, Santa, whatever) HAS to get them to sit at the bargaining table and try and work this out.
Comment by skoonix — November 11, 2007 @ 10:49 pm
Wait-
We’re still gonna get free churros after this strike ends, right?
Comment by Writer — November 11, 2007 @ 10:58 pm
Those who break churros together, stay together.
Comment by Starving writer — November 11, 2007 @ 11:17 pm
This is when you know a situation is bad and getting worse: workers in entertainment from all over praying that talent agencies save the day. Remember talent agencies? Those places where employees make deals behind their bosses’ backs? Where they gather their files and sneak out in dead of night, or are escorted out by security in light of day? Where calls are not returned the moment a client’s Q drops below some secret value? And yet I, too, pray for these winged angels of salvation, the agents. Yes, that’s how bad it’s gotten.
Comment by Roger S. H. Schulman — November 11, 2007 @ 11:33 pm
I have no horse in this race. But with another strike looming the producers may be jockeying to settle both in similar fashion. Why end one and face another? Or I’d rather race two other horse at once than have to run two races.. So yes the agents are in the midst of it.. Are the SAG issues similar??
Comment by gardeniabbbbbbbbb — November 11, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
Good. The agents SHOULD be involved. Don’t sneer at the agents. They have closed deals that are further apart than the producers and writers are right now. This is a good thing.
Comment by no name writer — November 12, 2007 @ 12:02 am
Sorry to bear bad news, but…
Nothing of substance will happen prior to the new year.
On the film side, scripts have been stockpiled, and the top writers have 3-4 deals banked.
On the tv side, the companies need 6 strike-weeks (on averaqe) to terminate expensive non-performing deals.
I’m a WGA member but facts are facts, as unappealing as they are.
Comment by Pundit — November 12, 2007 @ 12:05 am
Please let this be true. The writers need to feel like there is some movement to stay strong.
It will keep the guild unified, which really is all we have.
Comment by writer — November 12, 2007 @ 12:07 am
I feel bad for all you non-writers whose jobs are on the line, but if you don’t support us all the way, stay out of this.
Sorry to say it, but you people are interchangeable. With a little training, anyone can do your jobs. There is no Adaptation without Charlie Kaufman; no Titanic without James Cameron. But change the key grip on either of those movies and no film audience could ever tell the difference.
We create the properties that make your jobs possible. You wouldn’t have these jobs to lose if not for our screenplays.
If you wish to continue benefitting from the industry created by our imagination and talent, support us ALL THE WAY. Don’t keep pleading with us us to “settle.” Instead, tell your studio bosses to give in and pay us what we’re asking on DVDs and new media. Because without writers, there’s nothing.
Comment by Dina Kephert — November 12, 2007 @ 12:25 am
Holy crap
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/business/la-et-channel-12nov12,0,6422865.story
You mean striking against Fox was a GOOD thing?
D’oh!
Comment by Writer — November 12, 2007 @ 12:33 am
“Don’t give up. Don’t lose hope. Don’t sell out.” — Christopher Reeve
Comment by George Glass — November 12, 2007 @ 1:03 am
Nikki, after the work you’ve done for this town the last few weeks I hope they give you a star on Hollywood Boulevard. (And I feel I can finally forgive you for giving away the ending to Million Dollar Baby in your weekly column a few years back!)
Comment by Mr. Slightly Hopeful Again — November 12, 2007 @ 1:05 am
The writers will stand strong even if this doesn’t pan out. We are prepared to do whatever is needed to secure a viable future for the next generations like those before us did. We want to get back to work as quickly as possible but want a fair deal. Nothing less will do.
Comment by WGA Member — November 12, 2007 @ 1:08 am
Ugh. Lotta beggin’ on here. Poker faces, kids.
Comment by slk writer — November 12, 2007 @ 1:09 am
writer writes “the writers need to feel like there is some movement to stay strong.”
it’s only been five days, man. if writers are already talking about not being able to stay strong then this strike and this union are doomed.
get tough, man. writers should stay strong no matter what the cost may be.
posts like this really scare me. it makes me wonder if my fellow writers really had any idea what they were getting into when they voted for the strike.
Comment by robd — November 12, 2007 @ 1:10 am
“On the film side, scripts have been stockpiled, and the top writers have 3-4 deals banked.”
Feature work is fraught with rewrite and punch up work up until and during production, even during the best, most prepared of times. Don’t tell me that the studios’ hurried stockpiling suddenly fixed this bad habit.
“On the tv side, the companies need 6 strike-weeks (on averaqe) to terminate expensive non-performing deals.”
This isn’t 1996. No one’s getting paid 3 mil a year any more to throw pencils in the ceiling in the morning and go golfing in the afternoon. When weighed against the total arrest of the TV season, including American Idol’s ability to launch new hits (half its value, eliminated with a strike), these supposed fat cat to-be-force-majeured deals absolutely pale in comparison.
The studios have to spin the notion that they have something to gain out of this strike, mostly to put the fear of God in us writers and compel us to scramble for a settlement, but, they don’t. It’s all downside for them, and any argument otherwise betrays an ignorance of the numbers at hand. Scuttling the new season, tanking and possibly forever sabotaging returning hits, removing the ability of reality shows to establish new scripted hits, killing development and putting billions of upfront sales at risk, not to mention killing the promotion of the holiday movie season by silencing the late night talk shows, themselves total cash cows — trust me, nuking that 6 million overall deal ain’t worth all that.
Comment by Norm A. Rae — November 12, 2007 @ 1:43 am
If you don’t want to put the kibosh on it by reporting it, then don’t report it.
Comment by Kemper Boyd — November 12, 2007 @ 2:26 am
James Surowiecki’s piece in the New Yorker ( http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2007/11/19/071119ta_talk_surowiecki ) added some perspective to our feeling and hope that agents can really help. It might seem very DUH to some, but for me it offered focus.
Comment by Way Outside — November 12, 2007 @ 3:54 am
Nice try, Nicki… but as much as the agents want us back to work, the problems with this negotiation are not shared by intelligent minds, but rather irrational business models… So the agents can make all the calls they want, try to broker meetings, but the alliance isn’t ready to listen until they feel they’ve broken the union. Then they’ll squeeze us a little more, trying to teach us a lesson for disrespecting “daddy.” D.
Comment by David G. — November 12, 2007 @ 4:54 am
Thanks for the glimmer of hope Nikki! I’ve been following this saga on your site for while.
Let’s hope the agents can get the two sides together and talking so everyone can get back to work and I can end my TV and film boycott. There are no November sweeps shows for me this year. My TV went dark to support all those affected by this strike.
A Viewer and a Writer from FL
Comment by Viewer and a Writer — November 12, 2007 @ 4:56 am
If anyone can do it, it will be the agents.
God bless them
*wipes tear from eye*
Comment by john Brownlow — November 12, 2007 @ 5:23 am
Pundit is right. It takes on average 6 weeks for force majeure to kick in. Then were into the holidays, so this will last at least until January.
Comment by Dave L — November 12, 2007 @ 6:56 am
Pundit, how do you know? Of course this is likely a long shot, and of course there’s still a long way to go. But it’s something. If the WGA doesn’t keep a positive attitude, it can’t expect people who are lower on the scale or fans to support them for long. It’s the doomsayer-ness that’s had the most negative effect on my support of the WGA, and I’m behind them 100%. Even if things don’t move to the end of the year, hopefully they’ll get moving quickly after that. But if people don’t think things will happen, they won’t try to get them to happen. And if they don’t try to get them to happen, nothing will happen. Work for an end, or else there will never be one. Jack has it exactly right. It’s frustrating to have to be the bigger man against a party that lacks common sense. But there’s so much more to it that just making a point and letting people watch TV. We have to do what’s best for all, and that’s ending this thing as soon as possible. Of course, it must be done by getting the best deal possible, but still, it must be done.
Comment by Caitlin (up-and-coming writer) — November 12, 2007 @ 7:23 am
Seriously. Does AMPTP even want a deal? Because all indications are no. Behind the scenes, you should look at the incredibly lame web product they’ve been developing. All indications are that tv is in fact dying.
The only way to know if the AMPTP is bargainning in good faith is if rather than making this an incredibly painful transition, they start talking about the future of entertainment.
If they still don’t get it, in 3 years, Google will own them.
Comment by s — November 12, 2007 @ 7:32 am
Enlightening…and depressing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/12/business/media/12strike.html?8dpc=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1194883559-tcDh1pZBsx4j2NYYnmZKAg
As far as features go, the big winners are the stars and directors.
Comment by PowerRanger — November 12, 2007 @ 8:17 am
I hope this is the light at the end of the tunnel.
I’m a media geek who supports the writer’s strike, even though some of my favorite shows are on the bubble and may not be able to survive a long hiatus. I get my entertainment from TV and my news and commentary from the Web. When shows like Supernatural, House, Bones, Numb3rs, and Criminal Minds run out of episodes, I can’t see any good reason for me to continue to pay a cable bill for the 20 hours of primetime reruns, reality shows and news magazines that will replace them.
I can always sign up for cable again when a deal for fair compensation has been signed. So when the shows I watch “go dark”, I’m going dark, too. If the writers aren’t getting any of my money, Comcast isn’t either.
Comment by Mary (supportive fan) — November 12, 2007 @ 8:19 am
NOT gonna happen, sorry (quick settlement). Helen Keller wearing blinders and with cotton stuffed in her ears could see that AMPTP wanted this strike, and now want it to last the minimum six weeks required to force majeure their way out of deals and contracts. WGA wanted to play hardball, and are being schooled in the true hardball dark arts.
Comment by michael s — November 12, 2007 @ 8:19 am
The studios are now in the mode of waiting for the “force majeure” clauses to kick in so they can cut their overhead by cleaning house of all the deadwood development deals, productions, executives and staffs that are currently under contract. It’s unrealistic to expect any bona fide negotiations with AMPTP until then.
After the first of the year we’ll probably see some movement from the AMPTP because, at that point, the strike begins to hurt the studios more than it helps them.
Comment by lawdawg76 — November 12, 2007 @ 8:37 am
You know if the agents do broker a deal they will let the world know it by screaming it from the top of every mountain…and raising their fees. Agents will no longer be known as tenpercenters, but fifteenpercenters.
Comment by Ten percenters? — November 12, 2007 @ 9:45 am
I’m really glad for a little potential light at the end of tunnel. However, whoever’s clients are “crying on the phone out of fear for what would happen to them” need to suck it up. Do you think teamsters cry about strikes?? We need to be badassed about this, folks and our agents shouldn’t be telling the AMPTP anything but that we are energized and unitited. We’re in a dogfight here. Be strong, get pissed and be willing to stand on principle for more than a week, please.
Comment by TR — November 12, 2007 @ 9:47 am
For the record, talent agents cannot (and do not) collect commissions on residuals for film and TV. They have no direct financial incentive to back the WGA on the residual issue. They make most of their money on their superstar clients front-end deals. Please bear in mind as we cheer agency efforts to settle this thing.
Comment by 20 year writer — November 12, 2007 @ 10:26 am
I’m having good feelings and high hopes about agents working things out. With any luck I’ll get to meet mine and thank him in person.
Comment by Anonymous — November 12, 2007 @ 10:28 am
What a rude and moronic statement, “Dina Kephert.” Assuming that’s your real name, I can’t find any evidence that you’ve ever written or created anything that’s been produced, so these “non-writers” that you’re slamming have contributed more than you ever have. Get off your high-horse.
Comment by JoJo — November 12, 2007 @ 10:43 am
Dina — good point - well put - bluntly. Makes you wonder if it’s moguls masquerading as poor little side-effected people while posting here. BTW, tv via internet is about to go full throttle, as in these drudge headlines from today the 12th of November, 2007:
INTEL chip to speed high-definition video via Internet…
Smaller, Faster…
…more than 30 million can fit onto head of a pin!
Comment by lanikaisugarco — November 12, 2007 @ 10:44 am
You are right, Dina. A Costume Designer is so replaceable. I mean people buy their own clothes all the time, right? And sound? Who really needs it. Hire a monkey! Camera? It’s easy! My brother takes great vacation photos - we’ll hire him! And anyone can buy editing equipment. Its all just so easy!
Are you freaking serious? You want us to support you “ALL THE WAY” knowing that is your attitude? I can’t even find you on the IMDB, so until you make a Adaptation or (gag) Titanic, keep your opinions to yourself. I support the WGA’s quest to be paid fairly. I do not support out of touch arrogant members like yourself. You do know that you actually have to sell something successful to even personally recognize the residuals, right?
Comment by Natalie — November 12, 2007 @ 10:47 am
In response to Dina…you have a point, a lot of these positions could see new personnel in them with some training, however, with the quality of some of the material you and your WGA brethen have come up with lately, makes me think I could go by final draft, sit down and become a writer. Maybe a screen writing course or two makes you and I (a non-writer) interchangeable…before you sprain your hand by patting yourself on the back, start writing better material/scripts…
Comment by kemper boyd — November 12, 2007 @ 10:47 am
All the under the radar talent should be supporting this strike to the point that you are willing to barge into Moguls offices at a moment’s notice. That ought to make Les Moonves or Jeff Zucker happy.
Ashley, that was a great analogy. In this case, Lucy is Nick Counter while Charlie Brown represents the writers. What we need is to have Charlie Brown celebrating on the studio lot with a great new deal that includes at least 12 cents for DVD’s and the same right now for all downloads off anywhere including the internet. In this case, his sister Sally represents the public who can hardly believe the writers new deal.
For those who don’t understand, this is based on a 1993 storyline where Charles Schultz finally had Charlie Brown winning a baseball game and the last panel features Charlie Brown celebrating all the way home.
Comment by Jessy S. — November 12, 2007 @ 10:50 am
Dina,
I know of no other way to say this, but WHO THE F ARE YOU to tell people who are affected by this to stay out of this.
I highly doubt you would be capable of doing what key electrics, DPs, gaffers, camera coordinators (many of whom go onto be directors), script supervisors, ACs, etc…
Not to mention being an agent…
EVERYONE affected by this has a right to their opinions, and EVERYONE who works in Hollywood has a stake in this. I take it you are using a pseudonym, since a look of Dina Kephert on studio system list NO CREDITS.
Most people are behind the writers, but to chastize someone for saying get to the table and work this out is asinine at best. I had to fire my assistant on Friday, I also will be forced to take a massive cut in pay in a few weeks…I have kids and a family to support, and I’d love to have you in my seat right now to see if you could do my job.
So how about this…GET THE WGA BACK TO THE BARGANING TABLE AND WORK THIS OUT!!! PERIOD!
Comment by Agentatanotheragency — November 12, 2007 @ 10:59 am
plant…
typical owners’ ploy to strip off support.
Comment by sniffer — November 12, 2007 @ 11:10 am
Dina Kephert sounds like a terrorist: “give in” you are also interchangable. By the way, James Cameron didn’t support you guys in 2001 and he probably thinks the same now. Also with you all the way, again you sound like the man you guys claim to hate most - George Bush. This situation is extremely complicated and if you read the 20 page proposal by the Alliance there are other issues you guys have and the same with them - good luck. The only thing BTL’s are supporting now is a quick resolution, because this smug attitude that is being displayed lately will kill even more support.
Comment by Jim — November 12, 2007 @ 11:20 am
Dina Kephert’s words tell me — a writer but also a worker whose job may be on the line — just how arrogant, out-of-touch and hopelessly elitist the writer’s side is right now. I want to hope that this is an AMPTM plant– I really do.
“We create the properties that make your jobs possible. You wouldn’t have these jobs to lose if not for our screenplays.”
This sense of pathetic entitlement is what’s turning us — the thousands upon thousands of workers — against the WGA. I support the WGA’s goals, but right now, I’m starting to feel that the Guild, particularly if Ms. Kephert’s words ring true throughout the rank-and-file members, doesn’t care that their actions are costing jobs, hurting families and causing bankruptcies.
You want me to not cross your picket line? You want me to stand firm with you? Then show some humility and don’t stab be in the back. At least my “studio bosses” screw me up front.
If this is the WGA’s attitude — and I hope it’s just one sad voice — then they’ve already lost the strike and the war.
Comment by Average Joe — November 12, 2007 @ 11:30 am
any progress on this?
Comment by wamdue — November 12, 2007 @ 11:51 am
I tried to make another comment before and it didn’t post, so if I end up with two saying basically the same thing, I’m sorry!
Pundit, David G, cynisism is not the same as being realistic. Not in a situation where people need hope to keep going in this. If the writers don’t act as though they believe something can happen soon, why will they try? And why would fans keep supporting them when they don’t even think things can change themselves. Yes, it’s only been a week, as robd said. But why should it scare you that people want to find a solution quickly? It’s the very things like people saying this strike will last months that make people like me want to waver. The solution IS simple and IS easily attainable. Yes, the AMPTP is the side being dicks here. But, as Jack says, the WGA must be the bigger man. This is about more than them, it’s about the survival of many other people. And it’s about millions of viewers. The point needs to be to END this. To end it with the best deal possible, but still to end it. And why can’t the agents get something done? This WGA says it’s ready, and if they can get the AMPTP there, too, we could get a soultion very soon. But with bad attitudes, will the WGA be ready? Keep the faith so we can have faith in you. It shouldn’t be that you’ll win at any cost. It should be that you’ll win soon, for everyone involved. Maybe that’s not quite as vindicating, but there’s more at stake that just proving a point.
Comment by Caitlin — November 12, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
That crap article in the LA Times, the house organ of the Big Media (I’m learning, Nikki) is just another obvious plant with bullshit details and leaves out the one big elephant in the room — the viewing public.
People say “the public will go to cable and never come back.” Gee, is that the cable that presents The Sopranos, Rescue Me, Mad Men and many other DRAMAS?
Everyone jumped on “reality” television when the train first left the station a few years ago. But by and large, the first ones off the train were the viewing public. How much Regis can anyone take? For every “Who Wants to be A Millionaire” that hit big (and is now pretty well forgotten) there were five other pieces of crap that went nowhere.
Now we have “Deal or No Deal.” The girls are hot, but seriously, how much more Howie Mandell can we stomach?
The Big Media very quickly jumped off the train and boarded the drama express when Heroes and Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty hit big. And just as with reality, Big Media cranked out a bunch of turds. Now it seems they want to use the strike to screw everyone they cut deals with and get a “do-over.”
Frankly, everyone who gets laid off has a vested interest in this battle. The grips and interns and focus pullers are being treated like so much turd on the shoes of Big Media.
Siding with them in any way is like a battered wife defending her husband.
Comment by anotherWGAmember — November 12, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
I feel bad for all you non-writers whose jobs are on the line, but if you don’t support us all the way, stay out of this.
Sorry to say it, but you people are interchangeable. With a little training, anyone can do your jobs. There is no Adaptation without Charlie Kaufman; no Titanic without James Cameron. But change the key grip on either of those movies and no film audience could ever tell the difference.
We create the properties that make your jobs possible. You wouldn’t have these jobs to lose if not for our screenplays.
If you wish to continue benefitting from the industry created by our imagination and talent, support us ALL THE WAY. Don’t keep pleading with us us to “settle.” Instead, tell your studio bosses to give in and pay us what we’re asking on DVDs and new media. Because without writers, there’s nothing.
Comment by Dina Kephert — November 12, 2007
wow…..way to lose friends…..that’s one bad attitude to have about people who put in long hours to realize the potential of what’s written in a script.
and no “Titanic”, that’s the best you could come up with?
simon
Comment by simon — November 12, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
“Be strong, get pissed and be willing to stand on principle for more than a week, please.”
As someone commented on this blog recently, since when is business about emotion?
Reminder: YOU ARE COMPETING AGAINST SHAREHOLDERS, NOT DRY CLEANERS.
EVERY SINGLE financial decision a studio makes reflects and is seriously monitored by individuals who live in Japan, China, France, and so forth. The heads of the WGA will admit to this: you are striking at the studio gates so as to represent a work stoppage. But the very people who “run” the company are spread throughout the world, and something tells me they don’t give a rat’s ass about the level of indignation with which a few thousand writers carry on their shoulders on the picket lines.
Question: When you submit a script to be purchased, do you insert a picture of your current emotional state — your best frown or grimace — or do you allow the work to speak for itself?
Do you honestly think the shareholders are saying, “I hear those writers are pissed off. Let’s be tread carefully, shall we?” Or: “Word is they’re breaking down. Goddammit, let’s drop some bombs while they’re weak!”
Attitude in business is as useful as a ploy as the color of uniforms in a war.
Please, please, please keep a level head. There are families at stake here . . .
Comment by LT — November 12, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
So, Dina,
When IATSE strikes next or reality shows rule the air and you’re out of work AGAIN, we can expect you to do the invaluable, back breaking work the “interchangeables” do? Your ****ed up attitude is exactly what gives the AMPTP their ammunition that we writers are just a bunch of spoiled rich people only greedy for more revenue.
Best of luck after the strike.
Comment by e — November 12, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
Any of you guys read that David Young article today in the Times?
It really pains me that some shmata union organizer is excited about where to rally next instead of how to get all of us working again.
I am a young writer, who just started my career and this internet stuff effects me directly but this isn’t Bangkok and we’re not factory workers, we are in the business of making movies and tv, not making picket signs.
Hopefully Verone will realize David Young is the reason we’re all getting alerts about when to bring our celebrity friend to Uni instead of knowing the cold hard facts of what the complete list of points that were left on the table last Sunday were and how exactly the Guild is planning on getting back to the table when the studios clearly want to wait long enough to clean house on deals gone sour.
If not, I can only hope that the showrunners will see how much damage they are doing to their own shows and demand to get to the table and get back to producing, since the walk-out card was clearly about as effective as standing outside of WB with ten writers at a gate and pitching new story ideas instead of getting paid to write them.
I hate to be this cut and dry but lets face it, we chose to be writers, they chose to be execs.
Their job is to cut cost and move up. Those guys are business men.
I remember I was in college and had a chance to speak with David Stern of the NBA during the lockout in 99′ and he told me he could care less if the athletes come back, cause at the end of the day, all that matters is the uniform and team name. Same deal here.
We’re shooting ourselves in the foot. Wanna complain about the money you make, we only have ourselves to blame for being in the worst business ever and having one of the most shit on jobs but ya know what, we chose this because we love the feeling you get when an idea sparks in your head and you can imagine and then watch that idea get realized. We’re in this because we wanna watch people’s eyes light up when they understand that new scene or line of dialogue you just made up and it makes them laugh or cry or think.
If we were in this to make money there’s a lot easier ways to do it, like real estate, stock market, and… being a studio exec.
Think about tomorrow when you stand outside with a picket and that guy in that Bentley drives past you with the windows rolled up, while he jokes on his bluetooth to his friend/or wife/or collegue that these “writers” think causing a little traffic and singing a chant is gonna change their mind about the bottom line.
Bottom line is… we need to save face, attempt to get some sort of deal out of this, and stop the madness before Hollywood starts looking like Baghdad.
Comment by not-so-proud-to-be-a-guild-member — November 12, 2007 @ 1:42 pm
I don’t know of any writer who would ever even imagine the post written by the alleged writer “Dina Kephert.” And having searched IMDB, I don’t see one credit listed for “Dina Kephert.”
Hmmmm, does anyone else smell an AMPTP plant? And think about it, isn’t the AMPTM trying to establish the BIG LIE that writers are all insensitive millionaires?
C’mon Eveyone: “Dina Kephert” is an AMPTM plant to get everyone fighting with the writers.
Comment by A WGA Supporter — November 12, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
Hey Dina–
I recently worked on a megabudget studio picture that, over its 12-year development process, went through 14 writers. In the end, all of them combined weren’t able to stave off a box office disaster.
Don’t kid yourself, a professional may provide a valuable service, but there are plenty of others out there who are willing and able to do the same job. A writer is as interchangeable as any other skilled professional.
Comment by Anonymous — November 12, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
“Dina Kephert” is an AMPTP plant.
Comment by A Writer — November 12, 2007 @ 3:24 pm
A WGA Supporter,
I really hope that you a right, but I wouldn’t bet on it. This is not the first time I have heard such a statement out of a WGA member’s mouth. There are people in the WGA that feel like this - I have met them. There are also BTL members that feel that writers are useless - I have met them too. The point is, no one is useless in production (except for those certain Exectutive Producers who collect money without any real input). Everyone is needed - it is a joint effort.
I realize now why the WGA does not want its members talking to the press. Some people probably should keep their opinions to themselves for the greater good of the union.
That being said, let’s all pray for negotiations to resume!
Comment by Natalie — November 12, 2007 @ 3:28 pm
I just want to comment on that LA Times article and FOX’s prime position is reason enough for the rest of the networks and studios to hammer out a deal and do it quickly. As corny as it seems I can see Ben Silverman and Dawn Orsoff in the Les Wasserman role in 1988. Both have the most to lose from this strike and I can see both of them holding Les Moonves and Jeff Zucker hostage respectably, and then waving the white flag of surrender, firing Nick Counter, and then giving into the writers completely just so that “The Office” can reopen and Michael, Jim, Pam, and Jan can have their shouting match.
For the record, here are the Broadcast/Cable networks that can and can’t survive a strike past December with #1 in good position to survive a strike.
1. FOX
2. CBS
3. Comedy Central (Has the return of Futurama to celebrate)
4. FX
5. TNT
6. USA
7. Showtime
8. HBO (Pay Channel that can do live sports events and movies).
9. Sci-Fi Network
10. ABC
11. TBS
12. CW (has some reality going, but not established enough)
13. NBC (bottom of the barrel and will be whacked 1/14/08 due to Idol if strike doesn’t end quickly.)
As for the date which the nets and studios can wipe the slate clean, that is tentatively set for Monday December 17th.
Comment by Jessy S. — November 12, 2007 @ 3:58 pm
“If we were in this to make money there’s a lot easier ways to do it, like real estate, stock market, and… being a studio exec.”
“not-so-proud-to-be-a-guild-member” & “dina kephert” are plants.
Nice try, AMPTP.
I’ve written better specs than the drivel you’ve posted here & you’re gonna pay me fairly for them.
Comment by e — November 12, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
Nikki, excellent reporting! A silver lining in this debacle. Question: Networks seem eager to let talent deals lapse…is this such a big money-saver in the face of lost first-run, repeat & syndication ad revenue, not to mention new monster TV moneymaker, series DVD…? (Figure that’s how MadMen is staying on the air
If Alliance contends they must “figure out” Internet, why the objection to a percent of gross/net? Dollars to writers will rise or fall depending on success (or failure…ha!) of medium. Head scratcher. Keep up the amazing work!
Comment by Indie writer/producer — November 12, 2007 @ 4:31 pm
“Dina” is a studio plant. No writer would ever say this.
Comment by Dave — November 12, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
There’s more plants on this thread than at the arboretum. Someone plants a piece of pure bull and someone else backs them up… or is it the same person with multiple identities? Hmmmm…
God, if some of these writers really ARE members, we have some educating to do.
Comment by a — November 12, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
Well, they need to talk and meet a reasonable resolution.
Comment by Adam — November 12, 2007 @ 6:05 pm
Hey,
Just to be clear, I think the strike currently is an appropriate reaction to the AMPTP proposals and shouldn’t be dropped without concessions from the AMPTP.
Watching from the outside, a few things seem a little out of perspective, which might be because I am not involved enough – or because others are too involved.
It’s been done before
If the longshoremen of the West Coast can leverage fairly straightforward manual labor into annual income of around 100 000 $ p.p. (remember that massive strike a few years back?), there still is hope for the writers to fight successfully.
Neither the execs who chose to be execs (hat tip not-so-proud), nor the international shareholders (you there, LT?) are going to fill the gap anytime soon.
The value of the writers’ work is as self-evident as it is well received by viewers the world over.
The AMPTP is stuck, too
“The shareholders” will be mighty unhappy if finding a resolution takes too long, because that will hit the bottom line. Sure, the “c u in 8” death-is-the-mother-of-beauty approach seems to make defeatist sense. But no stakeholder wants to hear that the current fare was all crap anyway (“Ah, the fourth quarter; well we didn’t HAVE a fourth quarter this year, you see.”). So much sweeter the old tune “Hey, we got great product, come and shine with us!”.
Really virtual
Reality TV is not going to miraculously replace all scripted programming in the next few months, except as strike-related stop-gaps that will be painful to viewers. The longer people have to watch it, the more the writers will be missed. Whatever the long-term future, it is unknown and largely irrelevant for these negotiations.
In the same vein, a trend from TV to The Interwebs is discernible, but not immediate or endless, and it only reinforces the WGA demands relating to the internet.
So no reasons to back down here.
Knee jerks
The AMPTP-WGA posturing described repeatedly reeks of petulant ego-tripping way beyond any rational, planned, under-control scheming / business procedures. Don’t underestimate the wounded egos and self-righteousness involved, nor the need to explain (away) stupid behavior to others and self. The New Yorker articled I linked to earlier (http://www.newyorker.com/talk/financial/2007/11/19/071119ta_talk_surowiecki ) makes the point well that negotiation breakdowns often are the result of both sides actually believing that their version of events is The Truth, leading to a dual my-way-or-the-highway. Which reinforces the notion that the agents could prove invaluable in coaxing both sides from their respective subjective higher ground (the AMPTP needing substantially more work, in my view) – at least they are used to handling the self-delusional on a regular basis.
Resolutions
Some hasty math: If the resulting contract were to cover five years, each strike month of missed income under the contract is equivalent to 1 - 2 % of the total negotiated income for the term.
So it should be made very clear that the eventual negotiation results have to increase in proportion to the length of the strike. Longer strike – more AMPTP concessions. Or else writer income is diminished.
So either:
1 Wave the stick (“it’s cheaper now”), settle quickly and for slight improvements / “meet halfway”.
> Get back to work sooner, make less/softer enemies. Since the pressure on the AMPTP will increase over time too, this surely is the least painful route.
2 Wave the stick (“it’s gonna cost more later”), wave the stick (“…and more…”), repeat.
Do not settle until everyone on the other side has sqealed at length and lost tons of money and cred.
> Teach em a lesson they won’t forget, ever (“The Longshore Way”). They might not forget that you did it to them, though…
or
3 Cave in, now. Settle for what they are offering, give or take.
> Lose some cred, prepare for being hosed again next time.
But DON’T:
Cave in after a long stand off, losing income during the strike, losing income from a contract that sucks and losing credibility, setting yourself up for further creative fleecing.
(Wimping out in 99-01 probably doesn’t help the WGA cause now…)
As a viewer, let me end on the following note to the AMPTP:
Why on earth should we go through the extra hassle and cost of paying for online content instead of comfortably pirating it, when this purportedly is neither part of your current core business plan, nor does any of it reach those that did the actual work?
You go robber baron, we go pirate.
Cheerio, mateys!
And, dear Nikki: Your work (and workload) is awe-inspiring. Thank You. I wish you a healthily short strike, too.
Comment by Way Outside — November 12, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
Remember people, ACTION IS CHARACTER. It’s not what they say but what they do that makes all the difference
SM
Comment by script maniac — November 12, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
I love how how when anybody writes an anti-WGA (or even balanced) post here they’re an AMPTP “plant”. You must be kidding me. You’re living in a paranoid echo-chamber of your own spin where any and all alternative viewpoints are unimaginable.
Comment by michael s — November 12, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
Studios planting fake comments? That’s a little paranoid, don’t you think? Next you’ll be telling me Sony posts fake movie reviews!
Comment by Dennis Wilson — November 12, 2007 @ 7:30 pm
Any updates????
Comment by just wondering — November 12, 2007 @ 8:59 pm