Comments on: Universal Calls Cops On Pencil Pushers

By: Trisha

Trisha — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 08:32:02 +0000

Coming from the very folks who make it possible for the studios to even be in business in the first place (ie the fans) you’d have thought they could at least have opened the gates. PR guys off that day?

Hit them where it hurts is all that will do it. Pick a station a day and boycott it enmasse. Let the ratings tell the tale.

Tying up the mail room and the fax helps too tho.

If they can’t do their job and advertisers know ratings are dropping…

STICK IT OUT WRITERS!

By: T Kelley

T Kelley — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:17:10 +0000

Once again, the studios show they are against the fans, not just the writers.

I like this idea: “…Or how about instead of buying pencils… print a picture of a pencil on a piece of paper for every one purchased and distribute those all over L.A. and NYC.”

(Comment by David Sobolov — December 13, 2007 @ 8:15 am)

Can we fax them to the studios?

By: Ms. M

Ms. M — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 01:13:56 +0000

They should really donate the pencils to Kindergarten classrooms.
We go through so many it’s ridiculous.
The erasers especially.

By: VerdureVision

VerdureVision — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 22:26:53 +0000

With heavy-handed moves like this, the studios show just how humorless and out of touch they are to the fans who watch (and really miss!) their favorite shows. Looks like the “Dick of the Day” Award goes to…the AMPTP.

UH-gain.

By: Daisy

Daisy — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:21:32 +0000

What a bunch of a-holes! They couldn’t even accept the fan’s gifts. Don’t give up writers!!

By: If I...

If I... — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 01:51:36 +0000

From a PR perspective, If I ran the studio, I would have accepted the pencils with gracious public “Thanks to all.” And used them. And distributed them to all departments. Think of the pencil purchasing overhead that would have been saved. Then I would have sent a handful to the AMPTP to use to take notes during negotiations.

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:25:26 +0000

Well, not only have the studios once again made themselves look like a bunch of greedy assholes that don’t mind negotiating with the WGA, as long as the WGA just does what they want; the LAPD joins the studios in looking bad. Not only is the LAPD supposed to be enforcing the law, but now they are threatening people with trespassing and saying they “speak for the studio” now?! If the officer was off duty, then fine, he doesn’t need to be identifying himself with the LAPD and saying he’s a spokesperson for the studios now, and if he was on duty, unless there was an actual ordinance violation his job is to keep the peace!

I hope that officer is dealt with accordingly by his/her superiors if there was some inappropriateness involved, and that the studios start to actually LOOK around and realize that being the bully in town doesn’t necessarily earn you respect. It just shows that you are too much of a sissy to actually treat others with the respect they deserve and admit that maybe you’re the one in the wrong here.

The AMPTP is basically a big organization that has come together to throw a temper tantrum like a bunch of toddlers. They’re certainly using the communication, negotiating and reasoning skills of a two-year old.

By: Chadd

Chadd — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:14:50 +0000

How can a police officer, a tax paid, public servant, be “an official spokesperson” for a movie studio. This is a conflict of public interest and safety. If the officer was off duty, that’s one thing… but if he’s enforcing an ordiance, then all he has to say is “you’re violating the law if you come onto the property without permission”. The officer had a poor choice of wording. Perhaps he could have used someone with cue cards…

By: Elaine

Elaine — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:55:41 +0000

Yeah I also thought that they were being delivered via mail as they were bought, not that they were being delivered in bulk by a spokesperson.

By: Katrina

Katrina — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:26:04 +0000

I love this so much. They couldn’t have done it better if their PR firm had advised them on it. Oh wait, they probably did. I love how this looks to the outside world: Big Greedy Studios Reject Symbols of Viewer Devotion. Oh well, either way the pencils will get donated to kids who need them.

By: mla28

mla28 — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:01:41 +0000

That’s what I assumed too. That they would be delivered by UPS. That way they have to take them. Otherwise, just spill them out onto the driveway and run away. That’s what my UPS guy does. Let them clean up the mess. Hilarity will ensue.

By: cgee

cgee — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:56:41 +0000

The LAPD now joins Variety (and the rest of the “Trade” media) as official arms of the AMPTP.

Question: If the AMPTP position is so solid and rational why have I yet to read an article where AMPTP quotes are not un-named sources? The most recent Variety piece had nine-plus quotes from “a honcho,” “a suit” “a conglom topper” or some such nonsense. NOT ONE on-the-record quote. And NO quotes from either the WGA or a writer/producer.

BASIC journalism 101 that you learn in the first week of J-school: Un-named sources want to be un-named because they are self-serving and don’t want to be held accountable. Journalists should use them sparingly if at all. VARIETY uses them in every story, all story. I don’t think I’ve read an article yet where a studio head has had the guts to be quoted by name. Not the case with the writers. What are the “conglom chiefs” afraid of? Being beaten over the head with a cardboard “On Strike” sign? What a bunch of lying, over-paid pussies.

By: sidelined

sidelined — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:49:32 +0000

The Police have a union, and although I know that they are doing as they are told….they should show some respect for a fellow union without a contract. This could have been handled better, and without threats.

By: Shirin Ricklefs

Shirin Ricklefs — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:31:33 +0000

This is why the studios need to hire expensive PR firms. They react without thinking and make themselves look worse in the process. This is wonderful example of why public opinion is against them!

By: David Sobolov

David Sobolov — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:15:05 +0000

Use some of the money to buy postage and mail them all to the AMPTP. They can’t turn away U.S. Mail. Or how about instead of buying pencils… print a picture of a pencil on a piece of paper for every one purchased and distribute those all over L.A. and NYC.