Pencils Down, More Pencils In The Mail...

pencils.jpgMany fans have joined "Save our Show" efforts in the past. One technique that's gotten press and attention is fans mailing a particular item, related to the show, to the appropriate network -- bottles of Tabasco sauce for Roswell, or peanuts for Jericho. Here's what's being done by fans for the WGA strike: "Now is the time to save ALL our shows. MAIL PENCILS pencils to the AMPTP and to any studios whose shows you enjoy. Make sure the pencils are NOT sharpened (let's not impale any innocent mail carriers in this movement! One 42-cent stamp won't do it, because the letter must be hand canceled; it costs 58 cents (or, if you're lazy like me, just slap two stamps on each business-sized envelope). Feel free to enclose a brief note explaining which show(s) you most want back as soon as possible. Maybe we can help the studios see just how much support the WGA has. And maybe, just maybe, we can give them a graceful way out (not because they're buckling under the writers' demands, but because they care so much about their audience. Us. And isn't that supposed to be their job?"

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34 Comments »

  1. Not exactly, the job is selling advertising time.

    Comment by Richard Hertz — November 12, 2007 @ 7:41 pm

  2. I thought about this. But why encourage them the producers? I think a blank sheet of paper symbolizing what you have without writers would be better. Plus, it only costs 42 cents (and involves no danger to mail carriers).

    Comment by rosettaresearch — November 12, 2007 @ 7:53 pm

  3. Bloggers refusing to write. Pencils being mailed. Is this for real?

    How can the studios endure this onslaught?

    (this thing is a joke)

    Comment by Really? — November 12, 2007 @ 8:04 pm

  4. So, I’m lazy like you, howz about publishing the addresses of the aforementioned AMPTP and a handful of those big studios to get the momentum going. Yes, yes, I can very well find them myself, and probably will after I post this, but people being people, sometimes you need to give everything you can upfront to get them going.

    Comment by Christian — November 12, 2007 @ 8:15 pm

  5. I just wanted to let you know that the idea to mail pencils to the studios is such a good idea. I know I will be mailing some pencils to studios now. Thanks for keeping us updated.

    SAG for WGA!!!

    Comment by Monica Bankston — November 12, 2007 @ 8:19 pm

  6. this is really getting childish now.

    Comment by stillhere — November 12, 2007 @ 8:30 pm

  7. Knowing how the suits operate, they’ll figure out a way of making money off of all the pencils that are sent in.
    Plus they’ll have their put upon assistants remove & reuse any uncanceled stamps!

    Comment by Unindicted Co-conspirator — November 12, 2007 @ 8:36 pm

  8. While we’re at it, let’s mail our utility bills to both the WGA and the AMPTP.

    Anyway, mailing pencils . . . yawn.

    Someone awake me when the negotiations resume.

    Jerry

    Comment by Jerry — November 12, 2007 @ 8:39 pm

  9. This is so stupid. WGA writers aren’t the life of a show. There is more that goes into it than just writing a script. That’s the easy part, there are other people involved like the producers, actors, directors, etc. Fans shouldn’t send nothing to the producers. Instead WGA writers should go get real jobs, because the writers have really screwed up the concepts for this season of shows. That’s why the rating are so bad.
    The moguls should fly out a bunch of fans and let us write the shows. I think that we can do better anyway.

    Comment by Rod F. — November 12, 2007 @ 8:42 pm

  10. stillhere,

    Mailing nuts to CBS might have been childish, but it also brought Jericho back from cancellation.

    Since the WGA still seems rather surprised at the fan reaction, the fans are organizing their own efforts. Whether it’s food for striking workers or pencils mailed to the networks, fans want to do something, anything, to show support for the writers.

    If you’ve got a better idea, post it.

    By the way, Fans4Writers are also looking into funds for all those put out of work by the strike. If you have any suggestions on that, feel free to email them.

    Comment by aViewer — November 12, 2007 @ 8:51 pm

  11. It seems to me the fans, viewers, would like to get involved, but they don’t know how, so they keep inventing things like this, which are sweet gestures, but ultimately ineffective.

    The WGA bloggers are going to protest not writing by not writing? That makes no sense to me - especially because well, they’re writers. A lot of the essays, blogs, I’ve seen are just terrific, effective pieces for the campaign that they shouldn’t give up doing, even for a day.

    On the other hand, why isn’t anyone calling for A Day Without Downloads? The only person I’ve heard even talking about a boycott is Ellen Pompeo, who as far as I can tell isn’t WGA Board Member.

    Comment by Hmm.... — November 12, 2007 @ 9:09 pm

  12. “Not exactly, the job is selling advertising time.”

    Then mail the pencils to the ADVERTISERS!

    A Writer

    Comment by Writer — November 12, 2007 @ 9:15 pm

  13. I think it got childish when the studios walked away from the table. Somebody needs a nap.

    Watching the interviews with studio heads discussing billions in digital income isn’t surprising, but makes all the hand-wringing over the ‘mysterious internet’ just that more disgusting.

    Comment by Sara — November 12, 2007 @ 9:17 pm

  14. This is a good idea, TV fans all over the US are getting together backing the writers in this strike. An event like this will never happen again.

    This is letting the studios know that we Television fans want our shows back, and won’t settle for less.

    TV Fan :)

    Comment by Anonymous — November 12, 2007 @ 9:19 pm

  15. I was under the impression such tactics were more annoying than helpful. A writer who has experienced these campaigns suggests a different strategy:

    http://heywriterboy.blogspot.com/2007/07/emily-posts-guide-to-save-our-show.html

    Comment by ML — November 12, 2007 @ 9:29 pm

  16. Television writers are geniuses and deserve every penny they receive and more - especially the writers on Cavemen, Carpoolers, Viva Laughlin and Moonlight. With quality programs like those I’m amazed that noone is watching scripted televison.

    Comment by :) — November 12, 2007 @ 9:36 pm

  17. Your negotiation tactics are phenomenal. This should bring them to their knees. Have you guys thought about hunger strikes or chaining yourselfs to trees?

    Comment by Let Freedom Ring — November 12, 2007 @ 9:40 pm

  18. Here is an idea for where you can get funds to help those people that have been put out of work: Seth MacFarlane just made a $40 million overall deal.

    Comment by Seth MacFarlane — November 12, 2007 @ 9:46 pm

  19. Isn’t postage only 41 cents now (not 42)? Anyway, I’m holding on to my pencils. I need them more than the studios do. Besides I may have to sell them on the street corner some day.

    Comment by Condor — November 12, 2007 @ 9:58 pm

  20. Skeptics/naysayers, it brought Jericho back.

    Let a 1000 ideas bloom. It wouldn’t hurt, it can only augment/complement the main efforts of the strike. A little creativity & humor wouldn’t be amiss. Besides it’ll give the fans, including me, something fun to do - in addition to writing letters, spreading the word, etc.

    Comment by Anonymous — November 12, 2007 @ 10:04 pm

  21. Instead of sending pencils we should be calling, emailing and writing letters to the advertisers of our favorite shows. Tell them we aren’t going to buy their products anymore… And stop doing it.

    Comment by Here's an idea... — November 12, 2007 @ 10:19 pm

  22. I would love to print up pencils with short quotes from each mogul crowing about the Internet revenue that helps his board and shareholders. Mass produce these pencils and dump ‘em! Dump them all in the front lobby, the planters out by the glass entrance, hit the AMPTP, NBC, Fox, ABC, Televison City. Each pencil would contain an ‘unforgettable gem’ as quoted by Moonves, Rupert, Ben Silverman or Iger.

    Let them try to recycle these… can’t. While the pencil-brick idea hits industry people as sweet and pointless, remember — viral marketing is designed to reach out to basic TV viewers who may not understand the particular elements of the WGA’s struggle.

    Comment by Turning letters — November 12, 2007 @ 10:30 pm

  23. The comment by Rod F. is so ignorant - so removed from reality I had to respond. You obviously know NOTHING about writing to say the writing of the script is the easy part. Have you tried it. How’s the Two and Half Men spec coming? And to say the concepts are bad this season thus it’s the writer’s fault shows you also know zilch about development. If you think TV sucks, blame the guardians at the gate, the ones who say yes or no, the studio and net suits - they decide what goes on the air - they decide to note a concept to death so that anything original about it is put thru a grinder so it will be like everything else. Read Laughing Matters by Larry Gelbart, read any of Wm. Goldman’s books about being a screenwriter before you spout off on writing. If you have anger towards this situation, address it towards the moguls who refuse to negotiate or bend in anyway on the main issues.

    Comment by skoonix — November 12, 2007 @ 10:43 pm

  24. “Fans shouldn’t send nothing to the producers.”

    And people wonder why TV is dumbed down for it’s viewers.

    Comment by One Time Sitcom Writer — November 12, 2007 @ 10:48 pm

  25. I was thinking of writing a letter to the local Toyota division office, telling them that my planned Prius purchase is on hold for now, because Toyota advertises on some of the WGA-written shows I watch. I think that would mean more than pencils.

    Comment by Steve S — November 13, 2007 @ 4:24 am

  26. <>

    I say we all mail 60 blank pages to Rod and let him show us how easy it is.

    Comment by Karen — November 13, 2007 @ 4:54 am

  27. so skoonix, if i understand comments from writers around here, writers get 100% of the credit for a good show - they are the foundation, dangit! but 0% of the blame for a bad show.

    ha. every day the commentators on this site reinforce my opinion that the writers and the studios are cut from the same cloth (seriously, the conceit on both sides is unlimited), and that this strike is going to go on for ages.

    Comment by katydid — November 13, 2007 @ 11:05 am

  28. “The comment by Rod F. is so ignorant - so removed from reality I had to respond. You obviously know NOTHING about writing to say the writing of the script is the easy part.”

    Yeah, that’s why I have four releases in First Quarter of 08 and your agents are currently fighting over shopping my specs. As far as Karen’s comment about the 60 pages, maybe you should send me 90 so I can write a feature.

    Comment by Rod F. — November 13, 2007 @ 12:22 pm

  29. No, katydid, I am not speaking for ALL writers - just my own experience. Excuse us if we are rather sensitive to some of the blind sweeping insults that have appeared here - you seem to have it all backwards - with very few exceptions, the writer hardly ever gets credit for a success (especially in features) and actually when something bombs - they almost always bring up the script and the writer. It’s not ego to try and explain what the actual development process is - a few good shows get made in spite of the sausage factory, but you know what = a blank page comes with no instructions. Everyone thinks they can write but how many people walk onto a set and start giving lighting ideas to the cinematographer?

    Comment by sskoonixkoonix — November 13, 2007 @ 1:14 pm

  30. Why don’t the striking writers for each show start a blog (ala the Letterman guys)?

    Then they could add tipjars, and fans could support the writers of their favorite shows directly. with cash

    (Admittedly this would work better for the comic writers, as people are probably more likely to spontaneously tip in return for a good laugh…)

    Or is that in violation of your union rules?

    Alternatively, maybe tipjars that just went to the general strike fund?

    Just an idea, from a fan who thinks her postage (and pencil) money could be better spent elsewhere…

    Comment by deirdre mundy — November 13, 2007 @ 5:24 pm

  31. The moguls should fly out a bunch of fans and let us write the shows. I think that we can do better anyway. Rod F. Nov. 12th
    Yeah, that’s why I have four releases in First Quarter of 08 and your agents are currently fighting over shopping my specs.Rod F. Nov. 13th

    Wow, Rod F. -congrats - huge career two day turnaround for you. One day you describe yourself as “us fans” and “we can do better” and then the next day you have FOUR releases in the First Quarter of 08 and agents fighting over your specs. Wow - not even Paul Haggis and Scott Frank are that busy. You are amazing. Way to go! That’s quite a thing to manage during a strike. I stand corrected - I had no idea you had four movies opening in 08 that you wrote. And you got nothing but helpful notes on all four of these releases?? Wow - you are the best, Rod, you are the best.

    Comment by Anonymous — November 13, 2007 @ 6:01 pm

  32. It’s not one or the other. Fans can send pencils, and/or blank sheets of paper, and/or postcards. The important thing is to keep the studios (and the advertisers!) aware of the number of viewers who agree with the writers on this strike.

    I’ve read the article about the downside of fan mail-ins of odd items, but it’s more about those directed at a specific show… and I couldn’t help but think that, if people who work in a mail-room get so annoyed at these campaigns that they would HATE the show and deliberately sabotage it, those mail-room workers are in the wrong job.

    As for the point that the studios’ job is selling advertising time: again, it’s not either/or. If they lose their audience, they won’t sell a second of advertising time. Therefore, per the original post?

    We need to remind the studios that we are their customers, not vice versa. Do it any way you like.

    Comment by Evelyn Vaughn — November 14, 2007 @ 3:02 am

  33. Just dropping off this link… United Hollywood put together a plan re: the pencils with many of the showrunners with active fanbases to organize one big drop of pencils rather than a slow trickle.

    http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/pencils2mediamoguls.html

    And Joss Whedon posted the email that went out to the showrunners about it here: http://whedonesque.com/comments/14772

    Comment by Court — November 18, 2007 @ 1:38 am

  34. Thanks for getting this started! I’ve posted links to this and the UnitedHollywood blogspot page on my fansites:

    http://svfan.com/
    http://www.dollhouseecho.com/

    Keep up the strong fight!

    Jc

    Comment by Jc — November 18, 2007 @ 2:09 am

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