Comments on: Pencils Down, More Pencils In The Mail... http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/ Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:32:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Jc http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-10422 Jc Sun, 18 Nov 2007 10:09:57 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-10422 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 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

]]> By: Court http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-10418 Court Sun, 18 Nov 2007 09:38:57 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-10418 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 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

]]> By: Evelyn Vaughn http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-9117 Evelyn Vaughn Wed, 14 Nov 2007 11:02:18 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-9117 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. 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.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8979 Anonymous Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:01:55 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8979 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. 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.

]]> By: deirdre mundy http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8959 deirdre mundy Wed, 14 Nov 2007 01:24:32 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8959 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... 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…

]]> By: sskoonixkoonix http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8864 sskoonixkoonix Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:14:31 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8864 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? 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?

]]> By: Rod F. http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8854 Rod F. Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:22:40 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8854 "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. “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.

]]> By: katydid http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8831 katydid Tue, 13 Nov 2007 19:05:18 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8831 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. 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.

]]> By: Karen http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8754 Karen Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:54:32 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8754 <> I say we all mail 60 blank pages to Rod and let him show us how easy it is. <>

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

]]> By: Steve S http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8746 Steve S Tue, 13 Nov 2007 12:24:53 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8746 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. 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.

]]> By: One Time Sitcom Writer http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8698 One Time Sitcom Writer Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:48:22 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8698 <i>"Fans shouldn’t send nothing to the producers."</i> And people wonder why TV is dumbed down for it's viewers. “Fans shouldn’t send nothing to the producers.”

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

]]> By: skoonix http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8696 skoonix Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:43:34 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8696 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. 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.

]]> By: Turning letters http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8690 Turning letters Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:30:41 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8690 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. 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.

]]> By: Here's an idea... http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8684 Here's an idea... Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:19:02 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8684 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. 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.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8680 Anonymous Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:04:32 +0000 http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/pencils-down-more-pencils-in-the-mail/#comment-8680 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. 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.

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