I've spent all day talking to sources on all sides of the WGA-mogul talks, and here is the latest news. I've opened comments now that I'm done posting.
(Keep refreshing... See updates below)
I'm told that Patric Verrone, Dave Young and John Bowman -- the WGA leadership involved in Friday's breakthrough session of the writer-mogul talks with Peter Chernin and Bob Iger -- are recommending the deal hashed out Friday and briefed the guild's negotiating committee today. There is also a regularly scheduled WGA board meeting today, and the leadership may brief the board about the deal but that's not certain. I hear no one at the top of the guild will be asked to vote on the deal today. That can't happen until the deal is drafted, and there's the rub. I'm told that if something, or someone, gets tricky with the language or terms, then writing down what was agreed to becomes a major haggle. "Everything needs to be in writing. So there's still a possibility that this thing could get fucked," an insider explains to me. "The DGA has five months to put its shit in writing but the WGA has to get it all in writing before the strike can be called off. There has to be a draft and that has to be approved."
Without problems, the draft could be done by week's end, maybe longer. But I hear various people from inside and outside the union are pressuring the WGA to schedule the vote as soon as possible. Here's why: once both the WGA negotiating committee and the WGA board approve the deal, then the guild leaders would call off the strike immediately. I'm told that was an integral part of the agreement because the moguls didn't want to wait for the membership at large to weigh in on the deal. Among those pressing for this were Bob Iger, who for obvious reasons wants the picket lines to come down so Hollywood can feel free to attend ABC's Academy Awards.
But there are genuine concerns that the negotiating committee and the board may not approve the deal, even though Verrone, Young and Bowman are behind it. (Though the votes do not have to be unanimous.) There are also genuine concerns that the WGA membership may not approve the deal -- like what happened during the 1960 strike.
UPDATE -- Tonight, this letter is going out to members from WGA Negotiating Committee Chair John Bowman in advance of the WGAW supposedly holding a general membership meeting at 6:30 PM Saturday at the Shrine Auditorium to provide an update on the negotiations:
Dear Fellow Members:
I would like to update you on where we stand with bargaining with the AMPTP. While we have made important progress since the companies re-engaged us in serious talks, negotiations continue. Regardless of what you hear or read, there are many significant points that have yet to be worked out.In order to keep members abreast of the latest developments, informational meetings are being planned by both Guilds for this weekend-details to be announced. Neither the Negotiating Committee, nor the West Board or the East Council, will take action on the contract until after the membership meetings.
As the talks proceed, never forget that during this period it is critical for us to remain on the picket lines united and strong. We are all in this together.
So now is the time for everyone to back off. That's right, BACK OFF. And to let the WGA leadership talk to its board and also its membership without outside interference.
Look, a ridiculously large number of Hollywood power players -- from major feature film writers and TV showrunners, to agents and managers and lawyers, to executives and moguls -- have been on the phone in recent weeks urging the media to pressure the WGA to take the DGA deal, or whatever is negotiated, and call off the strike before the Oscars. I've heard smart arguments and I've heard nonsensical arguments (like the big-time agent who described the TV showrunners as "the plantation owners" vs the TV writers who worked for them as "the cotton-pickers who should just damn well be grateful they have health and pension and get back to work already".) But who was putting equal pressure on the moguls? Certainly not Variety, or the Los Angeles Times, or The New York Times. Outrageous that every mainstream media outlet influential in showbiz from the outset took the AMPTP shill position that the DGA deal was a great deal because it was negotiated by grown-ups and the WGA brats better take it or else. When it had been the moguls who have acted childish and churlish pre- and post-strike. Worse, they'd disengaged from the process, with occasional exceptions, and hadn't met together even once. (Unlike 1988 when there was truly a sense of urgency and they regularly huddled in Bel Air living rooms.) If anybody, the media should have been pressuring the Hollywood CEOs to use the DGA deal as a good start. After all, everyone was making it seem like the shitty DGA deal was the only possible deal available to the writers. But only the scribes knew what terms were needed to make the strike worthwhile to them. I and other media didn't need to arrogantly advise them on the details or even explain the big picture. This was their fight, not ours.
Judging from the thousands of emails I received during my illness, opinions within the WGA were running 3-to-1 that the DGA deal after its sketchy details were announced looked both promisingly incremental and fundamentally excremental. Incremental because it did address issues which the Hollywood CEOs previously withheld from their faux negotiations with the WGA, like an electronic sell-through formula. (And how long was everybody waiting for that to finally show up on the bargaining table?) And excremental because the deal's ad-supported streaming payout was still insulting. Even the most short-sighted entertainment seers except the moguls could peer into the future and see that, for at least the next three years, ad-embedded streaming will be the delivery method of choice for media content producers, consumers and advertisers. It certainly is right now. And, given Wal-Mart's recent decision to abandon the downloading biz at this time (because the light demand wasn't worth the cost of the server farms), it certainly is for the life of the WGA's next contract. But the moguls seemed to fashion the DGA deal in such a way as to undermine and eventually eradicate the old residual system they hate even though it keeps so many writers solvent. A screenwriter pal of mine credits residuals with creating the "middle class writer". I personally know so many scribes who find themselves working one year, begging for work the next two, and afraid that as they get older they won't have staying power in the scribbling business. Because the statistics back up that paranoia: the only people allowed to grow old gracefully employed in Hollywood are the moguls. As for residuals, the majority of the DGA membership get no direct residual payments but the big guns of the DGA all get profit participation on their projects. That leaves only 20% of that guild's membership for whom residual payments are a lifeline. So the DGA deal could play well for the CEOs in the press and put pressure on the WGA leadership to take it or look unreasonable by comparison. But what the DGA needed and what the WGA needed were apples and oranges. When it comes to Hollywood deals, one size does not fit all.
Thankfully, it didn't require a room full of rocket scientists to attempt to adapt the DGA deal to the needs of the WGA membership. It did require John Bowman to take a leadership role. Rightly or wrongly, he was always viewed as a moderate by the moguls compared to Young and Verrone whom the CEOs villified as the militants. "Bowman just had a better relationship with those guys because he was more of a known quantity having once been a big guy in TV," an insider tells me. So it was Bowman who met with Peter Chernin, Barry Meyer and Les Moonves to break the ice back on January 7th at a meeting where supposedly the CEOs said they were sorry for acting like assholes during Phase I and II of the negotiations. From that confab, the WGA-mogul talks were recently reborn.
Another major difference was the presence of entertainment lawyer Alan Wertheimer who has long repped some of the major motion picture and TV scribes. Asked to step in on behalf of the WGA, Wertheimer "was someone who broke down what was being offered and presented the ramifications the way any lawyer does in a negotiation," an insider told me. "He was extremely helpful." Another told me, "He was kind of a hero." The moguls knew they'd have to look him in the eye when this was all over, same as they'd have to look Bryan Lourd in the eye. (As opposed to the WGA's leadership, whom the CEOs could go back to ignoring. Just like they do most Hollywood scribes.)
As the informal talks started, I kept worrying that the moguls would make good on their promise to me not to reward the WGA for striking (by giving them better terms than the directors and thus make the helmers look weak). But that was a ridiculous way to view the situation when a vital issue like residuals is part of the WGA contract's DNA. At the same time, the Hollywood CEOs were startled by the distrust they found among the WGA leadership. Not only had weeks and months of dealing with Nick Counter, and believing AMPTP promises to put New Media terms on the table, poisoned the overall atmosphere. But also the moguls' own lies. After all, Big Media had never bothered to revisit the weak formulas for home video or DVD before, so why should the writers believe the CEOs' latest pledge to revisit the formulas for New Media in three years?
First, it took a lot of lobbying to convince the WGA leaders there would be no "significant" money in streaming for the next several years. (One source claimed that the WGA's numbers were "quadruple" what was really the truth.) "The networks still get it as part of the license fee, and if you compare the viewers per rerun at $20K and the viewers of streams at $1,200, the stream deal is better," an insider told me. "People need to be educated on the economics, and, fortunately, the WGA deal will give talent access to a lot of the info necessary to determine what's fair in the future. It's simply not possible to know today what will (or will not be) appropriate in 10 years. Fortunately, the deal is up in three, and the WGA has shown that it isn't afraid to strike over these issues."
Meanwhile, Chernin and Iger focused on addressing the WGA's New Media residual needs without confusing them with the DGA's. "To their credit, Bob and Peter said to the WGA, 'Tell us what really concerns you.' And that's when things really started moving on questions about jurisidiction on the Internet and the third-year formula for streaming."
At the same time, leaders of different dissident factions within the WGA (some made up of very powerful TV showrunners and feature film writers), approached the guild toppers with an ultimatum. These factions, who one source told me total 300 members in all and had been held in check up until then, declared that they would no longer promise to keep silent if a deal wasn't done right away. "A lot of things came together Friday," an insider told me. "Chernin was back. And Iger was there. And the guys on the WGA side knew if they didn't come out with a deal this weekend that Monday was going to be a bad day. They'd been personally told by these different pockets of writers who knew what was going on that they would no longer be supportive and measured. They planned on going public. They planned to blow the guild up."
UPDATE: *But tonight another source assured me that those who put pressure on the Guild to make a deal were only a handful of actual showrunners and not big-name ones. "Mainly a group of desperate people in the mix - including some non-writing producers - who were more concerned about getting back to work than getting a good deal." According to one TV hyphenate personally involved in a letter drafted to Verrone, Young and Bowman that as of Friday was signed by 75 showrunners, it asked the WGA trio to obtain better terms than the DGA deal in a few key areas. "As one who was on the phone for two days getting signatures, these showrunners were plenty serious about what needed to get done. So, it wasn't the influence of the negatives who held the negotiations hostage; our guys had plenty of ammo going in there to tell the other side that a bum deal would never get ratified by the majority of showrunners or their staffs."*
Now it's up to the WGA leadership to use the next weeks wisely. The writers don't want this deal shoved down their throats any more than they wanted that done with the DGA deal. Yet it's surprising that the current plan calls for just that. If indeed the board approves of the new deal, then the right thing to do is to let the membership vote before the strike is called off. That gives the WGA leadership time enough to complete the delicate dance of lowering members' expectations about what could and couldn't be accomplished.
Right now, if the WGA board accepts the deal, I'm told that the Back 9 of most scripted TV series could be saved along with a no-frills pilot season with less scripted series ordered than ever before. (And expect the upfront presentations to advertisers to consist of a lot more pleading than preening.) Some of the force-majeured deals could be reinstated. (But it's important to remember that three times as many pacts would have been cancelled if the agents and lawyers hadn't lobbied the networks and studios.) Feature films that were halted or thought lost could get going immediately. And, of course, the Oscars could be held. But what happens to all this back-to-work progress if the WGA membership votes down the deal? A bigger mess than even now?
Only the WGA members can decide how much more pain they are willing to endure with no guarantee that whatever is negotiated months from now (alongside SAG) is going to be any better than what has been negotiated now. The one thing this strike has done is to give writers a powerful voice that Hollywood has heard loud and clear. Don't silence the WGA membership at this crucial juncture.
A WGA board member came to our picket line at Paramount this morning to “take a temperature” on whether or not we would approve a deal similar to that of the DGA. It was unanimous among the 12 or so of us there. No we would not accept it. We’d rather take 0% of nothing than $1200 flat. If this deal isn’t much better, we’re in trouble.
Comment by the happy gate picketer — February 4, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
If the writers don’t approve a deal that their negotiators & board…people who they’ve been telling us for months are fantastic, and will fight to the bitter end for them, etc…they’re going to go down as the biggest idiots in the history of organized labor.
If you trusted them to take you into a strike, you damn sure should trust them when they say this is a deal you should take.
Comment by reality time — February 4, 2008 @ 6:56 pm
have you ever actually written on a show that is streaming online? I bet maybe 3 or 4 of you would actually make any money on a show that is streamed online, the fact is that the majority of writers shows aren’t even re-broadcast online.
Comment by patcracks — February 4, 2008 @ 6:56 pm
The “pockets” of screenwriters and show-runners who pressured the guild are, in plain terms, self-centered assholes. They make a lot of money anyway, and the strike, to them, is an inconvenience to their lifestyle. Their pressure has NOTHING to do with what is good for writers in general, and everything to do with what is good for them. Ask yourself this — who are they to put pressure on the guild leadership to close a deal quickly? And don’t they sound like… well, the studios?
Comment by writer — February 4, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
To the WGA leadership, I will not approve a deal like the DGA deal. I will not approve a deal that does not have a percentage from the first stream or the first download. The basic idea that when the companies make money the creators and writers should make money seems fair and reasonable and is the only thing I’ll approve.
On January 22nd Zucker said that the strike would be over in 2 weeks. Two weeks later, Chernin is at the SuperBowl saying the strike is over. It’s clear to me that the CEOs want the strike to end now. This is exactly the time to be firm and get what is fair.
I don’t want to strike again in 3 years. I want these issues resolved in this strrike, the strike that I have sacrificed for.
Rolling over now, when we finally have leverage, and taking a crappy deal is the only thing that would ever make me consider going FiCore.
Please leaders, do not piss on my leg and tell me that it’s raining with a deal that resembles the DGA deal.
Comment by My Vote — February 4, 2008 @ 7:01 pm
Fuck it. We’re staying out till June.
Comment by ScreenVet — February 4, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
I guess all that strike speak about trusting your leadership is all bull, judging from what happy gate picketer just said. I guess the floggings will continue until the AMPTP attitude improves.
Comment by just a thought — February 4, 2008 @ 7:03 pm
Thanks Nikki, this is all very helpful information. It gives us some needed context around all the talk of a deal in the works.
I’m going to read over the proposed deal terms carefully. If the streaming and download provision are not much better than the DGA deal, than I’m going to vote NO.
The great thing about being a writer is that you are by definition an entrepreneur. You create from scratch, and that skill can be translated into many markets.
Like many other writers, the strike forced me to find other sources of income, and then I discovered that my skills were very much in demand outside of the studios. I’m now making more money in other areas — publishing, video games, new media — than I was in Hollywood. So I’m not afraid of standing my ground if the deal isn’t right.
The comment by your agent friend about writers being slaves on a plantation reveals the mindset of this town. No, we are not slaves — we are entrepreneurs and creators who will always find new markets. And the strike has lifted the curtain on the Hollywood moguls and revealed that the great and powerful Oz is a humbug.
So I say to the studios — bring it on, baby. You aren’t going to ram a deal down my throat, as I can weather this storm indefinitely. Other industries are paying me well for my services, so I don’t need Hollywood charity. And I’m not alone.
Comment by Don't Mess with Writers — February 4, 2008 @ 7:03 pm
Wow. I hope you are feeling as well as you “sound”, Ms. Finke!
Thank you for the update I’ve so thirsted for. You’ve been amazing through this Labor Action, and I hope that you will soon be able to take a much-deserved vacation.
Regarding the news; I’m just going to hope for the best and remain prepared for the worst… and wish everyone well.
Comment by 4merBTLer — February 4, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
I find it ridiculous hyperbole to suggest that these pockets of writers could “blow up the Guild” by expressing their impatience in public. They’d be more likely to blow up their own reputations and standing in the writers community.
Comment by AJB — February 4, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
“Different dissident factions”. Let me correct the spelling on that:
“Overpaid douchebags prepared to throw their underpaid brethren under the bus so they can afford to renovate their houses in Malibu.”
I hope their houses burn down.
Comment by Simon Jester — February 4, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
Agreed - if this deal isn’t much better than the DGA deal, then I don’t think it’ll pass with the members I’ve spoken with. Not unless there is also a percentage of ad revenue built it to increase that number with viewership - members I know can’t see accepting a deal that does not include sharing the revenue because they see it as a no brainer. they tell me, “If the studios get paid, we want to get paid.” That see it as perfectly fair. And these are not stupid people I’ve been talking with - these are writers of seriously successful shows.
Comment by outside the gates — February 4, 2008 @ 7:08 pm
I don’t know if you have enough time to do a full membership vote before you call off the strike and still save the Oscars- if you get everything on paper say by Friday, can they get a vote ready and certified in time?
This is probably now a question of “who loses the least”, not “who wins”…no way any of the dramas get all the back 9 this season, probably not a lot of the sitcoms either (I’m thinking more of the 4-6 ep range from Mid-April through May Sweeps- and that’s only if the writers start back early next week)
Comment by DW — February 4, 2008 @ 7:10 pm
I have been a guild member for over twenty five years, I know a ton of “big” screenwriters and show runners and I have yet to talk to ONE who says he or she has put pressure on the Guild to accept the DGA deal. Moreover, I have yet to see ANYONE in the media (Nikki included) NAME ONE WRITER who has “pressured” the Guild to accept the DGA deal. So, come on, Nikki, give us ONE name, as opposed to just parroting the anonymous party line that most likely emanated from the wish-fullfilment section of the AMPTP.
Comment by long time writer — February 4, 2008 @ 7:11 pm
Not good enough, not nearly. This isn’t what we went out on strike for.
Comment by WriterBob — February 4, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
Thank you Nikki. Very eloquently put. I hope people don’t build themselves into an anger filled lather before even seeing the document.
The decision needs to be made analytically, note laced by stress created negative emotion.
Comment by originaljoe — February 4, 2008 @ 7:16 pm
Thank you for the update Nikki.
Comment by Danica — February 4, 2008 @ 7:19 pm
Dear “Happy Gate Picketer” -
You mean a board member surveyed all 7 people who were still out picketing today - as opposed to the thousands of WGA members that stayed home and can’t wait for it to be over? God, I’m glad you don’t work for Zogby. Any deal that Patric, David, and John recommend will be ratified by overwhelming numbers. Anyone willing to vote it down is someone addicted to striking…
Comment by JZ — February 4, 2008 @ 7:20 pm
Hey you chicken shit “powerful showrunners and screenwriters” show yourselves!
There must be a guild vote before the strike is called off. A handful of people DO NOT get to bully the rest of us into a crappy deal.
Comment by Not okay... — February 4, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
I voted no on the strike authorization as did virtually every guild member I know (somehow that 90% solidarity seemed a bit inflated) but I’ll be damned if I vote for a crappy deal after the hell Verrone has put us through. The guy is a nightmare and when this is all over I will personally be leading a recall election to get him out of office — his desire to strike before negotiations began coupled with his having to have the last childish word whenever the AMPTP makes a benign comment just makes me sick. I liken this strike to the war in Iraq — a stupid government got us into this fight with outdated information, yet I feel like I have to support the troops (a.k.a. my fellow writers.)
Comment by Tad Bitter — February 4, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
Happy Gate Picketer,
I’m glad you’re still walking and all that, but a lot of people aren’t. You can probably guess how they’re going to vote.
Comment by Writer — February 4, 2008 @ 7:22 pm
I’m voting NO! unless it’s a much better deal than what the DGA got… We weren’t picketing the last three months, so we could just get crumbs!…
Stay strong!
Comment by dante writer — February 4, 2008 @ 7:22 pm
Most of you can write…can any of you read??
“BACK OFF”!!!
Comment by Post Guy — February 4, 2008 @ 7:25 pm
If the members reject a deal their leadership encourages them to take
they are more foolish and hateable than they already are. This strike
has damaged the industry, made the rich richer and damaged the below the line crews for nothing. Stop punishing the people who realize the vision and get back to work, douchebags.
Comment by PK — February 4, 2008 @ 7:28 pm
Bowman’s letter seems reasonable. Every writer I know is happy to give up something if we get something in return. No one is expecting a perfect deal, just a reasonable one that allows the profession of Hollywood writer to still exist for us and the following generations (meaning it being able to survive in downtimes through residual payments, being able to have a pension, and having health insurance.)
As what Bowman says is reasonable, let’s listen to what the leadership has to tell us, go to the big meeting, and THEN start posting crazy “make a deal now” and “never say die” comments. I know asking a bunch of posters on an Internet message board to wait and see is probably naive, but maybe we should this time?
Comment by George Glass — February 4, 2008 @ 7:29 pm
Just so you guys know, I’m in no hurry at all for this to get resolved. The longer the strike lasts, the longer I get to stay on the island! Oh, and Jack can go jump off a cliff, for all I’m concerned…
Comment by John Locke — February 4, 2008 @ 7:29 pm
I’m at my wit’s end with this strike. I’m voting to accept, regardless of what comes through, even if its the exact same as the DGA deal. I just want to work again.
Comment by Can't Take it Anymore — February 4, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
Why do these idiots really think anyone would be content with a flate rate? If I CREATE something from scratch, you goddamned better believe I want to participate in its success.
Comment by Joshua Goldstein — February 4, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
Okay. Chill. We don’t know much, in fact very little. We entrusted our leadership to do right by us, let’s let ‘em. That, and this isn’t just about this season, this year. Don’t be so damn short-sighted. This is about setting precedent for three years from now, thirty years from now. Producer’s Gross is HUGE! The strength of our Guild is magnificent. We got a group of multi-national conglomerates to GIVE UP MONEY! That, in itself, is a victory. We have made a name for ourselves and our voices have been heard! Now, be rational - reasonable. This…this possible victory is saved us from being eaten by the machine. Don’t blow it in the home stretch.
Comment by Wilber — February 4, 2008 @ 7:33 pm
patcracks,
I write for a how that is streamed online. There are millions of full episodes streams viewed every month. The TV broadcasts run commercial-free. The streamed version contains commercials. It’s an entirely new revenue source for the show.
Comment by Klaatu — February 4, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
I have to agree with what some of the actual Writers have said, that is exactly the same vibe I’m getting.
Correct me if I’m wrong but Internet Ad revenues are 40 Billion this year and expected to double in three years. Writers know this too…
If the deal offered is similar to the DGA platform with a small EST kicker and the same shut out window for promotional use, I know many Writers won’t go for it. Writers want a decent EST number based on percentage NOW so we don’t have to go through this again in three years.
Time will soon be on our side…
With the SAG Expiration looming, it may, I repeat, may be better to simply wait a little longer to secure a better deal if this seems lacking. It seems like our Negs need more leverage based on their comments… and they still have more to work out…
What’s more, once Allen and Doug (SAG) crunch the numbers as to how it may play out for them, we should get a better idea of where they stand… and if it doesn’t look that great, they will be front and center explaining why.
Residuals mean everything… for us and them.
The only good news is knowing SAG has our backs now and neither of us will be bullied into a “take or leave it” deal offer. This tactic of demanding WGA Negs suspend the Strike if they support the offer before Members ratify any deal is more bullying to me.
Bottom Line: June looms…
Comment by PJ - Writer — February 4, 2008 @ 7:35 pm
Hey “Screenvet” - “Fuck it. We’re staying out until June.” Thanks. That’s helpful, especially to those of us writers who actually work, in both features and television, and who would like to get back to it. Here’s the thing - it’s not going to be until June. That’s just when SAG’s contract is up. Then if they strike, it will last until October or November at the earliest. That’s a full year of being out of work. Houses lost. Children pulled out of schools. A shitstorm. And for what? A deal that will probably not be better than this one.
I say probably because WE HAVEN’T SEEN THIS DEAL YET. In fact, Nikki, I have to say I find it pretty disingenuous to write a long-winded post about the deal and how we’ve arrived at it and how childish the AMPTP has been (granted, they certainly have been) and then end it by saying “So everyone back off and let the WGA do their job.” Perhaps you and others in the media should back off and not fan the flames of zealotry by posting things leaked by anonymous sources.
I voted yes for the strike authorization. Virtually every writer I know did, in contrast to what “Tad Bitter” wrote. I didn’t want to go on strike, but if you vote “no” you’re signalling that you’ll accept whatever crap the AMPTP offers. Having said that - I desperately would like this strike to be over, as would every writer I know. And I have to think, if this deal is somewhat better than the DGA’s deal in areas that we care about, that it will be approved by the membership. In any event, all I’m saying is, wait to hear what the deal is before you start slinging shit at it. This is not a game anymore - this is people’s careers and lives.
Comment by A Writer — February 4, 2008 @ 7:38 pm
Variety is saying: “In the area of web streaming, the DGA pact calls for helmers to be paid a fixed residual for the first year that a program or movie is offered for streaming (after a 17- to 24-day window of free usage for promotional purposes). For the second year and beyond that a program is made available for streaming, the fee in the DGA pact shifts to 2% of the distributor’s gross.
The proposed deal for the WGA is the same as the DGA terms for the first two years of the WGA contract. But starting in the third year of the WGA contract, the formula would change to give writers a fixed percentage of distributor’s gross (believed to be 2%) from the get-go after the promotional window ends, rather than a fixed residual for the first year of streaming availability.”
http://www.variety.com/article/VR111…ryId=2821&cs=1
To me, while the DGA deal has some bad numbers, the biggest problem — a real “strike issue” — is the cap on residuals for Internet streaming. As more traditional re-use (reruns, foreign, etc.) is replaced with ad-supported streaming, any capped residual would eventually result in a rollback, even if that day has not yet come.
I was prepared to vote against any deal with a capped residual for streaming, because I don’t want to have to strike again in three years. I let the leadership know that. This is an interesting middle ground, which at least protects our future. I will give it some serious consideration, especially if the guild got some other improvements on the DGA deal.
Comment by Klaatu — February 4, 2008 @ 7:39 pm
As soon as Nick Counter gets back from Africa and all the tremendous work he’s been doing with Mountain Gorillas, we’ll see what’s what.
http://nickcounterfanclub.blogspot.com/
Comment by Nick Counter Fan — February 4, 2008 @ 7:42 pm
I have followed all the strike coverage from the beginning, but I have not commented until now.
What is lost in all this discussion of Writers vs. Studio/Networks is the thousands of people who are effected by the strike who are not writers, actors, directors or moguls. The many creative people who do not receive residuals of any kind (i.e. DP’s, Production Designers, Editors, Sound Designers, etc.) or the rest of the supposedly non creative people who support the whole machinery have been given only lip service by everyone. These noncreative people don’t care that that Writers are used to residuals, for in their lives if they don’t work, they don’t get paid.
The writers are not striking in a vacuum. The MultiNational CEO’s are expected to be greedy bastards, and have proven it time and again. They are interested in their stock price and profits, not in anyone who works in the businesses they rule. On behalf of the people who will lose their houses or have their lives upended by a strike that they will NEVER benefit from, it is time for the SELFISHNESS to end.
Those of us non-writers who initially supported the Writer’s in their endeavor, have grown weary of watching our co-workers and colleagues endure unemployment, uncertainty and stress that cannot be mended. I remain optimistic that a settlement can be reached soon, but fear if no deal is brokered soon that the strike will extend to fall.
Surely the writers can see that if no deal is forthcoming, the entire narrative in the public arena will change. The Writers have had much support within and outside the industry. The story goes like this: The Writers are Creative Davids standing up to the Goliath’s in suits. IF the WGA fails to make a deal now and the strike drags on for months longer, the writer’s will lose their support not just within their own organization. The narrative will change to something like: Writer’s were not Davids and never were David. They were just bad negotiators. They fooled us with their storytelling abilities. I have already begun to hear this story developing. There is real anger brewing in the industry against the Writers.
I have no conclusion because this whole discussion will not be decided by anyone who gives a shit about the rest of us.
Comment by Non-Writer — February 4, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
to “long time writer” –
“I have yet to talk to ONE [writer] who says he or she has put pressure on the Guild to accept the DGA deal.” Really? Maybe you haven’t talked to them, but how about John Wells and Craig Mazin.
That’s two.
Comment by writer — February 4, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
“have you ever actually written on a show that is streaming online? I bet maybe 3 or 4 of you would actually make any money on a show that is streamed online, the fact is that the majority of writers shows aren’t even re-broadcast online.”
Yes, I write for a show (Family Guy) that is streaming online, and making plenty of money for Fox.
And unless and until Fox and the other studios agree to a deal that’d pay writers a fair fraction of the profits they’re earning off my show (and others), I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing every weekday for the past 3+ months: walking the picket line.
Patrick Meighan
Culver City, CA
Comment by Patrick Meighan — February 4, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
I desperately want to get back to work, but after all of this, I’m sure as hell not going to vote for a warmed-over version of the DGA deal. It’s got to at least close the free-viewing window, get streaming residuals paid on a sliding scale, and close the jurisdictional minimum loopholes. The idea that we’ve shown that we’d be willing to strike again in 3 years is ridiculous. What we take now, we’re going to be stuck with.
Given that all the leaks about the strike being “over” are coming from the studios and the media, which has barely covered the strike at all, is suddenly trumpeting this deal from the highest mountain fills me with a great amount of suspicion. Feels to me like a set-up for smashing disappointment and an attempt to pressure us into accepting this before we even know what it is. Hope they prove me wrong.
BTW, Tad, I’d love to see some of the “benign” statements the AMPTP issued during all this that Verrone took issue with. I do not think the word “benign” is in their playbook…
Comment by DLJ — February 4, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
Nikki — I don’t understand what you mean by saying “Don’t silence them at this critical juncture.” Who would be silencing whom? But that’s not why I called.
Listen up, everyone: Today’s deal/this week’s deal is, with window-dressing, the DGA deal. The WGA will never ever get a better deal than the DGA. That’s been true for 50 or so years, and it will be true when the dust settles.
So, if you writers don’t get us back to work and soon, as in now, we — individually and as an industry — are in trouble — or at the very least, at the edge of a new absyss — got your bungee cord? Do you think any of the networks or studios will regret a truncated (as in “no”) pilot season? Doesn’t mean they won’t make a few high-probability pilot/series commitments with, uh lemme see, uh probably the guys who are already showrunners and living in $4 million houses on the Westside. The rest of you — still happy you walked the picket lines? Ah, but look at the upside: remind me — how many dollars per second of ad-supported internet streaming are you going to get for every 2 minutes of your script streamed over my computer? How much? Wow. Tick tick tick.
One sidenote: Thanks to Gil Cates for creating the “informal talks” Trojan horse which when used by the WGA “leadership” enabled them to get in the room with the studios. If the AMPTP is giving the WGA this face-saving cover, do you think in a million years it’s also going to give them a deal that’s in any way better than the DGA’s?
Comment by aitchee — February 4, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
Here’s the part I just don’t get… Holding out for a better deal than DGA would make all the sense in the world if the strike was about something REAL. At present the BANDWIDTH for steaming and downloads is already so overtaxed that the cable dudes are restricting subscribers who regularly stream or download what they consider to be too much content.. So this is all about money that can’t really be made until Internet 2.0. At least five years from now
Comment by TechDreck — February 4, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
If this strike really lasts until June, do you realize how many people’s lives and careers will be destroyed forever? This is what I’m talking about! Why can you people not understand what you’re doing here?
Comment by Can't Take it Anymore — February 4, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
At least Happy Gate Picketer is still walking, and so am I.
I’m in no way predisposed to vote against a deal I still haven’t seen, but even if I were, Writer (if that’s your real name), that’s no worse than failing to show up and picket during this crucial time when your Guild leadership is imploring you to do so.
Let’s keep going, and hopefully we can have a deal shortly!
Comment by Lee — February 4, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
I talked to a showrunner - whom I will not out - who signed that letter that went to WGA mgmt pressuring them. Someone must have access to it.. It does exist.
I think if the deal is bad, and WGA accepts then they will lose the respect of many of their supporters, including me.
victoria
Comment by victoria — February 4, 2008 @ 7:48 pm
okay, i’m still out there. not every day. not for three hours at a time. but i still go because i still largely believe in what we’re fighting for.
but… every single person that i’ve talked to on the line is ready for this to be OVER. we’re not going to get everything we want. i’m not willing to sit out for another 6 months for get a slightly better percentage than what we’re being offered now. it’s the diehards that are posting on here, and it’s the diehards that are willing to stick this out until the entire town goes to hell. the rest of us… the WORKING writers know that we’re getting fucked. but if we’re gonna get fucked anyway, let’s get fucked now, and get it over with. hell, i sort of understand the whole iger philosophy of not letting the guild membership vote on the deal. there are plenty of people out there who would rather be striking writers than unemployed writers. me, i just want to get back to work. enough is enough.
Comment by seriously? — February 4, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
So Verrone is caving because 30 douchebag “moderates” threatened to go public and undermine his leadership? Then what’s he gonna do when THREE THOUSAND writers go public with their anger toward him for making us walk in circles three months for a shitty deal?
Comment by Just Askin' — February 4, 2008 @ 7:49 pm
Leaders, do not sell us out! We get to vote on this!!!
Comment by stay strong... — February 4, 2008 @ 7:50 pm
“One source claimed that the WGA’s numbers were “quadruple” what was really the truth.” You know the first thing lost is war is the truth. If this was your information, that you went to war with, I’m sorry your a bunch stupid losers. An informed decision has to be based on facts. If your facts were wrong as the statement implies and you get a slightly better deal than the DGA you had better take it. There won’t be a better one.
Comment by just a thought — February 4, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
From what I’ve heard so far, this streaming deal is DVD 2.
Aside from those 30 self-hating moderates, who exactly is going to vote YES for that?
Comment by More Leverage in June — February 4, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
This whole thing sucks on so many levels I can’t even come up with a snarky comment. Snark amongst yourselves.
Comment by Ted Striker — February 4, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
You guys, please stop with the strike. Enough.
Comment by Miguel — February 4, 2008 @ 7:51 pm
I guess it’s easier to tell your neighbors and family that you’re not working because you’re on strike. Showrunners pay the guild’s bills. Remember that. They want a good deal too.
Comment by hopeful — February 4, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
It is ridiculous that some folks who were so in love with the guild leadership before are now saying they will vote down a deal that the leadership is going to recommend.
They have made the best possible deal they can without blowing this town up. It’s called being practical. I’ve picketed every damn day and I’ll keep picketing until this thing is officially over. But some of my fellow members… well they’re either delusional or they’ve got nothing to lose.
Go ahead. Vote no and have your fun. You’ll be destroying the guild in the process.
Comment by Chris — February 4, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
I’m concerned with the deal made regarding creating original material for new media. I’ve heard that it’s $15,000 per minute and anything less is not under WGA jurisdiction, which is very disappointing. It’s not that expensive to make short form programming… so if we accept this, we’d won’t be able to write for new media unless we do non-union work. Sorry, but that sucks.
Comment by a writer — February 4, 2008 @ 7:55 pm
An awards show is no reason to speed this up and make a deal. An awards show is no reason to rush into a crappy future. The Oscars are ONE NIGHT. The possible loss of an awards show shouldn’t even be considered in whether or not we take a deal. Who fucking cares about the Oscars when we’re talking about being destitute at fifty. That’s what young writers will be when they’re aged out without residuals.
WISE UP, PEOPLE!
Oh and why would our leadership be so candy-assed to let a few show runners/screenwriters to hold them over a barrel? If that’s even true? Nikki, who are these people? You must know if you’re writing this.
Comment by Okay, — February 4, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
If SAG doesn’t like the deal there’s no point in the WGA approving it. A SAG strike will shut down the industry again in June anyway. We might as well stay out on strike and see if we can get a better deal with SAG six months or so from now. Maybe by September the studios will be ready to negotiate a fair agreement.
Comment by soon-to-be-starving-writer — February 4, 2008 @ 7:57 pm
I was optimistic (I know, I know) that the involvement of the CEO’s would lead to a fair offer, but I’m not encouraged by this post about “lowering our expectations.” The DGA deal is horrible, and most of the membership who e-mailed the NegCom said as much. So I also find it hard to buy that Patrick/David/John capitulated to those awful terms after three months of striking with the mantra that “they get paid, we get paid.” But cool heads need to prevail, so let’s wait and see what the offer looks like before we burn cars in the streets. But I can say that I will definitely vote NO to any offer where the $1,200 flat or anything close to it still stands. We’ve been bullied too much to gift wrap the Oscars and cave to the same DGA-dictated pattern bargaining we vowed to break. Unfortunately, a joint WGA/SAG might be necessary. Don’t forget, gang, our demands are reasonable.
Comment by June if need be — February 4, 2008 @ 8:01 pm
The one thing this strike has done is to give writers a powerful voice that Hollywood has heard loud and clear.
I disagree. My evidence is this:
…the big-time agent who described the TV showrunners as “the plantation owners” vs the TV writers who worked for them as “the cotton-pickers who should just damn well be grateful they have health and pension and get back to work already”.
We might get a better deal, but we will never get respect.
Comment by Delicious Pundit — February 4, 2008 @ 8:01 pm
Seriously, it seems like everyone here is bound and determined to stay out on strike regardless of what’s presented. NOBODY here knows anything about what has been negotiated. Would it hurt to stop with the conjecture and give Verone, Bowman and Young a chance to present the terms before everyone assumes that it’ll suck? All the vitriol speaks volumes about your faith in the negotiation team(or lack thereof). Does anyone here really think it’s productive to shit all over a deal they know nothing about? You all know that the studios troll this site to gauge the vibe of the writers and plant garbage. What do you think your posts are saying to them now? I read them and think you have completely lost faith in Verone et al. PLEASE!! Listen to Nikki and just settle down and wait for an official announcement. Personlly, I find it hard to believe that anything the leadership might present would be a carbon copy of the DGA deal when they know full well that it was pretty soundly panned. I have to believe that whatever the breakthrough was, it’s going to be a big step in the right direction. And in a negotiation, you are going to have to meet somewhere in the middle. Again I plead with you all to wait to go nuclear until you know what the terms really are. Statements like “Fuck it, we’re staying out til June” are so irresponsible.
Comment by HoopersX — February 4, 2008 @ 8:03 pm
“I personally know so many scribes who find themselves working one year, begging for work the next two, and afraid that as they get older they won’t have staying power in the scribbling business.”
This is the basic problem with unions: they actively fight market forces and promote oversaturation of the workforce. In the non-union world, when you don’t work for two years, you find something else to do. Actually, that is not true. It usually doesn’t take that long to figure out that maybe it is time to try something else.
The fact is that there are too many of you competing for too few jobs. If you haven’t worked in two years, maybe it’s time for a new career.
By the way, who is going to pay for all of these contracts when everyone is just fast forwarding through those commercials that are paying the bills?
Comment by Bob Jones — February 4, 2008 @ 8:07 pm
To any writer who is even tempted to “blow up the guild”: go back and read John Ridley’s nonsense in the LA Times. Do you really want to be connected in any way to this idiot? Among other things, he actually blames the guild - a union! - for ignoring the diversity issue! So now he’s essentially the poster boy for fi-core. If that doesn’t encourage loyalty to the cause, nothing will.
Comment by Mike — February 4, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
No Verrone is “caving” because if those 30 or so showrunners go back…the WGA loses…period.
It is a repeat of 88, the union comes close to blowing up, television returns to normal, and the union begins to split. That is just a fact.
As an agent you hear both sides of the story out there, not just those filtered on the picket lines or from United Hollywood. Even though most people within the Hollywood system appreciate what it is you want and deserve, there is a cold, hard reality when dealing with conglomerates like these. The show runners don’t want to lose their shows, and since they can negotiate better deals individually then with the MBA they could give two shits about a $1200 flat rate since it will never affect them.
Slowly but surely the writers are losing the internal PR war of the industry. A rejection of the forthcoming deal would turn into an all out war against the writers, and those who are in your corner now will soon reject what it is you want and go into survival mode.
There are some of you that could give two shits about other execs, agents, producers, grips, etc…, but contrary to belief on these boards, the world doesn’t revolve around the writer.
It is one thing to reject the deal based on its merits, it is another thing to just say fuck-all to the industry at large and reject it because you aren’t getting everything you want. This is a negotiation, not a poker game.
Most of you on this board need to grow up.
Comment by agentatanotheragency — February 4, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
writers!!! i am a trickle down person who called all my credit card companies yesterday to try and plug up the hole of loss, and i have something to say to you…YOU have every right to do what you are doing and i support what YOU are doing, YET, there are thousands of us out here who are on the sidelines with our business who lives are such a mess because of what you are doing…YES, YES, YES, it’s time for you to get respect and money YES…but what about us? we don’t get residuals, when this is over all we get t is bad credit, lost homes, debts!!!!!!! in your struggle THINK about all of us who support YOU even at our loss…a loss we will never get back..i for one am having to borrow money to pay the rent…and I for one will not benefit from any of this…i get nothing……good luck…
Comment by time to get a grip on things people — February 4, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
JZ,
For your information, there were 12 people at my gate, and they are the same 12 people that have been out there with me since day 1 of this thing. No more and no less. So if you weren’t out there today, I have no reason to believe you were ever out there doing your part. And for that reason, I’m not that concerned with your opinion, because it’s doubtful that you’ll even get off your lazy ass to vote.
If you really wanted this thing over, you’d be putting the pressure on at the picket lines. Now is the most important time to show up.
And for those of you that keep saying you and everyone you know wants the strike to be over… DUH! I don’t know anyone who is hoping for this to continue. But bending over and taking whatever is offered is going to hurt everyone more in the long-run. Being on strike for a couple more months would do far less damage (to everyone including those BTL - like me) than if we had to do this whole thing again in 3 years. And I can guarantee that this will be resolved before June. The AMPTP will do everything in their power to keep SAG from striking, including (wait for it…) the right thing.
Comment by happy gate picketer — February 4, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
Attention fellow WGA members: What the Guild leadership is engaging in now is called LOWERING YOUR EXPECTATIONS. That’s right, listen up y’all: the grapevine says it’s such a bad deal that the board and the membership might even reject what those once-crazy militants Verrone and Young are now trying to sell us.
You get it? This way when we finally hear the bullet points, and see the bone the studios tossed us, we say, oh, that’s not as bad a deal as I thought it would be. The Guild lawyers do this to writers all the time with arbitrations. They say stuff like, “Well, if I could get you fifty thousand would that be okay?” knowing that they already have an offer from the other side for 125K. Sure it’s immoral, but the Guild lawyers suck. My point is: it’s already part of the Guild’s playbook. They’ve done it to writers before and they’re doing it again.
So let’s wait and see what the deal is. There’s gonna be a bone in there that the studios aren’t leaking because they want the writers to be surprised and vote yes. Is the bone reality TV? Is the bone a shorter promotional window? We’ll know soon enough.
Comment by SEen this before — February 4, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
“BACK OFF”???
I never figured Nikki as one to get her rallying cry from a Yosemite Sam mud flap.
Comment by Bugs — February 4, 2008 @ 8:14 pm
When I explained to my wife and members of my family what is going on with the strike and how it’s rumored we may be offered a deal that is not going to give us ultimately what we’ve been striking for, they all advised me to vote against it.
When you explain what we’re striking for to most people they understand it and they side with the writers.
If the general public hears that the writers have been offered nothing in return for their striking, they will understand and support any strike that continues.
They know the studios are being greedy. They want to see the little guy (i.e. WGA members) win here.
That’s why I’m not concerned with any public perception shifting against us if we somehow pass on the deal.
I don’t think it’s outlandish to say that if we don’t hang in and fight for what we’ve been fighting for, in 3 years we’re all going to be on strike again.
I don’t want to put my family through this again in 3 years. I’d rather hold strong and fight for what is right now than cave in.
As for these high powered screenwriters and show runners who are trying to muscle the process, it won’t work. If the deal is garbage, it will get voted down.
Just seeing Patrick from Family Guy’s post above shows how serious the issues are to most of us who are working and creating content for the studios.
I’m hoping what’s presented to us this weekend is a big step up. They can dress it up and spin it to us any way they want, but if it’s not a good deal we should vote against it. Everyone knows this in their hearts.
I know too there are a lot of writers who are guild members that feel more justified as “striking” writers than unemployed writers. However, I don’t think there’s enough of them to sandbag a fair deal if it’s offered.
No matter what, we don’t stop striking until everything is signed, sealed and delivered. For us to stop picketing before we have an actual deal in place is idiotic.
I don’t care about the Oscars and the glitz and glamor and pageantry of the event.
Make them sweat about their Oscars if need be.
I care about going back to work knowing we fought for something meaningful in the end.
Hopefully, the studios realize that if we were serious enough to strike 3+ months, we’re serious enough to keep striking if they don’t play fair and give us what we’re asking for which is hardly unreasonable.
I want and need this to end, but don’t test us AMPTP. I don’t think you’ll like the outcome.
Comment by Joey Fairplay — February 4, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
Sorry to post again, but let me just be clear: if my fellow WGA members do not vote to accept whatever deal is proposed, I will hate you. I don’t use that term lightly, but that’s what it’s come down to. It’s greed and pettiness all around. I need to work, and I’m much rather have something coming in than nothing.
Would I like to make tons of money off of streaming and downloads? Sure. Am I willing to risk everything I have right now in the off-chance that I might actually some day see some real money from streaming? No way. Be realistic, and look around you at what impact what we’re doing is having on not only us, but plenty of non-union people who don’t even have a dog in this fight. It’s just not right anymore.
Comment by Can't Take it Anymore — February 4, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
I do know some of the showrunners and A-listers who’ve been pressuring our leadership to take the DGA deal (sadly, a few of them are actively undercutting Bowman et al while sitting on the Negotiating Committee). My sense is some in this group are thoughtful people, honestly trying to do the right thing. Some are simply putting self-interest (saving their series, or big movie) ahead of group interest. A few are not moderates, but Tories — millionaires with a bad case of acquired narcissism who think their needs, “relationships”, or insight trumps the collected wisdom of ten thousand guild members. All are a long long way from worrying about residual checks.
The members on the line are suffering far more than any of those who seek to break the line, yet we are somehow holding strong. If this so-called “dirty-thirty” follows through on their threat to take out ads in Variety, or otherwise act out even more than they have, they will not split the union apart, they will instead bring shame onto themselves.
The rank and file, and most showrunners, have faith in our leadership, not our former leadership, nor a self-appointed group of wanna be powerbrokers. We will know a good deal when we see it, and we know we haven’t seen it yet.
– Keep walking, keep talking.
Comment by Anonymous — February 4, 2008 @ 8:21 pm
1. Today there were 700 people out picketing at Fox studio alone. Everybody is sick of this, but nobody wants a bad deal.
2. There are not 300 dissident “showrunners and important screen writers.” There are maybe 30, if that. And so what? There are thousands of writers in the writers’ guild, and they will make up their own minds.
3. Let the board tell us what the deal is before we start having a shit fit about whether we’re voting for it or not. That will happen this weekend. We need to stay calm, stay strong, listen carefully and talk about this clearly, without hysteria.
Comment by Get the Information First — February 4, 2008 @ 8:23 pm
To Just Askin. Verrone didn’t make you walk. You voted to.
Comment by Below the lline worker — February 4, 2008 @ 8:25 pm
I’m not a writer. I won’t get in the middle of a battle, but for those of you who write and create the shows that I love, thank you. Without you guys, from the low guy on the totem pole to the big dog on the porch, there would be no shows for us to tune into each week. You are so talented and creative.
I know that many of you never hear a thank you from the fans of a show because the actors get the accolades; however, without all of you. I do mean ALL. All we, the fans, would have is actors standing in the middle of an empty building staring at the walls.
I know that mere words and sentences do nothing for your finances. I can’t help that, but you do have my support. Whatever happens, however it happens, I hope that you all get the pay that you deserve and that your families don’t suffer much longer. I can’t begin to understand the hardships many of you are suffering through; however, please know that there are fans out there that care and that are behind you 100%.
Comment by Mac the Commoner — February 4, 2008 @ 8:31 pm
I’m a re-recording mixer. My shows have dried up. My wife is pregnant. Our first child, Samantha is due in June. She will be born homeless if you guys don’t get it together by Feb 15th; that’s when sets get struck and the back 9 goes away along with pilots. You should have negotiated from the start and waited for SAG to strike. You have now wasted a season of work and risk yet another. Find some middle ground and stop the grandstanding. Yes the corporations are greedy, it sucks, it will always be true…. but the WGA is destroying lives now who have no power to influence the situation. Take a medium sized deal and get back to work! Then when the next contract comes around, how about talking it out a little before striking on hour 1. That was blowing it! I implore you guys! Let cooler heads prevail!
Comment by Zigmund Ellis — February 4, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
This is bs. We can’t go on strike, then accept a lousy deal with the understanding that we’ll have to do it all again in 3 years. The people who are whining about it now won’t be any more supportive or understand the issues involved any better in 3 years, believe me. And there’s no real point in walking in 3 years if we’re just going to end up taking the same unacceptable deal we could have gotten without going out then, too. The deal we take now is THE deal, it will never be substantially adjusted any more than VHS or DVDs have been, and as soon as the technology is in place, Game Over. Call me cynical, but I don’t believe that the moguls are aw-shucks astonished that nobody trusts them when their goal is to eliminate the residual system, either.
Comment by come on — February 4, 2008 @ 8:34 pm
You creative type writers need to agree to a deal. There are a lot of pissed off crew people waiting to set up your chair, hang huge rigs over your head, or watch your car. Your WGA leaders may have convinced you that striking is great. They are idiots. You’re not going to get everything you want. If you don’t work, you don’t get paid. Either does anyone else in the business. Thanks for screwing all of us.
Comment by Grip — February 4, 2008 @ 8:34 pm
“The basic idea that when the companies make money the creators and writers should make money seems fair and reasonable and is the only thing I’ll approve.”
That’s absolutely fair and reasonable, I agree. But these are giant media conglomerates with an eye forever glued to the bottom line. Do you think they became what they are by being fair and reasonable?? They’re money-hungry plutocrats. What makes anyone think fairness is a factor for them?
Yes, it’s cynical, but it’s true. Do we deserve more than the DGA deal? Absolutely! We deserve well more than what we’ll ever get. But to these diehards to vow to strike until we get what’s “fair”– it’s never, ever going to happen. We went in to the negotiation wanting new media to be fair. They want it to be free. We have to meet in the middle. It will be more than what they want to give; less than what we want to take. And it won’t be fair.
We have to decide when we can get the best (albeit unfair) deal. I think that’s right now– when the other side still has this season, pilot season, and the Oscars to salvage. If we ruin all of those, what’s their motivation to get this settled? And how desperate does that leave all of us, our crews, etc. when it drags on indefinitely?
Comment by AJ Silver — February 4, 2008 @ 8:36 pm
bitch bitch bitch whine whine whine. Without us there is nothing. We can strike for ever because most of us are not being financially hurt by this strike. We are just going to hold the btl’s hostage as long as we see fit, because our problems are so much more important than anyone else’s.
We have been dying to go on strike all year because we don’t know how to negotiate. wah wah wah.
Comment by trm728 — February 4, 2008 @ 8:37 pm
“After all, everyone was making it seem like the shitty DGA deal was the only possible deal available to the writers.”..Come on already Nikki..To continue to disparage the DGA deal is not only self-serving and inflamatory, but it is getting old. And by the way, why did it take so long for the WGA to realize that they needed a grown-up like Alan Wertheimer in the room with them (who is excellent, by the way) to help make a real deal?? The DGA has Jay Roth, a VERY experienced lawyer who was instrumental in making the deal for the DGA. It is still unbelievable to me that the WGA waited THIS long to have a REAL negotiator have them see what can really be acomplished. It’s about time…Lets ALL get back to work.
Comment by Lets Get It Settled.. — February 4, 2008 @ 8:39 pm
I am not on the line because I am working in another field. I took that job so that I could strike as long as it takes to get a fair deal that secures my future and that of future generations.
I do not want to have not been working an outside job and cutting my expenses to the bone, just to have that foul DGA deal put in front of me.
This is the first real offer that the AMPTP has made (given that the 2nd half of the New Economic Partnership never materialized as promised). The first offer is never good for the other party.
Comment by Good reason I'm not picketing — February 4, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
Patrick Meighan symbolizes all the losers out there when he calls FAMILY GUY his show. It is NOT his show. It is owned by the people who pay him to write for it. If they were smart they would find someone who appreciates the job.
Comment by Pompous Ass — February 4, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
To the many writers on this blog who are sick and tired of the strike and on behalf of fellow Below the Line posters who are in dire financial straits, I can’t add anything. I rest my case.
Comment by IATSE Propmaster — February 4, 2008 @ 8:45 pm
Whatever deal writers get with this strike, there are
lots of people laid off who benefit nothing from the strike.
I agree the studios are greedy assholes, but writers are not much different from them.
I was on writers’ side before, but not anymore.
Comment by laid off — February 4, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
Every writer I know has sacrificed a great deal during this strike, and willingly. Every writer I know would rather stay out than take the wrong deal. Every writer I know will be outraged if this strike were to end merely upon the vote of the WGA board, with the full membership being bypassed. NO DEAL WITHOUT A MEMBERSHIP VOTE. It’s a democratic union.
Comment by StickingWithMyUnion — February 4, 2008 @ 8:49 pm
Nikki,
you do know how to stir them up but good.
Ok now lets see the writers that are saying no way I want to get what I want do they make a living as writers? im betting most are want to be writers that have a job out side this ind. they have a job they pay there bills they are not worried about losing there homes.
Remember writers get paid to come up with a script that is good and they get paid for doing that. when it gets aired they get paid when it is rerun they get paid and now with the new media they will get paid again.
lets see the studios hired the writers to do a job. They sold the idea to a backer got a crew and paid them and for getting the show made edited and out the the public.
How much $ did they spend to make $???
How much did the writer or anyone else spend or help get the show out to the public? NONE
so yes the studio makes $ maybe to much but unless writers want to go out and get backers and get the shows made and out to the public they are getting a fair rate of pay.
Lets just get this town back to work before everyone really starts to hate writers more then they are now for this.
Oh yes the the leaders of WGA who said we want all the reality writers to be WGA many weeks ago and said they would not budge on that took that off the table 80+ days later. so what good is the leadership if they demand stuff then see they made a BIG MISTAKE after they see the writers have lost more by going out this long then if they would of not put that lame ass shit on the table and just worked a deal for new media.
So if the leaders of the WGA say this is the best deal and you so called writers (that dont make a living doing this fine craft) vote it down you will start to see how much this town and the world will hate you!
Nikki im sure you wont post this as you are so pro WGA and can not see how the crews really feel about this !
We just want it too end and not lose everything we have worked for all these years. We want to go back to WORK NOW!
A upset crew member
Comment by Mitch — February 4, 2008 @ 8:50 pm
Pathetic how all you completely bash a deal you know nothing about. This further proves you don’t deserve my support anymore. If this is at all reasonable (you got most of the principles you went on strike for right in the DGA deal, just not the numbers you wanted to see) and the jerk hardliners win the day then the guild will become quickly circumvented, hated, and irrelevant.
Comment by IATSE JE — February 4, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
PJ - Writer makes an excellent point. A de facto SAG strike against feature production begins around March 1 if the moguls think SAG likely to walk when their contract is up. That would be less than four weeks away, and from what I can tell, SAG leadership is in a pretty militant mood (you listening up, AFTRA???).
Writers don’t have to settle for a lousy deal, and shouldn’t take one out of fear or intimidation or the anonymous alleged rumblings of a small group within the WGA. And frankly, thinking back to Paul Haggis’ missive on United Hollywood a couple of weeks ago, I’m more than tempted to call bullshit on this.
I’ve carried a SAG solidarity sign with the writers, and the last time I spoke to a strike captain - within the past week - about the kinds of pressures the WGA negotiators are under, he was quick to point out that a LOT of writers are pressuring them to not take a lousy deal because it will get voted down.
If the deal ain’t no damn good, just hang tough for a few more weeks, and for all intents and purposes, the AMPTP will be negotiating with two guilds at the same time.
Comment by mheister — February 4, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
First of all - showrunners make their real $$ as producers - not writers - those producing fees do not go towards supporting the guild. Showrunners interests are aligned with management - only those that remember they started as writers - and have affinity and loyalty towards the writers who work for them- can be trusted to support what the wga is striking for. The ‘powerful’ showrunners are in fact the studios not so secret stealth weapon. Perhaps in the future there will be a dileniation between those writers functioning as management, and those actually making a living as writers. These ‘300′ that Nikki refers to are not so different from the Jewish capos who were curried favors with the Nazis by helping to manage the slaughter of their Jewish brethren.
Comment by showrunner — February 4, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
This strike needs to end now! ~ 10,000 WGA vs 200,000 non WGA workers are out of work. Yes, the writers are the seed but the studios are the soil. So long as the moguls have the money, they hold the power. They decide what seeds to plant. This is the reality until writers own studios and other platforms. So, make the best deal you can even though it may not be the perfect deal. At this point, we who are not WGA, are finding it hard to be supportive. How can we fight for your future when our futures are hanging in the balance. This strike has to end now!
I say every single person who IS financially hurt by this strike should file a class action lawsuit against the members of the AMPTP and the WGA!
Comment by mia — February 4, 2008 @ 8:52 pm
VOTE NO!!
Let them feel the wrath of the writers, and let’s bring the Oscars DOWN!
Walking ’til June,
Stan Renaldi
Comment by Stan Renaldi — February 4, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
I don’t believe our leadership is being held over a barrel by anyone, showrunners or otherwise. I believe they’ve recognized we’re at a critical point– we may be closing in on the best deal we’re ever going to get. (No, it’s not the best deal possible, or the deal we deserve, but the best deal we’re ever going to get.)
Interesting, though, that the diehards suddenly know better than the leadership they’ve ardently defended since Day 1.
Comment by RBB — February 4, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
Nikki, thanks for the update.
At least you aren’t giving details or imploring the writers to accept the DGA deal like the rest of the media. Every other site that I looked at today that had a “negotiations update,” reported information that should remain behind closed doors including content from Variety.
Just remember that Nikki is an insider when it comes to Hollywood and she isn’t reporting any information aside from anything people associated with the moguls or AMPTP tell her. The truth is that the strike will go on longer than this week because some people (read the WGA leadership hopefully) should fall for a demand suspending the strike for a deal that will get rejected, just because Peter Chernin is up for some awards and Bob Iger is broadcasting some ceremony. If negotiations are stopped this time around, almost everybody that has a brain will blame it on both Peter and Bob because they tried to pressure the WGA to accept the DGA deal. After that, this strike will likely head to the halls of congress where the moguls will be raked over hot coals by members of congress who will force them to open the books. Then the WGA will likely get a fair deal, and if it comes during the SAG strike, striking by two guilds will likely be over come the end of July or early August because the AMPTP will be hurting too much and will likely fold under pressure from the public to end the strikes and get people back working. If the WGA does get a fair deal before June, or better than fair deal after Congress is through with the moguls, maybe the WGA can avert an SAG strike.
Comment by Jessy S. — February 4, 2008 @ 8:58 pm
@ Patrick Meighan
You can watch Family Guy online????
Comment by Generic Frat Guy — February 4, 2008 @ 9:01 pm
There is no way the SLIGHT gain you might get by not taking this deal is worth all the suffering that me and thousands of people are enduring for your cause. TAKE THE DEAL!!! THIS THING IS OVER.
Comment by k3d — February 4, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
I’d like to say I’m surprised at the hate filled rants on this board but I’m not. Get a grip people (no pun intended :P). We haven’t even seen the deal. It looks like the deal is real but we don’t know what it is. I actually think some “writers” are doing more writing on these boards than when they were “working” and would rather the strike go on forever. I actually do not believe that the vitriolic posters represent the majority of writers so I’m not too worried.
On the Showrunners and their ultimatum. Do you really think they’d admit it to anybody?
Based on Nikki’s post, it would seem that you guys aren’t getting the DGA’s residuals but you’re not going to get what you want either. It will be enough for enough Guild members to approve it and this thing will be over. You guys have to show up in full force this week please. If I were in L.A. right now, I’d join the line, even though I’m a BTLer. This is the end of the battle and you need to stay strong at least until the weekend. A deal will be ready this week or next and the strike will be over. It would be a shame if you didn’t get the best deal or get it as quickly because enough writers were too fed up to picket.
Comment by freelance worker bee — February 4, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
Maybe I missed something, but how long is the residual-free “promotional” window under this proposal? Still 17-24 days, or has that been altered? And does that ridiculously long window get closed in the third year of the contract, when streaming goes to 2 percent of distributors’ gross?
My second question is about the part where Nikki wrote, “At the same time, leaders of different dissident factions within the WGA… approached the guild toppers with an ultimatum (and) declared that they would no longer promise to keep silent if a deal wasn’t done right away.
Then an insider was quoted as saying, “And the guys on the WGA side knew if they didn’t come out with a deal this weekend that Monday was going to be a bad day. They’d been personally told by these different pockets of writers who knew what was going on that they would no longer be supportive and measured. They planned on going public. They planned to blow the guild up.’”
Silent about what? Public with what? Blowing the guild up, what does that even mean? And most important, how does their vote count more than mine?
Comment by Ruthie — February 4, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
To all you people already frothing at the mouth about ‘this shitty deal’ and ‘we stay out till June!’- we haven’t even seen the deal yet! What is the matter with you? Go and lie down for a couple of hours. I, meanwhile hereby make a solemn vow to myself to try my best to to stay away from this admittedly addictive but ultimately unhelpful, provocative site. Byee.
Comment by Paul — February 4, 2008 @ 9:09 pm
Question for those of you already shooting this “deal” down.
Why on earth would you now bail on the leaders that you’ve followed to the edge of the abyss? I mean, really…you elected these people to bring you this strike and this deal. And now when they tell you this is the best deal, you’re going to vote no? And based off a single issue like streaming that didn’t go exactly to your liking?
Bud you don’t even have to address that second part. Just explain to me why these guys that you’ve followed in burning down the town are now idiots that can’t make a fair deal.
Comment by question — February 4, 2008 @ 9:16 pm
Hey,
I heard from someone inside that those 300 screenwriters/showrunners existed last week, and I’ve been trying hard not to believe it. I just hope that if one of them is reading this, he’s voicing his displeasure because he’s getting thrown out of his one-bedroom apartment and his Neon has been repossessed.
Oh, and he’s 26 and looking at 45 more years in the guild. Anyone else is going to have a hard time convincing me that they’ve got any sense of what it means to be a union or give a damn about anyone but yourself.
That said, I agree with these rich people, it is time to make a deal, the best we can and then start saving our money so when the next contract comes up we’re ready to go right back out. And maybe that time they’ll believe us.
Comment by Hoop Cooper — February 4, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
There are literally hundreds of showrunners who have vowed to support the guild’s leadership in getting a fair deal - not the DGA deal. I do believe that this small but vocal group of pro-DGA deal showrunners exists, but they are far more outnumbered than anyone is saying. Take from that what you want.
Comment by Showrunner fun fact — February 4, 2008 @ 9:18 pm
How much more suffering do you want to put people through, folks? It’s very easy to blame the AMPTM for everything — and christ on a crutch, they’re responsible for a lot of this — but if the end is near, your leadership (you know, the ones you’ve praised to the gills even when it’s been clear they were stumbling through this by staging reality rallies on the most important day of negotiations) agrees on a plan and you choke because you think it’s “not fair,” you’re going to have every single person in this town — me included — against you. None of you have actually seen “the deal” and already you’re screaming about it. Meanwhile, all a lot of us get is debt, suffering ulcers and the threat that our jobs won’t even be there after this strike because of downsizing. For people who are so determined to take the long view on Internet downloads and streaming, you sonsabitches sure miss how the short view is killing those who really want to get your backs.
Comment by Jack Burton — February 4, 2008 @ 9:19 pm
Hey Can’t Take it Anymore -
You will hate me if I don’t take a bad deal? Really? Perhaps you should hate yourself for DOING THE WRONG THING.
Those who walk - those who do not want to take a bad deal - are of two types.
a) The misinformed. They believe that getting a good deal means more money in their pockets. For some of us this might be true, but for the majority, this deal will not mean much. If I’m a successful writer now, then I’ll negotiate my own deal for internet streaming. If I’m not successful now, it won’t make a difference because the networks are not yet making a substantial sum of money from streaming. Therefore, even if the WGA gets a good percentage, the lower-level writer won’t benefit much because the money isn’t there yet. So, if you’re striking because you think it will benefit you in any real way, then you are misinformed. And, yes, you would be selfish in this case.
b) The majority of people (in my opinion) are on strike because we fear for the future of the guild. We fear for future writers and actors. Residuals are what support struggling people in these fields. That’s the deal we have now. That’s how we survive. We are selfish by going back to work. Why? Because then our sons and daughters who become writers will be screwed. It’s about the next generation. And we want to do this, in part, because somebody did it for us!
So, thanks for the hate. But maybe you need to look a little more closely at your motivations before you start scolding other people.
Comment by Now I'm Upset — February 4, 2008 @ 9:24 pm
“…it’s the diehards that are posting on here, and it’s the diehards that are willing to stick this out until the entire town goes to hell. the rest of us… the WORKING writers know that we’re getting fucked. but if we’re gonna get fucked anyway, let’s get fucked now, and get it over with.”
Every single WORKING writer on the show that I write for (Family Guy) is willing to stay out as long as it takes to get a fair deal. If that’s one more week, great. If that’s five more months, so be it.
I want this strike to be over as much as anyone. But the primary goal here is to get a fair deal. Without a fair deal, the sacrifices we’ve made over the past 3+ months will have been for nothing. The pain endured by others in this industry will have been for nothing.
I won’t let it be for nothing.
I’m gonna keep on walking the line, every single day, along with thousands of other WORKING writers, until the WGA is given a fair deal.
Patrick Meighan
Culver City, CA
Comment by Patrick Meighan — February 4, 2008 @ 9:25 pm
There were 1,333 WGA members on the picket lines Monday, which was an increase from last week. Doesn’t look like writers are staying home, despite the false claims of people on this blog.
I hope that we can settle this strike soon on reasonable terms. But we will not cave to a bad deal, any more than the writers in 1960 caved in when their own leadership was willing to call it a day.
All the hatred for writers expressed by the studios and their shills on this site only strengthens our resolve. We are not striking for “respect” — we know that these people are jealous of storytellers and creators. They will never “respect” us. These leeches will always stew in the envy that comes from lacking our ability to create from scratch. They don’t have that talent and they resent those of us that do.
We are striking for our share of the wealth we create. Without storytellers, this industry would vanish. And those of us who can tell stories would still find employment as novelists, playwrights, journalists, video game writers, new media entrepreneurs. Storytellers have been the heart of human society since the first shamans sat around campfires captivating their tribes with their tales. Writers will always be needed to express a society’s hopes, fears and dreams. If any industry ceases to provide economic value for us, we will find work elsewhere and flourish.
The studios are trying to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs, but they don’t realize the goose will just fly off and give the golden egg to someone else.
I don’t give a shit if Hollywood destroys itself through its own greed and hubris. There will always be someone, somewhere willing to pay me what I ask to tell stories.
Hollywood listen up — YOU NEED US. WE DON’T NEED YOU.
Comment by Don't Mess with Writers — February 4, 2008 @ 9:25 pm
Dear Lord Jesus and Baby Jesus. Please let the people posting on this board not be representative of the WGA membership as a whole. Please let these people have even half a brain and realize that if this, the most militant leadership they’ve ever had, says it’s the best deal they can get, they should probably vote yes.
Comment by ricky bobby — February 4, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
To Patcracks (Patrick Johnson):
A tiny bit of research disproves your inane assertion that “the majority of writers shows aren’t even re-broadcast online”.
Internet distribution will be the only distribution.
In five years, DVD’s are going to be amusing drink coasters and there will be no distinction between cable and internet — it’ll literally be the same cable. And if we get paid fairly for one but not the other, guess how they’ll categorize reruns.
Click on any of these to see shows that are online right now:
http://www.hulu.com/
http://video.aol.com/
http://www.vudu.com/
also check out
cbs.com, abc.com, nbc.com, etc. etc. etc.
It’s not the future, it’s today. People are getting rich right now. We just want a fair share.
Comment by A WGA Member in Good Standing — February 4, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
You diehards are pathetic. I hope you are forced to continue picketing until June just to teach you a lesson in group dynamics. Unfortunately this is a democracy and the vast majority of the membership will be voting in favor of this deal whatever the details turn out to be because they are sick and tired of picketing and they just want to return to normalcy.
And as for “These factions, who one source told me total 300 members in all and had been held in check up until then, declared that they would no longer promise to keep silent if a deal wasn’t done right away. They’d been personally told by these different pockets of writers who knew what was going on that they would no longer be supportive and measured. They planned on going public. They planned to blow the guild up.”
That quote is proof positive that Paul Haggis is a liar. He wrote there was such a group. He wrote that there were 30 which was true it turns out there were 300. And make no mistake, if the Board doesn’t vote in favor of whatever Verrone and Young present them with on Friday those 300 show runners will for sure do what they are threatening to do. I wish they’d do it right now. This strike has gone on long enough. Time to go back to work people. Those of you who enjoy striking can channel your energies into volunteering for Obama.
Comment by Anonymous — February 4, 2008 @ 9:32 pm
Thanks for another wonderful post, Nikki. Your comment about the MSM’s arrogant presumptions about the “mature” DGA versus the WGA “screaming brats” was spot on. As usual, you slash through the veneer of official disinformation set forth by the major jouno outlets, who are all of course bought and paid for by the congloms. You should be proud of the work you’ve done during (and long before) the strike, though it’s sad that an indie vanguard like yourself is about the only source for any remotely sane and unbiased reporting in this mess.
Comment by Joseph — February 4, 2008 @ 9:38 pm
All future content will be “streamed.” All current and past content will be “streamed.” No, not on your little computer screen. On your big ol’ high-def screen there in your living room. It will be no different than watching directv or Time Warner cable. You will not know the difference.
Streaming internet content is not ‘promotional’ or supplemental to current on-air programming. It is going to be THE delivery system of the future. And it’s a near future. We’ll all have a little cool box that doesn’t even have a name yet. Just like someone could have told you years ago that your entire CD collection would fit on this thing about to come out called an “iPod.”
We’ve got to nail down a good residual formula on streaming. Because once the corporations have it in place, it is permanent and here to stay for a long, long time.
Comment by skip entro — February 4, 2008 @ 9:42 pm
To Can’t Take It Anymore:
“If this strike really lasts until June, do you realize how many people’s lives and careers will be destroyed forever?”
I hear your frustration, but come on… *lives* destroyed? Forever?
Yes, I believe what we do is important, but letting your brain get carjacked by what has been a harsh, yet necessary action can’t possibly be helpful to yourself nor to the readers of these posts who also find themselves jittery. Hysteria rarely brings about good resolution.
Careers may necessarily change for some (myself included) as a result of the strike and the altered landscape of entertainment. It’s unfortunate, but it happens in many industries. We do what we can but if circumstances call for it, we adjust. That’s being an adult.
I wouldn’t address the post but for the fact that I have seen the same sentiment echoed in other posts during the last few weeks. And so I’ll say this in closing: if your life is so wrapped up in career that a vocational change *destroys* it, perhaps it’s time to do a bit of soul searching.
I don’t want to change careers, either, but I’ve discovered that there actually are a lot of other good and vital things to be done in this world.
Comment by barney — February 4, 2008 @ 9:56 pm
Wow suddenly I feel in the minority, not being paid by a PR firm to post here. The sudden volume of such posts is staggering.
I just wanted to say - “Don’t mess with writers”, (above), I really love what you have to say. The core truth you present is undeniable - people want and need stories, and have since the cave man days. Storytellers will always be given a place at the fire, and ample bread/roasted meat, whether or not it’s the AMPTP doing the giving. And storytellers will never stop working their magic just because 8 big corporations decide to stop paying them. There is always an outlet, and some of the newer models may be refreshing and overdue.
Comment by George — February 4, 2008 @ 9:57 pm
happy gate pickete
12 guys on a line out of 12,000 what number is that. Pitiful I would say
Comment by just a thought — February 4, 2008 @ 9:59 pm
As a television viewer, I find it absolutley idiotic some writers are willing vote against the proposed deal, leaving all the middleman people who also in the industry out of work. It is those people who are the pons in this chest game of yours. I have heard some showrunners are greatly concerned about their crews because of this strike. Are you writers even aware of the impact you guys are having on the crews, catering people, hotels, laundry mats, etc? Do you guys understand that if you guys vote against this proposed deal, you will be making the crews lives worse than they already are. Did or have you guys ever thought about that? Or are most of you just thinking about yourselves? This whole strike is more than just about you guys…IT IS ABOUT EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO SUFFERING FINANCIALLY BECAUSE OF THIS STRIKE!!
I fully understand writers wanted to be compensated for their work, i.e. downloads and internet residuals. I get that. I do. But there comes a time when one must start thinking rationally and realistically on this subject. My thinking on this is…if you writers can get a beginning deal, one that set the staging point for an increase in the future, when the contract expires in three years, I think that is better than nothing. Having a starting point makes more sense, than getting what one wants the first time around. That is the whole point of negotiations.
I have heard some writers mean that this is an important deal because it is talking about the next 20-25 years. With in that time frame, 8 more contracts can be revised and signed. The importance of this contract in my eyes is to set a starting point for residuals in internet and downloads. The amount offered now can always be revised in the next contract.
Please take a couple of minutes to think about the crews and others who are stuck in the middle of this mess. There are others who are suffering during this time. This strike has become more than just about you writers and it saddens me that some of you do not see that. If you guys have a heart, please think about every single middleman affected by this strike. You may not get exactly what you wanted in the new contract, but anything is better than nothing. And if it gets the crews and other industry resources back to work, than I think that is what should be important here. Stop thinking about yourselves and start thinking about others.
Comment by TVviewer — February 4, 2008 @ 10:03 pm
Up until November, I worked on a hit TV show. When the strike hit, I was as pissed as every other BTL’er that was getting put out of work. My reactionary thoughts were that…sure…easy for you, writers. You have tons of money. I found myself getting pissed at the idea of whether or not my showrunner and his writing staff were going to block me from entering my workplace. A group of people many of whom make 10-15 times more than me.
As the strike has wore on, I have mellowed and the stress/anxiety and emotion of the moment has given way to more rational thought. I have found ways to work my way through it. I’m doing other Post work - work that doesn’t pay into my Motion Picture health plan - a plan that I feel VERY LUCKY to have (not being in a union). A plan that is keeping me insured for the next year and a half almost without getting jobs that pay into it. For me - just having this and keeping it strong - is reason enough for me to want to see the WGA and SAG fight to keep the residual model in place for ALL forms of distribution. It’s quite clear that the studios would do away with it all if they could and not fund this plan that is so important to the people in this business.
I am one of the lucky few that gets access to MPIPHP without being a member of a union. This may go away for me - I know this. The studios gave it to me (and people like me) because they felt compelled to. Hell, this strike may prompt my exclusion from it - since I fully expect the studios to be in “cost cutting” mode when the strike ends and often us BTL’ers feel that more than anyone. Especially us non-unionized folk. If that happens, I will adapt. I will figure it out…and who knows, maybe I’ll leave this industry if it doesn’t work out for me.
But I will say this. This is something that is worth fighting for. Now that everything is shut down - KEEP it shut down until this deal is right. And SAG - you do it too. Don’t sell out for short term gains. In the end it is the grand mass of people that make decent (but not grand) livings at this that these terms seem to affect most.
All you BTL’ers that are screaming about the the “rich whiny writers” and that lowlife earlier in the comments who actually wished some Malibu houses burn down - shame on you. Maybe you don’t deserve to be in this business.
There’s tons of work out there. No - probably not doing EXACTLY what you usually do - but use your imagination. Pick up the phone and make some shit happen. Sit down and make a list of all your connections. Draw lines between people that should know each other, but don’t. Think of people that might be able to get work from someone else you know and connect them - even if it doesn’t help you personally in ANY way. Trust me, it will come back to you. We have to help each other. We have to look out for each other because the corporations certainly aren’t looking out for us. Not now. Not when the strike is over.
The enemies are not the writers. This is corporate greed - pure and simple.
Comment by post producer — February 4, 2008 @ 10:06 pm
Folks - please calm down.
Jessy S. - You’re pretty uniformed and clueless. If you think for one minute that congress will take this up in a major election year, you have another thing coming. The entire house and 1/3 of the senate are running for re-election. From now until November, it’s all about that in Washington. Congress isn’t interested and the companies are not getting raked over the coals anytime soon, especially now that the parties need campaign donations.
And Showrunner, comparing a dissenting block of writers to Jewish capos and the AMPTP to Nazis, is, at best, overly dramatic. At worst, insulting and a reminder of how out of control this has all gotten. Dissent is good and dissent is needed. Just because you don’t like it, doesn’t mean those people are traitors. They have a different opinion and want it heard. To think that 12000 people, 12000 creative, intelligent people, are walking lockstep is ludicrous. Have you ever really been in a writers’ room? Dissent and challenge is crucial to what we do.
You will hear about your deal. Then you will learn about your deal. Then you will decide about your deal. Take a breath and be rational. If your leaders, who everyone says they trust, have made this deal, you owe it to yourself to listen and learn.
And Nikki, stop calling the DGA deal shitty. The majority of us in the DGA like the deal. For us. We never said this is right for the WGA. Our contracts, as well as the other guilds and unions, are all different - on all levels of compensation.
We would not have gotten our deal without the WGA strike. Let’s just make that clear.
Then we moved the ball down the field. Further than the WGA could at the outset. Then, we handed off to the WGA, who was able to drive it home. The DGA deal works for us, and it seems the WGA improved upon it. In a weird way, I prefer to think that the two guilds have complimented each other’s style. That’s what negotiations are about. To keep dissing the DGA is to insult the work of BOTH guilds. And their members. Like you said, we all need to BACK OFF.
If we all channeled this much energy into our work, think what we could do…
Comment by DGALP — February 4, 2008 @ 10:12 pm
I have been a showrunner for fifteen years, and I know many other showrunners and how they feel about this strike. They are overwhelmingly supportive.
I also know many of the so-called loyal opposition. Since the beginning, both the numbers of this second group and their A-list worthiness have been greatly exaggerrated. They are not the bigshots they would have you believe. Mostly, they are self-interested malcontents, second cousins to the Union Blues of the 1988 strike, a group which has since been proved to have been utterly on the wrong side of things and who served exactly two purposes in that strike: to elongate it, and to get us less than we deserved.
So can we please stop writing that the influence of this current dissident group has had anything to do with the outcome of this strike? It has not. Verrone, Bowman and company know who they are, know what they are, and know how much influence they have. Which is not very much. Want to know why they have yet to put their names to anything? Because most people would respond with a resounding “Who?” The only power they have is in their anonymity and their overblown influence.
I repeat: they are minor players here, and the Guild leadership knows that.
Personally, I think there’s a lot to recommend the deal, and I don’t think you’d hear the leadership recommend it if they didn’t feel the same. I’m not sure how I’ll vote — I’ll wait to hear their thoughts. But can we please hear no more about the self-styled power-brokering dirty thirty? They are not important — not to this discussion, and not in the business in general, with a small handful of exceptions. You will see their names published before it’s all said and done and you’ll laugh twice: first, at the idea that these people had any influence at all, and second, at the sad spectacle of them all scrambling to detach the tag “pariah” from their names.
Comment by showrunner — February 4, 2008 @ 10:21 pm
1- It is imperative that the WGA membership be allowed to vote on this. Of course the AMPTP would prefer it was decided without a vote. That, in itself, I fear may be indicative of the quality of their offer.
2-Why is that when the AMPTP finally agrees to negotiate, they then are being allowed to rush the writers in their ratification of the agreement? I certainly don’t think the writers should delay the strike any longer than necessary. But neither should they be forced to make their decision on the AMPTP’s timetable.
3-The Oscars are obviously important to certain members of the AMPTP. Instead of easily caving, the writers should make sure to use this to their advantage.
4-If you think it is difficult walking your picket lines in LA, try doing it New York style in freezing cold rainstorms. Not fun. That said, most writers here in NYC would rather spend a few more weeks or heaven forbid a couple more months on this now, so that they don’t have to be out there again in three years.
5-Why doesn’t everyone on here wait and hear the actual offer before fighting about it.
Comment by Everyone take a deep breath... — February 4, 2008 @ 10:28 pm
You have to admit, it’s awfully nice of the AMPTP studio heads to work this out so writers don’t have to do any thinking for themselves.
Comment by Jon Raymond — February 4, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
I write this wanting to elaborate upon Nikki’s statement that “the back nine can still be saved” from the hourlong series perspective …
For a lot of the one hour dramas, the time remaining is critical in order to save the back nine. I’ve been on conference calls with the Network who basically only want new shows through May. June has never been a profitable month to air new programming because of their daylight savings theory — which is at that time of the year, people tend to not watch as much TV because the tendency to go out socially increases.
That being said, it would be an extremely difficult and possibly unrealistic task to try to write, shoot and post nine episodes by May. For a lot of these hour long dramas, you must factor in an 8 day shooting schedules plus editorial and other post production related tasks. And for every passing day, the time factor will determine just how many episodes we can produce.
Once this deal is ratified, we are looking at a week, perhaps, to write the first post-strike episode, plus the contractual obligation of 7 days to prep the episode for the director and the eight days to shoot it. So figure this: if they settle this week… which is a big if… factor in the time to ratify the deal, and then the writing and prep time; hourlong shows wouldn’t be able to start shooting until early March. And if the networks hold their position about not needing new content for June, then a back nine seems highly unlikely. It ends up looking more like a back 7 or 8, and thats being generous.
The point I am trying to make is, back nine, back five, whatever… most below-the-liners are still a few weeks out of work even if these negotiations are handled with the utmost efficiency. And a lot of the Networks only want a certain number of new shows to air until a certain amount of time (or at least the network I deal with.) The tail is being eaten at both ends. This is just a realistic view in my opinion of the remainder of the 07/08 television season in regards to the hourlong formatted shows.
Comment by Just a Co-Ep for an Hour-Long — February 4, 2008 @ 10:34 pm
Patrick Meighan,
I admire your fortitude and resolve. However, your tone and assumptions trouble me to no end. I will preface this by saying that you may be privy to specifics of the current offer on the table that I am not. But I think it is nothing short of reprehensible for you to spend the night posting what amount to anti-deal missives on a deal that hasn’t seen the light of day. Can’t you give the process a chance? Let the deal points be hammered out and presented then fire away! But until that happens, you do yourself, the negotiating committee and everyone a disservice by assuming that if the AMPTP was involved in the negotiations that the deal is inheirently bad(granted, this is just my perception). Give Verone and company a chance to present something without comments like:
“And unless and until Fox and the other studios agree to a deal that’d pay writers a fair fraction of the profits they’re earning off my show (and others), I’ll keep doing what I’ve been doing every weekday for the past 3+ months: walking the picket line.”
How do you know that this isn’t the case? Nothing has been anounced or confirmed. PLEASE sir, I only ask that you set aside your pessimism for a couple of days and wait for the deal that is in hand to be laid out in full. Your convictions are admirable and I believe they are well intentioned. But I think it is incumbent on all of us to wait another couple of days to see what the truth really is. Assuming that the deal sucks does nothing for anyone and in fact only harms the process.
Comment by HoopersX — February 4, 2008 @ 10:34 pm
I cant believe that we are putting a