I hear from the AMPTP that towards the end of today's talks it finally came back with its counter-counter-offer to the WGA's counter-offer to the AMPTP's offer about Internet streaming and other issues. (Who's on first?) I haven't heard from the writers yet. I have no idea yet if the AMPTP is offering something new or same old/same old.


Haggle. HAGGLE!
Comment by e — December 7, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
Let’s hope that AMPTP’s streaming counter has merit and isn’t just pissing in the wind.
It would do everyone a world of good to approach this in good faith and professionally in order to break the logjam of egos.
pb, upwind
Comment by pb — December 7, 2007 @ 4:43 pm
How much do you want to bet their “groundbreaking” offer will be 0.3%, just like DVDs. Which was the suck back when we agreed to it in ‘88 and is the suck now.
Let’s see. My episode sells on iTunes for $1.99. They have to sell over 150 copies before I get $1? I hope the guild already has a counter-offer ready so that they can’t be accused of walking away from the table.
Comment by Occasional Showrunner — December 7, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
Let’s hope it’s a meaningful response. The spirit at the Freemantle rally was so great this afternoon - fantastic to see Flight Attendants from United Airlines in the crowd supporting us.
We should try to make it clear to the public that part of this fight - the reality TV part, for instance - is about getting health care and basic decent working conditions for writers…the people the AMPTP love to portray as millionaires.
I saw my dentist this week, whose husband works as an independent consultant for the studios (he used to work for one with round black ears), and she said that it was fascinating to hear me talk about the strike, because she’s not hearing any of the news I was telling her from her regular news sources. That’s a scary reflection on the state of our news media - although hardly a surprise.
Comment by Alexander Chow-Stuart — December 7, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
Well, I just read the AMPTP website and I am shocked! The writers actually have demands! My goodness! Who would have thought?!?
Now the poor AMPTP is forced to end negotiations because the writers is askin’ fer stuff. How dare they! During a negotiation, the other side is supposed to present what they don’t want!
It is a well crafted, well written steaming pile of S&%t.
The AMPTP position is so laughable that it is borderline retarded. But, the PR team they hired are the guys who beautifully handled such crisis as Monica Lewinsky for Clinton, Grey Davis’ career, so clearly it is a difficult foe.
Here’s the deal: Talk or destroy television for good. The profits you stand to lose by negotiating with us is far less than what you stand to lose if you drive more people away from the networks.
If, for one, will walk away from this career now instead of being forced out by the decrease in wages I would face over the next few years. I’m already making decent money writing for different people on the web. Where there is a need, there will be writers. We create your product or we create it for others.
Acceptance.
Comment by Da in LA — December 7, 2007 @ 5:39 pm