I'm told the informal writer-mogul meetings are going "in a positive direction" enough so that it's beginning to look possible for the Academy Awards to proceed normally. Friday's was an especially productive session, I've learned. "I feel optimistic. In my opinion, today was productive and collaborative and respectful. I thought it was a very good day," an insider told me. The CEOs' pointman Peter Chernin is leaving tonight to go out of town ("This is not his day job," one source reminded...) but the talks will continue in his absence. I can tell you that since Tuesday the News Corp/Fox No. 2 has been telling insiders that the moguls have decided to let the WGA leadership (yes, even the guy they all hate -- Dave Young, who was in today's session) "declare a face-saving victory" in order to get a deal done. Yesterday Chernin, ensconced in the Fox commissary surrounded by some of his execs -- including Tom Rothman, Peter Liguori, and Hutch Parker -- was reassuring people, "Don't worry. It's done." My info is that it's far from done yet, but things are looking up to the point that one of my sources thinks this could get settled in time to hold a real Oscars. Sure, we've all been here before and seen talks break down after a few optimistic days. But now, according to my insiders, the moguls finally want a deal as much as the writers. Will the deal be good enough?
That … or this is just another one of the studios “raise their hopes and the dash them” tactics. I’ll believe things are going well when I hear it from Patric Verrone — and not one second sooner.
In Solidarity.
Comment by Striking Writer — January 25, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
Thanks for the update…but we’re not listening. We value your input and analysis, and thank you for an incredible and consistent job, but so far this sort of news is just the ramp-up to the AMPTP walking out.
But we’re not listening. It just hurts too much if we do. I mean wouldn’t this be the perfect time to pull the rug out just one more time. Nick can grab a corner and John Wells can grab the other.
So, Nikki, we love you. We love the work you’ve done. We all hope to hell that you’re right. But nobody’s listening…
sorry.
Comment by Won'tgetfooledagain — January 25, 2008 @ 4:55 pm
Nikki - we love you and know without a doubt you mean well and that you are doing your job.
But I implore all the writers out there…stay calm. Don’t read into anything too far. Don’t get excited. Don’t get depressed.
Wait.
Assume nothing until something is official.
Hope for the best.
Continue to prepare for the worst.
Comment by Jimmy — January 25, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
I hope they come up with a good, solid deal.
A solid business model should have them working together, and not against each other. Sadly, solid, well constructed business models are rare in Hollywood.
I do hope the strike ends soon, I’ve been boycotting DVDs for the past 50 days, & I’m getting withdrawal symptoms.
Comment by Furious D — January 25, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
But … wait … I thought … wasn’t there supposed to be a “press blackout”?
Comment by Striker — January 25, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
welcome back nikki. thank god you are feeling better. we need you around to keep this town afloat!
Comment by bradley b — January 25, 2008 @ 6:23 pm
I hope and pray you’re right. Seeing as how this is much more subtle and general than some of the hints last time they were talking, I’ll believe it. There’s not much else to say other than the usual: The writers deserve their due. PLEASE let them get it soon.
Comment by Caitlin — January 25, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
We CANNOT grant a waiver for the Oscars simply because talks are moving in a “positive direction.” Let’s be very real: Chernin is the SAME guy who played us prior to the strike. He’s the one who said “take DVD off the table and we’ll move forward.” And we see what we got. These guys have no conscious of right or wrong, it’s simply “business,” so the idea of sitting across from us and lying is not even a choice. Chernin will/is pressuring, “for talks to resume, you MUST grant an Oscar waiver.” DON’T DO IT TILL WE HAVE A DEAL!!!
Comment by d — January 25, 2008 @ 7:16 pm
Thank God for the Oscars. Without that date and all that money hanging in the balance, there’d be no hope at all.
By the way, I really missed you. I, like a lot of pople turn to you for a forum not controlled by “Big Business”.
Hope you continue to feel better,
Peggy Lane O’Rourke
Comment by Peggy Lane O'Rourke — January 25, 2008 @ 7:16 pm
As happy as I am to see this, I’d like to urge you to honor the spirit of the media blackout, since we know everybody reads you. I would hate to have my face-saving victory fall apart because someone changed his mind after it leaked that they were going to let us have a face-saving victory.
That said, welcome back and thanks for everything.
Comment by outeast — January 25, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
Wow, and I thought a media blackout would leave me in the dark. DWP, eat your heart out.
Comment by Ted Striker — January 25, 2008 @ 7:39 pm
there you go again. letting the companies play you. it’s quite likely they’re making nice so the Oscars go off. It’d be almost impossible to have a real deal in place by then. it’ll take a good 10 days for membership to vote on anything we’re presented. unless they crack this thing in the next 2 weeks, forget it. and after going this far, over 3 months, I’m voting no unless the contract we’re presented with is rather special. say, 5 times better than what directors got.
don’t fall for it. it’s a trap.
Comment by Michael — January 25, 2008 @ 7:45 pm
nikki…please, a news blackout is a great idea for these people…. no matter who tells you what, don’t report it…let the deal get done without he said/he said going around town……we all need to go back to work.
Comment by director 22 — January 25, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
Folks, you can’t really fault a journalist for not respecting a media blackout. It’s kind of their job.
Comment by Mike — January 25, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
Michael @ 7:45 PM writes:
“and after going this far, over 3 months, I’m voting no unless the contract we’re presented with is rather special. say, 5 times better than what directors got.”
And that is why you will end up breaking your own union. And below-the-line rallies against the WGA will begin. Just give this a shot. And for Christ’s sake, honor the media blackout.
Comment by Glen Salvyn — January 25, 2008 @ 8:14 pm
Michael, I pray you’re alone in your desire to stay out on strike forever simply because we’ve already been out for 3 months. In what world - on what planet - does that make any sense at all?
Are you out of your mind? Suicidal? Or do you just not actually work in this town so it doesn’t make a difference to you? There will come a time when the studios want this to be over. Will there come a similar time for you?
You are an enemy, Michael, worse than the congloms!
Comment by brian — January 25, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
As Tony Gilroy said “It has to be the right deal.” This contract is going to form the template for the next two decades. Are we really going to rush so George Clooney can wear his tux at the Oscars? Repeat after me - it has to be the right deal. It has to be the right deal…I don’t give a fuck about the Oscars being held. I care what I’m going to be paid for the next 10 years, and what the next generation of writer is going to make for the 20 years after that. If you present me with a contract that does not make this long strike worthwhile and lays the groundwork for writing to continue to be a viable, lucrative profession in the future, then I’m voting no.
Comment by JK — January 25, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
Yep, I’ll believe it when I hear it from my leadership and not a second earlier. Anyone believing any of this, positive or negative, are idiots. Don’t be Charlie Browns. Lucy’s a fucking bitch and she pulls that fucking football away every time!
Comment by Linus — January 25, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
I agree -please respect the blackout period… You were gone during the DGA deal and everyone lived during that time without the information.
Comment by BTL — January 25, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
Of course the moguls want a deal now… they’ve nixed their tv deals - as planned - and are ready to go to the after parties.
Sick.
Comment by intheknow — January 25, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
seriously, nikke. can you shut up for a little while?
Comment by B — January 25, 2008 @ 8:23 pm
“D” is 100 percent correct. We cannot afford to grant a waiver for the Oscars until the deal is done and in writing. The AMPTP are smart and unscrupulous, and they’ll continue to play us like a fiddle if we let them.
Comment by A — January 25, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
outeast, you know that allowing us to declare a “face saving victory” pretty much means they’ll offer us some crappy deal, then allow the leadership to pretend it’s, in some magical way, not that crappy to save face, right? If the deal were legit, they wouldn’t be worrying about how our faces look.
Comment by come on — January 25, 2008 @ 9:00 pm
Thanks for the news, Nikki. Glad you’re feeling better.
Although I, like others, am feeling a bit trepidatious about depending on good news, I must say, if you don’t want breaking news, go elsewhere. Carry on, Nikki!
Comment by callit — January 25, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
Well, I’m feeling so grateful to the studio chiefs for coming back, I’m going to vote for anything they say.
(Say… you don’t suppose this is why they stayed away all those weeks, do you? I always thought they just didn’t like us.)
Comment by Ruthie — January 25, 2008 @ 9:08 pm
bitch bitch bitch me me me every day this strike goes on the more I starting to hate the writers . I’m 2 months from losing my home I’m not saying agree to a shity deal but be a lil postive .
and to that guy who said the deal better be 5 times better or he’s voting now that’s bullshit and greedy your scum.
And nikki thank you for your updates and news
Local 399 driver
Comment by Hollywoodfred — January 25, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
I find it vaguely ironic how many folks have kept a close eye and run over here to read Nikki’s blog, then turned about and shouted “respect the blackout”.
*snort*
Comment by slowday — January 25, 2008 @ 9:14 pm
*sigh* Well, I personally am desperate for news like this, but people are right: it would probably be best to delete this and just not post anything. Keep things on good terms.
Comment by Caitlin — January 25, 2008 @ 9:16 pm
Why does positive news depress me?
Either they’re playing us all again. Or our leaders are being weak.
Can’t help but think this.
Get it done right guys cause I won’t vote for a crappy deal.
Comment by say it ain't so.... — January 25, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
First of all, nobody said anything about a waiver. I think the assumption is that a deal will be in place. Secondly, reading the comments I am beginning to think the writers are as self serving as the producers. How long do you think the 60,000 + of us should be out of work to serve your purpose? When this is done you will be better off. As for us, we’re not going to get back our savings, lost homes or healthcare etc.
This strike has been a disaster for those of us who have no horse in the race, so stop whining. Cause frankly, for all your rah, rah, rah, your efforts have veered towards being amateurish to say the least. 200,00 pencils? Really? That must have sent chills down their backs.
We don’t have strike funds or any support and this strike has devastated our lives. Yet all you wunderkins can do is judge something before it’s even presented to you.
And 10 days to vote? Right, take your time. It’s becoming clear that it’s all about you and no one else matters. So tell all of us again why we should continue to support you…
Comment by IATSE Member — January 25, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
Nikki - I hope you read the majority of these posts and realise that, while it’s no doubt exciting to feel so much at the hub of the gossip wheel, people really do want you to knock it off for the time being. The gut feeling of most working writers is that without the feverish rumour-mongering, provoking more feverish commenting from people who have got themselves far too worked up, this strike will probably get settled soon, and much more in our favour. Put the gasoline can down for another week, yeah?
Comment by Paul — January 25, 2008 @ 9:29 pm
Bitter, everyone?
A few things…
Nikki - honor the press blackout. Things were a little saner without your commentary and “inside” tips.
WGA folks - calm down. And read. And think before you type.
Nowhere in her report did Nikki mention a waiver for the Oscars. You’re jumping to conclusions. Her intimation was that a deal could be made. Put the emotion aside.
And, your leadership can call off the strike at any time - look it up. You authorized them to strike if they felt it necessary. If they make a tentative deal, the strike can be suspended BEFORE membership ratification.
Also, if you claim to be behind your leadership, and they negotiate a deal that isn’t “5 times the DGA deal” are you going to turn on them and reject it? That will tear your union, I mean guild, apart.
Get real, get sane, and grow up. Stop being suspicious and do what you’ve been saying all along - trust your leadership. Don’t turn on them if they don’t give you every thing you want - it’s a negotiation and it will mean compromise.
There has been enough sniping, posturing, blaming to fill 1000 scripts. The last few days have been refreshingly civil on all sides. Let’s keep it that way, make a good deal, and get back to work.
Comment by DGALP — January 25, 2008 @ 9:30 pm
The thing is… the WGA leadership has made a monster. Most writers I talk to agree. We have sacrificed too much to take an okay deal. Face-saving deal doesn’t cut it. It’s like giving a diamond to someone who got their ring fingers cut off. It’s gonna take a little more than that.
Comment by Dex — January 25, 2008 @ 9:35 pm
…I agree that there’s probably propaganda here, in the same way that Hillary is saying Bill went overboard, while letting Bill go overboard.
But we’re all adults here and the deal will be the deal. And if the deal sucks, there will be no Oscar. I dont think Verrone and Young give a rats ass what they read online.
I think they’re doing what they think is best. And when they do put a deal up, I think it’ll be a deal that we WGA members can live with.
Yes, the Congloms are rushing to get something out there so the Oscars can happen. But I doubt the WGA leadership is taking their lead from Nikki, the LA Times, Variety, or anyone else.
So spin away, media conglomerates. Nobody gives a shit. The strike is the strike and the deal is the deal.
Everything else is noise.
But it isn’t going to
Comment by Stiking writer, but... — January 25, 2008 @ 9:35 pm
“One” of my sources thinks this “could” get settled in time to hold a real Oscars.
I think I’ll hold onto my yacht down payment money a little longer all the same.
Comment by Mark Ronson — January 25, 2008 @ 9:38 pm
The AMPTP have dragged their feet going back to the table with the WGA but now that the Oscars are in the fold they suddenly have the time to negotiate? After the writers, the below the line workers, hell - everybody - had to go through the holidays with no hope in sight? Bullshit. If a good deal is not in place, I hope the Oscars look like the Globes.
Comment by One Time Sitcom Writer — January 25, 2008 @ 9:56 pm
Brian- it’s obvious you’re an AMPTP shill, or, just terribly ill informed. if the former how much were you paid for your post? It’s not working. Actual WGA members like myself and my peers know that we’re laying the groundwork for the future. It was rushing to take a bad deal in ‘88 that made the WGA accept such a terrible contract.
TV ratings are barely down. The media companies saved money during the strike. They’re not ready to make a deal.
Stay strong. if need be wait for the actors in June. Then we’ll get what we want.
Comment by Michael — January 25, 2008 @ 10:11 pm
the ceo’s want a deal - they bungled this whole affair like a bunch of hysterical incompetents
they have been looking for a “face saving” way out
Comment by insider — January 25, 2008 @ 10:25 pm
I just want to say to anyone in that group of 30 “moderates” — you are a bunch of scumbags. Cowardly scumbags.
It’s one thing to voice your criticisms of Verrone and Young and ask for changes in the way things are being handled, it’s another to say that if those suggestions aren’t heeded you’re going to cross the line and go back to work.
I know you guys are too chicken shit to reveal your names to the rest of us, but I already know who a handful of you are and Verrone says he knows who all of you are, so it’s only a matter of time before your roster is leaked. What were you all thinking by commiting this career suicide. I hope you all never work again, you ooh-the-studios-can-hold-out forever pussies.
Comment by You make me puke — January 25, 2008 @ 10:28 pm
I don’t care about the Oscars. I don’t care what Peter Chernin has to say. I only care about our guild sticking together and demanding a fair deal. No flat fee shit like the DGA accepted and the poser John Wells is trying to shove down our throats. No free “promotional” airing of our work.
Hang together Guild Members. Do what the cast of “Friends” did and don’t give up!
Comment by UNITED! — January 25, 2008 @ 10:32 pm
Be suspicious of anyone posting on this site who claims to be a WGA member and is clearly spouting a fanatical and divisive stance. “Michael” for instance, who wants 5 times the DGA rate? There are some pretty sophisticated tactics being used by the AMPTP to paint those of us in the WGA as fanatics. I’d bet my next residual check that “Michael” has an office down the hall from Nick Counter Maybe “Michael” really is WGA, or maybe he’s an employee of the AMPTP trying to provoke reactions like that of “Brian.” Just take these comments with a grain of salt, folks.
Comment by real WGA writer — January 25, 2008 @ 10:33 pm
There’s no way I can believe that the Guild will grant a waiver for the Oscars just because the talks are going well. Seriously. They’re smart people. They know that after the ceremony the rug will be pulled out from negotiations faster than the red carpet at the Golden Globes.
Comment by stillhopeful — January 25, 2008 @ 10:36 pm
WTF? Media blackout means the parties aren’t supposed to talk to the press. Not that the press is supposed to keep their secrets if they do anyway. Nikki is a journalist and she’s doing what journalists do, her job. Respecting our right to know. The ones who aren’t respecting the media blackout are her sources, go yell at them instead.
Comment by Anon — January 25, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
I am DGA/WGA. I will vote against the weak DGA deal. The WGA is at its maximum point of leverage right now. We must use it to achieve the historic deal we all know this must be. I don’t want to go on strike again in three years or thirty years - the way to avoid that is by getting the deal right this time. Patience. Vigilance.
We’re worth it. We can get it.
Comment by 20year writer — January 25, 2008 @ 10:58 pm
Nikki, you’re the greatest, but this has happened before — everyone must remember that there’s no deal until the WGA announces a deal. Writers need to stay together, stay strong and STAY OUT ON THE PICKET LINES — they’re paying attention to the numbers — at one of the studios, a guard actually told a strike captain that he had to make a count for his boss!
Comment by Maybe, maybe not... — January 25, 2008 @ 11:05 pm
I’m extremely skeptical of these reports and more than a little resentful of Chernin’s reported offer to let the WGA leaders “save face”. Verrone, Young and the rest of the guild leadership have been honorably pursuing an equitable contract for writers in an open and above-board manner. If anyone needs to save face, it’s Chernin who flat out lied about the quid pro quo for removing DVDs. But, come to think about it, if you had a face like Chernin’s, who the fuck would want to save it?
Watch. Wait. Be wary. They are playing with our heads.
Comment by ScreenVet — January 25, 2008 @ 11:35 pm
Sounds to me like some writers here are nursing bitter wounds - and yes, with good reason - but an injured animal is still an angry animal…
Maybe it would be better to honor the blackout, rather than perpetuate such ill spirit. For the sake of EVERYONE’S sanity…
(And for your own health, Nikki - though you have been a welcome lifeline these past few months - Thank you!)
Comment by Shhhh — January 25, 2008 @ 11:37 pm
I agree on the blackout - it seems especially the atmpt is quite sensitive on rumors and easily feels betrayed (i’m not saying rightfully, though).
As long as there’s no final conclusions why not give both parties the space to deal with each other and then present it however is best. And then - if there’s news being twisted - uncover that.
Thanks!
Comment by danny — January 26, 2008 @ 12:05 am
While I appreciate being a person in the “know” with this update, I believe that this process would best be served with a true media blackout. I don’t blame you Nikki, I blame the morons willing to run to you with every gain or setback and make these issues available for public consumption.
Can’t we all let this thing take it’s own course, out of the public eye, until it creates a deal or crashes and burns? I just don’t think this process can stand up to constant media scrutiny. As many have already mentioned, let’s ALL respect the media blackout and shut the fuck up. Give it a chance people!! Talk = progress. No talk = jack shit. Don’t sabotage it now.
Comment by Hoopersx — January 26, 2008 @ 12:05 am
You know that adage, “Expect the best and prepare for the worst”? There’s a reason it isn’t “Expect the worst and prepare for the worst”.
Comment by e — January 26, 2008 @ 12:09 am
Fuck media blackouts! I want things to get back to normal and I want to know what the fuck is going on. This strike has pretty much shut down 75% of production in Vancouver since we do a hell of a lot of TV up here.
Don’t listen to the naysayers Nikki, we need you, especially us outside of Hollywood.
And before anyone starts complaining about that ‘runaway production” bullshit there’s no universal law that says every bit of entertainment has to be made in Hollywood.
Comment by Very frustrated Hollywood North worker — January 26, 2008 @ 12:25 am
Why would any of the studios outside of ABC care about the Oscars? I’m sure they’d rather see their competitor take the hit during sweeps (even if they move the show two weeks back, it won’t be on for sweeps and the other networks get a victory.)
The cynic tells me this supposed optimism is a purposeful leak to Hollywood’s hardest working journalist, and just one more tactic to divide the membership when the AMPTP walks out once again in a week (as planned.) I can hear WGA members soon saying, “What’s wrong with Patrick that he can’t get a deal like the DGA did?” “Maybe the AMPTP is right and Patrick and David Young are out of their league”, etc. These leaks are tactical and should be taken that way.
And remember they’re using Hillary Clinton’s political spin masters. These people are pros. Look, how much they’ve trashed Obama in the last few weeks– he’s no longer a transformational once in a generation figure, but just another politician spending his days defending himself from rumors and innuendo. And they’re just getting started on him.
Stay strong and be patient. When you get that email from Patrick Verrone, then, and only then, form an opinion on how it’s all going.
Comment by George Glass — January 26, 2008 @ 12:27 am
We must all pray that the pain of others injured by the strike be held into account so that this strike will end by the end of next week. I am a member of the WGA and stand firmly behind my union and its leaders but we as a people (Peter Chernin, Robert Iger, Les Moonves, Barry Meyer, DGA, WGA, SAG, the below-te-line and everone hurt by the strike) can all get to the promise land together.
United we stand, divided we fall.
I’m going to miss walking in circles on my bad foot at FOX.
Peace be with you…
Comment by Chris Jackson — January 26, 2008 @ 12:54 am
The deal with the DGA was already the “face-saving” deal - for the companies.
Comment by Nightswimmer — January 26, 2008 @ 1:38 am
First of all, let me join everyone in welcoming you back, Nikke, and it’s great news to hear that your health is in good shape. You, probably more than any other journalist, have done a consistent job of keeping your readers apprised of the facts during the strike. That said, I find it sad and pathetic that some people are rewarding your hard work and focus by now urging you to “shut up.” It’s not your job to keep mum on real developments, and I would urge you to ignore the fickle and ungrateful louts on this site whose loyalties and opinions drift and change when it doesn’t suit their ever-wavering moods. And for those who claim to not want this settled in the next few weeks, compromise be damned, be prepared for ensuing months of unemployment, bitterness and strife. Let Nikke do her job, and pray that a solid, uncompromising deal can be reached sooner than later.
Comment by Max — January 26, 2008 @ 1:54 am
I don’t see why the WGA doesn’t just say sign the deal as is or we aren’t going to talk. All these smaller/indy companies are signing. Eventually one of the core studios will want to enough that they will sign and once one does the rest will almost have to follow. The studios prepared for a strike to last until this point — they haven’t cared about signing before now, content just to let the writers walk, let all the people in the industry lose their jobs, etc, not caring about the economy or anything. It’s only now with the Oscars and pilot season in jeopardy that they are beginning to talk. NOW — for the first time in these talks — the writers are beginning to be a position of strength. Why cave? Why not make the push and go for the win? Sign with all the smallers that will sign and see how long the studios are willing to wait until THEY — not the writers — break rank. Not only will it give a big win for this strike, but it will make the studios think twice before using the same tactic again. If WGA plays to the studios gameplan, there’s no reason to think they won’t do it again in three years.
Comment by Paul — January 26, 2008 @ 2:37 am
Blackout? What is this Iraq in the middle of day one? I can understand respecting the WGA leadership’s wishes to keep a low profile, and I know they used the term blackout in reference to the actual terms being discussed. But I think it’s wrong to get fanatical about “blackout”.
Ever heard of freedom of the press? Do you understand the concept of news censorship? There are grey areas here. I don’t think Nikki is touching on any sensitive issues when she says things look optimistic. She’s not speculating or putting out rumors on specific issues. Of course we all know the Oscars are driving the AMPTP to at least appear to be doing something.
It’s healthy to discuss things like the Oscars, only settling for a fair deal, or whether it’s ok or not to be optimistic. It’s this discussion that brought things this far. A free press. A free internet. No one is putting down the AMPTP, the WGA, calling names, or having blog wars, which I think are the real targets of the blackout concept.
Comment by Jon Raymond — January 26, 2008 @ 2:53 am
It doesn’t take a journalist or any kind of special insight to know that the talks are proceeding well. The fact that they are still talking speaks volumes. All this talk about the Oscars are pointless as well, if the strike goes beyond the Oscars do you writers really think all is lost or something? Sorry but the Oscars are not that important of a bargaining chip, I certainly hope the WGA negotiating team doesn’t believe that they are.
Comment by Chips Down — January 26, 2008 @ 3:19 am
Sayeth Nikki:
“The CEOs’ pointman Peter Chernin is leaving tonight [Friday night] to go out of town (”This is not his day job,” one source reminded…) but the talks will continue in his absence.”
Pardon my French but WTF?
What on God’s green earth could possibly be important enough that Chernin is entitled to abandon the talks *he called* for an entire weekend while TEAM WGA stays at the table working in earnest to get a strike ending deal? Golf? Tennis? Off to play milkmaid at the Trianon while thousands of people in his industry suffer the prospect of losing their homes and their sustenance?
For goodness sakes the only time Nikki or most of the activist bloggers trying to get this mess cleaned up I know of have taken off from this disaster has been to recover their health
If I find out that Chernin’s absence is for any other reason than his or a family members death or serious illness he’s publicity meat in our grassroots group of viewers and fans, not to mention what I’m going to be saying to members of Congress who are considering holding hearings in regards to this clusterfuck when I their irate voting constituent call them.
Does Chernin think that anything productive will get done without him? Or is he just pulling the same old same old of screwing around with the creatives, bail out and leave behind the underlings who will plead no authority to agree to anything a la this:
“Second, the informal talks with studio chiefs will put guild negotiators in direct contact with those on the management side who can actually approve the most important components of a settlement. The AMPTP board is comprised mostly of senior labor-relations execs, whose authority extends only so far as their CEO bosses allow in many areas.”
[The whole article is at: http://www.reuters.com/article/filmNews/idUSN2034997120080121
I heartily recommend that the shareholders of News Corp help Chernin the wussy get a new ‘day job’ if he’s not up to the task of making a fair and reasonable deal with the writers (and later with the actors).
S.E. Olson aka vdovault
Moderator & Law & Order: Criminal Intent Fan Liason
http://community.livejournal.com/wga_supporters
Comment by VDOVault — January 26, 2008 @ 3:28 am
Don’t shoot the messenger. Shoot the source who leaked that info to her. She is a journalist. It’s her job to report what she hears.
If you don’t want to read what is leaked, don’t visit DHD. It’s really that simple.
In solidarity with Nikki
Becca
Comment by BEcca — January 26, 2008 @ 4:49 am
Nikki, I wonder why you even bother reporting this leak with anything other than a jaundiced eye. So far every glimmer of hope has merely been a ploy on their part to soften our necks for the next blade. I cannot imagine how on earth a satisfactory deal can close and be ratified before the Oscars. We are so far apart on streaming that it is ridiculous. So youkeep your optimism. I will maintain my guarded nihilism.
Comment by Al — January 26, 2008 @ 5:20 am
No waiver for the Oscars. Right now it’s our big hole card, and we have to play it like we mean it. AMPTP will turn on us during the final credit role.
Comment by Tripp — January 26, 2008 @ 6:17 am
Keep up the good work and please keep the inside info coming!!!!!!
Comment by BMB — January 26, 2008 @ 6:55 am
>> nikki…please, a news blackout is a great idea for
>> these people…. no matter who tells you what, don’t
>> report it…let the deal get done without he said/he
>> said going around town……we all need to go back to
>> work.
>> Comment by director 22
>> I agree -please respect the blackout period… You
>> were gone during the DGA deal and everyone lived
>> during that time without the information.
>> Comment by BTL
>> seriously, nikke. can you shut up for a little
>> while?
>> Comment by B
Reality check people: Nikke works for LA Weekly. She does not work for the WGA or AMPTP. Therefore the WGA/AMPTP news blackout doesn’t apply to her.
If you want to strop at people for news on the negotiations getting out, find out who is leaking the details and tell them - publicly and anonymously - that “the deal get done without he said/he said going around town”, and to “please respect the blackout period” and that they should “shut up for a little while”.
Nikke’s doing her job. Why should she have to get abuse for that?
- Richard
Comment by Richard — January 26, 2008 @ 8:53 am
Hello Nikki,
Thanks for reporting as passionately as you do every day and informing us (even if we’re on the other side of the ocean!).
I was just wondering, if the conflict finds an end these days, will we be able to get new episodes of our favorite shows (and by “our”, I mean “my” =D (Desperate Housewives & Grey’s Anatomy coming first), like, in March ?
Thank you !
Comment by Delision — January 26, 2008 @ 9:12 am
The one comment I hear consistently–and insistently–on the picket line, and I sure hope Verrone and Young get it, is this: Our leadership MUST NOT grant an Oscars waiver based on hope, or optimism, or the usual smoke from the AMPTP. Only a SETTLED DEAL that has not merely been announced but ACTUALLY RATIFIED BY A VOTE OF MEMBERS….only in that eventuality should we allow the Oscars to proceed. To do otherwise would be to go down in labor history as the world’s dumbest strikers.
Comment by StickingWithMyUnion — January 26, 2008 @ 9:29 am
You want to stay on strike forever?! And you wonder why nobody respects your union.
It is that kind of mentality, not that Nikki is reporting on what she’s hearing, that will crush this deal….again. Clean your own house, WGA, stop blaming the messenger.
Much love,
“Below-The -Liner”
Comment by Belowtheliner — January 26, 2008 @ 9:37 am
First, so many comments demonstrate a misunderstanding about who Nikki Finke is. She’s a journalist who has well placed sources and it’s her job to report the news. She’s not a rogue WGA leader breaking rank. A news blackout means that neither side will issue statements, not that reporters should stop working. Should Woodward and Bernstein have respected a Nixon Whitehouse news blackout about Watergate?
That said, many of these comments are distressing examples of why the strike has gone on for so long. Since when is a MONTH not enough time to resolve a strike, any strike (many of which don’t last a month)?? The optimism is not that the WGA will grant a waiver to the Oscars because talks are going well, it’s a belief that the strke will finally be over and everybody can go back to work.
Expectations like getting a deal 5 times better than the directors got are not helpful nor is the idea that every gain not achieved in this deal is lost forever.
Get over your irrational picket line frenzy and start concentrating on what it’s going to take to end this costly disruption.
Comment by E — January 26, 2008 @ 10:13 am
“[T]he moguls have decided to let the WGA leadership (yes, even the guy they all hate — Dave Young, who was in today’s session) ‘declare a face-saving victory’ in order to get a deal done.”
I hope this is wrong.
I’m hoping a fair deal that recognizes changes in the environment (e.g., a significantly smaller pilot season) that will result in fewer jobs for writers, directors, actors, and BTLs going forward will be made.
But I doubt it.
Because now it is about “face-saving,” not fairness. It looks like the “NegCom” is just looking for a way out of the strike, not ending it with the successful adoption of the (remaining) proposals.
The environment has changed since November 2007. Pilot season will be changed in the future. A fair deal now needs to be better than the proposals put forward in November.
But it probably won’t be.
Don’t expect 90% support for another strike any time soon if it’s only about “face-saving” now. Not in 3 years. Not in 30.
A lot of people are going to have to forget about back-to-back-to-back WGA strike failures, before they consider extending the streak to FOUR LOSING STRIKES.
What Nikki is reporting may or may not come to pass, but all I know is that the NegCom has given up THREE strike proposals in exchange for NOTHING.
They say the past is not necessarily an indicator of future events, but the first time the NegCom entered negotiations with AMPTP, one proposal (i.e., DVDs) was given up in exchange for NOTHING. This time, TWO proposals (i.e., reality and animation) were given up in exchange for NOTHING.
Perhaps, it is good that negotiations are ending soon. That way, the NegCom is prevented from giving MORE proposals away for NOTHING.
For those who will be regularly repaying the amount of a strike loan, ask yourself if the deal that is made is worth the amounts that you write on those checks. If it isn’t, remember the people that asked you for a strike and then didn’t deliver on it.
Comment by Fair Deal Wanted, NOT "Face-Saving" — January 26, 2008 @ 10:36 am
Wow Guys, love her when she does what you like and then tell her to shut up when it doesn’t serve your purposes.
Nikki’s always proved she’s no one’s tool. It’s why she’s about the only one giving truth on the strike. She’s not going to be ANYBODY’S tool though. If you want a hack who does your will, ask the Producer’s for a reference.
Comment by Andy Lawler — January 26, 2008 @ 10:40 am
I don’t think anyone is talking about granting waivers to the Oscars. I think all this means is that the strike will be over in time for the Oscars. The thing is, right now the Oscars is your leverage (along with the possibility of saving some of the season). Use it to get the best deal you can or else I think the Studios will back off again until SAG is up. This is the time to make a deal. It may not be the deal everyone wants but I think Veronne and Co. can pull of something you can live with.
And in Nikki’s defense, while I wish she’d keep quiet, she’s not one of you guys, she’s a journalist. She reports the news and it’s up to her to decide if it’s newsworthy or not. We all don’t have to come here every ten seconds
Comment by freelance worker bee — January 26, 2008 @ 10:57 am
Actually, a media blackout means that neither party should talk the media, not that the media shouldn’t try to gather news. Nikki is doing her job. That’s what a free press is all about.
That said, I don’t believe a word of it, and won’t until the leadership shows us a deal worth voting on.
And Brian, you’re dead wrong. The only thing worse than staying out on strike after three long months would be to cave into a bad deal after three long months.
Comment by remember 88 — January 26, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
Again, patience. Wait until a deal is announced. THEN hit these boards to debate the merits of it and vote it up or down. WGA negotiators are well-motivated to make a good deal, and the AMPTP I’m guessing is coming to understand the general membership won’t roll over for a lousy deal, no matter what the negotiators say.
As for the Oscars, not to put too fine a point on it, but really that’s not the writers’ problem, and nobody else should be allowed to make it the writers’ problem.
Comment by mheister — January 26, 2008 @ 3:06 pm
Hopefully, when it comes time to vote, “the best deal” will be the one that’s best for the WGA members and NOT the one that sticks it the most to the AMPTP. A lot of the most shrill posters (here, and at UH, in all topics) seem to be losing sight of the goal. We need a “best deal possible,” not NOW LET’S SCREW THE AMPTP!!! revenge.
Comment by MNL — January 26, 2008 @ 3:07 pm
for those of you who are bitter about nikki reporting. OMG!!! First off why are you on the site if you think what she is doing is wrong??? 2nd she is writing what she hears not what is coming from the meeting or whatever you wanna call it. Stop being so negative and RUDE… If wasn’t for some of ya’ll we would not be in this predicament. Im a below the line worker and Im not getting residuals I just want my job back. Nikki keep doing what you are doing. There are those of us who appreciate you
Comment by unreal — January 26, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
What’s all this about Nikki should respect the media blackout, or “shut up for a little while?” Who do you all think she works for? The media blackout applies to participants, not journalists.
Comment by nsr — January 26, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
Come on everyone. Nikki did not agree to a media blackout. The two sides of the conflict did. If one side broke with that and talked to Nikki, it’s her responsibility as a journalist to report it. She has no obligation to honor the blackout.
Nikki, go ahead and report whatever information you get. You’re not breaking any rules.
Comment by E. Left — January 26, 2008 @ 8:23 pm
I concur. “It has to be the right deal” is right.
–> 0Day Residuals <—
I won’t vote “yes” for less.
Cheers.
Comment by WGA Writer — January 26, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
First, and most important, glad you are feeling better Nikki.
Second, I support the writers as thier demands are quite reasonable.
Third, I hope that LOST is able to air its full season. With all due respect to the WIRE, DEXTER, HOUSE, and a few other programs, LOST is the best and most unique program on television. Whatever it started as, it has become a sort of 100 episode tele-mystery novel with an international cast/settings.
Fourth, I agree with several other posters — no waiver for the Oscars without a finalized, signed, deal. If the Oscars are so important, I wonder why the strike did not start about now so as to create more leverage?
Comment by Jack B. — January 27, 2008 @ 7:26 am
The shill-calling on this board is sociologically fascinating. I was called a shill for suggesting that the DGA might make a deal which some WGA members found unpalatable. Which turned out to be true. I was also called a shill for using Nexis to drum up some financial figures, which made me, I guess, suspiciously well-informed.
Now, people are getting called shills for saying ‘take the DGA deal.’ Other people, such as Michael above, are getting called shills for saying ‘don’t take the DGA deal, hold out for something a lot better.’ It’s like Goldilocks and the Three Bears or something– you have to be ‘just right’ to not be accused of being a shill.
It’s really sad. As a fairly new WGA member, I’m disappointed by this level of political discourse.
Comment by Mike — January 27, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
Folks,
Don’t be surprised if talks are on the verge of breaking down. Notice that Nikki’s is on the AMPTP side:
“Yesterday Chernin, ensconced in the Fox commissary surrounded by some of his execs — including Tom Rothman, Peter Liguori, and Hutch Parker — was reassuring people, “Don’t worry. It’s done.”
Clearly this wasn’t ‘overheard’ by a WGA member. So, this info comes from the AMPTP and is not valid. Be prepared to get crushed again next week.
Be prepared to blame the AMPTP and not the WGA leadership. These guys have tried in vain to negotiate a fair deal. The companies do not want a fair deal. They want us all pissed off at the leasership. They want us to believe that if we take a DGA type deal now, that we’ll get it, and we will, but at what cost? Our Pensions? Our livelihood? Our union. The AMPTP doesn’t care about us, our families or our union. They want to destroy us.
Stand strong. Support your leadership and hold out for a FAIR deal… not the BEST deal. The best FAIR deal.
Peace and see you on the line… I will see you all on the line, right? I mean, 91% of us voted for the strike and for anyone thinking this thing would last shorter than three months, you were deluding yourself.
Comment by patience — January 27, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Um, anyone realize that if Nikki is getting the scoop then SOMEONE (likely WGA) is NOT adhereing to the press blackout which could thus royally fuck things up with the AMPTP pointing fingers at the WGA for trying to screw up the deal which only gives the AMPTP more wriggle room to walk out again?
Nikki, if there’s a press blackout, for Christ’s sake, don’t let the children run up to you and pull on your skirt to tattle.
Comment by Jsaon Broadhead — January 27, 2008 @ 12:53 pm
You people defending Nikki posting during the “blackout” clearly don’t understand the AMPTP’s media strategy. THEY dictate these blackouts, not the WGA. There’s a reason for that. Because they can “leak” anything they want and the WGA can’t so much as send out an email to clarify or correct. It fucked us up last time and it could fuck us up again.
Yes, she has the RIGHT to post anything she wants. I have the RIGHT to do a lot of things I chose not to do when I think it might have a detrimental effect on something I care about.
Comment by Ted Striker — January 27, 2008 @ 1:18 pm
Prediction: in a couple weeks the WGA leaders are going to announce a deal has been made and we will be asked to ratify something that is pitched to us as a good deal; in reality this deal will be slightly better than what the directors got, but amount to a significant rollback on residuals.
WGA members, by a narrow to moderate margin, will vote not to ratify. The strike will continue until our SAG brothers and sisters join us in June, at which point we’ll finally be presented with something worthwile and the damn strike will end.
oh, and I’m pretty sure the AMPTP shills have a new tactic. they’re now going into these message boards and posing as disgruntled BTLers.
Comment by Robin T. — January 27, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
I am still not over authorizing a strike that was going to increase my DVD residuals and then having that be dropped in exchange for exactly jack shit. Nor am I over dropping animation in exchange for jack shit.
I will not ratify a bad deal. Nor will I vote for a face-saving deal. I will only vote for a deal that secures fair residuals for my work across all media.
If the leaders on both sides want this settled by the Oscars, then they should know that they have to present the WGA membership with something that we have a very good reason to sign off on.
Comment by max — January 27, 2008 @ 6:02 pm
i wish many of you guild posters would move into other fields. the imperative of what we do should be the art of it, not the money. why grant a waiver to the Oscars? because this years crop reps the best year of films a decade and the Oscars present a chance to cement breakthrough cinema like TBBB and No Country for Old Men and Diving Bell. seems this strike is willing to strangle the industry to sustain the mediocre in the guild. art house directors routinely put their fees into their productions because the art is more important. maybe some of that spirit when it comes to voting on the impending deal could come in handy?
Comment by foreign writer/director — January 27, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
Robin, I think that crystal ball of yours is actually a bowling ball. Might want to look into that before you and your cronies make even more of a fool of yourselves by calling everyone under the sun a shill based on that bubble gum stuck to the side of your bowling ball. It would actually make sense if you were consistent in who you called a shill instead of just screaming it at random like someone suffering from Tourettes.
Comment by Sherilyn — January 27, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
Hey Robin T.
Gee, sounds like you’ve got it all figured out right down to calling anyone who really might be a BTL or put up a different opinion a shill. To me you sound like a another part time writer with strike fever who can strike forever because of your other income stream.
This is not a game - this is our lives at stake. I always have supported labor since I am third generation IBT and damn proud of it. I find your “strike forever” attitude very insulting. All strikes end with a face saving offer for both sides and never an apology from either side. A deal is not a game - it is a deal to go back to work.
BTL 399
Comment by TranspoBill — January 27, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
Robin T. –
Your prediction about the deal we will be presented with is probably correct — it will be slightly better than the one made with the DGA. However, you’re wrong about the ensuing vote. If Verrone and the WGA Board recommend that it be approved, the membership will approve it. I know several of these people quite well, and if they recommend the deal be approved it will be because they believe it’s the best we’re gonna do without fracturing the Guild in a strike that could last until the end of the year.
Comment by A — January 27, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
No, the AMPTP shills’ new tactic is on display in the post above by the person signing off as “you make me puke.” They are still pushing the concept that there’s a group of 30 or so angry WGA members who are not united with leadership, and have organized themselves. This post attempts to reinforce that fantasy. However, as Paul Haggis has pointed out over at United Hollywood.com, no one can name any of these supposed A-listers, nor have they named themselves. This has not even happened on a rumor basis, because as soon as a name is rumored, that person will come forward and state their support of leadership - has has Mr. Haggis.
Comment by George — January 27, 2008 @ 7:42 pm
I am NOT a shill, although I’m sure Nikki must think so as my viewpoint is virtually never allowed to be put up on this “fair/impartial” board. I work in the industry and have watched it be ripped apart by this strike. And I blame the writers, plain and simple. No, I don’t always side with the studio I work for, but in this instance, they are right. The writers need a slap of reality to the face. I love how people are praising them for taking Reality and Animation off the table when it was the writers who put it there last second anyway. The writers always talk about how without them, nothing would ever happen in this industry. Really? Hmmm, lets take away the crews who work to put the shows together, all the thousands of other people who work in the biz. Let’s see the writers do all the rest of the work!
GET OVER YOURSELVES!!!!! We ALL are responsible for what gets on tv and in the theaters. We ALL are suffering for your arrogance. NOTHING would happen if it weren’t for everyone, NOT just the writers.
Comment by Below The Line — January 27, 2008 @ 8:03 pm
It’s becoming increasingly clear that the “militant” WGA members represent “television” writers. They want the “best” deal that they can get on internet residuals because they are watching helplessly as their media outlet (bad TV) disintegrates with each passing day. Get over it.
Comment by Phil the Shill — January 27, 2008 @ 8:17 pm
Don’t mean to be a downer, but the commenter named patience posted the same grumblings as my gut. I don’t believe this will be over soon.
I do hope, however, it’s not because our leaders have buckled and we are forced to vote against a crappy deal.
I will not vote for a bad deal. I will strike until the end of time. Or I guess my time, anyway.
Comment by big sigh — January 27, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
For crying out loud, enough with the shill-calling already. If someone doesn’t agree with you guys totally and 100% on every point, they’re called a shill. As ‘Mike’ said earlier, if someone says, “take the DGA deal,” they’re a shill. If someone says, “don’t take the DGA deal,” they’re a shill. These stupid accusations have grown so very tiresome. It’s grown increasingly difficult to muster even a bit of sympathy or support for a group who is so clearly against anyone having their own thoughts and opinions.
Comment by So very disgusted... — January 27, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
A deal will be made soon. Both sides will claim victory. That’s the only way strikes ever end.
The deal will be okay. It won’t be everything the WGA asked for, but some of our “massive rollback” talk was almost as intellectually dishonest as the AMPTP’s “facts and figures.”
Well, almost. Okay, not THAT dishonest. But the WGA was wrong to create the idea among its membership that earning network primetime residuals on a revenue stream that hasn’t even begun to approach 5% of network advertising $ is what we were actually looking for. It never was. In reality, we’re looking for a piece of it, for jurisdiction, and the ability to claim a reasonable rate for the cash flow when it DOES start to add up to significant bucks.
We’ll get that, I’m pretty sure. And I don’t think we would have if we hadn’t gone on strike. But all that talk of the “percentage rollback” we’re suffering based on what the current broadcast rate is… well, that just creates hotheads like Michael, above.
—
If the AMPTP had one legitimate point in all of this mess, it’s that the studios need to maintain their ability to be complete morons when it comes to doing business online.
They need the freedom to fail with an unlimited number of Hulu.com’s without paying network residuals for each and every shitty, stupid venture. I’m pretty sure the deal we’ll get (and I think it’ll be soon) will allow them this.
And fail they will. They do not understand the web, and they are overburdened with lawyers who insist on unworkable business models that they believe will “protect” them.
Sooner or later the studios will figure it out, because they are monkeys with a near-infinite number of typewriters. They’ll stop trying to create web “destinations,” and instead create massively distributable “YouTube”-like videos with embedded advertising. So that shows can be streamed through anyone’s websites but will stream directly from network servers, allowing an accurate viewer count which will make it possible to charge gigantic advertising rates for popular shows. Which will make the money they make from advertising non-concealable. Which will allow us writers to get a decent rate that will be just like our TV rate: A dollar amount that reflects a certain level of advertising - not a percentage.
Maybe I’ll catch hell for posting all this, but… whatever. I’m a dues-paying, line-walking member exercising some free speech! And I do think the strike will prove to have been a success. And soon. Courage!
Comment by Adam — January 27, 2008 @ 8:56 pm
Folks, this is getting out of hand. And silly.
Everyone is throwing the “shill” moniker around whenever they don’t like a point.
Now, you go attacking BTL people here, saying they’re shills. I have news for you - they’re not. They are pissed off at being out of work. They are pissed off at the childish conduct and sanctimonious rhetoric of both sides. They are victims. Lay off. Grow the f*** up, people.
The WGA leadership is reaping what it has sowed. They set up the AMPTP as the monsters. Now they have to negotiate with the monsters. They have whipped the members into a frenzy, the mistrust and dehumanizing they wielded is now backfiring.
Comment by DGALP — January 27, 2008 @ 10:03 pm
I also hear from an attorney who has been sitting in on the talks that it is as good as done and that within three weeks there will be resolution.
Comment by zagyzebra — January 27, 2008 @ 10:39 pm
What a strange collection of people. Half of you not only spend your time repeating the same tired old lines that you think make you a stong unionist, you spend your remaining time accusing everyone with a different position of being a paid shill.
Such paranoia, in all my years as a union official I probably only met one or two of your kind, but here it’s like every second or so poster.
That informal talks are going on is a good thing, should the WGA and AMPTP come up with a deal, it probably would be in the best interest of the membership to ratify it. It would mean the negotiating team feels that it is the best deal possible at this time. When the time comes your negotiating team will give you a recommendation, having been there myself, what they recommend is going to be based on how they view negotiations.
Anyway, for those paranoid WGA members out there, check twice under your bed tonight, there could be shills there.
Comment by Chips Down — January 28, 2008 @ 1:43 am
Why is it the AMPTP that is leaking? It COULD be the WGA’s strategy to leak the info also. The WGA is not so innocent! You guys are so funny! That you can’t see that the AMPTP and the WGA are two sides of the same coin is hilarious. The writers are pawns in a pissing contest. The SAG will not strike with you, just as the DGA did not. Meanwhile, reality TV will take over - unscripted TV is the norm in most of the world and will be here also - and you guys are sealing the fate of US tv. Take the deal, and negotiate for more individually.
Comment by A fan — January 28, 2008 @ 3:29 am
The networks/studios will “let the WGA leadership have a face-saving victory?” GIVE ME AN F’ING BREAK. So they’re the sheep herders while the WGA leaders are the sheep? Let’s be clear: THE STUDIOS/NETS ARE NOT LETTING THE WGA LEADERSHIP DO ANYTHING. One, the studios/nets don’t control the WGA and two, they’re fighting hard and relentlessly with consistently dirty tactics. A press blackout? What press blackout? - the studios/nets have the biggest trade in town in their backpocket and we all know who that is. They say/spin exactly what they want through that trade, claiming there’s this huge group of dissatisfied writers even though nobody knows who they are. Nikii Finke is THE ONLY PERSON PROVIDING THE WRITERS WITH AN HONEST VOICE. If the studios/nets succeed in silencing her most writers will never know the straight dope. The WGA should not fall for/succumb to these tactics. In fact, the WGA should rethink something else: It was a mistake to take reality and animation off the table. The WGA did that as “a show of good faith.” Why on earth? Because there’s so much good faith being demonstrated on the other end?? My advice: Put reality and animation back on the table. Then if the WGA wins it gives them more strength. If the WGA eventually concedes that point then so be it but in the interim it will be a very effective bargaining chip. Don’t give the studios/nets anything. They’ll use it against you and continue to fight dirty.
Comment by Mike Lucas — January 28, 2008 @ 9:15 am
Robin, find some BTLer’s, and talk to them. See how much support for your strike you find, and get back to us.
Looking at the Oscars as leverage is just another pipe dream. A deal will be made when both sides agree to it, and no amount of blog posting, secret whispers, or name calling on line will change that.
Comment by frustrated — January 28, 2008 @ 9:18 am
“oh, and I’m pretty sure the AMPTP shills have a new tactic. they’re now going into these message boards and posing as disgruntled BTLers.”
Because BTLs who are looking at losing houses, ruined finances and stand to gain nothing from this strike are shilling for the studios if they dare show any displeasure to this whole situation? Nobody is saying don’t fight for yours, but at least show a little awareness to what’s happening as a result.
I will be very curious to see the dynamic between writers and the rest of the show crews when this all wraps up.
Comment by Anonymous — January 28, 2008 @ 9:30 am
Nikki Finke runs a blog. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. Simple.
Without going into it, we all know the purpose of a blog. If you don’t trust Nikki’s posting, nor the LA Times, nor Variety; and you’re convinced the world is against the WGA, then figure out a way to get your news; or wait for your leaders to send you updates.
In the meantime, please don’t spit hate at Nikki. Half the town has turned against the writers at this point. Makes one wonder why . . .
This ain’t a religious movement. It’s about money.
Please remember that.
IT’S ABOUT MONEY!!!!!!!
Comment by Give me a break — January 28, 2008 @ 9:36 am
It seems to me that the writers don’t want to end it. They are waiting for their brothers in arms. Go ahead and wait. The AMPTP will make a deal with SAG first and where will that leave the WGA. On the outside looking in. Oh and be careful that is doesn’t look like collusion between two unions that will be looked at. The end game may not turn out the way you want.
Comment by just a thought — January 28, 2008 @ 10:03 am
We are being ignorant. Nikki is just doing her job. Fools.
Comment by phil dale — January 28, 2008 @ 11:05 am
yeah, sure, with three months lost wages, a housing market in free fall and a recession already on us, writers are going ‘by a narrow margin’ to reject a deal…please out that crack pipe down before posting, Robin T.
Comment by skeptic — January 28, 2008 @ 11:51 am
Do you really think the AMPTP is going to get on blogs and message boards and post comments to rile people up? They’ve got things they’d rather be doing. Gimme a break. I’m 100 percent behind the writer’s…but stop with the conspiracy crap.
Keep striking if you have to until you get a fair deal, but keep a positive attitude and don’t kill a deal before you even find out what the deal is. You’re just dooming yourself.
A TV viewer that’s tired of the strike…
Comment by Aren't you strikers supposed to be picketing instead of gossiping? — January 28, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
Nikki, ignore these calls to support the blackout
Comment by Tony — January 28, 2008 @ 12:54 pm
I don’t even work in the industry, and it is apparent to me that the AMPTP will strangle their own business if they don’t come to an agreement with the writers quickly. They actual accelerated the introduction of more of the same garbage reality, lack of talent, and diminished capacity contestant shows during the strike
that anyone who has the mental capability of reading a newspaper abhors. I can’t speak for anyone else (other than most people I know), but I have cut my viewing by about 2/3 and have been getting my entertainment elsewhere until intelligent scripted content shows up on my screen again. I would guess I am not alone in this view, and would venture that if scripted TV continues to stay dark, newer entertainment models will quickly spring up from other sources that will make current TV franchises look like a sub-prime loan company.
Comment by Mr wrong — January 28, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
This strike is ridiculous already. I’m in support of the writers and want them to get back to work, but their leadership has failed them. Writers (at least the working ones) will never recoup their lost overall deal/script/show fees from any new deal internet residuals they will get. Nor will they get their overall deals back til next development season. Their leaders have wanted to strike since months before their term was up, and neglected to spend the money in research to back up their demands like the DGA has done. They made a deal in FIVE DAYS, 6 months BEFORE their term was even done. So shortsighted, now they’ll have to come back to the table with their tales between their legs. Just poor leadership. In addition, when crap like American Gladiators doubles scripted show numbers like Chuck, you can bet that their will be less job ops for them in the near future. So sad.
Comment by jonze — January 28, 2008 @ 2:02 pm
This whole thing was over as soon as the DGA and AMPTP announced their deal.
We will get the DGA *plus.
Plus some “face-saving” trinkets that Verrone can hold up to his union and claim that he “bettered” the deal.
Separated Rights better be one of those trinkets.
These responses would be funny if they weren’t so destructive and ignorant. I’m ashamed of so many of my fellow WGA members. Far too many of you people who are talking about striking for “the win” have no clue what you’re talking about. You don’t understand how the TV business is run and you have not bothered to do any research into where the internet or new media is heading.
You don’t understand the basics of negotiating. Like when you make your first ask, it is not your final offer. The WGA cannot demand that the AMPTP take the interim deals because that was our first ask. The interim deals are meaningless. Companies signed them because they know they will be superceded by the subsequent deal the guild makes with the AMPTP.
We will never get our first ask from the AMPTP.
The WGA leadership was told early on by some members, that the DGA would come in before them, negotiate a deal and that they would have to use that as a template. The WGA leadership never gave any thought about how to deal with this scenario.
What I take away from all these comments about “winning” the negotiations is that there a lot of people here who have found the strike to be their raison d’etre. They have become invested in clinging to “all or nothing” demands because they know it will perpetuate the strike.
Folks, you can like it or lump it.
But we’re getting DGA Deal 2.0
And the strike will be over.
Comment by Kit Sargent — January 28, 2008 @ 2:14 pm
Actually the AMPTP has a contract with a company in Bagalore India. They’ve moved all “shill” postings off-shore. The rumor is they’ll be outsourcing “Lost” scripts next.
Comment by email mill — January 28, 2008 @ 2:35 pm
Oh no,I am quite sure these are real below the liners.
I sincerely hope the Writer’s don’t think that we actually want this strike to continue much longer and certainly not until June.
I am sure no one is looking forward to losing there homes,selling there cars or posessions just so we can survive through this strike.
Yes,most everyone I have spoken with feels the Writers deserve a fair deal and hopefully will get just that.
At the same time we that are below the line are truly sweating this out and praying for a quick conclusion.
Best of luck to all the Writers,I do hope you get what you deserve,and for all others working and presently not workig in the Industry,hopefully we will all be back working A.S.A.P.
Sincerly,legitimate below-the-liner.
Comment by Dale — January 28, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
Jsaon Broadhead wrote:
“Um, anyone realize that if Nikki is getting the scoop then SOMEONE (likely WGA) is NOT adhereing to the press blackout which could thus royally fuck things up with the AMPTP pointing fingers at the WGA for trying to screw up the deal which only gives the AMPTP more wriggle room to walk out again?”
For some reason, I do not think a WGA member was at Chernin’s table at the FOX commissary.
Comment by supporter of all unions — January 28, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
“oh, and I’m pretty sure the AMPTP shills have a new tactic. they’re now going into these message boards and posing as disgruntled BTLers.”
I’ve never posted on this board but the arrogance of the above statement, not the first of it’s type i’ve seen here, couldn’t go
unanswered. We know from past experience on set and on IATSE
picket lines that we BTL’s are invisible drones to most of you. So you seem to find it unthinkable we that don’t all suck up to you with fawning words of support. The Iraq war analogy that Bill Maher used in reference to the strike is spot-on. We support the troops but not the timing or tactics of the war. And for our dissent we’re labeled “shills”..an example of a Bushian arrogance that shows no tolerance for disagreement.
There’s no big strike-relief benefits being held for us…and a BTL’s wage doesn’t go as far as some of you seem to imagine. Not long
enough to weather a possible 6-month strike. We are tired of the breast-beating and posturing on both sides. The effects of this will be
felt on sets for quite a while. We may look anonymous from your chair
in video village..but we have memories like elephants. And we will
remember the offhanded contempt shown towards us by posters like the one above.
–a real genuine camera assistant-not a “shill” for anyone..
Comment by patrick 600 — January 28, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
egos battling egos while the btl little people get screwed. can any of you (working)writers name even half a dozen of your crew people that you profess to be fighting for? i understand that the residuals pay into iatse retirement funds, but tell that to the grips/electricians/caterers/script supervisors/ETC that are scrambling to make ends meet THIS MONTH.
bunch of coffee shop bozos, get over yourselves. Most of the wga is not working in the industry, and doesn’t know how it works. The strike has hurt a lot of hard working people. Get ready for the backlash. The only people that go on strike any more are professional athletes and other highly paid people who can AFFORD to go on strike. You are not the people building the railroads,for gods sake. And you are always free to negotiate better deals, just as soon as one of yr shows gets picked. The producers are going to punish you and make examples of you like spoiled brats. You are all like the temper tantrum little kids in target that throw a big fit and are just begging for a smack to the bottom. You should not have struck in the first place, the strike is not working.
THANKS A LOT, WRITERS. YOUR FRIENDLY LOCAL IATSE MEMBER.
Comment by trm728 — January 28, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
Some of you need to look up the meaning of the word “shill” because you have no fucking clue. If those of us that “disagree” with you were gettting a paycheck we wouldn’t be here, we’d be out making a living. Now go put your tinfoil hats back on.
Comment by RealityBites — January 28, 2008 @ 9:44 pm
I’m so sick of hearing about the writers strike all of you people are the same. You want world solidarity over your rights and what you are ore are not getting because you feel entitled to it. And who knows maybe you are and when your satisfied you go back to work writing the plots to our many sources of crap tv. But when it comes to you supporting a cause that you remain unaffected by. Not a one of you does a single thing to help.
for instance observation of Workers Memorial Day {April 28} Everyday there are more and more people dying in preventable workplace tragedies in all professions thousands every year families torn apart and heaven forbid if they look to you to make room within your shitcoms for anything important. More workers have died in preventable incidents in America that soldiers have died in all the U.S. wars combined
Comment by Justice Seeker — February 18, 2008 @ 5:50 am