(...keep refreshing for latest... I'll file more after dinner...)
Photos of strikers at the Paramount gate...
Robert Patrick and Max Martini of The Unit were at CBS picketing with their writing staff. The strikers all sang "Happy Birthday" to Patrick.
Ellen DeGeneres was a no-show Monday for filming of her daytime talk show. "Ellen did not go to work today in support of her writers," her flack Kelly Bush told reporters. New episodes of The Ellen DeGeneres Show that were filmed before the strike were set to air through Tuesday. After that...?
WGA East strikers displayed a giant inflatable rat as picketers shouted: "No contract, no shows!" Walking the line in NYC were Tom Fontana, Kevin Wade, Adam Brooks, Warren Leight, John Patric Shanley, Jon Robin Baitz, Charlie Rubin, Tina Fey, Eric Overmyer, Doug McGrath, and many writers from the staff of Conan, the staff of John Stewart, the staff of Colbert, the staff of SNL (inluding several performers), the staff of Letterman, the staff of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, the New York staff of Law & Order, the staff of Monk and on and on and on.
Nick Counter, prez of AMPTP told reporters today: "We're hunkered down for a long one."
Jon Avnet walked the picket line at Sony.
UPDATE: Others saying Journeyman did not suspend today.
UPDATE: I've just been told that CBS/Paramount is thus far the only studio to send out letters suspending all TV deals not currently in production. Warners, 20th, Sony etc are said to be individually meeting about their options.
Rachel Griffiths (Brothers & Sisters) and a castmate rode their bikes from inside the Disney lot to the Riverside Gate and said they were there to do a Starbucks run for the picketing writers. They took individual orders and returned with free coffee for several writers along with sunscreen and baseball caps.
From inside the mogul camp: There are no negotiations scheduled or even planned between AMPTP or WGA in the near future. From my own reporting, the Hollywood CEOs are still really, really pissed that, after asking for the walkout to be suspended while the talks continued, the WGA negotiators never told them that the East had gone out on strike. The moguls worked the phones until 9:30 am Pacific time last night keeping track of the talks progress -- until they heard the strike had begun. "We can't trust them anymore," an insider told me. "How do you negotiate with people you can't trust?" Then the talks stopped, and the dueling statements began. The moguls are convinced they were played all Sunday and that nothing would have deterred Patric Verrone or Dave Young from a strike agenda. So there you have the moguls' viewpoint.
At Fox, Diane English, Jim Brooks and Callie Khouri were all picketing as well as actors Peter MacNichol (Numbers), David Boreanaz (Bones), Lorraine Newman (ex-SNL), and Anne Dudek and Olivia Wilde from House. "It was a great first day," one writer told me tonight. "By Friday, I promise you, I'm not going to be so enamored of it."
"Hey Nikki: This is a picture of the shoe belonging to the guy that was run over this morning at Sunset and Gower. The chalk is from the police markings of the 'crime scene'. The writer was taken to Cedars. We don't know how he's doing, but his shoe looks pretty damaged. We just hope his toes were not as badly twisted.
Best, WGA picketer at Sunset Gower."
I just received a firm denial of a rumor flying around that, instead of crossing the picket line, a major showrunner of two McPopular ABC shows is relocating her offices off lot to continue her duties while other showrunners refuse to work. A Shonda Rhimes insider told me a second ago: "No. She's standing tall with the other showrunners."
WGA just announced this from Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama:
"I stand with the writers. The Guild's demand is a test of whether media corporations are going to give writers a fair share of the wealth their work creates or continue concentrating profits in the hands of their executives. I urge the producers to work with the writers so that everyone can get back to work."
Agent just told me NBC's Journeyman shut down today.
Also on the morning picketing shift at Sony: multi-hyphenate mogul Judd Apatow ("who had a group of younger comedy writers seem this close to pitching him ideas"), showrunners Mike Schiff and Bill Martin, who created Grounded for Life and now run ABC's Cavemen which is filmed on the Sony lot.
I hear that at Paramount, Billy Baldwin (ABC's Dirty Sexy Money) and America
Ferrera (ABC's Ugly Betty) joined the line. Vanessa Williams brought picketers snacks.
From a picketer: "You walk the line and you share stories, share biographies, hear the circuitous routes that people took to get here, simply because they love telling stories. My feet hurt, but my heart doesn't."
Rumors that all TV term deals not currently in production have just been suspended at all television studios in town. Supposedly support staff and everyone else have until the end of the day today to clear out. I'm trying to confirm...
I'm told that today at noon inside Petes Coffee Brentwood, two separate guys working on Final Draft for the whole world to see on their laptops at the window facing the line of people waiting to pay got nothing but dirty looks. Hilarious. So now writing in public is verboten and everyone has to do it in the privacy of their own homes?
Reports of studio strikers staying in the street on the "walk" signal for as long as it lasts to delay cars trying to enter the studio. Sounds like a "bit" from someone's script.
Paul Haggis walking the picket line during the morning shift at Sony, the studio that's paying him $4+ million (rumored near $5 mil) for the new Bond script. Then again, screenwriters were told to picket their primary place of employment ... or else.
You know that report I cited earlier that Jon Stewart is paying his writers' salaries during the first two weeks of the strike out of his own pocket, for both The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, according to Portfolio.com? Well, his rep has denied it. That's right, denied it.
On the WGA east picket lines in NYC: John Leguizamo, Pulitzer Prize winner John Patrick Shanley, Tina Fey...
Buzz about what's going on at The Office. Rumors that the Teamsters are refusing to cross the picket line over at the studio there, and the show may shut down shooting. Word that both WGA members Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson did not show up today in support of the writers strike, so The Office had a short production day.
A picketing writer was hit by a car in Hollywood just hours into the strike, according to KABC-TV. A driver "basically said, 'Get the 'F' out of the way', and then hit the gas and just plowed into this guy," said writer Linda Berston, who witnessed the incident. "The group was just walking across the driveway, and the guy basically started running him over without giving him a chance to move out of the way."
This is what my reporting life might be like for the forseeable future unless this strike settles: WGA press bulletins announcing that CSI: Crime Scene Investigation's Marg Helgenberger is walking the picket line at Universal Studios lot "NOW" in support of the WGA strike.
Break.com is holding a $5,000 contest for all the striking WGA members to submit a video to Break.com. "With Break.com receiving close to 1.5 million guys watching over 12,000 videos on their site every day, it is the perfect place for WGA members to continue to distribute their passion project to millions of viewers!" Break.com is offering the $5K to the highest rated video from a writer officially on strike. The contest is open now. (Founded in 1998, Break.com claims to be the Internet's leading cross-platform, digital entertainment network offering funny, original short-form free videos and pictures to millions of Internet users and mobile subscribers around the world.)
I'm told there was a lot of action at CBS Radford and the WGA West picketing supposedly shut down Cane. Turns out the 2nd unit filming was moved due to noise , but Cane is still filming as scheduled. The brief shutdown came as about 20 writers chanted, screamed and used a bullhorn outside a cafe near the CBS lot in Studio City. So the location manager for the show hired two off-duty Los Angeles police officers and five private security guards to "maintain order". After they thought shooting was stopped, writers cheered and rejoined picketers around the corner at the studio.
Also I hear word that Julia Louis-Dreyfus walked from The New Adventures of Old Christine to join the writers picket line and may have shut down her show as a result. Her husband, of course, is writer and sometime showrunner Brad Hall.
Hot T-shirt for the picket lines: the one where Jon Stewart of The Daily Show imitating "the studios" by raising his hands like he's crazy and saying, "The internet - it's too new!!"
At Paramount, the early morning picketers were at the gates on Melrose, which are basically guest parking and executive parking. The Van Ness gate, which is where the rank-and-file workers and the trucks enter, was un-picketed. I'm told that picketing only on Melrose won't shut down a single production. Then the picketers arrived at Van Ness.
Actually, there’s quite a lot of strikers on Van Ness right now, and they’ve been there since the ayem.
Comment by inside looking out — November 5, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
Okay. Maybe I’m dumb but I don’t believe it’s too clear what you wrote about Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Are you saying she crossed the picket line and went to work or are you saying that she joined the writers? I’ve never liked her so if she crossed the picket line, it wouldn’t surprise me. But if she stood by the writers, I’d have to give her some respect for that.
Comment by Non WGA Writer — November 5, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
Thanks for your fantastic coverage of the strike. We tune in several times an hour. You are the best source for any and all information.
We assistants have a lot at stake as well!
Comment by Poor Assistant — November 5, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
You guys better dig in or be ready not to be happy. The nets are not going to give download $! If they give it to you, SAG and the DGA will get it. They are going to draw a line in the sand here.
Comment by exmgr — November 5, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
Cane is not shut down, the 2nd unit filming was moved due to noise from horns, but Cane is still filming, as scheduled.
We are a crew family, not WGA, and appreciate this site that has kept info flowing.
Comment by regardingCane — November 5, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
Picketing at Fox was very strong this morning, with at least 200 energetic souls showing up for the morning shift, and afternoon people also beginning to appear in droves.
But what’s this we’re hearing about a picketer being hit by a car entering the lot at Sunset-Gower?
Comment by julica — November 5, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
Yeah, great. The pickets show up at 9am. Fucking writers. What do they know from call times? The Teamster drivers are rolling onto the lots a couple of hours before that. If the writers want to win this thing, they’ll have to get out of bed when working people do.
Comment by Producer CC — November 5, 2007 @ 3:04 pm
Marg Helgenberger is an example of this, I wonder if any actors will join the strikes, that would really help speed the effect, as it means less episodes for the networks.
Comment by wamdue — November 5, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
Producer CC–
“Fucking Writer” here. There are reasons why we didn’t picket earlier — that the Teamsters knew about and ASKED us to do. Typical producer — you think you know everything but you in fact know nothing. See you on the picket lines.
Comment by Abby — November 5, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
Nikki,
Any talk on negotiations? Or how often they’ll meet at this point? Weekly? More?
Comment by Tim — November 5, 2007 @ 3:34 pm
Van Ness? Van Ness ???? My God, isn’t that where the riots were? Do show biz folk really hang out that far east? Good Grief, next thing we’ll hear writers on Wilton Place……
Comment by Maxine — November 5, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
“Producer CC” sounds young, ignorant and frustrated. Many hard-working and successful producers happen to be in full support of the strikers, thank you.
Comment by Concerned — November 5, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
It sucks being at the mercy of the “Producers”… that’s one of the reasons I enjoy(ed) being a writer… the idea of not having to deal with corporate bullshit. Maybe it’s time “we” rethink the Hollywood system. Bring it to its knees and then restructure it.
Comment by Paul — November 5, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
Dude, that Jon Stewart T-shirt sounds awesome. That’s better than “the series of tubes” shirts. I seriously need one.
Comment by lizriz — November 5, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
Spent the morning picketing at Disney and breathing in the diesel dust from the teamster’s trucks going in and out of the gate all day. As far as I could tell, it was business as usual. Naive to think it would be otherwise. Would we do the same for them? This is gonna be a long one.
Comment by Mad Hatter — November 5, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
I’m a non-WGA member, but joined the picket lines at Paramount this afternoon. Best line of the day was a woman driving out of Paramount in her Mercedes. She didn’t want to wait for the light to change and gave us a “You guys, I have carpool. Let me through.” And she plowed through the red shirts with apparently more important things to tend to.
Comment by Future guild member — November 5, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
Is it just me or does the photo of Tina Fey look like it’s from the opening montage of SNL from the 70s?
Comment by Peter — November 5, 2007 @ 4:12 pm
MAD HATTER.. You did do the same.. Cuz I breathed your fumes when I walked the picket line at the same studio 10 years ago and you were driving thru the gates.
Yes I am a teamster and yes I’ve been black listed for supporting your cause at your studio.. Disney filed a black list for any teamster who would’nt cross the line. So when your strike is over.. and you return to work .. The few Teamsters that supported the strike will not be invited back..
Comment by Anonymous — November 5, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
I don’t think the crosswalk the picketers stood in for the duration of the “walk” signal was the one in front of WB Gate 4. That light is notoriously quick and frequently leaves people stranded in the middle of the street as flashy sports cars and SUVs race by.
Comment by Douchezero — November 5, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
Considering that there are plenty of (mostly wannabe) screenwriters in town who aren’t in the Guild, and even Guild members are probably going to be working on their specs the three hours of the day they aren’t picketing, drunk, or asleep, hearing there’re laptops running Final Draft in Hollywood is like being surprised someone’s putting air in their tires during a UAW strike.
Comment by Non-union writer — November 5, 2007 @ 4:17 pm
RE: the writer’s at Peet’s Coffee…c’mon, you can’t expect struggling writers to give up their only way of picking up chicks…
As a producer, I’m not a fan of the strike (which will quickly produce the collateral damage of $500/week people living paycheck to paycheck), but I support the writers in this dispute. The line in the sand is really being drawn by the writers. If studios aren’t willing to pay the expenses that come with doing business (residuals in new media) then they shouldn’t be in business.
Comment by joeproducer — November 5, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
I work for a producer director on a term deal and i am still here! no talk of deals ending…
Comment by DISNEYwqorker — November 5, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
Unfortunately, the WGA’s contract forbids them to strike when they are under contract. The Teamsters are rare among unions in having a provision in their contract that allows them to observe/respect picket lines.
My grandfather founded a Teamster local in Philadelphia. He was a great man, a great union man. No day of my being a writer meant more to me the day I qualified to become a member of my Guild, in part because I grew up in a family that valued what unions had brought to this country.
On behalf of other writers, I thank any and all Teamsters who have respected our picket line. The same way that we supported you in your last contract — alone among the creative unions — so will we not forget your support for us during this battle.
A television writer
Comment by Anonymous — November 5, 2007 @ 4:36 pm
I guess working in reality television does have its advantages
Comment by nick — November 5, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
Anonymous: I hear you. That was a rhetorical “Would we have done the same for them?” As a writer trying to make a living and support my family, I totally understand why a teamster would drive onto that lot today. I’ll save my derision not for the teamsters but for the writers I heard in recent days who expected the teamsters to stay away, when they know in their heart of hearts they would have never done the same.
Comment by Mad Hatter — November 5, 2007 @ 4:44 pm
Nikki,
Your coverage has been fantastic, and everything today is much appreciated, however . . .
Just curious –
Any word whatsoever on the negotiations?
Comment by Steve — November 5, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
Just to add to most others’ opinions, Nikki, thanks for offering the truth on this major news. You are the lifeline in a constant sea of ignorance and spin. I study film academically but follow happenings in the industry closely. I’ve been aware of the issues creeping up of internet (re)use of episodes. As an American currently abroad, I appreciate your constant updates, Nikki (I was glued to my computer all weekend; this stuff was more suspenseful than any New Year’s or Season Finale). And I support YOU, my under-appreciated scribing friends, and I am on the picket line in spirit.
Comment by Blue Monday — November 5, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
Sadly, the Below-the-Line crew are the ones who will suffer the most. They don’t get residuals, internet money or a strike fund.
Some of us are at the living week-to-week stage and some are not, but we are the ones who are also out of work and will not get anything from this strike but hard feelings to the writers that cost us a way of living.
Yes, the IA & Teamsters deal with contract issues but tell me the last time THEY went out for 4-months or the last time they whined about not being paid enough.
Writers make 1,324/week, for example, on a television series. Don’t give me the “if it weren’t for us you’d have no show.” If you didn’t have a crew, actors or director you’d be writing scripts for your own enjoyment.
Comment by Below the Line — November 5, 2007 @ 5:06 pm
I can’t say that I condone “running someone over”, but if that person’s experience at Sunset Gower was anything like mine, I doubt the writer was trying to get out of the way.
Comment by Sunset Gower Worker — November 5, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
Writers on the picket line here are hitting cars as they enter/exit. Remember, there are a lot of productions here at SGS that have nothing to do with the WGA.
P.S. - Of course, it didn’t have to be that way. Way to go, WGA, on getting us reality writers into the fold!
Comment by Sunset Gower Worker — November 5, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
Of the photo from Sunset/Gower…
How ironic.
Nike.
It’s the single word uttered by Pheidippides after running non-stop to Athens from the battlefield at Marathon: “Victory.”
Comment by Dakkar- WGA Writer/Producer — November 5, 2007 @ 5:31 pm
I walked the picket line at Sony this morning (9am-1pm) and the turnout was great and many, many people honked their car horns for support. I have to grin when people say “get ready for a long one” because let’s be honest, no one knows. I won’t be surprised if it is over rather quickly or if it drags on into the new year, but the WGA is truly asking for something they totally deserve. No one wants to strike, many WGA members cannot afford a long strike but we have to do this. I just hope that they continue to try and negotiate and work this thing out. (The epsom salt inndustry will make lots of money from this strike - let’s admit it - writers arent usually the buff, in shape type and walking for 4 hours will send many to soak in a tub.)
Comment by skoonix — November 5, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
Mad Hatter.. Thanks for explaining… As a 399 member and fourth generation in the film industry..(I’m the only teamster in a line of producers LOL )I will support you and all that your guild is fighting for..
I’ve heard UPS (teamsters) is not crossing picket lines. So it’s not just film drivers standing with you..
Comment by TEAMSTER — November 5, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
Joining our group at Raleigh today… Ugly Betty. Thanks: I’ll support your show when this is all said and done. Vanessa Williams brought us snacks… and that was cool, too.
Kudos to the SAG folk who joined us as well.
And to you SAG people who say, “I support you guys!” as you cross the line on the way to your audition? Don’t. It makes you look really lame. Just pretend that you work on the lot… and keep moving.
Comment by BJS — November 5, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
wooo, my feet hurt.
Here’s the question I have for other writers — how many of you were approached by red shirted managers marching the line to poach writers?
Comment by tired feet soaking in a tub — November 5, 2007 @ 5:41 pm
Nick Counter stated on NPR this afternoon that successful writers make more money in a week than they stand to gain by striking for internet participation. To me, this illustrates the AMTPT’s total misunderstanding of the situation. Since they are motivated by greed, they believe everyone else is too. The truth is successful writers aren’t striking only for themselves, but for their fellow members — the majority whom fall somewhere between “struggling” and middle class. We’re not greedy, Nick, we just want what’s fair.
Comment by Will S. — November 5, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
I hope someone is sending that picture to all the news outlets.
Comment by JS — November 5, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
What the hell? WGAE said they were going to strike at midnight, and they did. What did they expect? The WGAE to call off the strike just because the companies were finally making minimal concessions? Utter BS. They can’t possibly believe what they’re saying.
Comment by some guy — November 5, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
Wait a minute. The moguls were suprised that their 11th hour stall tactic didn’t stop the strike? Even in light of the fact that they had put nothing real on the table? This isn’t about last minute talks on Sunday. This clock has been ticking for MONTHS. Maybe this was the only way to make sure they really heard it.
Comment by Steelo — November 5, 2007 @ 5:56 pm
I work on the disney lot and I went through the picket line. No things aren’t the same here its an odd sense of a family torn in two.
We have a son and dad on opposite sides. Those of us who only make 500/wk need paychecks. we don’t get residuals. If the writers want to support us then we will def be on that picket line. I do support writers and hop this ends quickly for everyones sake
Just want to say thanks to our cast for showing up and being part of the team
Comment by B&Screw — November 5, 2007 @ 5:56 pm
Ahem. The cast of this hit show I’ll soon be laid off from will be getting 1/2 checks for a while (six-eight weeks), then they’ll either be paid to keep them under contract or let go. (to do their movies.) Me? I’ll be laid off next week. No nuttin. I’m on episode 11, (s’posed to be 24) but I’ll bet I’m on the last ep of the season. I just wrote to the Guv, our Senators to get the hell busy to end this. I also wrote to Google, to pitch them the idea they pick up these shows when the networks dump them, produce them, give the writer’s what they want, and then stream them. What kind of ad dollars would McShow get if it were exclusive to the web? Prob as much as it does on TV. I think that Google should just ANNOUNCE they’re interested in that idea, and maybe it would scare the AMPTP shitless. And they’d settle. (pause) This is how a freaked out crew member tries to convince himself that EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY….
(repeat)
Comment by Julius Fort — November 5, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
“Nick Counter stated on NPR this afternoon that successful writers make more money in a week than they stand to gain by striking for internet participation.”
I am a young writer on a show full of veteran TV writers. They’ve told me all along during this that this is for ME. For the next generation’s writers, not for them.
If Nick thinks we’re in this for a zero sum, short term game, he’s wrong wrong wrong.
Comment by A Young Writer — November 5, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
“The moguls are convinced they were played all Sunday…”
Sorry but you must question their sincerity on this. It’s a blatant ploy to twist the media coverage in their favor.
Yes, technically it was after midnight but nobody was picketing yet, they had all just gone to bed! A good eight hours to go! Why wouldn’t they keep talking if progress was being made? Wouldn’t the goal be to get it done before morning? Or at worst, keep talking and maybe hold the strike to a day or two?
All of those scenarios make sense. Theirs does not.
The companies said DVD was a non-starter. We swallowed and took DVD off the table. That’s HUGE. Many writers pissed off about this.
The companies returned the favor by offering next to nothing and then walking out for no good reason.
Comment by Mike — November 5, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
these “moguls” are shrewd — evil but shrewd — they will keep zigging and zagging, distorting every incident to make themselves look reasonable while dragging this strike on until it suits the bottom line
don’t expect any genuine neg.s for a while — meanwhile, it’s effective to have other artists jump on board
there’s no rational reason why good faith negotiations couldn’t continue while a known, long scheduled strike kicks in — it’s not like the moguls were ambushed with a strike, but have had ample time to commence good faith negotiations — it was no accident Wells was brought in, made the moguls appear open minded, with a chance the guy might do in the writers a second time around
writers made a major concession on dvd’s yesterday to no avail — those negotiations were a sham.
hope the writers can steer the pr ship rather than be reactive to the moguls’ manipulative tactics — doing a good job so far, just need to sustain it
it’s the souls vs. the soulless
Comment by producers with conscience — November 5, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
I am speechless. I just wanted to vent at how appalled I am at the AMPTP for saying that they can’t trust the WGA at this point.
Verrone may have had a “strike at all costs mentality,” however if they did indeed pull DVD resids off of the table, and couldn’t get the AMPTP to move an inch on Internet, why on God’s green earth would they postpone or delay a strike. All of a sudden they can’t negotiate during a strike. This reeks of out and out bullshit on the side of the studios and networks. They want this strike, and if they could break the union they would.
Up until last night I thought both sides were just cock blocking each other, however the negotiating tactics of the CEOs are appalling. We’ll see in 6 weeks when the studios and networks can force majeure the shit out of the over-bloated producer/showrunner deals that haven’t produced squat, and then want to come back to the table.
This is all about cutting overhead. Nikki is right, this strike isn’t going to be settled by Verrone and Counter, this strike will end when Zucker, Redstone, Iger, etc…say this strike will end, and not a moment before.
Can’t negotiate with people they can’t trust…if that were true agents and studios would never be in negotiations with each other. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve negotiated with people I don’t trust, both in this line of work, and even buying a car….UNF’INGBELIEVABLE. Where were these guys the last 3 months…all of a sudden the AMPTP wants to negotiate…ARGH!!!!
Ridiculous.
Comment by Agentatanotheragency — November 5, 2007 @ 6:23 pm
I’m an actor that marched at CBS/Radford main gate. Support from folks passing by was high, and I was glad to see several other SAG members there.
I plan on going to work early so I can leave in time to give the WGA at least an hour each day…and until the AMPTP knows we ALL mean business.
By the way: TO SAG/AFTRA/AEA/WGA/TEAMSTERS: I’m one actor who has never crossed a picket line and never will.
Comment by Sam — November 5, 2007 @ 6:35 pm
The WGA called the AMPTP’s bluff last night when they pulled DVD’s off the table. Verrone and Young were prepared to make a deal if that was truly the big sticking point with the studios. But, it was the Guild who was played because the producers HAD NO INTENTION OF GIVING UP ONE F-ing DIME on internet streaming. If anyone needs any proof about how much money the studios stand to make, just look at how the studios are trying to protect their next cash cow from “greedy overpaid writers”. Ever since the days of LB Mayer, Darryl Zanuck, et al, moguls have been lying for a living.
Comment by MOGULS LIE 4 A LIVING — November 5, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
To all those that say this strike is for “the next generation of young writers”, well let me just put forth a little proposal. How about you offer that the new media residuals kick in starting in 2017, since this is for that next generation?
No takers? Hello…?
Please…I’m starting to gag again…you narcissists are looking out for numero uno and you know it.
Comment by Oh Please — November 5, 2007 @ 6:45 pm
Oh please –
While I think that a good portion of WGA members obviously want to receive compensation for their work, it makes sense that they are also looking out for the future. Plenty of writers have sacrificed in the past for things current membership enjoys now. But only a true narcissist wouldn’t understand that.
And btw, last time the WGA agreed to postpone the residual issue as it pertained to home video(in ‘88) they got screwed big time - no, they’re still getting screwed. They have to fight for new media NOW or risk losing that fight forever. If they don’t, there’s no way in hell that studios are going to give up a penny(hell they won’t give up a penny NOW!) when new media is more profitable in the future (and it will be).
Comment by Alex - the assistant/wannabe — November 5, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Is it me - or does the WGA West have much better looking picket signs? What’s up with the sharpie on the WGA East signs?
Comment by one of them there producers — November 5, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
Hollywood moguls to Barak Obama:
NO SOUP FOR YOU!
Comment by bob — November 5, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
if the big stars of network shows refused to show up to work, this would be over in a day.
Comment by land surveyor k — November 5, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
I’m truly surprised at the naivite of the writers.
It is very obvious the AMPTP wanted the strike.
And I cannot believe you guys are not asking yourselves why.
Do you really thinks it is because they just want to win the PR war? And they had NO IDEA that it will stop TV production? And if few weeks they will “cave”?
Truly? Do you really believe so?
Apparently nobody is foreseeing that this is their manouvre to sway the audience to the Internet where they have free range.
The AMPTP has no interest in keeping TV alive because of the residuals. So that’s how they’re killing it.
They have already told you so, but you didn’t pay any attention to it.
And yes, Counter said it will last a long time. And you should believe him.
So, go ahead, enjoy your Pyrrhic victory: gee, a 1000 of you woke up and showed up. (By the way, if you’re interested in winning the PR war, don’t have the rich and famous walk the pickets with you, it doesn’t gain you the sympathy of the public, you can at least grasp that concept, right?)
If I were you I’d be afraid. Very afraid.
But… carry on with your delusions.
See you in a month.
Comment by Anonymous — November 5, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
People keep making it out that the WGA is asking for “more.” Bullshit. We’re asking to keep things pretty much the way they’ve been for a long time. When you work on something successful, you get some residual payments. That’s not new. It’s not something made up for this strike. It’s not “more.” We’re asking to keep an existing system in place, but to modify it to include new distribution methods (internet and etc.)
Imagine going into your job and your boss telling you that he/she will be rolling back your pay and benefits, but he/she would like you to do the same job you always have. Would you take that or fight?
Comment by Schmuck w/o Underwood — November 5, 2007 @ 7:33 pm
“if the big stars of network shows refused to show up to work, this would be over in a day.”
Trouble is, they are all under contract and would get sued.
Comment by Will S. — November 5, 2007 @ 7:39 pm
I am always heartened to read the anti-writer posts like Anonymous @ 7:32. Because they are never noble. They are always malicious, deceitful, and nakedly evil. Anyone sitting on the fence is going to read our posts, then theirs, and realize that the WGA’s t-shirts might be red, but our lightsabers are blue.
Ah yes, residuals. Evil evil residuals. Of course, the goal of the AMPTP is to break the back of that horribly unprofitable $6 billion advertising market, broadcast television, because some story editor gets $8k when they rerun her episode of ‘Gossip Girl.’
7:32, you and your fellow industry shills need to huddle and come up with a better line to break our will. Because we know this fight is worth winning, and we know it’s winable.
Comment by Norm A. Rae — November 5, 2007 @ 8:13 pm
“If I were you I’d be afraid. Very afraid.”
Uh… afraid of what, Anonymous? Not working for six or seven months? Getting fired. Not having a job to go back to?
Happens all the time, bub. That’s the nature of our profession.
And the good ones will always work
I do know this: This town is filled with f’ing three year olds…
Comment by BJS — November 5, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
Actually, if you look at the WGAE signage, the top part is professionally designed, the bottom half is designed to spur creativity through sloganeering. So far, though, most are opting for the utilitarian “ON STRIKE” but every now and then you see a “PENS DOWN!” and whatnot.
Comment by Flickr watchr — November 5, 2007 @ 8:47 pm
Hey Anonymous (7:32pm)… Instead of trying your best to sound like Donald Sutherland’s character in JFK, why don’t you offer a solution? Or is your solution to simply cave in to whatever offer we get from the studios and be happy we got it?
And by the way Mr. Counter, your writing style is pretty transparent. We know it’s you.
Comment by A-Dub — November 5, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
Really? This is all about the the AMPTP killing one of their biggest sources of income to get unknown money from an unknown market. Yeah, brilliant analysis. Please continue to scare monger, it’s amusing.
Comment by Wow, anonymous is dumb — November 5, 2007 @ 9:27 pm
Honestly, “this is for you”, the younger writers…what B.S. The writers and showrunners that are successful today make money off their fees and (if REALLY successful) genuine equity in their shows and movies–not piddling residuals. If you are a writer and you literally need to support yourself via residuals, wake up and find another line of work–this one ain’t working out. This is madness, and I think the previous poster was right–AMPTP wanted this all along to dump deals and shows and force-feed the transition to new media. And you walked right into like Simple Simon…now we’ll all have to pay for it.
Comment by alex — November 5, 2007 @ 9:38 pm
These angry anti-writer posts puzzle me. Unless Bob Iger is working the nets, who are these people who feel like the wealth should all be kept at the top in this business?
It reminds me of the wingnuts that haunt the political boards, tirelessly fluffing the cause of the rich getting richer. And yet somehow I have a feeling they’re having trouble paying for their own health insurance.
If you are against the creative people in a creative industry, who are you for?
Comment by Ron — November 5, 2007 @ 9:50 pm
“WGA East strikers displayed a giant inflatable rat as picketers shouted: “No contract, no shows!” Walking the line in NYC [some names deleted] were Tom Fontana (’Homicide: Life On The Street’ and ‘The Wire’), Warren Leight (’Law & Order Criminal Intent’s showrunner), Charlie Rubin (’Law & Order Criminal Intent’ writer), Eric Overmyer (’Law & Order Criminal Intent’ producer),the staff of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, the New York staff of Law & Order, and many writers from the staff of Conan, the staff of Jon Stewart, the staff of Colbert, the staff of Monk and on and on and on.
I am so happy that so much of the Law & Order CI staff is out there on the picket lines as well as Tom Fontana and the staffs of Conan, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and Monk…all your shows rock, yes we fans will miss them if they go on hiatus but we understand why you are picketing and we support you.
If there’s a way for those of us who are active bloggers and participants in the shows online forums to help y’all out, let us know!
And thanks Nikki for blogging this…in the future you might want to put which shows or films the protestors are affilliated with so we fans can better support them
Comment by VDOVault — November 5, 2007 @ 9:51 pm
you tell ‘em, norm a. rae
anonymous 7:32 a laughable shill who needs spell check
Comment by producers with conscience — November 5, 2007 @ 10:30 pm
<>
i realize that. i think that if they did it en masse, they probably wouldn’t get sued. they’re going to sue sally field, and keifer sutherland and on and on, etc? all of them?
Comment by land surveyor k — November 5, 2007 @ 10:30 pm
Nikki, you wrote:
“the Hollywood CEOs are still really, really pissed that, after asking for the walkout to be suspended while the talks continued, the WGA negotiators never told them that the East had gone out on strike. The moguls worked the phones until 9:30 am Pacific time last night keeping track of the talks progress — until they heard the strike had begun. “We can’t trust them anymore,” an insider told me. “How do you negotiate with people you can’t trust?” Then the talks stopped, and the dueling statements began. The moguls are convinced they were played all Sunday and that nothing would have deterred Patric Verrone or Dave Young from a strike agenda. So there you have the moguls’ viewpoint.”
For an opposite view (from INSIDE the room), refer to Shawn Ryan’s letter you posted:
“I spent nearly 12 hours today in the Negotiation Room with the companies. I watched our side desperately try to make a deal. We gave up our request to increase revenue on DVD’s, something that was very painful to give up, but something we felt we had to in order to get a deal made in new media, which is our future.
I watched as the company’s representatives treated us horrendously, disrespectfully, and then walked out on us at 9:30 and then lied to the trades, claiming we had broken off negotiations.”
Just for the sake of fairness’n all.
Thanks for your reporting.
Comment by A Fella — November 5, 2007 @ 10:39 pm
Nikki, thanks so much for the great site!
Just wanted to give a shout out to America Ferrera (Ugly Betty herself, quite cute in person) who picketed with the writers today. And to her castmate Vanessa Williams who came out and gave picketing writers a big ol’ bowl of candy to lift our spirits. Much appreciated!
Comment by WGA Writer — November 5, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
Ron–I AM for creative people, many of whom are being hurt badly at the moment over things they have zero control over or stake in. Or wait, are writers and other above-the-line who receive residuals the only “creative” people in our business? You seem to think as much.
Thanks for the ad hominem attack, I expected it, and as for “money being concentrated at the top”, are you joking? It has been, is, and will always be in showbusiness, and it certainly is with writers, directors, and actors. I worked on a hit show and the showrunner was in the 200K an episode range, a staff writer. Guild minimum. If that is not money concentrated at the top, I don’t know what is. In fact, look into WGA (or SAG or the DGA) member earnings, you’ll find the most overwhelming concentration of money at the top anywhere. Your delusions may help you sleep at night, but they’re still delusions.
And really, you think Bob Iger, et al, are going to cut their pay to pay for your shiny new residuals? Nope, some low-level paycheck-to-paycheck types at these huge companies will be out of work to keep the divisions profitable.
Comment by alex — November 5, 2007 @ 10:54 pm
Maybe I am missing something here but I just don’t understand the nuances of a picket line. I am reading a lot about how this union or that teamster won’t cross a picket line. It seems that in word the WGA has most of the various union’s backing. However, what I see seems to contradict that, or I just don’t understand things.
For example there is this post:
“I’m an actor that marched at CBS/Radford main gate. Support from folks passing by was high, and I was glad to see several other SAG members there.
I plan on going to work early so I can leave in time to give the WGA at least an hour each day…and until the AMPTP knows we ALL mean business.
By the way: TO SAG/AFTRA/AEA/WGA/TEAMSTERS: I’m one actor who has never crossed a picket line and never will.”
So here is what I am missing. It seems that this person believes that as long as they get to work ahead of the pickets and spend a little time on the picket line that they aren’t “crossing” the picket line. I’ve seen many post like this from SAG/Teamsters/DGA and others. Is this the general consensus? From a purely “non-union” point of view, I don’t understand how not physically crossing the lines is supporting the cause. I mean, if you are not crossing the lines to get to work but are still providing your services to the studios then how does that truly make a statement?
I am not trying to be condescending with these questions. I honestly just don’t understand the boundaries that are being established.
I am just a computer helpdesk guy at one of the studios. We aren’t unionized. However, I deeply believe in the writer’s cause. I have a day off tomorrow and even though I live down in south Orange County, I am planning on driving back up to work and picketing with the writers for a little while tomorrow. The truth is that I feel guilty for crossing their lines but I am simply in no position to walkout on my job. So I will be there to lend my support the best I can.
Hooper
Comment by Hooper — November 6, 2007 @ 12:34 am
To alex:
You seem to be ignoring the tiny, important fact that writers who pull in 200k an episode are few and far between. Sure there are some who do, but the majority barely make enough to live, and are constantly at risk of losing their job if the show they work on is cancelled because some studio exec isn’t happy that it made them thirty grand less than last year and cost them their holiday home in Maui.
Comment by Miles — November 6, 2007 @ 6:37 am
As a member of the WGA, I am behind my union 100 percent. However, I am concerned about the recent bulletin issued by Patric Verrone. It’s one thing to take DVDs off the table to make progress, it’s another thing to take it off the table, get nothing in kind, and then try and put it back into play because we feel cheated by the AMPTP. At least, that’s what it sounds like Verrone is saying. It makes the WGA look amateurish. Now they know what we are already willing to sacrifice, and all they’re going to do now is push to see what they can get on top of that. I fear we’re showing our hand in a very high stakes game of poker.
Comment by vp — November 6, 2007 @ 7:46 am
By the way, there were a lot of “30 Rock” writers at the WGA East picket on Monday too. A ton of media coverage & support from passing tourists, and overall a positive day.
Comment by WGA WRUTER — November 6, 2007 @ 8:15 am
Let us know if there will be any picketing we can support you on in Seattle.
In solidarity,
Rik Deskin
President, SAG Seattle Branch Council
AEA Liaison Committee
Comment by Rik Deskin — November 6, 2007 @ 9:26 am
Ron asked:”These angry anti-writer posts puzzle me. Unless Bob Iger is working the nets, who are these people who feel like the wealth should all be kept at the top in this business?”
I’m not angry and I love writers-don’t jump down my throat here. I can tell you most people in the “real world” are not seeing the AVERAGE WGA member, they see what people in the biz are making who ARE working. They don’t equate someone lucky to work in Hollywood with an auto-worker or hotel maid union member. They read about how much show creators make when a show goes into syndication(Larry David is strangely always brought up), they are PISSED about how much it costs to see a movie (knowing or thinking most goes into the pockets of overpaid talent), and quite frankly many people think that what’s on TV and in the theaters right now is mostly (not all) crap. The fact is that they don’t understand the direction media is going over the next 10 years and how creative people will simply not get paid for their work because of it. IF any of this battle needs to be for the public hearts and minds (personally I don’t know, but I think it would help) the WGA should really define the battle.
Comment by realworldperson — November 6, 2007 @ 9:28 am
As a picketing writer I feel for the $500/weekers who may lose jobs over this. After 7 years as a sometimes-working writer, I’m just starting to make ends meet myself. I can’t stop the strike to save someone’s job, but next year when I hope to hire an assistant, I’ll make a point of hiring someone who lost his/her job as a result of the strike. Maybe others will do the same.
Comment by sometimes working writer — November 6, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
Alongside ‘They get paid, we get paid’ every union official should be constantly repeating the phrase ‘They pay us 4 CENTS for each DVD of OUR work they sell - and nothing for material online’ . Anyone not in the business I tell this fact to is stunned at this figure - and gets it immediately. ‘4 CENTS AND FALLING’. How’s that for a placard?
Comment by Another WGA Writer — November 6, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
Just spent five hours outside the “Desperate Housewives” shoot in Burbank. Great group of vocal strikers, along with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Wanda Sykes showing support. Good work everybody!
Comment by One Time Sitcom Writer — November 6, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
I really didn’t appreciate a striker yelling at me and taking my picture simply because I wanted to go home and eat lunch. I’m a temp who is too poor to buy lunch everyday at the studio. Please just march and chant and bully the producers and not innocent, powerless underlings.
Comment by Office temp — November 7, 2007 @ 10:10 pm
Okay–THIS is what my post should’ve said. I did it wrong.
“if the big stars of network shows refused to show up to work, this would be over in a day.”
They can’t. They’ve been told by SAG they MUST report to work or face repercussions. What big name actor is going to chance it?
Comment by Monica — November 9, 2007 @ 8:29 pm
Nikke, how I miss you.
Comment by waiting — January 21, 2008 @ 12:23 pm