Writer's Strike Thread

[SoapQueen89]

Ya know, I said my peace on ITZ the other night but I just have to say this again. So all those 12,000 writers or whatever who are picketing and on strike are not getting paid, well guess what? Neither are the couple other thousand people who work in the industry because of YOUR strike! PSSH! For 4%? WOW now who's selfish. The strike has put the every day worker like a make up person or an hairstylist out of work because writers want their 4%? Production has shut down in LA and in NYC - and there are OTHERS out there who have families to support while the writers are picketing - what are they suppose to do while the writers fight over 4%? Flip burgers?

Like I said before when a our local Mack trucks goes on strike, it effects the consumer, not necessarily the entire industry, other trucking companies will get the work instead, it's the strikers who are losing out. But when writers go on strike, it's the ENTIRE industry that shuts down - and I think a couple more than 12,000 people are OUT OF WORK until the dispute is settled. For a measely 4%. PSSH!

But I suppose those 12,000 writers didn't think about the couple hundred thousand people who would be out of work too. Of course not, cause that would be the selfless thing to do.

[JackPeyton]

i couldnt disagree more. why the hell are these crap actors getting cassh flow but the writers who 99% of the time are not? and 4% may seem like nothing to a lot of people, but im sure it adds up to a hefty amount of money.

i do feel bad for people who do hair and makeup and other things on tv shows - but guess what. they can go get a job at any hair salon or beauty place they want.

[KAnder5695]

Your compassions is truly overwhelming. What about the other thousands of people who cannot just go out and get another job? Not only does it affect every crew, but what about outside small businesses whose livlihoods depend on show business, like dry cleaners, caterers and other merchants? Is it just too bad, soo sad for them? IMO, the WGA is being incredibly short sighted, because it isn't the big business they are hurting, it is the little people and for what, a few pennies? The strike negotiators are not in trouble, but the little guy is. Instead of staying and negotiating, the WGA was strike happy and put thousands of people out of work to prove a point. I have no sympathy for them.

[ljacks13]

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TV...-Says/800027376

Fox Exec says Strike is "Probably a Positive" Thing

[Shawn]

Leave it to Fox to gloat that they'll profit off of the strike.

[Southofnowhere]

THE WGA agreed to take the 4% off the table they just want a share of the Internet profits! If the internet replaces tv in the next 10 years they will get NOTHING! The networks are the greedy ones! Anything that is good about tv and film is because of the writers!

[KAnder5695]

Why not wait until that is close to a reality? There is no way to know if that will happen or not so to expect profits for something that may never happen doesn't make sense. Besides, everyone loses when it comes to the internet. It is no different then free music downloads. The writers are just trying to find way to get paid multiple times. They get paid for their script and when it airs in reruns. Now they want to get paid if it is shown on the internet? And the networks are the greedy ones?

[Toups]

I get what you're saying. I feel bad for the below-the-line people too. But why can't the studios who make BILLIONS just share?

Yeah, the writers took the extra 4% off the table, and then of course the studios backstabbed them. It's about internet profits right now.

[Y&RWorldTurner]

OK, I know SOW is known for reporting false rumors as true, but...

Apparently, the new issue of SOW is reporting that LML has been fired......permanently, not just during the writer's strike. It said there is someone else temporarily in charge until they can find a replacement.

I don't want to get anyone's hopes up (becuase I know reading something like this will), but I think this strike will possibly impact Y&R the most in the long-run, more so than the other soaps. Also, I don't think anyone can fire Latham this fast, because of the union rules, but maybe Sony/CBS want her gone, and they're waiting until its legal to announce it?

[Sylph]

Oh, I want this to be true. But I think she has a hell of a deal if you consider many factors, including the fact that she is repped by the famous Paradigm (she and her husband).

Maybe she had a ratings clause in her contract, maybe Sony didn't like her achievement so far and they were just waiting for the right moment to dump her.

But I'm interested in how this develops - whether it is really happening and who will replace her. But the latter will only be known after the strike...

[KAnder5695]

So since they make a lot of money, they should just share? They are the ones in charge of distribution, they are the ones who have to sell the product, good or bad, they are the ones who find new distribution outlets. They are the ones who have to take the hits when the writers write BAD scripts that don't sell. The writers seem to want the glory and none of the responsibility.

[DaytimeFan]

Breath in...breath out...

OK, so this might be true and if it is, it is the highlight of my week. Maybe Sony/CBS/Bell Dramatic finally got wise to the fact that LML has actually hurt the show and the ratings.

In regards to the legalities of firing LML...they might not be able to fire her as HW this fast...but EP? Probably. I'm sure her contract is good since Paradigm wrote it but Sony is also very shrewd so I'm sure there are clauses (maybe based on ratings, maybe 'acceptability', maybe just a standard 13 week out clause) that would facilitate her removal. Perhaps those Nielsen surveys came in!

Now if this is true it makes me wonder if Griffith will become sole EP which is why he went financial core... will he also be HW (which would be a mistake, the roles need to be separated)? The mind boggles. Oh how I hope this is accurate.

Whoever is behind this...oust the bitch!

[Sylph]

Now I'm just waiting for someone to ask me why I put this smiley...

[Darcy]

Yep. One of the reasons they make a lot of money is because of the writers who deserve a share of THEIR wealth, which they would not have if it wasn't for them.

I would think writers are held accountable for BAD scripts that don't sell and do not see why they would not get the blame and bad reputation (as would the producers for choosing the bad writer/script). The producers are not allowing the writers to share the glory...or the financial glory at least.

[bellcurve]

That was the thing I was unsure about.

Regardless of how one feels about the strike, you HAVE to back your union. I'm sure there are alot of people who are broke, hungry, have kids, etc. but the writers have got to pull themselves together. Not to mention those who are scabs won't even be credited for their work.

No one really likes not being able to work or being able to write, but the strike is necessary for writers. The internet issue is major. And if you write for anything in the professional entertainment industry and want money, benefits, and accolades, you HAVE to be a member of the WGA. Bottom line.

The DVD issue doesn't really affect soap opera writers, but it definitely effects those who want residuals from stuff streamed online and on iTunes. CBS Soap Writers and DAYS writers have a lot at stake with this. Not to mention...if any other soap is streamed over the internet in other countries. And what if soaps are released on DVD someday? You better well believe that the writers are going to want their cut.

How do YOU, as a consumer, lose when it comes to the internet, especially if you can watch GREY'S for free on the internet?! The production companies are making bank off all those sorority girls who can't get enough of GREY'S, DESPERATE, and BROTHERS AND SISTERS. And not to say that CBS is making alot of money off of its lineup being available on innertube, but at the same time...where does all the money go? Does Les Moonves really need to get his wife another cosmetic surgery procedure?!

And if I were a writer, I would absolutely want to be paid everytime my episode aired on television or in any other platform. If the production company and the networks are making money off of *MY* work, I need to be paid. Bottom line. If you're making money, I need to make money.

And if the internet doesn't work or yield the profit the studios and networks want, there's a very simple approach...they can just air it on television and release DVDs. It really is THAT simple! Then, paying 2.5% will be a non-issue because it is no longer airing on the internet or being bought via iTunes. What are the production companies afraid of?!

No one wants this strike...it hurts me to know that Y&R and OLTL could be in the crapper with their scab...err...core writers. Latham's Y&R is crap, but the scary part is what Y&R could be like without her and a group of unknowns writing the show. Could it be better? Yes. But it could also be a recipe for disaster.