The Strike

[mr.jaynes]

What's everyone's take on the Writer's Strike? I am of two minds about this. On one hand, I say that since the writers are the ones creating the programming, they should be allowed to partake in its success; such would ideally encourage more prolific creativity and quality. On the other hand, I think they should not get too greedy nor ambitious with this. What does everyone else think?

[Breadburner]

I would replace every one of them......

[sgrizzle]

I think the writer's demands are valid. Studios are counting on DVD sales for profits now and the majority of the money the writer's get is from theatrical releases. They also do not have any good payment from digital distribution which is not a huge chunk right now but will be very big in the future.

[mr.jaynes]

See, I am of the opinion that the relationship between management and labor in this situation is purely symbiotic: they need each other. And for my entertainment needs, the strike happened all too quickly.

[Ed W]

The big media companies have new revenue streams that aren't covered by existing contracts, so it's reasonable to assume the writers would want part of that since it's based on their work.  If you can watch your favorite TV show on-line or buy it on DVD, why shouldn't the writers receive remuneration for their part in it?  

It almost appears the media conglomerates are trying to avoid settling this dispute in an effort to break the writer's guild.  Maybe they really believe we all prefer watching so-called reality shows or game shows.  If they succeed in union busting and bring in cheaper writers, should we expect to hear things like, "Good evening and welcome to the XBS evening news.  In Washington today, President Bush is fixin' to...."

Or how about Lost?  "Hey, y'all!  I found us some beer!  Let's have us a barbecue!  Start with the fat guy."

[mr.jaynes]

Good points, everyone.

Personally, no matter who comes out on top, I'd like to see it brought to a close and soon. Too many of the shows I currently enjoy are almost crippled by this strike.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by mr.jaynes

Good points, everyone.

Personally, no matter who comes out on top, I'd like to see it brought to a close and soon. Too many of the shows I currently enjoy are almost crippled by this strike.

Halle-friggin'-lujah.

[Ed W]

I'm not a big-time television watcher to start with, so the dwindling number of prime time shows hasn't really had an impact.  Discovery or the History channel haven't changed, and the really riveting stuff is on the Weather Channel (or Old Folks MTV as it's known in our house).

The biggest beneficiary of the writer's strike is the Tulsa City-County Library.  I usually read for pleasure and the strike is just getting me to read more.  Right now, it's Patrick McManus' "The Deer on a Bicycle: Excursions into the Writing of Humor" and William C. Hammond's "A Matter of Honor".  McManus is a hoot, even in a 'serious' book like this one.  Hammond's book is a sea story set in the Revolutionary War era, not unlike C.S. Forester's Hornblower tales.

Honestly, folks, sitting on the kitchen floor reading cereal boxes might be preferable to some of the dreck on television.

[Conan71]

This just all sounds like a really bad recipe for more reality shows. [B)]

Meet the demands and get 'em back to work.

I find it pretty ironic that wealthy, liberal Hollywood thinks it's a bad idea the rest of American industry is comprised of wealthy people at the top making a killing off the backs of a bunch of work-a-day schleps, yet they aren't so willing to spread their own wealth around.

[cannon_fodder]

I understand all sides of it:

1. Studios - we put up tens of millions to make an episode (concept, writing, set, equipment actors, distribution, ad sales) or a movie and very often it does not pay off.   We take the financial risk and dutifully pay all others involved so that we might sometimes sow a reward for our efforts.  In return for doing a good job the writers get what everyone else who does a good job gets - continued employment and rising stock which might see a raise or better prospects.  To help encourage them to write better we gave them a small stake in their work, and now they want more.  If we give them more they will want STILL more.

2. Writers - If I do well the studio makes millions and millions off of my work for DECADES to come as I continue to slave away.  I just want a small cut.  Plus, it will further encourage me to do well.  Cheap studios just want to further pad their multi million dollar profits so they can pay executives and actors more millions.

3. Consumers - I'm tired of reality TV.  20% are amusing for the first season but most just suck.  I mean wasn't Bret Michaels already in love?
- - -

Personally, I don't fault either party.  My instinct is to cheer for the little guy, but I understand the studios perspective too.  So I'm neutral, I'll just read more.

[spoonbill]

Here is yet another union with no purpose but to act as an instrument of blackmail.  If you are unhappy with the amount of money you make for the work you do, then do something else.

If good writers leave the trade to peruse more lucrative ambitions, studios will react accordingly to retain these writers.  It's just how the free market works, until the socialist mentality tries to screw with it.

If there was a union for every trade, nothing would happen because we would be so busy trying to cut up pieces of everyone else's pie that all ambition would be lost.  

The only people that win are the union bosses and attorneys. The people that lose, either way, are the consumers.  This goes for every single union without exception.

[Moderator]

Posted in the wrong thread - moved here.

mspivey

Civic Leader
12/30/2007 :  17:39:17

Boy, I can see it several different ways. It's hard to be sympathetic to the big media companies, but..........

If a carpenter builds an apartment building, he gets paid for his labor. He doesn't get part of the rent from now on. Why is a TV show different? Just because the actors have gotten a chunk of the action, is everyone entitled?

I don't know what these guys are making, so it's hard to judge.

In the end, this is America. The Media companies have the right to pay a certain price for the work. If the writers don't think it is enough, they can join together and strike.

I'd say turn off the TVs. Good riddance.

[Moderator]

Posted in the wrong thread, moved here.

Waterboy

Posted - 12/30/2007 :  21:22:52

Do you feel the same way about life insurance commissions? Agent receives part of every payment you make. The creatives are not paid much up front because every work is a gamble, so they take a smaller upfront with the promise of a percentage if it succeeds. Pretty common actually among that industry and others as well. The entertainment corporations are trying to get new revenues without cutting in their partners, yet they don't want to pay anymore upfront either. So who are the greedy ones?

[inteller]

All I know is if Heroes goes in the toilet because of this I will be very pissed off.  They have enough shows to get through this season....but they have to start shooting next season too.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

All I know is if Heroes goes in the toilet because of this I will be very pissed off.  They have enough shows to get through this season....but they have to start shooting next season too.

Heroes is a guaranteed return but they weren't able to do any mid-season rewrites which would've helped ratings.