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Craig Henne Mon, Feb 18, 2008 at 12:48 PM EST

As a SAG member I am aware of money paid for work already done. I am receiving residuals from films I made in the 80s. But when we had our strike we lost so much many never recovered from the lost. Strikes seldom help anyone. I imagine the lost of related industries will exceed 2 billion when all is said and done.

Chandra Fri, Jan 18, 2008 at 08:45 AM EST

What's funny is that there are so many others out of work besides the writers; who have nothing to do with the strike, probably want nothing to do with it but because of this tantrum are struggling hard core. Get over it writers and get back to work.

Chandra Fri, Jan 18, 2008 at 08:45 AM EST

What's funny is that there are so many others out of work besides the writers; who have nothing to do with the strike, probably want nothing to do with it but because of this tantrum are struggling hard core. Get over it writers and get back to work.

Jeff Haynes Sat, Jan 12, 2008 at 08:16 PM EST

Fire the writers on strike and hire people trying to break into the business. These writers produce crap. Just look at the TV classics produced where there were only three networks.
Now, there is nothing but crap on TV.
Yes, you have the occasional gems but most of the shows are crap. I've gone back and started watching alll the shows that I grew up with on DVD and haven't missed anything.

Jeff Haynes Sat, Jan 12, 2008 at 08:16 PM EST

Fire the writers on strike and hire people trying to break into the business. These writers produce crap. Just look at the TV classics produced where there were only three networks.
Now, there is nothing but crap on TV.
Yes, you have the occasional gems but most of the shows are crap. I've gone back and started watching alll the shows that I grew up with on DVD and haven't missed anything.

nick Thu, Jan 10, 2008 at 04:57 PM EST

I think that the WGA is rediculous! They had a contract and broke it. And now many americans are losing that family time when they all sit down at the end of the day and watch TV together so good job WGA. Why don't you just be happy with your salary and get on with the writing. You people are good writers and are trying to make more is not going to make any better of a writer.

Gerardo Betancourt Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 09:18 PM EST

At this rate, the worst possible scenario is that we'll finally see "The Day We Lost Hollywood" [to the world], simply because there's enough talent and money world-wide for a new studio system / model to rise. Even when strikes like this are settled, there's always some domino effect. Once again, it's human nature. No winners here. Just a turning point.

Igor Tue, Jan 8, 2008 at 03:12 AM EST

I think that writer must earn at least 1% of salary which an actor has though most of writers thinking about more. Some of writers have at 100 times more especially when they will publish a book. In this view 1% must be some starting minimum for all writers though real worth as I said is higher because creating ideas are not easy work which takes a lot of time and painful than simplifying it on the stage.

Kat Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 01:22 AM EST

Jambot you are so wrong. The writers are still getting their residuals. The ones not getting paid are the camera people, lighting, make up, etc. etc. These are the people truly suffering. I am sick of the writers, the actors and anyone else that their lively hood depends on us. I agree with the previous post that unions are killing this country and has caused a major back lash of outsourcing jobs. I worked 35 years as a nurse without a union. I went to work and did my job..what a novel concept. The writers can have their "improved benefits" but at a cost to other Americans that defies the national debt. Get over yourselves and get back to work!!!

Elmouth Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 02:53 PM EST

watch this video

http://blip.tv/file/489668/

Elmouth Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 02:47 PM EST

I'll tell you who the ignorant is, the one that thinks this stupid strike is a great thing despite costing 33,000 non-WGA people's jobs and over 300 millions of $$ to the community.

Go call those 33,000 families whom couldn't afford chrismas gifts for their kids during the holidays, or had to sell their freakin houses, that YOU are so smart and that they are ignorants.

FFS.

leigh Fri, Jan 4, 2008 at 03:15 AM EST

They are getting paid. Everyone needs to stop saying they are not getting paid for their work. They just don't get paid enough according to them. But writers in Hollywood make more than 90% of people in this country, and what most of them turn out isn't exactly Shakespeare. Everyone in Hollywood is greedy. The writers themselves aren't being hurt nearly as much as the little guys under them. The studio heads, the actors, they're all fine. It's the little guys that are taking the hit. The WGA are just acting like divas and not crippling the big guys like they want; it's the small-time producers, the grips, the caterers, etc.

Josh Thu, Jan 3, 2008 at 03:55 PM EST

Actually, none of you guys know what you are talking about. The strike started out as a battle over who gets paid what royalties and the production companies pretty much gave in. But now, the union won't agree on anything because they want the companies to force reality t.v ans cartoon writers to becoma writers guild also, which is absurd. I can see that maybe with cartoon writers, but reality show writers canhardly be considered writers and should not be forced to pay dues and fees and join a guild that probably wouldn't do a good job in protecting thei interest. And plus, David Young, the chief negotiator for the union does not know how to negotiate, it is virtually his fault, he is the reason why so many writers havel ost their homes and cars and essentially thier former lives. Fire him, and watch the strike come to a smooth hault, both sides satisfied.

Understanding Canadian Fri, Dec 21, 2007 at 12:35 AM EST

How many of the people on this site who say they are "anti union" are actually in a union? I bet a fair share of you are, and you enjoy your job security, health care benefits, and right to strike! Where would we be without our unions. Underpaid, and over worker. Dont poo poo a good thing because you are pissed that there is nothing to watch on TV. We all know for a fact that the actors/actresses are making millions, so why are the writers forced to work for less. As they have shown these programs do not exisit without them, so why are they not entitled to their fair cut!

jaso4n Thu, Dec 20, 2007 at 06:23 AM EST

Reply to Jakki:

I don't think this strike will be over anytime soon. It's a real possibility that televison AND movie scripts will have to run out before the AMPTP will come back to the table. When the industry really starts hurting is when we'll see some results.

Jakki Wed, Dec 19, 2007 at 11:38 PM EST

I think its because people like the actors getting paid so much is why the writers hink they should be getting more also. And fair enough - the actors salaries have gone up year after year havent they? Its like a battle of who can make the most from a film now isnt it?

I think the writers should DEFINITELY get a share of the royalties from what THEY HAVE WRITTEN. If they hadnt written the scripts, there would be no shows or movies. It's only fair that their work be recognized - writing is not just something to be used and thrown away. That includes revenues from DVD sales and whatnot - and what I gather they arent asking for much at all. These guys really need to sort something out soon though - I think this stupid strike has gone on far enough and its not just the writers who are out of jobs at the moment.

Andrea Kittelson Wed, Dec 19, 2007 at 06:54 PM EST

Writers are not necessarily paid 'well' compared to others in entertainment. They create the stories and characters that impact our lives hugely, but they get paid pennies on the dollar compared to others working on the same projects. Producers, directors and actors, whom are often much more visible, usually get paid quite a bit more.

A writer might get 100K for a script, but after agent, manager, lawyer and union fees, he or she is left with 30-35K, which might be all he makes for one or two years.

If that script turns into a movie that makes $400M worldwide through DVD or internet sales, he might get nothing or next to nothing in additional revenue. That is NOT getting paid 'well.' I earn far more than most of my union writer friends, and I am a school teacher.

Randoo Wed, Dec 19, 2007 at 04:25 PM EST

I am pretty much an anti-union person, but in this case, I've go to say I'm on the WGA's side. The writers get paid *nothing* for on-line distribution of their work, and the studios are claiming that downloads are "promotional only", despite the fact they charge us for them through iTunes, Amazon, etc. If the online distribution is promotional, then why are they cracking down on movie file-sharers? Seems to me that file sharing qualifies as a lot of "promotion".

When it comes to getting money, the studio is all about treating online as a vital monetizable content stream. But when it comes to parting with that money, suddenly it's just valueless promotional material.

Go WGA, go!

ohguy Wed, Dec 19, 2007 at 08:11 AM EST

Actually, the nominees should boycott the Golden Globes and Oscars in support of the writers if the strike is still in effect at air time. Although I doubt that many of them would have the guts to do so.

jaso4n Wed, Dec 19, 2007 at 04:53 AM EST

Here is a principle that many of you aren't recognizing: People have died in poverty never having been recognized for the songs they made in 40's, 50's and 60's--songs that have been covered over and over again. Why did Elvis, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones get more credit than the originators? Because they never had ownership or even royalties of the songs they made. Ray Charles had to stand up for himself to get recognized for his musical property, and thank god for that! The WGA has to do the same.
The AMPTP simply does not want to pay the writers their share of emerging lanes of revenue, end of story. The cattiness of their responses to WGA statements make this easy to see. They simply don't want to give up something they could easily afford share. In this matter, the WGA are the "good guys" and the AMPTP are the "bad guys." Nothing is more fitting for the finale of this strike than a good old fashioned Hollywood ending (the bad guy gets impaled and set on fire).

Jeremy Wed, Dec 19, 2007 at 01:37 AM EST

Reading your comments and seeing how this is tearing apart the fabric of entertainment I only have one thing to say... I don't think I much care for fat free ranch dressing. I know you all will tell me it taste the same but I can taste a difference. A very distinct creamy difference. Thank you.

A Nobody Wed, Dec 19, 2007 at 01:15 AM EST

I didnt know there were so many ill-informed people reading EW. Read up on this strike and rethink who the bad guy is. The studios have done nothing to show they are not corporate greed and overly paid (not specifically talented) bigwigs, aka the Man. Let the writers, and now the actors joining them, take this as far as they need.

MBI Wed, Dec 19, 2007 at 12:19 AM EST

Sorry, Sheridan, but you seem remarkably badly informed on a subject you should know all about, and you seem more interested in promoting yourself than commenting intelligently on the subject. If your shows make nothing online, then it should be no problem at all to give the writers whatever percentage of the nothing they're asking for. Because when online becomes as profitable as everyone expects it too, then they'll deserve their piece of the pie just like anyone else.

MBI Wed, Dec 19, 2007 at 12:19 AM EST

Sorry, Sheridan, but you seem remarkably badly informed on a subject you should know all about, and you seem more interested in promoting yourself than commenting intelligently on the subject. If your shows make nothing online, then it should be no problem at all to give the writers whatever percentage of the nothing they're asking for. Because when online becomes as profitable as everyone expects it too, then they'll deserve their piece of the pie just like anyone else.

Nix Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 10:03 PM EST

I'm posting drafts of my novel online on by blog if anyone wants to be entertained. get back to you when it's live.

yay no "banter"!

Kurtis Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 09:51 PM EST

And lastly...

To the well informed individual who stated that the entertainment industry doesn't make an economy, that home building and pickle farming (or whatever he said) make an economy. Here is just a little bit of info. The entertainment industry is in the top ten largest industries in California (I don't know where in there...look it up). California is the seventh largest economy in the world. Do the math, it's simple..do it.

I now step off my own soap box (until someone else says something stupid)

FADE OUT

Kurtis Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 09:42 PM EST

More..

This is really an elaboration on my mechanic part but there is a HUGE difference between what WGA members to and what auto union members or steel workers do. I am not belittling anyone here just pay attention to what I am saying. Let's say Joe Steelworker gets paid 15/hr to move steel from point A to point B. Should he get paid everytime that steel is moved in the future? Absolutely not..but that is how many of you see it. His movement of the steel doesn't continue to make money for the steel company, but that is what is happening here. The product these writers create will continue to make money for the next fifty years or more. Why shouldn't the people who created it be entitled to some of the money that it generates?

60-80K a year may seem like A LOT of where you live. In LA, there are many people making that who still live in apartments.

Kurtis Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 09:32 PM EST

More...

There is a difference between moving something, or fixing something and CREATING something. To that oh so eloquent mechanic. What you do is fix something that someone else CREATED. If the patent on the part you are replacing is still in effect that person is still getting money from it. You are not, nor should you. He CREATED it, you INSTALLED it...please tell me you see a difference.

The WGA HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR YEARS...but the studios don't want any change to fall out of their buckets of cash. Many of you don't seem to know how a strike process works. There are many comments such as "Why did the WGA wait until now?"
Here is, to the best of my ability, an explanation of the process.
Before a contract expires a union makes it's wishlist for the new contract. A series of negotiations take place between the union and the industry. If no compromise is reached, and the current contract expires, the members can go on strike until progress is made,

kurtis Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 09:18 PM EST

I really try to read many of your comments with an open mind...but I have to say. Nothing bothers me more than an idiot on a soapbox.

Let me clear up a few things, these are easily verifiable (not given space here or I would site sources) so if you believe "facts" to be different...research before you speak.

Some thoughts:
Just because a few writers may make "200K" a year doesn't mean all do. In fact, few do. Most artists guild members (SAG, WGA, AFTRA) make WELL BELOW the poverty level.

"Who Cares!" well, you are reading an entire article about the strike, then, I presume, many of the comments. Apparently, you do.

"reality TV..." whatever. I hate to burst your bubble, mothers - cover the children's ears... REALITY TV HAS WRITERS. They are almost entirely non-union.

If you want to know what entertainment would look like without the artists...look at youtube. I mean everything on youtube. Just keep on looking...after awhile you kind of get numb in the head.

Mar Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 07:49 PM EST

um...union mentality did not build the united states, Slavery did! that would be free labor. child labor laws stopped us from working 14 hours. i am in agreement about appropriately compensating writers for their work. but i also think the WGA should be more considerate of their audiences in this process before we get engulfed by reality t.v. and movie remakes. unions only repeat the cycle of self interest created by big business/government/religion on a smaller level. and in the same instance, it is the people who get screwed. on the other hand, the people have an opportunity to stop depending on the entertainment industry to feel something. yea! we should all get pissed off but we should actually do something about it. go see some art. read a book. Hell create your own movies and tv shows! then the WGA will see how unimportant they really are.

amelia Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 07:44 PM EST

@ Robyn,

I watched about 10 minutes of that crap and thought about catching up on some much needed sleep....and I did.

Jink Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 07:24 PM EST

No award shows? That's fantastic! This strike thing is awesome!

William Hughes Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 07:22 PM EST

Its bad enough with the Writers Strike and the Deluge of "Reality", Game and news shows that will be soon be upon us, but we are about to be dealt a "Double Whammy" when the 2008 Election Year swoops in, bringing us a torrent of Political "Attack Ads" which will dominate the already overlong Commercial Breaks. IMO The 2008 TV Season will be one only a Masochist will love!

amelia Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 06:48 PM EST

If anyone has noticed, the pressure is on! Our screens will be filled with (ARGGGG!!!) reality television very soon. I see that Hollywood can't stand the pressure - thinking "some" television is exempt from strikes (talk shows, so called TV news magazines, award shows). Why aren't the writers striking morning shows like GMA and the Today show? Is it because they have very short segments of news? Since the strike, we're seeing less and less of the stars so that's why they're bringing back late night television -- to promote more hollywood. Personally, I think WGA should just go all out and strike all entertainment writing.

amelia Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 06:38 PM EST

Good for the writers for rejecting participation at the Golden Globes and Oscars. Hopefully, Hollywood will begin to pay for the talent and expertise writers contribute to everyday television. In January, I'm boycotting Leno, Conan and David (I don't watch Daly..he's crap).They should continue to support the writers that add so much to their careers and enrich our television viewing. And if the studios/producers are so worried about non union staff losing their jobs, they should support them during the strike or allow them to get their jobs back after the strike. Can't non-union staff who lose their jobs receive unemployment?? Continue to strike until you get what you need writers! Oh and don't forget to send your pencils to the AMPAS!

Mike Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 06:30 PM EST

Sheridan, are you really against the system of residuals in general? You keep saying you're a producer but you seem not to understand the way the system works and the way writers are able to support themselves.

...And calling the WGA's tactics "dirty tricks" actually made me laugh. Just look at the crap the AMPTP has been spewing over the past week. The reasons they walked out of the negotiations in the first place was to stall the strike long enough to enact force majeur clauses, and because they know the longer the strike takes, the more public sentiment will go against the writers. The whole thing's a bit disgusting.

Sheridan Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 06:26 PM EST

And with that, I have some shows to write, direct and produce, so I'm out. Good luck to both sides of the discussion, and thank you to EW to allowing us to post our opinions and comments about it.

Sheridan Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 06:24 PM EST

It should be shouted long and strong from the rooftops: somewhere there is a writer with a TV show you would actually enjoy watching. He is non-union, so he is not allowed to get in and get that show made. Like me, he will have to fund and produce it himself. I did so, joined SAG as a Signatory, and got it made. This show is now being panted desperately for by hundreds of thousands of viewers after airing FOR TWO MONTHS. Viewers are begging for DVDs of it and saying "we'll pay anything for this - because it is better than the corporate studios are making; please make more." There are hundreds more non-union folk like myself out there. Unions only perpetuate the exact system Generation X hates. If you want television to change, support neither the AMPTP nor the WGA. Both are identical opposite heads of the same dreary uncreative coin. Both are selfish. Both will fall.

Sheridan Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 06:18 PM EST

Remember, WGA supporters: somewhere in Iowa, there is a 34 year old non-union screenwriter with a dynamite television series idea that would become a hit and be imitated by every network by its second season, and you will never get to watch his show, and he will never get in to make even a dime off it. Why? Because the WGA refers to him as a scab and is keeping him out with dirty tricks to make sure the writers who gave you "Sex In The City" and "Shrek 3" continue to keep jobs they don't even care about in the first place - but will fight tooth and nail to keep someone with greater creativity and a passion for the industry from ever getting anywhere near. You think about that. Think on it long and hard. Destruction of all unions except IATSE and the AFL-CIO would do a lot to bring stronger talent into our dying industry. Remember: Paris Hilton is now SAG, thanks to Ari Emmanuel at Endeavor.

Sheridan Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 06:14 PM EST

Hi Crayon, I am a producer - and I assure you I receive ZERO from my shows currently airing online. The ones airing on television don't generate squat either, and won't until the DVDs are released in '08. Any writers contracted on those shows will earn royalties from the DVDs. If I'm not earning anything online, and I created these shows, why should writers? Who had nothing to do with the burst of brainstorm that created my shows and characters and hit ME in the middle of the night, not them? What it comes down to is, those who risked the funding capital - ALONE - should decide how the ROI gets divided.

I agree wholeheartedly with the auto mechanic who asked if he should earn revenue every time you drive the car he fixed from now on. If you think not, then why do you support these writers? Cmaan, they know how the game works; if they dislike the rules, they're free to fund their own game or exit it altogether so someone who both knows and loves the game can get into it.

crayonupthenose Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 06:04 PM EST

I'm shocked by the number of people who think the WGA is acting like "divas" and that it is their duty to negotiate. What about the PRODUCERS? Isn't it their duty to negotiate? Isn't it a tad diva-ish to hang on tight to pennies when you are making MILLIONS and while lots of other people are out of work?

I mean, get serious here people. Writers are being paid ZERO for shows on the internet. That's right, ZERO. And as viewing television on the internet becomes more popular, that means that fewer reruns will be on TV-ultimately reducing the income the writers get even further. That really isn't fair.

Also, to those of you who think writers make so much money already, I think you don't realize that writing is not like other jobs. Writing income is REALLY unpredictable (think how many TV shows go off the air and movie script income is even less predictable). Given the job insecurity, it is really important to get residuals when something you help create is a financial success.

nashville Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 05:53 PM EST

Maybe the people who say writers have no itellectual property rights for the characters they created should try to watch an episode of 'Heroes' without the characters created by the team of writers and Tim Kring. If I write a novel with two people, by your logic then they should be able to take my portion of control and property if I choose to not write another novel with them. "Batman" may have writers pick up story lines and JOE X may write for them, but every time "Batman" is published in anyway, the original creator and writers do get compensated for it. Look into intellectual proprty laws beforte you say things you most certainly don't understand. I guess your arguments will make sense in 100 years when all the things now on TV become public domain, until then even if it was created by someone else, the words written belond to the people who wtote them.

Robyn Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 05:11 PM EST

for anyone that does not think that the writers deserve fair compensation, or that they are acting like 'diva's'; I have four words for you: "Clash of the Choirs". That is the kind of nonsense we have to watch because the talented writers are not there to create interesting, intelligent shows.

Wildaces Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 05:05 PM EST

I'm on the AMPTP side on this one. However, I do think that unions are a necessity in this country. I just don't think the WGA is being realistic on what they're asking. Yes there's more revenue due to online sales, but there's also an increase in pirated material. You'll see that the AMPTP will not give in at all....they can't because the WGA is asking for the impossible. As far as the networks making a lot more than the writers, well duh! I mean, business owners will always make A LOT more than the employees no matter how much the employees do for the companies. Bill Gates will always make A LOT more than the guys writing Microsoft programs, Ford ownership will always make more than people building the cars, etc. Why? Because business owners take all the financial risk. When a show gets cancelled the writer doesn't give back the salary earned do they? But the studio loses their investment and production cost. I hope the AMPTP holds out even though I miss my shows.

Dmitry Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 04:41 PM EST

It all comes down to the kind of compensation people desire. The reason that some of us (mechanics, programmers, etc.,) don't get compensated after the fact is we chose to get a fixed amount up front. Writers choose to bet on success of their writing (hence $60-80k a year salary is less important). In order for something like that to work there has to be some clear measurement of success. We can't fault WGA for wanting to re-evaluate that measure. However, they should have done this without irritating the public (failure of BOTH sides). After all, this is hardly as significant as let's say teamsters union going on strike. We have many different choices for entertainment. I used to really like baseball, before they went on a strike, now I'm into football. Both sides will lose in the long run. Fewer people watching, means smaller price tag for advertisement, means less money for the writers and studios. In the meantime I'm going to go read a book.

Sheridan Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 04:38 PM EST

@KJ - Kerry, is that you? I seriously believe that's my agent up there who made that comment... is it?

Eli Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 04:38 PM EST

So let me get this, the engineer creates this food chopper, the producer produces it, sells it on the market... aka... Walmart... sharing a 4% of the sale with the original creator. Then the producer decides to sell take the product on Amazon.com, but because it is the internet, tells the creator, i am not sharing any of this profit because Amazon.com sales are promotional only, even though he's raking it in.

Ray Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 04:34 PM EST

To: Nashville...The shows do not belong to the writers, it belongs to the studios and they can do as they please with the shows. The writers are paid to do a job and that is to write, not to share in the profits. If they want to share in the profits, have them come up with the money to start a new show and when it does not get picked up they will be out all of their cash. The production companies put in the cash, therefore assuming all of the risk. When a show gets picked up then they can enjoy all the profits. Risk = Rewards.....Writers are not risking anything....Destroy the union and fire incompetent writers because most TV shows suck...except Entourage and The Shield :-)

Cosmo Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 04:13 PM EST

My wife has an inner-ear infection.

Kevin Smith Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 04:11 PM EST

Hooray for supporting corporate greed! You anti-WGA people are pretty ignorant. And scary.

Jayel Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 04:04 PM EST

Okay, I've been behind the WGA 100% until this. It's pointless and self-destructive to lash out at these awards shows which, for better or worse, promote the movies as an industry and everyone who works there, not just the producers and corporations denying writers their rightful payday. If the public checks out on the Globes and the Oscars, it hurts writers as much as anybody else, and giving writers permission to work these awards shows wouldn't cost the WGA membership one dime in profits or residuals and might have bought them a great deal of public good will.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Lucinda Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 04:00 PM EST

Actors and comedians should use their own material. It would be a pleasant change from the nonsense that is usually read from a teleprompter. Let's really see a live show that isn't filled with phony baloney.

kj Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:58 PM EST

I think the writers are justified in going on strike. Workers have to stand up for what they deserve. Unions are one of the best things to happen to this country.

shark Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:47 PM EST

Vcofrsn, Okay, my Ronco analogy may not stand the test of “The world of invention,” but you get the idea. No one wants to see others getting rich off of their written words and not get a piece of the pie.

David Nelsen Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:40 PM EST

Can the lot of them. If they want to continue demonstrating a lack of desire to work let's support them in this endeavor.

shark Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:38 PM EST

Sheridan, I understand producers have the most to lose as they are funding the project. However, the writer risks his reputation as well. No one wants to hire or back a writer who is unsuccessful. I do like your idea of writers producing their own. That would weed out writers who can’t write and the multi-million dollar studio heads would find themselves out of a job. But until that happens, they have the WGA to back them and I support their fight. I highly respect the fact that you’re producing your own and wish you all the luck.

Chad Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:35 PM EST

Yet another reason to fire all of the writers and dissolve the WGA.

mary Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:33 PM EST

why bother putting on a show then
why not just wait till this is over

Sheridan Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:20 PM EST

vcofrsn gets it.

I've worked as a writer in Hollywood, did so for 11 years, am on IMDB, and am on it now as a television producer. I've got skin in the game, I've been on both sides of the dispute, and let me say this again:

vcofrsn gets it.

vcofrsn Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:19 PM EST

A bee burp!!!! Ahahahaha! See, here is a perfect example of some up and coming writer (hopefully non-union) that could write material better than any I've heard in a while.

Redwood Bob Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:14 PM EST

You are all overlooking one blunt fact. WHO CARES about the writers? Most of us couldnt care less about them all or hollywood either. If they all went down the tubes we would be better off. What hollywood does or thinks is about as important as a bee burp.

vcofrsn Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:13 PM EST

Sheridan: Good to hear an articulate viewpoint from someone more directly involved.

Shark: There is a major flaw in your food chopper analogy: Ronco is not the writer but the studio. The writer is the inventor of the food chopper widget. The inventor of such a device is paid once for his idea unless he chooses to market the product, accepting responsibility for capital investment, management, marketing etc. More analogous is the writer as an engineer working for Ronco whose task it is to design a chopper widget. An engineer who is paid a salary. An engineer that is replaced by other engineers.

Sheridan Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:09 PM EST

And Dear Shark, the Ronco analogy is a good one, but consider: what if Mr. Ronco, already aware of how food chopping machine manufacturers ruin the original blueprints for chopping machines, decided to risk his own money and back his blueprint himself and put his chopper out for sale himself alone? This is what producers do; they're the ones risking capital and reputation, not the writers. I know this because I started off as a writer, still write depending on whether I like the project, but now produce at a studio I own. For the writing industry to engage in sadism makes a poor example of our craft to outsiders whatever the justification; it's just poor. As a 1990s Hollywood writer on IMDB, I got fed up with studios ripping me off, too. I went out and learned how to direct and produce, then risked my OWN capital and reputation to fund my ideas. The day WGA writers do this is the day they earn my respect. Until then yes, they are behaving like divas. Want the money? RISK some.

Mike Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:08 PM EST

I'm not saying the WGA is the best-run union out there, but let's not pretend that they're being the bad guys here. If they let the Globes and Oscars do whatever they want, they'll undermine themselves and their cause. Make no mistake that the AMPTP are the ones stretching out this strike, and they're paying hundreds of thousands of dollars right now for PR people to spin it in their favor. If they hadn't walked out of negotiations last week, the strike could've been over by now.

Sheridan Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 02:59 PM EST

As an employed non-union writer, I do support the ideals of the strike, but never felt there were any real teeth in the WGA tiger. It seems they could be aggressively overcompensating for what most working writers now will agree were decades of supporting us very poorly. The bullied has metamorphosed into a bully. That's a very sad development.

I strongly fear union writers will only win a Pyrrhic victory. Both sides will be bloodied afterwards, and the studios, who already have long, cruel memories, will simply not renew these writers' contracts when they run out.

Studios may in fact seize this moment to fire the writers and hire fresh non-union talent, which in an odd way could revitalize a creatively endangered Shrekked and Ratatouilled-out industry. I've had my share of major studios and wouldn't accept such a job - since I produce now - but there is always a talented newcomer out there who would.

Writers, beware: studios have long memories; grace goes a long way.

shark Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 02:57 PM EST

Here’s a story that might help you understand. Ronco (Writer) had an idea for a food chopper (TV Show). He found someone that liked the idea and gave him the financial backing to make it happen (Producer). The financial backer (Producer) takes Ronco’s (Writer’s) idea to a manufacturer (Studio) to put it together. Ronco (Writer) gets paid for every (Residuals) food chopper (TV Show) of his design (That he scripted). Even if it is sold on the internet.

I am Nachos & so can you Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 02:46 PM EST

Historically, Unions served a the crucial role of providine strong,united opposition to business leaders, protecting the interests of the collective workers.
Today, it seems, most unions are more interested in protecting union leadership and middle management. More often than not, the little guy is left out in the cold. I believe that the writers and producers each have valid points. I believe that both parties have behaved in a manner that is typically characteristic of small, feuding children and I believe that the now prolonged strike is not only very bad for the set hands and little people, Hollywood in general, and the overall economy, it is also very distructive to the industry beyond the short term economic consquences. As the strike continues, both sides only continue to engender anomosity and hostility from any third party, esspecially those whose children will have little to look forward to for the holidays. How many third parties will outright give up come December 25th?

Eli Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 02:46 PM EST

Go Writers Go! Frankly it won't affect the Globes that much, they hardly use clips to begin with. but I only watch the Oscars for the fashions, and the clips. Speeches are go to the bathroom, or clip toe-nails time... so i'll miss the clips at the oscars this year, especially since I think i've seen only 30% of the expected nominees. Still, for the uneducated who do know now what this strike is about... do some research... I stand behind the writers on this one.

n Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 02:46 PM EST

this is pissing me off. the wga needs to stop being greedy and self centered and realize that it's not just all about them.

vcofrsn Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 02:39 PM EST

Dave: Unions want everyone to believe they are standing between the worker and corporate ‘sleezeballs’. The truth of the matter is that for every corporate sleezeball you also can find a union sleezeball. You talk of false percentages that you got from where?? A Walmart conspiracy video online? In reality, most corporations recognize their workforce as their single greatest asset. As unions have declined the middle class standard of living has risen. It is you who might benefit from a little study: outsourcing is solely caused by high priced local labor. Anyone who has read an economics text book can tell you that. We can talk about illegal workers and their effect on our economy (but not in 1000 characters).

shark Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 02:34 PM EST

Yes brent. The studio heads worked their way up the ladder to make millions. That's great; that's what America's about. Writer's became writer's to get paid for their ideas and creations.

shark Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 02:26 PM EST

TJ Spyke, what makes you think the studios own the rights to the clips? Obviously they don't or permissions wouldn’t be an issue. So you're saying a writer should be forced to work for what he/she feels is unfair so that a hair stylist can have a job? Isn't that kind of like slavery? The studio heads walked out of negotiations not the writers (WGA).

brent Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 02:18 PM EST

Shark, i understand the situation. If your not happy with the money you earn because of a union contract, go find a new job.

To all the people complaining about the studio heads making all the money, they should earn the most. They are the big tuna. They make the overall business run smoothly and hopefully profitably. Which the profit from the studios goes back to the average person who is a shareholder through a 401k or IRA.

vcofrsn Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 02:16 PM EST

Andy Clark: Ahh… the age old cry of the union man: that everyone benefits, that unions drive up wages. Yes, that is precisely what all unions want everyone to believe. Only the most uneducated actually believe that drivel. An educated person would ask why the wages should be driven up. In reality, market economics drives the wages up and down. If the product you provide is in demand your wages go up. If what you do is not in demand your wages should go down, regardless of any organization to which you belong. Where would we be without unions? Well, we wouldn’t have some minority organization affecting others. We wouldn’t have fields of trade entirely closed to non-union workers. We wouldn’t be making second rate autos. We wouldn’t have people who feel entitled to earn a high wage bagging groceries or mopping floors. I would be right were I am now, in a non-union job in a field that is happily entirely devoid of unions, earning a salary commensurate with the market.

Karin Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 02:11 PM EST

The reason why reality and bad TV is taking over is obviously because the public is getting more stupid by the day and some people will watch any crap that is on just so they don't have to think for themselves. Don’t get me wrong, I love TV, but I won’t watch anything, like reality and daytime TV. That is just an insult to every human being. People should take this chance to actually go outside and work out or something. And stop watching TV for god’s sake so that the AMTP will have to negotiate. Stop going to the movies as well to speed up the process even more.

vince Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:56 PM EST

reading these comments reinforces my belief that most people don't know anything about history, especially history relating to american workers in the last 100 years.
there would be no middle class in america if it wasn't for unions, and the power structure in america would have never allowed unions to come into existence except for the greater threat of communism taking over in the first half of the century.
can unions go too far? yes.can companies go too far? yes.
at least there is some balance of power, which is the only thing that results in fair treatment for both sides.

UNIONS ARE SCUM Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:55 PM EST

Unions are nothing but scummy thugs who extort business for undeserved pay raises. No better than the mafia or common corner loan sharks. It's time to make unions illegal and prosecute & jail people who strike for the crime that it is, extortion.

Justice and reason will prevail, the WGA members will be fired and put on the street where they belong.

shark Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:54 PM EST

Sure brent. I'll match your donation of $0.00. I'll even double it. Do you really not understand? Most people choose their profession to make money, not to give away what other people may consider excess.

Shawn Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:46 PM EST

It amazes me to see people calling the writer's divas. Let's make up a world where all the writer's are all well paid and compensated for their work. Even in this imaginary world, who would you rather see get more money the writers or the billion dollar studios? Even if you consider the two sides a lose-lose why not support the more "common man" side? Maybe if the studio heads made a couple less million a year there wouldn't be this problem.

Fair Labor Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:45 PM EST

Time to fire the whole lot of them. Applications from new writers gladly accepted, previous WGA-union goons may return to their job without the union at a 20% pay cut.

There you have it, the perfect solution.

RightNextToMarsBlog Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:31 PM EST

One thing, because a really well-written blog post comment can change the world:
Whether or not you personally enjoy scripted television is entirely beside the point because millions of people do and the quality is (mostly) subjective. It's like saying you think everyone at the Heinz factory should be fired because you don't like ketchup.
Also, it's not just TV writers that are on strike. All your favorite film writers are striking, too.

brent Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:31 PM EST

No, not to your employer. You should donate the extra money back to your lower paid union comrades.

harryo Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:31 PM EST

The reason why nobody dares replace WGA members with non union people is if that happened the other studio unions would walk out in solidarity...hollywood can survive without the writers, but not without the tech people who make hollywood and the TV industry work. Every aspect of the film industry (and the film industry..Fox, Universal, Paramount and Disney own the TV networks) is unionized and they would shut down all production, including sports production, before they allow non union people to replace union workers.

shark Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:25 PM EST

So, what some of you are saying is that the writer's are making enough and they shouldn't complain; right? Okay, where do you draw the line? How about anyone that makes, let's say $10/hour, is required to donate anything above that $10/hour, back to your employer. As an employer, that sounds good to me. Anyone need a job?

Andy Clark Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:21 PM EST

Anyone who says that unions suck or they are already getting paid or that is what is hurting america is an ignorant pile of sh#t. The only reason we have the standard of living we do now(mind you it could be better) is because of unions. Whether you are in a union or not they help you. If it wasn't for the local unions in your area driving up wages and getting increased retirement and health benefits for their employee's YOUR employer would be paying YOU far less. Employers have to compete with each other for workers. If one is paying more then the other has to follow. So next time you decide to spew more IGNORANT, UNEDUCATED garbage about unions you need to ask yourself where would we be without them. NOWHERE!!!!!

Bob Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:15 PM EST

Carl,

"Bob, if you really think that TV shows, movies, utube vids, or anything else like that isn't going straight to the internet on a permanent basis, regardless of what anyone wants, you are deluding yourself.

I realize this. I just stated my opinion with a fact....The internet was not made to handle video & audio files. I know that there is more stuff in the works to compensate.

But i believe video should remain on a TV & audio to your stereo. That's what they were DESIGNED to do.

besides iy they removed this content, no more strike, illegal downloads, etc.

The only problem with that means a regulated internet, which we would be taxed on....which is coming to us in the near future anyhow.

TJ Spyke Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:13 PM EST

"Ex-writer", the creaters of Superman and Batman knew that they didn't own the characters but were greedy (especially Jerry Siegel and his greedy wife, who sued to get half the rights to anything Superman related on any medium that exists or will exist). shark, the studios have offered the WGA offers but the guild refused. These greedy writers are costing thousands of others (like hair stylists) money and jobs. Also, why would the AMPAS need writers permissions to show clips of movies when the movie studios own the rights to them?

whatajoke Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 01:10 PM EST

You're Fired!!!!

I just hope Discovery & Speed Channel are not affected?

The reality in every job is that some people make the most money, more make in the middle and some will earn the lowest amount.

Like having a sales job. The top sales people earn the highest commissions. Should we feel bad for the lazy people that expect a free lunch? Should they earn as much as the ones that work hard and deserve it? No, thats why unions mess everything up.

Workers that excel have no reason to in a union environment. They see other workers that would normally be be fired, making as much as they do.