WGA to membership: No deal yet

David Fri, Feb 8, 2008 at 01:07 PM EST

I went out to eat last night with a group of writers, three of which, by the way are very, very, high profile and currently working writers that support the strike whole heartedly. One of them is very involed with the negotiations and he said the strike will be over Monday.

J Dee Fri, Feb 8, 2008 at 01:14 AM EST

Betsa has a strong point. My husband and I are both laid off due to the strike. This has affected thousands of families with children and is having a negative impact on Calif's economy as well. There was a day when having a good job with good pay and benefits was appreciated.

This strike isn't a simple case of one side being right or wrong. As far as producers go, it is their money that funds the productions to begin with. If you have a couple of million to put up, then you too can become a producer. God Forbid the production sucks and you start looking for pennies in any place possible to recoop your investment or minimize your losses. While the writers have a right to a fair share of residuals why are they unable to negotiate a deal when the DGA had no problem? This begs the question: Does Organized Labor really benefit their members? Perhaps the hey day of the union worker is dead.

shaujitsu Thu, Feb 7, 2008 at 11:02 PM EST

Shark u appear to be more than a 13$ an hour fish

shaujitsu Thu, Feb 7, 2008 at 10:43 PM EST

The Writers are creative,which equals $ for the 200,000 others. Once the Bizness people control the creative people your paychecks will shrink. The Bean counters are better at this than us. If you work in the Biz you know they staggered our contracts, divide and conquer. Everybody is mad at the writers, they didn't support us. Nobody supports anybody, the Unions have no power. Lets break the cycle. Annnnnd. we can't blame em for the home equity mess we created.

Todd Thu, Feb 7, 2008 at 10:32 PM EST

Funny how certian words can really stick in your craw. David says 45000 a year is not bad, but not rich. Is the strike about getting rich, or fair wages for work? I hope that my recent $$ hardships were not forced upon me by a group that was making a living thats " not bad ". I still stand by the notion that you cant divide the price tag of a script by the time it took to write. Maybe she could give herself a raise by learning to type faster. Did you deduct time for holidays, vacations, etc. Not every writer works at the same pace, some sell multiple scripts a year, some not for a decade. Should these sell for different prices? There's not a single writer i know, including davids wife it seems, who was WORKING who wanted this strike. They all might loose their jobs. An unemloyeed WGA member who's working on some project has nothing to loose however. I would love to hear from a working WGA member who supports this strike and why. Untill then i'm still waiting to be convinced

Sick of TV Thu, Feb 7, 2008 at 09:04 AM EST

Unions exist for a reason. Take a look at the history of unoins and you see a pretty unfortunate cycle. They always start for a sincerely justified reason and eventually wind up being used extravegently. I would not; however, consider the writers strike to be at the ugly end of unions just yet. If your employer decided to simply not pay you for work you had done, you would either quit or file for legal action. Those are the options.

David Wed, Feb 6, 2008 at 12:41 PM EST

That's $159,000.00 gross, $135,0000 Net before taxes. She worked 3 years on it, $45,000.00 a year. Not bad but I don't think rich.

J Wed, Feb 6, 2008 at 12:09 PM EST

David says: "$375,000.00 divided by 2 because she has a partner, 40% taxes", etc.
-- Frankly - boo hoo. Yes, when you are making around $200K - you pay taxes and you have expenses. It is called the REAL WORLD. That is more than a U.S. Senator makes. Do you think Americans would be pitying the U.S. Senate if it went on strike for higher pay? I don't think so. Most would call for them to STAY OUT. This is the same level of "sympathy" that the WGA is garnering from the American public. Cry me a river.

J Wed, Feb 6, 2008 at 12:02 PM EST

The fact remains that American does not need the very wealthy members of the WGA to get wealthier to have quality entertainment on TV, film, or in life at all. WGA should stay on strike until the logical conclusion is made that we don't NEED THEM.

David Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 09:29 PM EST

Todd hope I didn't come off as offended, not in the least. I guess I was trying to just make a point that unions always try to get what is best for thier members whether plumbers or airline pilots. I don't have a problem with insurance agents getting residules on policies they sold 10 years before, just as I don't have Problems with writers who have "filled pages" on misc. shows. As a salesman I know that my wife works a lot harder than I do, and I still get my commission on accounts I sold years ago. All those years she was not being paid she was still working, spec scripts etc. I'm not trying to make any kind of an argument, if my wife decides that she doesn;t like the deal, she can get a job doing something else, that;s the freedom of America. But I will promise you that the movie watching public will be the worse for it. Her movie was green lit before the strike by the way, so we have more reason than most for this to be over. You sound as if your in the industry and realize it could go away at any minute. Nice to speak with you by the way, you seem really sharp.

Todd Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 08:59 PM EST

to dave cont.
..or a writer who only sells two scripts in ten years should get ten times the residuals? Get paid for the work you sell, not the work your "working on"
You said your wife made 45,000 for working a whole season ten years ago? Was she a show runner? head writer? was the concept hers? If she was a staff writer, then your book author analogy is false. It wasn't her idea, she just filled in the blanks on a few pages. Why should she get residuals for a story that wasn't hers? isn't that why we are so made at the producers for doing? Was she the shows head writer? 40,000 for a whole season doesn't seem like much.
Please, convince me. I really want to believe. why doesn't the wga limit membership like IASTE, or any real union, does so there is more work for its members. If your wife sold a 375,000 script every year we wouldn't be having this conversation right?

Todd Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 08:49 PM EST

To Dave, Once again i'd like to say I really want to keep this friendly, so please don't get offended by anything I say. I would love to honestly say I support the WGA in their noble struggle, but the math doesn't add up.
First, lets talk gross income, not net. I'ts not the producers fault you dont have enough write-offs, and the last way to lower your tax bracket is to make more money. Second, your wife did not make 35,000 a year because she was not employed for the years in between. The "we need more money when we do work to cover when we dont work" arguement falls apart with anykind of close examination. Your wife works in a business that, by its very nature, demands new talent on aregular basis. Fresh ideas and such. Writers cant expect to work all the time, and they know that getting into it. If you really think that she deserves more $$ for her time off, then a full time writer who sells scripts every year should get no residuals? Or a writer who only..
(more to come)

David Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 08:09 PM EST

I'm a free market guy all the way, so I can't argue with "do it yourself". But in reality why don't union teachers form their own schools, or union plumbers start their own companies. I owned a business for ten years so I understand. Either we have unions or we don't. My people suffered when the grocery store employees went on strike a couple of years ago. There are probably only a few hundred writers in the whole country that most would consider rich. If we want to complain, I think that college professors make way to much money, and airline pilots, they make a lot more money than 99% WGA writers, and how about those home contractors, they make way to much money.

Betsa Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 07:58 PM EST

Iris - I am also an IASTE member. My show, also a major network series, is down due to this strike Initially, I sympathized with the writers but lost those feelings when I read how arrogant the WGA leadership was. They really blew it! The strike didn't have to go on this long. If the WGA leadership had only been reasonable and acted like mature adults a lot of time and a lot of jobs would have been saved. Did the WGA consider how many people they would be hurting? How in good conscience could the WGA go on strike and think that they could bully the studios into giving them what they wanted? It didn't work and this arrogant approach has cost thousands of people to loose so much!

p Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 07:39 PM EST

Just finish 'Lost', please!

Frank Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 07:38 PM EST

The bottom line is that the WGA needs to make a deal that it can live with. Writers will NEVER get a perfect deal. The writers keep forgetting that they work for the studios. As long as the studios pick the projects and pay the writers for their work, they hold the power. The actors also need to understand this point. Everyone is a hired gun! If writers don't settle then they will continue to hold the town hostage with their greed and arrogance. If writers want better deals, then hire better agents. Stop expecting the guild to do what your lazy agents should be doing. If the writers want change and more $ then they need to band together and form their own studio, like H did.

David Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 07:06 PM EST

Todd, my wife is a pretty good example of the more typical writer. Obviously there are always a select few that make lots of money. But most are like my wife. She worked in TV ten years ago, made $40,000.00 for that season and then interviewed for 2 more years and couldn't find work. She did get a $5,000.00 residual check somewhere along the way, which really helped. Insurance guys get residules, a lot of sales guys get residules. My wife finally sold a screen play last year. $375,000.00 divided by 2 because she has a partner, 40% taxes, 10% agent, 5% accountant, means she's ended up earning about $35,000.00 a year. She has gotten up every morning and works 60, 70 hours a week. That's probably what the Cop Rock guy has been doing for the past generation also. Is it fair that the guys that wrote Andy Griffith, Beverly Hillbillies etc. don't see a penny from all of those reruns. When someone writes a book they get paid for every copy sold also.

Joe Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 06:48 PM EST

the best so far came from Frank and enough!
agree with Frank. What needs to happen now is the AMPTP needs to use this occasion to snap the unions in two by making a historical decision: Hollywood no longer shop.

1. Movie ticket prices will go down

2. You'll see new stars instead of the same 12 of them in everything

3. Several stars who have "had it coming" for several years will no longer have careers - new eager young talents will have careers

4. New screenplays with fresh ideas

5. Better television ideas

6. More Americans get work instead of the same 5,000 on every movie

7. Movies can shoot in your town instead of the ones not in right to work states

What's to lose? End union control of the creative industry NOW!
I have nothing against unions, but you need to know when and where to pick your fights! Costing the consumers is never a win! I will never support the writers on this or for anything else!They have brought this on themselves with their greed!GET RID OF WRITERS!

jas Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 06:16 PM EST

Steve- exactly. the studios/producers are the ones that have delayed this. these are huge corporations who didn't want to share dvd profits before and are now doing the same with new media. just agree to a percentage that's fair and get on with it.

and tony - come on...you sound like a kid in jr high with those remarks.

Iris Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 06:11 PM EST

I would like a writer to please explain to me why writers should even get residuals. Honestly. I'm not being disingenuous here.... I'd really like to know..... And if you say it's to account for "all that time between jobs" then get real. I'm an IATSE member and have been for over 10 years.... I have time between jobs too.. I plan. I save.

And then please explain to me why I should support your cause any longer when I and 95% of my friends are out of work. My show was a major network series and went down because of your strike.

David Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 06:11 PM EST

Yes Todd you did loose 5 years of mortgage payments for him! The writers haven't cared about you any more then the people who watch their product! They make more then enough to out last this strike! The strike is about greed, may I remind you we are in a recession! How many unions in their right minds are out on strike right now? If the baseball players union went out on strike now, it would be like cutting their own throats and nobody would back them or support them! This is different because both sides have too much money and one side is trying to take advantage and grab more then they need or deserve! Let the writers go out and get jobs like the rest of us and see what we make before they cry with a full belly!

bootsycolumbia Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 05:42 PM EST

As someone who's been a union member for 23 years, I have to respectfully disagree with those of you who would like to ban all unions. Yes, they can be corrupt, and yes, many union heads are out for themselves, but not all unions are like that. I work in the hotel industry, and believe me when I say that a unionized hotel is a far better place to work than a non-unionized one. The working conditions are safer, the work loads are more humane, and the pay, benefits and job guarantees are better. Plus, keep in mind that in every labor dispute there are two sides. I was on strike for nine weeks three years ago, and the union workers were always ready to sit down and negotiate. The management's lawyer decided to take a four week vacation in the middle of the strike, so there were no negotiations for that period. I don't know if the writers are being greedy pigs or not, but don't tell me that the studios are the innocent parties in this dispute. I'm not buying it.

Todd Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 05:41 PM EST

Like i said, I'm kinda new on these comments so be nice, no insults please. I'm just a guy trying to support his family and confused by the whole thing. From my point of view, the head writer on one of the t.v. shows I was on before the strike drove a brand new prosche SUV and was much younger than me. Did I have to re-fi my house and loose 5 years of mortgage payments for him?

Todd Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 05:34 PM EST

2:Do all WGA writers recieve residuals? I've heard that staff and lower don't get them. So the number of people who benifit shrinks...
3:Isn't animation already covered by the IATSE? I understand that our pension and welfare is based on a residual formula, so the residual battle matters to me, but isn't taking away members of my union going to hurt my overall pension and welfare?
4: All the side deals? I've read that no matter what deal Worldwide Pants made, CBS controls rereuns and residuals. Won't all these side contracts be superceded by whatever the final deal is? The so called "indies" use larger distribution companies to market their products, like MGM and Sony. Will the big companies honor the side deals? If they won't, as I've read, hasn't the last months been a huge waste of all our time?
5: The producers do loose millions every year on failed projects. Can't it be argued that their huge profits on the few successful T.V. shows offset that vast majority that are pulled?

Todd Grunberger Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 05:24 PM EST

I'm new to this, but i'd love a responce. I'm one of the thousands of crew members who have been put out of work in this town. I'm not gonna loose my house (if the strike ends soon) but it sure has put a hurt on me and my family. I would love to be behind the WGA 100% on this but there are too many questions that nobody seems able to answer for me.
1: The WGA freely admits that almost half of its membership isn't working as a writer at any givin time. I've heard that it's a lot more than that. Who are these people? Nobody in their right mind would support a work stoppage for someone who "aspires" to write, is " working on a gret concept " wrote a great script 20 years ago. I actually talked to a writer picking outside Sony who's last credit was Cop Rock. So the 12000 members of the WGA become 6000 WORKING writers.
More to follow....

Donald Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 04:36 PM EST

I have to agree with most, the writers have bitten the hand that feeds them! People are tired of being the ones who have to lose before, during, and after a strike! I say if the writers don't make enough money, find a new job or write a book, thats what most of us are and need to turn to! Books don't go on strike! Like most will tell you it wasn't as good as the book! So lets stick to books!

David Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 04:34 PM EST

Thank you Joan, for the compliment, but I can't claim credit for what is not due. I am not gay, although a good share of my close friends are. Also it is obvious that you are a fine writer, and that the Guild is lucky to have you.

Rachel Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 04:31 PM EST

With all the high prices people are paying for food, gas, heating, the fact anyone could be on strike shows me they are making too much money! I don't need to watch any of it! I'm sick and tired of those who make so much more then regular people can cry they don't make enough! Wah Wah! Don't ever settle this strike! The people need to make them pay, not make the people pay, like we have!

Donna Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 04:27 PM EST

The writers will never have my vote! I love books and the junk I have seen on the screen and television tells me to keep reading! Writers have gone to far! The fact they can be on strike this long during a recession shows they make too much now! The people need to ban them now! Best way to shut down any strike!

Joan Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 04:23 PM EST

Oh David, looks like you know and work with John! You must like wife beating too! Your wife must take some abuse! Whoever he is!I have worked in the writers guild and would have to agree with John! He seems to have a better grip on reality of the situation with the writers! I would like to say you can pull more out of your ass, or your wife's who ever he is, then the writers!

David Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 03:49 PM EST

Wow John, it was good of you to take time out from beating your wife, to impart such wisdom. I'm sure in your line of work, I'm guessing having sex with animals, or maybe quality control for local drug dealers, you would never go on strike. Thanks again for such stirring comments.

John Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 03:42 PM EST

I don't care if they ever settle this! The writers don't deserve a dime! Yeah give them more money so they can write more crap! Yeah more reality bullshit and crap, now thats writing! They need to sit all of the players together then blow them the f___ up, one big bomb! Kind of what they have given us all along, one big bomb after another! With a recession turning in to a great depression, yeah they deserve more money for total crap! Stop watching TV, stop going to the movies, and see how fast they start to see who they have bitten! If I had a rocket launcher there would never be a writer on the streets, or any where else, again! We need to import some suicide bombers from the middle east, one for each writers family!

e sundquist Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 03:10 PM EST

As someone who is not "in the business" and shall be represenative simply of being a "viewer", my stance is simple but should not be forgotten: Put in the serious effort to compromise and seek a timely resolution to your strike or you will lose me as a comsumer of your product. Please refer to the results of the National Hockey League as an example of what fans/viewers can feel toward a drawn-out strike can mean. If you really want folks to learn to prefer reality & game shows to your product, by all means please draw out this strike as long as you want. Please stop being like politicians and learn to COMPROMISE! How popular is hockey now? We the consumers of your product need escapism, but push the stike further and maybe we'll start reading more books.
-Thanks

shark Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 03:07 PM EST

Eric, Hey man, keep plucking away. I figure if I don't ever sell anything then at least when I'm gone my kids, grand-kids, etc will have something to keep my thoughts and stories alive. Who knows, they may sell one of mine and reap the benefits. that's more than I could ask for... We should get together sometime. Join Facebook and some screenwriting groups on there and I'll look you up...

shark Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 02:57 PM EST

Frank, That's what they are doing since the AMPTP have finally decided to negotiate... I really like these discussions. It’s when people throw tantrums and resort to name calling because not everyone agrees with him that ruins a good discussion group. Thanks for not blowing your top. I’ve enjoyed it...

Hue Lory Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 02:53 PM EST

It seems to be the largest issue still on the table is the size of what is deemed a clip (clips being promotional, more being something the writers NEED to be paid for).

The problem is, while it seems like something minor, if a maximum size isn't set, then the companies can simply say "This 22 minute block is just a clip," and everyone will be in the exact same position pre-strike.

Whatever arbitrary amount it's set at, it needs to be set. Otherwise, nothing was really gained at all.

Eric Friedmann Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 02:51 PM EST

Shark, my friend, it sounds like I am a lot like you. I'm a practicing New York architect by profession, but I've written several screenplays which I hope to one day sell. If that dream ever happens, ideally, I would love to just take my check, make sure my name is in the movie credits and on the poster, and stay as far away from Hollywood as possible. It's taken only a few visits there for me to realize how much that town stinks to high-Hell!

Frank Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 02:43 PM EST

Shark - That's the way it works in all areas of the industry, from writers to music editors. The problem with this strike is that the voting members of the WGA are seasoned writers with lazy agents expecting the guild to do all the work. The WGA needs to accept the fact that they will never get a perfect deal. They have to accept what they can live with. If they want better, let their agents negotiate better.

shark Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 02:35 PM EST

Frank, As I stated earlier, I'm not a writer, but I have written some scripts and am hopeful to get one sold. If I sell something and only get the minimum, at least I know that my peers have agreed that this is a fair starting point. I wouldn't expect a seasoned writer to settle for the minimum. That's where his agent comes in to negotiate the best deal possible. My agent (If I have one) doesn't have much leverage to work with since I have no previous credits. As my credits grow, so should my worth.

Eric Friedmann Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 02:29 PM EST

During this strike, many, many people have managed to rediscover their DVDs, books, nightime outings, and best of all; sex with their spouses. So, while I don't give a rat's ass if Hollywood crumbles tomorrow, it looks as though there may not be much of an audience left by the time this all does get settled.

Frank Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 02:18 PM EST

Shark - "Fair" is a relative term. An up and coming writer and a well established writer may have different views on "what is fair." And therein lies the problem...

Adam Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 02:13 PM EST

I completely support the writers, they are just trying to ge ttheir slice of the pie. If you did a job that required your talents, but someone else was making more money than you are off of those talents, wouldn't you be mad too. Give them what they want, even if they are wealthier than most, they deserve their piece of the money.

shark Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 02:10 PM EST

Frank, The agent is supposed to negotiate the best deal possible, although they may not always do so, but the minimum should still be a "Fair deal."

Freddyrich Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 02:06 PM EST

Well "blurgh", People are fighting for thier rights and "JOBS" so we don't have to watch crap TV. I guess reading Entertainment Weekly on-line is one of those more inportant things to do than watch TV. I noticed you mentioned rent a movie...did you know writers wrote those movies for the DVD's that you rent, and with writers on strike, there are crappy movies and tv shows that would have never been made or aired if the writers were not on strike... Maybe I'll watch a reality show about hiking up a mountain or what someone on tv read a book. My point is, if I'm paying for it, I should be happy with it!

Frank Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 02:02 PM EST

Shark - Writers need their agents because the agents are the ones who are supposed to negotiate to get them the best deal possible. If your ideological way of thinking worked, then all writers would get the same "great" deal for every project. They don't. The agents hold more power in negotiating than the WGA. The problem is that agents are lazy and get intimidated easily.

Frank Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 02:02 PM EST

Shark - Writers need their agents because the agents are the ones who are supposed to negotiate to get them the best deal possible. If your ideological way of thinking worked, then all writers would get the same "great" deal for every project. They don't. The agents hold more power in negotiating than the WGA. The problem is that agents are lazy and get intimidated easily.

Matt Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:56 PM EST

...And as a result, I largely keep the idiot box off these days.

Of course, I don't just sit on my couch wondering why the blinking talk-box is so dim. Having found other uses for my time, the WGA, the AMPTA, and the rest of the self-indulgent Hollywood types are going to have to work awfully hard to give me a reason to turn the tube back on.

shark Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:53 PM EST

Frank, Why should writers depend on other people (Agents) to get them a "Fair deal?" They came together as a union (WGA) to make sure they get a "Fair deal," for themselves. At some point you have to be in charge of your own situation, but sometimes as an individual you can't make a difference. That's why the WGA was formed.

blurgh Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:42 PM EST

I can't for the life of me understand how people think that "We're stuck watching crap TV because of this strike!" is a valid comment. Read a frakkin' book. Rent a movie. Hike up a mountain. There are so many more important things than whether or not you're happy with the quality of television programming, especially when people are fighting for their rights and jobs.

Frank Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:41 PM EST

H - You are right about the way agents do business. They are lazy and don't do much for their clients. If the agents did a better job and actually worked for their writing clients we wouldn't be in this mess! The WGA can not be expected to do what an agent should be doing! I hate agents, can you tell?

Sue Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:40 PM EST

I think we should all get together and form another Writer's Union. Then we can make our own deal and get back to work.

H. Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:35 PM EST

There are a lot of good points here, and a lot of writers masquerading insultingly as "ignorant Middle America viewers" in favor of the strike here. That's fine; I understand why the writers have enough time on their hands to do this. Reality dictates writers do not collectively have the power to bully the AMPTP into anything. Yet they're swaggering like lords and making enemies doing it. This strike is destructive and should not have been started. Each writer should have done a personal audit then negotiated for more residuals privately with his agent and his studio of employ instead of throwing fellow employees off the galleon to die for what could have been gained righteously, patiently and individually. The WGA has resorted to fiduciary violence to achieve its aims, and a superior writer with a good agent would never have needed to do that. This strike speaks for itself, and studios DO REMEMBER. I have to go to a meeting, but I enjoyed reading the comments here. Luck to all

David Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:32 PM EST

My point "H" ( mediocre talent ganging up together to keep its cushy spots "around the table"?)
What do you think unions do?

H. Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:29 PM EST

@Enough,

We may need IATSE, but we don't need any of the others. So I say end all the unions except IATSE for now, and put them on careful probation while training new, non-union technicians to replace them in case of another strike. Otherwise your words are sound. You forgot one point though:

Dissolving the unions will cause the bottom of CAA to fall out and their building to go dark and empty. Wait... the end of Creative Artists?

Enough is right! End all unions!

Frank Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:24 PM EST

Jamie - What if you were out of work and had no prospect of finding work because the industry is all but shut down? Would you still support the writers 100%?

Frank Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:24 PM EST

Jamie - What if you were out of work and had no prospect of finding work because the industry is all but shut down? Would you still support the writers 100%?

shark Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:24 PM EST

Tony, I’m not a writer. I live in a small town and make a little over $13 per hour. Those of you that make minimum wage that may be a lot, but to most of you that’s not much. I live from check to check. There were times in my life when grilled cheese sandwiches were a steady diet. I have lost jobs because of other people’s decisions and it’s not fun. However, I can’t fault others for trying to improve their own situation. I don’t think anyone expects hugs when they return to work, but there should be a sense of professionalism, which I see by your writing you know nothing about.

H. Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:23 PM EST

@Jaime,

Well, you're free to be on the writers' side. By the way, though, your hairdresser called. She won't be doing your hair anymore because you still haven't paid her residuals from all the dates you've been on and jobs you've gotten as the result of the style she cut for you six years ago. She deserves them, you know. Fair compensation.

Pay up, or announce thyself hypocrite who does not work in our industry.

Freddyrich Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:22 PM EST

I can understand where both sides are coming from, but it seems as no cares about the people watching the shows, the fans, the people who are giving both sides the money. We're left to watch American Idol or American Glaidators. What about the horrible NFL commercials. I work very hard to pay for Cable TV to come home to watch crap. I miss my shows like Heroes and others. What about the fans? Maybe Hollywood can think of others and not just themselves. Should doctors go on strike because insurance companies stiff them on payment? I think there could have been better ways to go about this. If your not happy with you pay check, look into another profession. I'll write for half of what you people make!

David Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:22 PM EST

Enough, well said. You must be a writer. I've never had much love for unions, but I've been sucked in because my wife is in the WGA. My problem with unions has always been that they "out for themselves". So if you want the entertainment industry to be non-union, great take what management gives you and be happy. If you think unions are a good idea, you'd better support the writers. By the way, my wife works long, long hours and has averaged $34,000.00 a year for the past 10 years.

shark Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:21 PM EST

Frank, I agree that the WGA’s tactics are terribly flawed. However, what I’m seeing here is the belief that whatever I create I have to sell for what I believe is not fair so that a 2nd assistant director or a camera man has a job. Writers don’t want to be out of work. The AMPTP may be losing advertising dollars, but they are getting out of contracts that they regretted signing, not having to pay the 200,000 + salaries of those out of work and testing reality TV at full force. The AMPTP isn’t losing much and what they do lose is a tax write off. Really, who are the bad guys? The multi-million dollar studio heads or the writers who are tired of being cheated? You don’t work for the writers; the writers didn’t put you out of a job. The AMPTP did.

Frank Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:21 PM EST

H - Well said. The writers need to stop whining and do what you did. At this point they also need to do what Betsa suggested, "The writers need to take the deal they can live with even if it isn't the best deal. Otherwise, you are sacrificing the rest of us for your own selfish gains."

H. Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:20 PM EST

And here's a question: these residuals the WGA is so hot for... did no agent of any of the writers involved in this strike try negotiating for residuals on an individual by deal basis? The reason I ask is because, as a "hot" writer during the 1990s, residuals were part of the deals I was offered, and if they weren't, we negotiated for and got them. I get these residuals now. Why is it these writers are using the WGA to perform the jobs their agents should be doing? If you're hot as a writer and your talents are "of a unique and/or extraordinary nature", studios will do anything they can do to have you pen a script for their project. Including award points and resids. Something smells in this situation. I see a bunch of writers using their union to do for their whole group what agents are supposed to do for each of them individually. This smells lame.

Could it be this strike is just mediocre talent ganging up together to keep its cushy spots "around the table"?

jaime Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:14 PM EST

Im still on the writers side 100% i will wait patiently for my shows!!! In the mean time im just watching DVD's. . .oh and BRAVO!

H. Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:12 PM EST

Some more support for Frank, from me:

>Until the writers own studios and networks nothing will ever change.<

That's true. I own and run a pretty expensive television studio, and until the day my writers buy equipment, pay for insurance or pay salaries with health and pension to all my high-priced SAG actors, they can all kiss my butt basically. I paid the millions here. I took the risk. I lost the sleep at night.

When you writers shoulder producer risk, THEN you get producer salary. That's all I can say, really.

Arrogance.

And YES I will write it myself, and better than you. I started off as a writer and I knew my place. I accepted it, saved my money, and worked UP to producer. I earned it.

And you guys? You picketed and hurt people for it. B-r-a-v-o.

Enough Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:04 PM EST

I agree with Frank. What needs to happen now is the AMPTP needs to use this occasion to snap the unions in two by making a historical decision: Hollywood no longer shop.

1. Movie ticket prices will go down

2. You'll see new stars instead of the same 12 of them in everything

3. Several stars who have "had it coming" for several years will no longer have careers - new eager young talents will have careers

4. New screenplays with fresh ideas

5. Better television ideas

6. More Americans get work instead of the same 5,000 on every movie

7. Movies can shoot in your town instead of the ones not in right to work states

What's to lose? End union control of the creative industry NOW!

Tony Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 01:03 PM EST

Shark,

You grow up you whiney little spoiled brat. I bet your a little trust fund baby aren't you? You and your "brothers" all decided to end your careers the day you stopped working and instead decided to hold up wooden signs and stroke each others ego's all day long at everyone else's expense.

No one cares about your story there's only 12,000 of you and 200,000 of us, things will never be the same. What the day you go back to work you think everyone on set is going to run up to you and give you a hug? Get real.

Betsa Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 12:48 PM EST

There's obviously a lot of resentment building, where there once was support. The truth is that we all depend on each other. Those of us who work in the industry work side by side and depend on one another to get the job done. Without pre production there is no post production and visa versa. The writers need to take the deal they can live with even if it isn't the best deal. Otherwise, you are sacrificing the rest of us for your own selfish gains.

Frank Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 12:37 PM EST

Steve - I think that the WGA mishandled the negotiations in the beginning. They came on too strong with too much bravado. For most of the strike nobody was talking. I also think that the moguls used the strike to push their own personal agendas. I hate the moguls. I think that they are greedy blood suckers. Having said that, the WGA needs to understand that so long as the moguls have the money, they hold the power. They buy the scripts and fund every aspect of a tv show or movie. That's just the way it is. Until the writers own studios and networks nothing will ever change.

shark Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 12:29 PM EST

Tony, Would you go back to work if it meant two other people would be out of work? Of course not; you’re looking out for YOUR OWN needs. As for the personal attacks, “take a long walk off a steep cliff and die a horrible death,” grow-up...

Steve Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 12:26 PM EST

I find it interesting that those non-writers who are out of work because of the strike are blaming the writers and telling them to "just agree to something" and end the strike so everyone else can get back to work. Is it the fault of the WGA for striking, or is it the fault of the AMPTP for not giving the WGA a decent deal? Why not demand that the AMPTP "just agree to something" so that everyone can go back to work? To illustrate, here are some previously posted comments, altered to target the AMPTP rather than the WGA:

"Give me a break, AMPTP! Just make a deal already...You've had three months to hem and haw and how long could it take to review the terms of the WGA and just agree to something!"

"The AMPTP has over exceeded its time and now they are just being selfish."

It seems that everyone wants the WGA to take the last three months of taking a stand, and in the end throw it all away and cave to the conditions of the AMPTP. "Just kidding, we don't really want more money."

Tony Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 12:15 PM EST

I with Betsa. I work in the industry and as lucky and young as I am to not have kids or a mortgage I'm still getting hit hard financially. The majority of these writers may not be rich or wealthy by any means, but its apparent that there definitely selfish and greedy.

*Frank, how dare you stand next to them in the beginning. I would never do such a thing I knew where this was headed, it was going towards a long cold one. Working for someone else has never entitled someone to a share of the profits.

*Shark, I have no idea what you do for a living although Im pretty sure your a writer or some kind of WGA supporter, if so take a long walk off a steep cliff and die a horrible death. Things between me and people like you will never be the same.

M. Gordon Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 12:03 PM EST

I,for one, have had too many negative dealings with union leaders to hope this strike will be resolved any time soon.They are too interested in their personal reputations as 'tough' union bosses to give in easily. Unfortunately, this causes undue suffering for the rank and file members, and ultimately results in achieving less than hoped for. Everyone, except the top brass on both sides is hurt by an extended strike, but these executives, despite their protests, care very little for the hard working people they all claim to be so concerned about. Get on with it, and settle this strike! To continue is both petulant and childish. Both sides are equally to blame and the innocent have suffered long enough.

shark Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 11:55 AM EST

Besta, Most people make career decisions based on their and their family's futures. It is unfortunate that your job depends on others in the industry, but you can't expect the writers to base their futures on whether or not you are out of work. I don’t think you would make a career decision based on whether a caterer may or may not lose their contract to feed a cast and crew. I do feel bad for you and I would support any fund to help support those in your situation, but you have to base you decisions on your own needs.

steven lawrence Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 11:51 AM EST

Its all fun and games until someone loses a house

Frank Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 11:40 AM EST

No we are not supportive. Three months ago we stood with the writers but almost 4 months later we can't. 12,000 WGA, but there are 200,000 non WGA who are out of work. The writers don't care about us. Why should we care about them? The WGA has over exceeded it's time and now they are just being selfish. I can't support a strike that is killing me!

Ryan Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 11:37 AM EST

I agree with Thom and Betsa. Writers weren't exactly on welfare before this strike happened, and now all they want is more money at the cost of the shows we love.

Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 11:17 AM EST

Give me a break WGA! Just make a deal already. Jesus, you've had three months to whine and complain and how long could it possibly take to review the deal the DGA made and just agree to something! I understand the WGA wants their fair share of everything, but they have put more than just themselves out of work and I'm sure those people aren't very supportive of the writers at this point.

Betsa Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 10:56 AM EST

There are thousands who are not writers, actors, directors or moguls who are being adversely affected by this strike. We don't care about your residuals. We can't! We can no longer fight for your future when ours looks so bleak. We are losing our homes, we pulled our children out of schools and falling deeper into a debt we will never be free from. This strike and your selfishness is ruining lives and holding this town and industry hostage. I say every single person who IS financially hurt by this strike should file a class action lawsuit against the members of the AMPTP and the WGA!

James Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 10:40 AM EST

I somewhat agree with Thom, either pampered, or failed or failing members of thier profession... I do not typically think of writers as overly rich or pampered as a group, but the union heads are very well paid and by-and-large have stopped or given up trying to do the work of the peers they are representing. The other side of the table are cut-throat businessmen which is both an insult and compliment.

Thom Tue, Feb 5, 2008 at 09:11 AM EST

If the general public and the entertainment industry actually want this strike to be resolved they need to stop reporting that is almost over. I firmly believe that the writers will not sign a deal just for spite because everyone is so convinced it's over. People tend to forget that the people doing the negotiating are pampered millionaires who don't care if film crews and other off camera employees ever get back to work.