Steeeeeeeeerike!!

[ZION]

It's official: the Writers Guild of America will go on strike come 12:01am this Monday...

http://www.radaronline.com/features/2007/10/this_revolution_wont_be_televised.php

[Wrathborne]

Meh. Cant say I care about their petty strikes. The majority of these people make more doing an episode of whatever than we do in four months.

[ZION]

You understand this includes all movies?

[Wrathborne]

:nods:

Nothing out there I want to see for at least what 6-7 months? If I have to wait a little longer thne I have to wait a little longer.

Besides I gots 2 little internet projects I'm gonna be putting out within a week or so. Just means I can capitalize on getting some extra views on my work :)
(Wrathbornes evil ambition involves building up an internet audience)

[Highwayman]

I'm not so pissed about movies but this affects the Late Show with David Letterman as of monday cause it's a taped and aired in the same day. No writers, no show... fuck!

[Chief Falling Rock]

yeah a strike sucks for certian things, but in the end we may see more independant film making come from it. Every once and awhile Hollywood needs something different to happen to get butts back in seats. Something may come of it.

[ZION]

:nod: Agreed Chief.

[pastor_ice43]

Independent Films are fine and all....but come June, I want some explosions.

[koolmike]

Could care less.

[Wrathborne]

*blows up pastor Ice's igloo*

What? Ice= cold= igloo. Its a pun...LAUGH ITS FUNNY!

[skybrick]

Pretty good point chief. Independant movies will get boring after a while though.

[Wax Zombie]

This strike is going to turn really bad till it's over.

James Gunn explain about this strike.

From James Gunn's <>MySpace:

I'm on strike!

As a member of the Writers Guild of America, I have been on strike since 12 am last night.

The only reason for the strike – and don't believe anything to the contrary – is that the studios have refused to pay writers (and screen actors, and directors) residuals on new media. When you download a movie from Amazon or a TV show on iTunes, the people who created that content, who devised it, wrote it, acted in it, and directed it, get exactly 0% of the profits. And the studios want it to stay that way.

The WGA was asking for an increase in the residuals made on DVD sales (unlike new media, creators make a small percentage off of DVD and VHS sales, pay-per-view showings, TV sales, etc). For months now the studios have said that this was the reason the contract couldn't be closed. However, at the 11th hour – last night – the WGA took that off the table. It came down to new media and only new media. And the studios refused to budge.

This strike is absolutely not a matter of the rich getting richer. We're not striking because of guys like me who have made numerous feature films, or guys like Greg Daniels who have created popular TV shows. This is for middle-class writers – your regular TV staff writers and people who may have done one or two small feature films. Residuals are a way they can make perhaps a few thousand dollars a year between gigs. This is a way they can put food on the table and pay the rent during downtime – and downtime is something almost all writers (and actors and directors) have.

And the writers guild are striking not only for themselves – they're striking for the actors and directors as well. Most likely, whatever deal we agree to is the same deal the actors and directors will get when their contracts are up later this year.

None of the TV shows or movies you watch would exist without us, the people who created them, who poured our hearts and souls into the making of them. And yet, again, the studios think that only they should be making the money off of them. And new media is exceptionally important – in just a few years that may be the way most of us experience most of our entertainment.

I've gotten a lot of messages from MySpace folks worried about me or my various projects. The truth is, as long as the strike ends in the next thirty to forty years, I should be personally fine. And, to be quite honest, I'm excited about the break. I'm working on some smaller, non-studio, non-guild related projects with my brothers Brian and Sean, and with the LOLLILOVE crew of Pete Alton and Stevie Blackehart. This is stuff that really fires me up.

As for my big projects, PETS is definitely on hold, as I'm in the middle of writing the script, and can't turn anything in until the strike is over. THE BELCOO EXPERIMENT is a different story – the script is completely finished, my deal with the producers is done, and I could direct it if we all chose to do that. But would I want to commit to a movie that I wouldn't have the freedom to rewrite even if I wanted to?

However, although the strike for me is, in some ways, a good thing, I recognize how shitty it is for the rest of the industry, and the city of Los Angeles in general, so I want it to end quickly. I can't help but think of all the crew people who are going to lose jobs because of this, or the Burbank waiters and waitresses whose tips are going to dry up as the work around them does – not to mention the strippers across the LA area whose g-strings rely on writers and actors being flush with cash. Let's end this fucking strike for the strippers, okay?

Not to mention you guys, the audience. You're going to start to feel it right away with the late-night talk shows that are going to disappear or get real crappy real quick. And, if it lasts for a bit, you're going to lose out on the second half of the seasons of your favorite TV shows (already, WGA member Steve Carell didn't show up to set, so this season of THE OFFICE could be kaput after the next few already-shot episodes.) The studios will also rush movies into production with unfinished scripts which means, in a little less than a year from now, you're going to see the shittiest movies of all time.

So for their stinginess, their greed, and their overall bullshit, the studios can go fuck themselves. And not in a nice way either.

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=58119776&blogID=325719700

That is fuck up. Hollywood needs to stop being assholes and pay the writers/actors/directors.

[Mr 316]

Yep and here's more stuff.
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34700
Published on Monday, November 5, 2007 - 5:48pm
Updated Some More!!
THE OFFICE Is Closed!!

I am – Hercules!!
TV writers: Is your showrunner back at work today?

“The Office” showrunner Greg Daniels is picketing his own Van Nuys set. Cast members – including Rainn Wilson, Jenna Fischer and John Krasinski as well as WGA members Steve Carell, B.J. Novak, Mindy Kaling and Paul Leiberstein – are not crossing the picket line.

Losing its cast shuts down NBC’s highest-rated sitcom a lot faster than a lot of other series, which are trying to put into production the last few scripts written before the strike.

An excerpt from a TVWeek story on the matter:

“We have non-writing producers on the show who are perfectly capable of doing any non-writing producing duties,” Mr. Daniels said. “They want me do to writing-producing and just pretend it’s producing. Every decision you make has a writing aspect to it. If they really just thought it was producing, they could just as easily get somebody else to do these tasks.”
Read all of TVWeek’s story here.

According to a Nov. 6 TVWeek post, other sitcoms said to have already ceased production include “Back To You,” “Big Bang Theory,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “Miss/Guided” and “Rules of Engagement.”

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" showrunner Warren Leight told the L.A. Times he will not cross the picket line.

"30 Rock" writer/star/mastermind/showrunner Tina Fey was picketing, but also continues to work in front of the cameras, ironically to play WGA member Liz Lemon.

Joss Whedon reports that his old "Buffy" actors Alyson Hannigan (now on "How I Met Your Mother") and David Boreanaz (now on "Bones") were both picketing alongside the writers outside the Fox lot.

And there's this:

Hey, Herc -- They're telling the striking workers down at CBS that Julia Louise Dreyfuss walked off the set of "New Adventures of Old Christine" today and promptly joined the picket line. I now love Ms. Dreyfuss.
And this:

Outside of Universal this morning was the bearded one himself, ["Battlestar Galactica" showrunner] Ron Moore, picketing the Universal Studios Gates with the entire writing staff.
And this:

I can confirm that the entire writing staff of TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, including showrunners John Wirth and Josh Friedman, were out picketing at Warner Bros today.
And this:

Herc,
Heads up, another show to add to the list of frozen productions.

Rules of Engagement, starring David Spade and Patrick Warburton has officially shut down as well. Their last episode was filmed Sunday night instead of the usual Tuesday night.

I work on the show and it's officially shut down until further notice.

And this:

CSI showrunner Carol Mendelsohn has been with her staff picketing outside Universal both Monday and Tuesday.
And this:

"Desperate Housewives" showrunner Marc Cherry picketed Universal Monday, alongside WGA President Patric Veronne and lead negotiator David Young. Entertainment Tonight popped by as well. Marc will be back tomorrow, he is picketing with his entire writing staff.
Marg Helgenberger showed up all by her lonesome to join the picket, and did actually picket for several hours.

Joss Whedon's fan club, Whedoneque, had pizzas delivered to all gates, including a special anchovies-only for Jane Espenson (she did drop by and did enjoy a slice).

And a man I am told was Ahmet Zappa came by with several dozen iced blendeds from Coffee Bean for everyone's enjoyment.

The honks from drivers passing by were deafening and constant, and greatly, greatly appreciated - keep honking! NBC even sent down an *intern* to beg us to quit encouraging the honking, as it was "distracting" to the suits inside. We'll get right on that.

This from longtime AICN contributor "Derek Flint":

Bryan Fuller was picketing Warner Brothers with the entire writing staff of PUSHING DAISIES.
J.J. Abrams picketed alongside the producers of LOST.

Reportedly, Tim Kring wouldn't comply with a weekend rewrite that would tack a season ending onto the last script written and is now off HEROES.

That report on Kring appears to be erroneous. From a Nov. 6 AP report:

Tim Kring, a producer and writer of the NBC hit "Heroes," said he had to revise the ending of the show's 11th episode on the chance that it might be the last one to air this season. "Fortunately we were able to hustle back," Kring said from a picket line in an effort to shut down the show. "The audience won't be left in a lurch."
An email from "Grey's Anatomy"/"Private Practice" mastermind Shonda Rhimes:

I have to tell all of you that this email directly reflects the stance I came to over a very long night in New York. I absolutely believed that I would edit our episodes. Until a thought hit me: how can I walk a picket line and then continue to essentially work? How am I supposed to look at myself in the mirror or look at my child years from now and know that I did not have the courage of my convictions to stand up and put myself more at risk than anyone else? So I choose not to render my services as a producer. I choose to honor the strike. And I am proud that you all stand with me.
Shawn Ryan, showrunner on CBS' "The Unit" and FX's "The Shield," is also staying out of the office and on the picket line with "Unit" star Robert Patrick. Ryan writes:

At the Showrunners Meeting it became very clear to me that the only thing I can do as a showrunner is to do nothing. I obviously will not write on my shows. But I also will not edit, I will not cast, I will not look at location photos, I will not get on the phone with the network and studio, I will not prep directors, I will not review mixes. These are all acts that are about the writing of the show or protecting the writing of the show, and as such, I will not participate in them. I will also not ask any of my writer/producers to do any of these things for me, so that they get done, but I can save face.
I will not go into the office and I will not do any work at home. I will be on the picket line or I will be working with the Negotiating Committee. I will not have an avid sent to my house, or to a new office so that I can do work on my show and act as if it is all right because I'm not crossing any picket lines.

[Wax Zombie]

I hope this strike doesn't ruin the big blockbuster movies that is coming out next year such as Dark Knight and Indiana Jones 4.

[Cataclysm]

I hope this strike doesn't ruin the big blockbuster movies that is coming out next year such as Dark Knight and Indiana Jones 4.

I guess you don't read the shit you post, the strike doesn't affect movies already in production.

As far as James Gunn goes, yeah it's a real shame he's on strike. After all he's offered us a shitty remake, a shitty rip-off, and two shitty TV show-to-movie adaptations. The only decent thing he's done is Tromeo and Juliet.

"...You're going to see the shittiest movies of all time." That's funny, I thought that was already happening.

[réÐþÁ†µ]

Cant say I know much about the situation but I would say perhaps hollywood is too busy overpaying for their eye candy or 'actors/actresses' rather than the people who are putting together the product. Moreover one of the most important aspects at that.

[Officefan]

Meh. Cant say I care about their petty strikes. The majority of these people make more doing an episode of whatever than we do in four months.
Writers deserve their residuals. Their salaries aren't as high as you think. If your boss was making tons of money off your work, and refused to give you a share, I think you would act just as "petty" as the WGA.

This sucks, to be honest. Production has shut down on The Office, with only (I think) one episode left to air. That means my favorite show, that I never miss, will be replaced by reruns and eventually lame-ass reality TV. Though, there is a rumor NBC is looking in to airing the original BBC Office in it's place; that's not much help to me, as I already own the entire goddamn series on DVD.

I just hope the studios get their shit together and give the writers what they deserve for their hard work.

[JerkyPuck]

Nice to see some very famous people on the news speaking out. Even though they get paid a lot more than we do, let's keep in mind that they are owed this money, not just bitching about raises. Not to mention, it is very expensive to live in Hollywood and work in showbusiness....with galas and dinners, premieres, and all that. It can get very expensive, so 200-300K there is not what it is in the rest of the country. That's not even a whole helluva lot in New York.

[Knight]

Not to mention, it is very expensive to live in Hollywood and work in showbusiness....with galas and dinners, premieres, and all that.

Yeah, these poor people. I mean how could the average Joe sleep at night knowing this sort of slave labor is going on in their very own country. It's a sad state of affairs when someone who sits on their ass all day and writes TV shows can't even afford the everyday necessities of life such as four star hotels and Cristal.

[JerkyPuck]

Hey I don't really feel sorry for their lifestyle, but it kind of comes along with the territory. If you wrote a film and that film cost 1 million and made 150 million, I think you'd be striking too when your paycheck read $25,000.

[JerkyPuck]

Also (and sorry for the double post), let's not forget there are a lot more mediums now for movies and shows to be watched, such as online videos, DVD, etc. They just want their deserved cut of that.

[Knight]

Perhaps, but you can't really expect Joe Smith to understand or relate to the fact that $200,000 or $300,000 'isn't really that much in Hollywood', especially when Joe Smith, in all likely hood, is working a hell of a lot harder for 1/5 of that.

Joe Smith not really gonna give a shit if Bob Writer can afford dinner with Lindsey Lohan and front row tickets to the Grammys.

[JerkyPuck]

Sure, and believe me, I live paycheck to paycheck, but I am also an actor and a singer, so I can certainly identify with their plight. Sure, they are financially well off, but they certainly deserve wht's rightfully theirs when the suits upstairs are taking it.

[thorn_man]

Well at least the final episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm has been made already.

Also, has anyone heard anything about South Park? I know Parker and Stone aren't fans of the Screen Actors Guild, I wonder if their with the WGA.

[JerkyPuck]

they have to be since they write for a network.

[Mr 316]

Well at least the final episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm has been made already.

Also, has anyone heard anything about South Park? I know Parker and Stone aren't fans of the Screen Actors Guild, I wonder if their with the WGA.

Wouldn't be surprised if South Park does a show mocking the strike within the next couple of weeks.

[pastor_ice43]

How high writers salaries are mean absolutely dick in this situation. The fact is this....they are producing product, and not being paid for it. It's no different then any one of us doing our jobs and not getting our paychecks. Period.

[Mr 316]

This is only the start. Wait til late next year when the actors contracts come up and forgot who else, but that open up a new shit storm.

Oh and if you guys want, you can sign a petition in favor of the writers.
http://www.petitiononline.com/WGA/petition.html

[hackerslacker]

hope this helps


HOLLYWOOD WRITERS STRIKE AFFECTING TV SHOWS
Here's how some shows will be affected by the writers strike
__________________________________________________ _________________
UGLY BETTY/GREY'S ANATOMY/PUSHING DAISIES (ABC) - Each show has 4 new episodes left to run until they go into re-runs

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (ABC) - New episodes run out on December 2nd

HEROES (NBC) - New episodes run out on December 3rd

HOUSE (FOX) - 6 episodes left that will run until the end of Noember, then they will run the rest of the episodes on January. One episode will run AFTER the Super Bowl.

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER/THE BIG BANG THEORY/TWO AND A HALF MEN/
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (CBS) - New episodes will run out at the end of this month.

THE OFFICE (NBC) - Re-runs will start after next week's episode. The Office's cast are some of the biggest supporters of the writers strike.

FAMILY GUY (FOX) - New episodes will run through November, then re-runs will start.

SAMANTHA WHO? (ABC) - Has 8 new episodes that still haven't hit the air so they don't have a problem with new episodes yet.

NCIS/CRIMINAL MINDS/WITHOUT A TRACE/COLD CASE (CBS) -
Each show has about 3-6 new episodes that have yet to run.

[Chief Falling Rock]

http://www.petitiononline.com/WGA/petition.html

heres petition for those in favor

[Mr 316]

Even 24 got halted.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34729
Published on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - 8:05pm
24 Postponed
Indefinitely!!


I am – Hercules!!

Damn it!!

The Writers Guild turns out to be sufficiently badass to sideline even Jack Bauer.

Fox has decided it doesn’t want to just give fans only half a day in Bauer’s life, so the thriller’s 7th season has been yanked from January – with no plans to return it until the strike is settled.

Read all of TVWeek’s story on the matter here.

[slimeisacharacter]

Pitty, I enjoyed Colbert Report for its "The Word" segments. Overall the TV hit is minor in my eyes, but the possible movie backlash is interesting. This whole 'not getting paid for net materials' echoes alot alike the old Napster incident to me. Wouldn't be surprised if it all ended in a guild vs hollywood lawsuit for back pay.