Redefining Rockel

You know I never discuss female thermodynamics - Lou; Rescue Me

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The Film of the Week

The WORD of the Week

Matthew 3:7-10

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Stupid Fact of the Week

There was only one civilian casualty during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg

21 November, 2007

Steee-rike 2

Still the same strike; here's your second update.

Some articles:
Letterman Opens His Wallet
Family Guy Sans MacFarlane?

Both articles are pretty self explanatory from their titles, but a good read none the less if you are bored and need material (though rather old, sorry, I've been planning to get back to this topic for a while and failing). The one thing I will point out is the Letterman article, which deals with Dave paying his crew through the end of the year, discredits the (apparent) rumor that Jon Stewart was paying his crew out of pocket. As I had previously posted this as fact, I now apologize and correct.

Alright, so the big news now is that talks are set to get back underway this coming Monday. Fingers crossed, maybe they can get this resolved. Other than that, things have quieted down quite a bit here at the Sony lot, which is nice. It no longer takes me 15 minutes just to drive passed the picket lines. Good stuff.

In the interest of keeping this short, I'll just let the writers and producers speak for themselves. First a video from the writers followed by an open letter from the producers...

An Open Letter...

Like so many other facets of modern life, technology is rapidly changing the way Hollywood works. The Internet, mobile devices, TiVo and similar innovations give audiences a chance to watch movies, television shows and other content in ways undreamed of just a few years ago.

The negotiations between producers and writers over a new contract have taken place in the context of this paradigm shift in how entertainment is distributed and consumed.

That, in turn, has led to a lot of confusion about what the writers' strike is all about, even among many with a stake in the outcome. Some respected writers have even made public statements about the issues that demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of what is on the table and how they are being paid.

Given the complexity of the residual system itself and the often technical nature of the proposals submitted by writers and producers in their recent negotiations, such mistakes may be understandable. But they contribute to an atmosphere where bridging the gap between us seems harder than ever.

That is why we would like to set the record straight on key issues.

First, how should writers be paid when content is offered in "new media" formats, such as on the Internet?

It is important to make clear that writers currently do receive residuals for digital downloading (regardless of whether the download is temporary or permanent).

That means every time anyone pays for movies or television programs on the Internet or through other new media channels, writers are getting paid. So the notion that we are not sharing new media revenue with writers is simply not correct.

The Writers Guild is proposing to change the formulas for digital downloading. For electronic sell-through (like buying a movie on iTunes), the Guild is seeking at least a 700 percent increase over what writers currently receive, and more than a 200 percent increase over what they receive for Internet "pay per view." There is no way that these increases can be deemed reasonable.

A second issue of concern for writers and producers is this: what happens when content is streamed over the Internet for free?

The AMPTP has offered to pay writers a percentage of the revenues the producer receives from licensing streamed content on the Internet. However, the Writers Guild is asking that writers get a percentage of what the Internet site owners receive in advertising revenues connected with the streaming content, even if producers are getting none of that money themselves.

Simply put, what the Writers Guild is asking for has no precedent. No labor agreement in history has given writers, actors or directors a portion of advertising dollars. There is no way that this change can be deemed reasonable.

We believe common ground can be found once reasonable people take the time to understand the issues. We hope this letter can help move us all closer to that goal.

Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers
For questions and comments please contact: www.amptp.org
On behalf of the 350 producers of motion picture and television currently represented in negotiations with the Writers Guild of America

posted by Rockel @ 11:06 AM

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Lyrics of the Week

ON THE NICKEL
by Tom Waits

("I'd like to do a new song here. This is eh, it's about downtown Los Angeles on 5th Street. And eh all the winos affectionately refer to it as The Nickel. So this is kind of a hobo's lullaby.")

sticks and stones will break my bones,
but i always will be true, and when
your mama is dead and gone,
i'll sing this lullabye just for you,
and what becomes of all the little boys,
who never comb their hair,
well they're lined up all around the block,
on the nickel over there.

so you better bring a bucket,
there is a hole in the pail,
and if you don't get my letter,
then you'll know that i'm in jail,
and what becomes of all the little boys,
who never say their prayers,
well they're sleepin' like a baby,
on the nickel over there.

and if you chew tobacco, and wish upon a star,
well you'll find out where the scarecrows sit,
just like punchlines between the cars,
and i know a place where a royal flush,
can never beat a pair, and even thomas jefferson,
is on the nickel over there.

so ring around the rosie, you're sleepin' in the rain,
and you're always late for supper,
and man you let me down again,
i thought i heard a mockingbird, roosevelt knows where,
you can skip the light, with grady tuck,
on the nickel over there.

so what becomes of all the little boys,
who run away from home,
well the world just keeps gettin' bigger,
once you get out on your own,
so here's to all the little boys,
the sandman takes you where,
you'll be sleepin' with a pillowman,
on the nickel over there.

so let's climb up through that button hole,
and we'll fall right up the stairs,
and i'll show you where the short dogs grow,
on the nickel over there.