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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
10 November, 2007
Steee-rike
I'm sure most of you have heard that there's this strike thing going on that's pretty much rocking Hollywood. Here's your little update on what it is, who it's effecting, the latest developments, and what's going to come of it.

First off: What is it?

The "Writers Guild of America" is on strike. In reality, there is no "Writers Guild of America," there are two unions: "Writers Guild of America East," and "Writers Guild of America West." It's just easier to use the one name. But basically, the two unions are on strike due to the inability to arrive at an amicable solution to several issues surrounding the guilds' contracts with the "Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers" (AMPTP) a trade organisation that represents producers of, you guessed it, movies and television.

Who does it effect?

Let's start with television. First to suffer it's effects were the late night talks (conan, leno, leterman, etc.), and the daytime chats (oprah, ellen, etc.)... basically any show that didn't have "scripts" in production several weeks in advance (sitcoms and dramas). However, the "scripted" sitcoms and dramas were next to be effected. Once the producers had shot all the scripts that had been finalized, that was it. No new scripts. No rewrites. Most shows have now, or will in the next week or so, run their course and production has/will shut down. That means the crews for all of these shows are on an indefinite, unpaid hiatus.
Next, to movies. Rest assured unless the strike ends quickly there will be some effect felt by the film studios. Most of the large studios have enough shows "in the pipeline" to continue on basically unscathed for several months, if not longer. However, again, the sames rules apply. No new scripts. No rewrites. So if you're not 100% confident with the script as you have it, you're going to have a tough time getting a producer to agree to green light it.

Who DOESN'T it effect?

Thankfully, me. Right now I'm in a pretty good position at a desk at Sony. It doesn't look to be ending any time soon and even if it does I've got some really good connections there and a temp agency that wants to continue to get paid (aka continue to get me paid). Plus, most of the production work I've gotten out here has been on independent projects and the Biggest Loser, which is... Reality TV. Our favorite kind of television. Contrary to popular belief not all Reality TV is completely unscripted (aka Writer-less), but several are, including Biggest Loser, and those that aren't could easily transition into a Writer-less environment if they chose to. So, it's business as usual for most Reality TV. Interestingly enough the "birth" of reality TV (though not the boom of recent years) was a direct effect of the 1988 Writers strike (more details below). COPS, in particular, was one show that was formed during those 5 months.

What are the latest developments?

Not a whole lot in the way of reaching a resolution. The writers continue to picket and voice their complaints loudly, most recently throwing a HUGE protest outside of Fox's studios in Century City. And the producers continue to say they refuse to sit down and negotiate while the writers are demonstrating as such. We'll just have to see.

What's going to come of it?

Hard to say. First off, let me give you a little background about what the big issues are involved in the dispute. The last time the writers went on strike was almost twenty years ago (1988). They did so because "home video" (aka VHS) was starting to become a popular means of entertainment consumption and the writers felt they deserved, along with all other "above the line" positions (producers, directors, actors, designers), residual payment for their work. I don't know how many of you remember this, but back in the day (aka 1988) a VHS copy of your favorite movie could run you up to 100 dollars. Hollywood threw this outrageous price tag on these beauties not because it cost that much to produce a VHS cassette, but rather because they calculated the cost of taking your entire family to see a movie in theatres several times (which, apparently, they felt was comparable to watching a VHS on your 20 inch wooden-cabinet-enclosed, no-remote-control television with on-board, blown-out, factory speakers). Anyway, at the close of the '88 strike the producers and writers came to an agreement on residual payment for home video. However, the agreement was based on a product priced at 50-100 dollars (it was something crazy like three tenths of one percent per video), so now that the 20 dollar DVD is the market standard, and with things shifting toward digital acquisition, the writers are looking to capitalize a little more than their current 4 cents per DVD. The writers were hoping to get 8 cents per DVD (yes, this strike is over little more than 4 cents) and also tap into the "new media" (aka digital downloads/viewing) market. On Oct. 31 the contract between the writers and the producers expired. On Nov. 1 the Writers Guild held a meeting in L.A. where they endorsed a strike. The next day, Nov. 2, they announced the strike would begin at 12:01am Monday, Nov. 5, 2007. In a latch ditch effort, a Federal mediator was brought in on Nov. 4 to bring the two sides to the bargaining table one last time. The effort, obviously, failed as the strike began as scheduled Monday Nov. 5, however, the details surrounding what happened on Nov. 4 are incredibly varied and completely unsubstantiated. Even so, here's the story I've heard most frequently:
The two sides came to the table. The Writers agreed to drop their demand for 4 more cents per DVD and settle for the current 4 cent per. The Producers, in response to this were giving serious consideration to giving the writers everything (or close to everything) they wanted in regard to "new media," however, they were still a little hesitant and the meeting was now stretching into the late evening so they broke for a late dinner. While they were at dinner, the Producers discovered that the Writers Guild East members (in NYC) had already begun to strike (as it was 12:01pm on the east coast), and since the Writers had promised not to carry out any of their strike actions until after the last ditch negotiation had been completed the Producers returned to the table grumpy, removed any offer they had previously made, said take it as it is now or strike, and the Writers said, "Strike."

So, anyway, what was I talking about? Oh, yeah. What's going to come of it? Obviously, one side will have to give in more than they are now. There really is no telling who or how much. But first, the writers have to stop demonstrating so the Producer can talk to them again without "a gun to their heads." As to how long it will take... The '88 strike lasted exactly 5 months and cost the industry an estimated 500 million dollars (that's 1988 dollars, mind you). So this thing could easily cost the industry over a Bil. Time-wise, the estimates are as follows:

- It will be over in a few weeks. For this to happen, the writers will have to stop making large demonstrations, return to the table and be a little humble. The Producers have to remove the silver spoons from their asses and maybe compromise a little.

- It will be over in 9 months. Most people agree that if this isn't resolved soon while it's fresh and in the news (and before everyone in the industry goes and finds another job) both sides will lock into their stubborn "long-term," "marathon" mentality. The next big opportunity for a resolution would be next summer when the contracts for the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Director's Guild of America (DGA) run out. Unless something very drastic happens between now and then, both guilds are expected to side with the Writers and go on strike themselves.

- ????. If it's not resolved in 9 months it's because SAG and DGA are striking which basically means the Producers have as much pressure on them as is possible and they will either cave or it'll only be a matter of time before the scabs build a new industry.


Finally, the highlights/lowlights. Here is a list of a few things that have happened that you may or may not be aware of:
- Ellen crossed the picket lines, causing quite the commotion.
- Jay Leno bought the strikers doughnuts.
- Eva Longoria bought them pizza.
- Jon Stewart is paying his full staff (as well as the full staff on The Colbert Report) their normal salary (even though they have halted production indefinitely) for two weeks.
- NBC, in an effort to hardball the writers into hightailing it back to negotiations, made a point of formally firing the production crew of "The Office."
- It's spreading. All the way to Local One. That's right. For those of you who missed it, Broadway's dark.


Alright, there you have it. That's about all I can tell you on that. Stay tuned for more.

In other random stuff:
~ My new most favorite-est ad campaign: Accident by T-Mobile
~ Holy crap! Pairs and Group Gymnastics! Yeah, you heard me. Oh, you didn't? Then I'll say it again. Pairs and Group Gymnastics!
~ In response to Bethany's comment asking me my thoughts on Nov. 5 being Ron Paul's big money day: It was a clerical error, I assume. It was supposed to be the eighth, my birthday, but I'll overlook that. I'm delighted that his campaign has raised so much money for two reasons: 1) I really like him, his positions, and his politics (or lack thereof) so I am delighted that he is seeing success; 2) I am encouraged to see that so many of my fellow Americans support him, his positions, and his politics. As to Nov. 5 being the day that most people chose to give, I think the meaning inherent in the date is less impressive than the general outpouring of support. The giving on the date obviously symbolizes his supporters' willingness and readiness to see our current government (both the structure and the accountability) radically reformed, but that is, in effect, his message as a whole, so I believe it was more or less convenient that that particular day of infamy fell on Nov. 5 (had it fallen on March 5, well after the important primaries, I don't believe his supporters would have waited until then).
posted by Rockel @ 5:58 PM  
1 Comments:

  • At 12/11/07 12:54 PM, Blogger Edwards said…

    Nice post, I definitely did not know any of that about the strike. Good info. Interesting that Ellen crossed the picket line...

     
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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.
45113638_202b79dc11
"We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe,
by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are,
but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it."
 -- Madeleine L'Engle, "Walking on Water"