Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:10 am Post subject: The Writers Guild Strike
Just wondered how many people know about this or know the details of it because I only actually looked it up today. I had heard about it for weeks but didn't realise why they were striking. So for those who don't know, heres the reasoning.
The contract between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television producers (AMPTP) came up for renewal on 31st October this year, instead of one being agreed upon as normal things have changed. The WGA are now asking for a share of the internet revenue that the six big corporations aka AMPTP are making when the AMPTP reuse their work online for streaming or download. So pretty much in the same way that when Sky One show 24 some money is paid to the production company etc.
The WGA are requesting 2.5 Cents per Dollar so if the AMPTP companies get paid, all the writers get paid. The Corporations keep saying that they aren't making any money to the WGA but at the same time they have said to their shareholders that they are making money, apparently the revenue for internet property is in the billions of dollars.
It does come across that the Corps don't want to share any of their money (surprise surprise) and have said no which has 'caused' the WGA to strike and this is leading to unfinished or unaired TV shows (24, Heroes), rushed scripts (look at a lot of the films that are going into production at the second).
An option someone suggested was for the WGA to agree to a profit share however the Corps have their own special accounting practices which means that very little is apparently profitable.... Apparently (this is good) the Simpsons is STILL not a profitable television program?! (cough).
So this is bad for all of us, who you support as such is down to you I guess though from what I've read I think the WGA have a fair point, they just want some of the royalties for their work.
Any opinions?
And in case any are interested, the petition is here _________________ Pro Massacre Boy!
I've been aware of the dispute for some time and the reasons behind it but hadn't perhaps gone into it with any real depth.
For starters, I'm completely with the WGA here. Their members make a significant contribution to every programme aired on US television, and that, I think, understates matters quite substantially. They should be entitled to any royalties from internet sales and, correct me if I'm wrong here, but I'm under the impression that royalties from DVD sales are also being called into question.
I had read that 24 will not be broadcast unless it can be aired on a weekly basis in the US (the producers argue that scheduling 24 any other way hurts the impact the series ultimately has) and, therefore, may be pushed back until Autumn of next year.
Furthermore, only eight episodes of Lost are in the can although these may still be broadcast anyway, despite the production's previous hopes to air the series weekly, having cited similar reasons to those used above for 24.
Other top US shows affected are CSI, Heroes (note that Heroes: Origins has been pushed back a year as a result), Desperate Housewives, Prison Break etc etc.
Oh, and The Simpsons isn't profitable. Of course it isn't. _________________ With Great Power, Comes Great... Potential to ROB BANKS!!! HAHAH! THAT'S HOW TO BEAT THE RECESSION!!!
Yeah its a stupid thing to say but they get away with it anyway. However the fact that 24 Season 7 has been pushed back isn't a particularly bad thing.... Have you seen the trailer? The concept is hilarious _________________ Pro Massacre Boy!
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:06 am Post subject: Re: The Writers Guild Strike
Reaper wrote:
An option someone suggested was for the WGA to agree to a profit share however the Corps have their own special accounting practices which means that very little is apparently profitable.... Apparently (this is good) the Simpsons is STILL not a profitable television program?! (cough).
I'm sure that with any "special" accounting practice you can make it look like you have little or no profit.
Obviously writers are a huge part of any TV or movie (although I always thought that 24 was just made up as they went along) so it's right that contribution is recognised. I don't see why they shouldn't be entitled to a share of DVD or online sales. _________________
Yeah its a stupid thing to say but they get away with it anyway. However the fact that 24 Season 7 has been pushed back isn't a particularly bad thing.... Have you seen the trailer? The concept is hilarious
No... Do you have a link for me...? _________________ With Great Power, Comes Great... Potential to ROB BANKS!!! HAHAH! THAT'S HOW TO BEAT THE RECESSION!!!
Well as of this morning the Writers Strike is now.... OVER! Which means all our favourite programmes like Heroes will go back in to production (thank fuck for that). And hopefully they can get on with making some decent films hurrah! _________________ Pro Massacre Boy!
Critically, the second season of Heroes hasn't performed too well; I even recall reading an interview with one of the series producers whereby he even apologised for the season, admitting that a plot involving Hiro progressed far too slowly. I've not watched it (yet) so can't comment; however, if the series returns to form with its third season, then a poorer quality second will likely be forgiven and forgotten by the oh-so-fickle American audience.
Then there's the thought that, if they were to push ahead with the remaining eleven episodes to the second season now, they would then have to rush Season 3 into pre-production for the fall rather than take the time to present a higher quality product.
It's a ballsy move and, hopefully, a winning one.
_________________ With Great Power, Comes Great... Potential to ROB BANKS!!! HAHAH! THAT'S HOW TO BEAT THE RECESSION!!!
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