Good Night, And Good Luck

WU: The Alternative To Strike Or Cave

According to the latest update on the WGAE site the AMPTP walked out of day long negotiations at 12:30 a.m. EST and the strike is on. God-or the random assemblage of time and matter-help us all.

Ted,

What happened?

If Craig gets to the set an hour before everyone else tomorrow, it’s because he forgot to set the AW clock back last night.

I can pretend I know everything too.

Nikki Finke is reporting that the moguls were pissed that the Guild didn’t call off the strike on the east coast while they were still negotiating. I guess that’s what prompted them to walk out of the bargaining session. Babies. It’s not like people are picketing in NY already. That’s still hours away.

Nikki Finke is saying that talks, potentially, ended when the WGA refused to extend the 12:01am strike deadline in the east.

Ten hours of talking and the AMPTP walk out because of this. Ten hours of talking and the WGA couldn’t give them 3 hours more in the East. Are you kidding me? Please tell me this isn’t true.

It was all just smoke and mirrors by the AMPTP to grab another headline tomorrow morning… so lets shut these motherfuckers down. See ya at the front line…

It could have been about not delaying the strike.

Or they could have walked out over that whole, “We want to cut costs by shifting delivery of product to the web on which we have no existing residual agreement and refuse to enter into one,” thing.

Sounds to me like producer wanted some “reasonable” sounding reason to call the whole thing off. I’m not buying this is a legitimate reason to kick 12 hours of talks to the curb. The strike that will be in the east is nothing like the 3000+ people who’ll be out here at 14 studios. If the moguls really wanted to keep talking, they could have. And there was plenty of time today to make some substantive movement on something - no? This is frustrating.

This sounds about right to me. Most likely, the companies were looking to delay the strike as opposed to actually doing a deal. When they realized they would have to actually make a real deal before we called it off, they stopped talking.

Speculation, of course.

From Nikki Finke:

An AMPTP insider just told me: “The WGA went out on strike at 12:01 AM Eastern. At about 9:30 PM Pacific they informed us they were on strike and left the hotel.”

Here’s the just released statement from the motion picture and television producers’ alliance president Nick Counter: “Notwithstanding the fact that negotiations were ongoing, the WGA decided to start their strike in New York. When we asked if they would “stop the clock” for the purpose of delaying the strike to allow negotiations to continue, they refused. We made an attempt at meeting them in a number of their key areas including Internet streaming and jurisdiction in New Media. Ultimately, the guild was unwilling to compromise on most of their major demands. It is unfortunate that they choose to take this irresponsible action.”

I can see why that email had to go out in the east.

A lot of wgae members were going to be planning their strike strategies between midnight and three a.m.

For pressing the send button, a contract was lost.

Mike,

There’s speculation that the WGA did walk out (see Nikki Finke).

I see a few pros and cons. Pros: who says we can’t negotiate during a strike. And this could be a hardline negotiating tactic. Cons: The AMPTP was moving, we cut off its fingers because we couldn’t bend three hours, and now it’s going to want revenge.

And if the AMPTP walked out, well, there are no pros and I have to agree with the rest.

(I’d like to see the AMPTP’s proposed deal as well. I’m sure if it’s that good they’ll publish it.)

(Sorry if this is a triple post, I’m having technical issues)

Mike,

There’s speculation that the WGA did walk out (see Nikki Finke).

I see a few pros and cons. Pros: who says we can’t negotiate during a strike. This could be a hardliner-negotiating tactic. Cons: The AMPTP was moving, we cut off its fingers, and now it’s going to want revenge.

And if the AMPTP walked out, well, there are no pros and I have to agree with the rest.

(I’d like to see the AMPTP’s proposed deal as well. I’m sure if it’s that good they’ll publish it.)

if you believe that’s why this deal caved, you’re … let’s just say the East pressing a send button was an excuse for the AMPTP to leave. they want us to cave. we didn’t. they left.

The conglomerates knew the deadline was 9 PM on the west coast for a strike as it chimed midnight on the east coast. They want this showdown.

No one can blame WGAE.

Stay strong and keep the faith.

If you will it, it is no dream!

Wow there are some stupid writers. Pussies, too.

I made the mistake of making this post #206 on a thread that had already degenerated into just four guys playing mental…well, you get the picture. But it is a serious question and I would like to hear someone’s knowing take on it, so I’m reposting here, since this thread seems young, fresh and full of new ideas.

I worked successfully as a screenwriter for a few years, had some good times and some disappointments, but all of that dried up in 2004 for a whole slew of reasons that had more to do with trusting the wrong people (my agents) than anything else, and I haven’t earned any money as a screenwriter in the last three years.

Last year, when the commencement/delivery/polish money started to run out, I decided it was time to go back to the real world and I am now an executive at a company that has nothing to do with the entertainment industry. Eleven employees answer directly to me. That said, I love being in this union and still write scripts in my free time and maybe someday another one of them will sell.

So now I am getting strike assignments from my “Strike Captain” telling me I am supposed to show up for four hours a day and picket or the Guild will take some form of negative action against me. I have explained to this person (who is the same one who called and strongly encouraged me to vote, and when I said “you seem to know that I haven’t already voted,” replied, “Well, yes, it’s my business to know” - hey, thanks WGA for respecting my privacy and the integrity of the voting process)…anyhow, when I explained to my “Strike Captain” that I have a 60-hour a week job for which showing up is not optional, and my current employers are very good to their workers, have no qualms with organized labor and by this point I own a significant share of stock in this non-entertainment company, then inquired how the WGA feels about the fact that picketing 4 hours a day is not really feasible or even possible for me unless I plan to quit my job, all “Strike Captain” could say was that everyone is required to picket.

I have a writer friend who lives in Utah. Will she be required to picket? Craig is directing a film. Will he be required to picket? At least half the membership of this union has “day jobs.” Is everyone supposed to sacrifice their livelihoods, even if they are not currently paying the rent writing screenplays?

So my question to this extremely knowledgeable crowd is - what are the actual requirements? What are the exceptions? Do I have to show 6 months of pay stubs, or get a letter from my mommy, or has the George Bushness of it all finally culminated with “you’re either with us, or agin’ us?”

Craig - thanks for a great forum. It’s a super place to get answers, hear diverse opinions, and most importantly, ask critical questions without having to reveal your secret identity in an increasingly polarized and vindictive industry.

I don’t trust Counter as far as I could throw him — a man who prides himself on (and wrote a book about) busting unions. There’s no reason why negotiations can’t continue during a strike. When they’re ready to get serious about resolving this thing, it will happen and until then it’s all just posturing. Counter just wanted another press release where he could claim “well, we tried, but those writers are just soo unreasonable!” It was plotted out this way from the start of the weekend, I’m sure.

Don’t fall for Counter’s BS. His walkout was perfectly timed, no doubt to still grab tomorrow’s headlines. Puhlease.

I think this final day was only about manipulating the press. So far, we have no idea how close they got during these 11th hour talks. Nick Counter’s letter on October 31st really united the entire WGA in anger. It’s possible that this “refusal to postpone the strike” rhetoric is an attempt to counteract some of that damage. They’ll play it up in the media: “We tried, but the pig-headed writers went on strike anyway.” But I highly doubt that they were close on any serious issues. The moguls will try to win this in the media, creating suspicion and animosity among us. I think the AMPTP had a statement ready for Nikki Finke FASTER, because they were expecting to do this. This may be tough (and ironic) advice for writers - but, as long as they’ve designed a campaign around press releases, we need to stop believing what we read.

The AMPTP walked out because they didn’t want to negotiate while a strike was in effect? And the alternative is…negotiating while a strike is in effect. Whether that’s next week or next year.

Sounds like an eerily familiar diplomatic policy:

We insist you dismantle the bomb before we’re willing to negotiate with you about dismantling the bomb.

21st century diplomacy sure looks a lot like dark ages diplomacy. So much for evolution. I’m building an ark.

Anon #15, technically you’re still a guild member and therefore during a strike time, required by the guild to walk the line or at least help in some way to the tune of 20 hours a week. However, your personal circumstance makes that a hardship in that you work. If you do nothing during this strike I think the guild could “fine” you after a discipline hearing or something. I’m sure the particulars are in the manual. My bet is, there would be very little punitive anything for anyone who doesn’t scab. Help if you can. If you can’t because you’re working, what do you do? Keep your job. Be with us in spirit.

Well, the AMPTP is winning the information war right now! WGA East and West websites unresponsive or out of date, and AMPTP has their press release out. Get with it WGA, unless you think the press outside of LA (who won’t use Nikki Finke’s myspace-looking blog as a serious source) are not important! Stories are being submitted right now for press, no doubt, and the WGA side is not going to be presented.

I write novels and scripts. I was a novelist years before I ever worked in the film industry. I’m finishing a book and I live hours away from town. If they try to force me to picket I’ll go fi-core in a heartbeat.

By the way, I am an AMPTP Counter-spy, as if you didn’t know.

Then the strike is on. The nuclear red button has been pushed.

I strongly hope that either people are willing to negotiate this week, or that the WGA is able to mobilize REAL picket lines starting at 5AM in the morning. (That’s less than 5 hours from now)

This is pretty simple. Either you will show up with your picket signs and shut down production early, or you will stand outside and watch us film during the day. Please come early so that this strike will be over soon.

And please don’t just stay at the front gate of a studio backlot. Make sure you have enough people to cover EVERY GATE all day long.

Unless I’m mistaken, all negotiations are off for the next two months. We’ll hear about them again when people start talking about about “Arts and Crafts Christmas” for their kids.

Attention: Crg Mzin represents NO ONE. If he represents you then chime in so we can see how few you really are.

The idiotic strike rules they’ve tried to shove down members’ throats breed that attitude. First rule of organizing—don’t piss off your own members.

From the WGA (before Nikki Finke. Woot!!!):

LOS ANGELES — The WGA Negotiating Committee, on behalf of the Writers of Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), has issued the following statement regarding Contract 2007 negotiations: Early today, the WGA completely withdrew its DVD proposal, which the Companies said was a stumbling block. Yet, the Companies still insisted on the following:

• No jurisdiction for most of new media writing. • No economic proposal for the part of new media writing where they do propose to give coverage. • Internet downloads at the DVD rate. • No residual for streaming video of theatrical product. • A “promotional” proposal that allows them to reuse even complete movies or TV shows on any platform with no residual. This proposal alone destroys residuals. • A “window” of free reuse on the Internet that makes a mockery of any residual. The AMPTP made no response to any of the other proposals that the WGA has made since July. The AMPTP proposed that today’s meeting be “off the record,” meaning no press statements, but they have reneged on that.

From the LA Times:

No last-minute deal could be crafted between film and TV writers and their employers despite 10 hours of negotiations into the night Sunday. As a result, the Writers Guild of America will strike at 12:01 a.m. Talks broke off about 9 p.m.

Unbelievable.

Now, I guess it’s time for the “November Surprise.”

Teamster-style.

See you guys tomorrow… five hours after you roll the Beamer away from Coffee Bean.

Idiots.

Anonymous of post #15:

Here’s the text of Strike Rule 10, with the sentence relevant to your situation highlighted:

10. You must picket and/or perform other strike support duties and cooperate with Guild committees charged with enforcement of the Strike Rules and each Guild’s Constitution.

In the event of a strike, Guild members will be called upon to picket at specific locations and/or to perform other vital strike support duties, such as making or answering telephone calls or e-mail at strike headquarters. Absent a valid medical excuse, non-writing employment, compelling personal circumstances [necessary child or elder care] or emergency, you are obligated to perform these duties when and where requested. If there is a personal circumstance making strike support duties impossible when requested, members are required to arrange alternate times to contribute to the strike effort.

When requested, you must also cooperate with the Strike Disciplinary Committee in an investigation or with a trial committee convened to hear evidence concerning alleged violations of the Strike Rules or conduct prejudicial to the welfare of the Guild.

Also, I’m trying to find out whether the 20 hours a week is actually mandatory or not. The above says that members will be called upon to picket at specific locations. But in an e-mail sent today (Nov. 4) from Patric Verrone, it said:

We are asking every member to contribute 20 hours a week to the strike effort, coordinating their actions either through their strike captain or the WGA strike headquarters directly. Everyone’s life circumstances are different and flexibility is both necessary and expected. If there is a personal circumstance making strike support duties impossible when requested, members are required to arrange alternate times.

That seems as though we’re being asked to volunteer 20 hours a week, in addition to whatever specific-location picket or strike-related duties we’re “called upon” to do, per the Strike Rules.

• Ted

By the way, I love that the vans carrying the Guild members and the vans carrying all the strike materials are staffed by non-union drivers.

Solidarity!

Idiots.

Solidarity!

Despite my general concerns about these negotiations, assuming that David Young made the call not to stop the clock, I trust his judgment about the dynamics of last-minute pre-strike negotiations. If he didn’t think the strike should be delayed, I buy it.

That said, I sure would like to know what concessions AMPTP had put on the table.

Insulation!

Embrace it, you idiots!

(Sorry, this is a double post, but everything went wonky)

From WGA via Nikki Finke (thought I beat her to the “scoop”, but I didn’t):

Before midnight, the WGA issued this statement: “Early today, the WGA completely withdrew its DVD proposal, which the Companies said was a stumbling block. Yet, the Companies still insisted on the following:

* No jurisdiction for most of new media writing.
* No economic proposal for the part of new media writing where they do propose to give coverage.
* Internet downloads at the DVD rate.
* No residual for streaming video of theatrical product.
* A "promotional" proposal that allows them to reuse even complete movies or TV shows on any platform with no residual. This proposal alone destroys residuals.
* A "window” of free reuse on the Internet that makes a mockery of any residual.

The AMPTP made no response to any of the other proposals that the WGA has made since July. The AMPTP proposed that today’s meeting be “off the record,” meaning no press statements, but they have reneged on that.

My moderate stance has evaporated.

Hoffa’s Twin,

You sound more like a scorned writer than a scorned teamster.

You don’t even have the sack to use your real name.

You’re just another one of these anonymous, lonely writers with no sack.

How unoriginal and how boring.

Our absence in the writing rooms are all that matters. We could have not a single picket anywhere, and it wouldn’t change the final deal at all.

True, all the media needs is a day of picketing B-roll.

EXCEPT for one thing: The Teamsters. If there is no picket line to NOT cross, they’ll march on through.

AYAAW

Remember, remember, the fifth of November.

Just had to get that in too. Happy Guy Fawkes.

AYAAW.

Dear Mr. SML Real Name,

Bitter suits you fine. Just fine.

I’m not a writer, as you know, but I am a Teamster, though not scorned.

That you think I’m a writer is priceless.

I’m a Teamster who has worked on more than 60 feature films.

That’s SIX ZERO in case your Xanax is just kicking in.

Good luck tomorrow, tough guy. Because tomorrow your guild dies. And then you’ll be just another unshaven whiner at Jerry’s Deli sipping a Bud Lite and an order of fries wondering why you feel sticky and can’t afford lox.

Me? I’m vested in my pension. So long, asshole.

Hoffa,

I’m going to go out on a limb here: I predict that our Guild will still be alive the day after tomorrow.

I doubt that you’re a real Teamster, but if you are, thank God they’re not all like you.

And I’m vested in my WGA pension, too. Waaaaaaaaaaaaay vested, in fact. Asshole.

Hi, Dave.

Welcome to the show.

Goodbye. Forever.

Okay, that’s it for me. I have an early call tomorrow.

That means I have to work tomorrow. At my job.

For everybody else, Starbuck’s opens at 6am sharp.

Hoffa’s Handsome Twin = a Nick Counter operative posing as a jackass

Oh, wait…

Devoted Viewer=graduate of the Dick Cheney School of Media

You know why I think you’re a scorned writer? You smack of clever twitism. Hoffa’s handsome twin. Skip loder. Vested. At least you’re consistent.

And my name is Seth Lochhead.

If you grow a pair, I’ll take you out for a coffee. Or are you afraid of what Skip Loder might think?

Way to stay on message, Blockhead. Blame me.

Go ahead, take another shot. Does it feel good? Does it make your complete failure easier to swallow? Congrats on your Special Olympics gold medal.

You’ve made five references to balls in the past nine minutes. I don’t need a weather vane to know which way your wind blows.

You lost, hippie. And, like a Girl Scout who got her cookies jacked, you grabbed the closest thing and pulled it down with you.

I’m sure your family’s proud as punch. Drive on, warrior!

Just make sure that you’re there on time tomorrow. Three hours exactly after the rest of America goes to work.

Idiot.

Analogy. Metaphor. Long winded BS.

You. Are. Not. A. Teamster.

You. Are. A. Writer.

With. No. Testes.

Just. My. Type.

This is hilarious.

Reminds me of that one funeral at which the undertaker got into a fistfight with the widow.

Keep it up, guys.

To anyone wary/weary of spin from either side, a suggestion as to where you might find some real, trustworthy information:

Check what happens with media-company stocks when the market opens this morning. Check again at close of trading.

Then do the same on, say, Friday of this week. And repeat as needed.

Studio/network bullshit PR aside, this will tell you exactly how the suits’ real masters feel about their ability to weather this strike, relative to the concessions they’d have to make to end it quickly. If share prices drop precipitously (and stay down beyond the initial panic-reaction period on the first day), that’s a very strong sign that we’ll be in good shape if we hang in and fight. If shares go up, or if there’s no discernible reaction to the strike either way, then it might be time to worry. (Okay, it’s already long past time to be worried, obviously. But worry more, I mean.)

Stockholders don’t spin. Their displeasure, if it comes, will be taken seriously by every exec in town—in sharp contrast to our own. And the immediacy and accuracy with which that collective opinion gets registered and disseminated is another one of the things that makes today different from ‘88.

They bail, we win. So let’s be sure to generate a shitload of news footage of red shirts, stopped trucks, and business-not-going-smoothly to help them make up their minds… :)

I’m with Working AD — go out early, go out in force, shut down the town. It was a nice effort last night, but the Producers need a strike — at least a short one — to clear the decks of older or non-productive deals. If you can show up and shut the town down all week — yes, from 5am - 8pm — you’ll be back to the table by next week. If you strike during banker’s hours, you’ll be on the outside looking in for a loooooooooooooon time. You will also lose all respect from your industry peers for taking such a wimpish position.

Hey, Hoffa’s Handsome Twin -

You’ve got the wrong stereotype for all the writers. There are plenty of screenwriters who aren’t the Harvard boys, but guys who’ve done time in factories and job sites, but also every other kind of job you can imagine. I’m one of them. When I saw the 9 a.m. call for picketing, yeah, I laughed, too. As someone said - “banker’s hours.”

There’s plenty of us who know this is more serious than that, could give a fuck about Starbucks (Dr. Pepper and chocolate milk mixed in a Double Big Gulp and a pack of Marlboro Reds), and are the way to the studios right now. See you in 20 and yeah, I’m running late.

Working AD, and Shreve, and anyone else here who is concerned about our picket starting at 9AM instead of…well now or earlier, I’ve been told that there are strategic reasons for that by my leadership. And right now, in day one, rather than immediately panicking and starting to question everything, I’m going to go along with that and see what happens. If Hoffa is a teamster, then I truly hope he’s not representative of all teamsters, but we have to know that we’ll be getting that kind of response today from some people. Stay strong. Be above it, if you can. And remember, this is our strike. THE WGA strike. We need to stand together first, before we can count on the teamsters or anyone to make huge sacrifices and support us. I believe we will stand together and we will make an impact. I have to.

Well well well well well. Well.

It has been confirmed that the pissing contest on both sides has commenced, preceeding a day-long meeting in which both sides were given a script by our leaders and their financiers to set the stage for the next false-flag attack.

Here is how this will play out today in Los Angeles. First, in the outset of the picketing, dirty bombs already in place in undisclosed areas near the studios and offices will go off in a given time in the late morning. This is in relation to this being Guy Fawkes Day (or as others state that today is the day when a grass-roots presidential campaign may earn $12 million.) Second, probable acts of masss destruction in valuables and humans in both coasts will be taken under auspices of transportation mishaps. Sadly, hundreds if not thousands will be affected in at least some form.

Third, in this script played out, the gullible public will feel sorry for the businesses without knowing why. And, yes, the blame will be taken by supposed Islamic militants infiltrated through these picket lines. Fourth, the pretext will be given before the night is over to commence the long awaited and long dreaded Global Thermo-Nuclear War against any and all countries and supposed terrorists that supposedly threaten the United States. Fifth, under this auspice, the deal having been finalized will be privately enforced with an emphasis on turning the entertainment industry into the largest propoganda pro-war machine this country has ever seen. And finally, during the early stages of this war, Russia will retaliate against the United States, and taking a page from “The Day After”, will use their approved nuclear weapons against this country, leaving the financiers and the banks to now control everything in this known life of ours.

I would posit that the only reason these sides have agreed to this stage of events is because some have not been given the full truth, and/or the cash payments (upwards to the tens of millions of dollars) are too good to resist. Thus, in order to maintain the cash presented, the exchange is given to sell-out the world for destruction in the means to gain the financiers more power. What in the hell do these financial behemoths want, eternal life with eternal dick-measuring for eternal sexual pleasures (sex mating and masturbating?) Because that is the only thing I can think of regarding these inhumane and childish people running and ruining our lives. All sides in this dispute have proven months ago to be cowards, writers producers government and all alike. I hope you are all happy in obtaining money in exchange for the destruction of the world, bastards.

In disgust and vigilance, swarthingly,

Lax24

Pickets have shut down one remote studio. Bullshit on the 9am strike times.

In case anyone thinks PR doesn’t matter: You’re dead wrong.

The companies will cave only when they feel significant pressure from their stockholders and business partners. And those folks need to be scared for the economic lives. Effective PR will help put the fear of God where it needs to be. In their wallets.

JP Wolff

As a non-union writer who wishes for the benefits I have wonder about this. I’m a firm believer that the pen is mightier than the sword but have to truly wonder what is in place for the producers to simply stop abiding by the collective bargaining agreement all together…(ala the Kyoto agreement?) and just start looking for scabs. Would the fellow unions truly stick with us? Actors? Teamsters?…I’ve been struggling up the slippery slope for ten years and actually have a chance to make a living as a full time writer/director this year…and I’m nervous. I’m nervous that I will get branded a scab if I make a movie (indie all the way)…I’m scared of not getting work. Mazin is great to provide this forum but the vast majority of writers are not Craig M. This strike poses a significant hardship for most of them…and those are the ones who are ‘working’ for the rest of us, the wannabe’s, the almosts, the nearly there’s…what does this mean for us? Big Media is called big media for a reason. 99% of America doesn’t give a rats ass who writes the shows they consume. They just want the product (and it doesn’t have to be good, hello reality tv?)

Good luck on the lines. Hope it’s a short walk.

Anonymous Bosch, this is just my opinion as a WGA writer, but…

Eventually this will pass and your career will proceed, whether or not the studios look for scabs or the other unions stick with us. Finding scab screenwriters is hard because it’s a talent and skill-set that not many people have. Though the audience doesn’t care who writes the shows (or films) they consume, they do want those shows to be written by people (whatever their names) who are skilled enough to produce a show that they’d want to watch.

The simple truth is that writers are not interchangeable. Even WGA writers are not interchangeable, which is why some have huge careers and get hired again and again, and others do not. Some of that is luck, of course, but a lot of it is skill and professional savvy. At the end of the day, your opportunities as a writer will follow your actual or perceived market value, and that’s something you influence as an individual. So, when the strike is over, carry on. The cream will rise to the top (and by cream, I don’t mean the person with the most talent, I mean the person who is best at doing all the things required to have a successful career, which includes things like professionalism, self-responsibility, and a willingness to produce results through your own efforts. And when you do, the battle the Guild is fighting right now will hopefully ensure that you are fairly compensated when your work is downloaded on the internet.

Ted… someone…

I never got the Patric Verrone letter that references the 20 hours/week. Can someone please forward me that to jdavidsteM@yahoo.com.

Thanks.

Hoffa’s Handsome Twin:

Won’t Mr. Cheney be thrilled to discover that a little fag like me accomplished such a feat “with honors”?