Two Quick Things...

So apparently, you have trouble operating your computer….

No wonder my many comments about penises never made it through!

Also, the clock was changed last night and new posts were distributed between old posts.

For example, you make a post at 11 o’clock real time, you’re making a post at 12 o’clock Craig time. Then Craig changed the clock back to real time. Old became new, new became old.

Make sense?

Craig Mazin: Screenwriter, Director, Timelord.

I worked as an actor on Cold Case on Friday - I was terrified that I would have to cross the picket lines and see the guys who hired me. I can only imagine what you’re going through. I appreciate all that you have been doing for future WGA members like myself. Peace.

A vision I forsee:

A person of importance gets into financial hardship immediately in California. The rent is not paid, a child is on the way, and there is no security. This person is rightfully angered at those whom are his employers.

The person decides that enough is enough. This person walks to the offices of his employer (studio, corporate, AMPTP), and proceeds to want to talk to the head official as though it was for some minor thing. This person walks into the door, with guns in his hands, and bombs on his clothing. This person is mad as all hell, and suicidal to boot.

The person mentions that both his employer and himself and others are going to die today, without remorse. This person also states that with a press of a button, the bomb will go off, and so will multiple bombs planted in multiple offices. The employer is scared beyond belief. Yet, the end commences.

Media coverage goes into mass effect, shown on all networks and internet sites live as it happens. Hostages are taken, and hostage negotiators come into play. This does not stop the angry person one bit from completing his objectives, ensuing more casualties will be brought forth. In the thick of things, employer and employee will exchange words similar to what David Webb Peoples wrote in his screenplay “Unforgiven”:

“I don’t deserve this. My family needs me, I am renovating my house, my health is no good.” “Deserve’s got nothing to do with it.” “I’ll see you in hell, (pick name.)” “Yeah!”

In that instance, the bombs and guns go off in the office and in other offices. Buildings are destroyed, hundreds if not thousands perish. And yet, the perceived agressor is taken down, and perhaps a terror false-flag plan is averted for another day.

There are those in the WGA that are that desperate enough to this, figuring that nothing comes in progress unless through force and massive violence. Honestly, the crew of “The Office” do not share this desperation. But there are those that are thinking of this, and will act lest they die in the hands of their perceived aggressor. To quote a line Tony Gilroy wrote in the final draft of the stupid film “Armageddon”, “It happened before. It will happen again. It is just a question of when.” So, when will this happen? Tomorrow? Day after tomorrow? Next week? Next month? It might be sooner than that. We all shall see.

In the want for peace and closure,

Lax24

Actually, if you guys are curious about the time thing…

…it has to do with where our servers are located.

They have to change the time setting at the host itself before the software here recognizes that DST has begun (or ended…I can never get that straight).

The talk of the picket line in NY was this Saturday Night Live sketch (scroll down to find it):

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/writers-strike

Lax24: you could save yourself a lot of time if you just wrote “The End is Near” in lieu of your long, articulate posts.

Because that seems to be what they all boil down to.

If you could see the strikers out there, I don’t think you’d be so afraid of a Hiroshima-like backpack nuke going off anytime soon: writers are, if anything, an over-civilized group of people.

I doubt many of them have ever thrown a punch in anger.

Weird. I posted a picket report about an hour or two ago and it posted, but now it’s gone.

I don’t think it had the “L” word in it.

Go figure,

AYAAW

Craig or Ted,

The Writers Guild of Great Britain successfully negotiated an internet usage rate with their employers. I’m uncertain what the exact rate is, but does that deal compare in any way to what the WGA is fighting for?

If workers at one factory gain something from their employers, it usually follows that workers at other factories will quite reasonably demand the same thing.

You are scary dangerous. Your visions are one step away from voices in your head. I am truly afraid that you’ll take that last step and start doing some of the things you’ve been fantasizing about. Please see someone in the real world — someone trained to evaluate state of mind — and talk this stuff out with him or her.

I posted this in the previous thread which has gone dormant since a new one started, but individual small groups were meeting today around town. I sincerely hope that formal negotiations get rescheduled sooner rather than later.

And Nikki Finke’s reporting “From Inside The Mogul Camp” is perhaps her silliest yet. It’s interesting the sort of statements she’s willing to run with as if they’re “breaking news.”

Lax24,

November 5th is almost over and no terrorist strike (unless you see Ron Paul raising over $3 million dollars in one day as one, but I see that as more a sign of significant progress.

Any thoughts?

Lax: Some of us here have family and friends working at the studios. So knock this shit off.

Lax: Paul Greengrass is not going to make a film about the writer’s strike called “United 11/5,” so what is the point of these weird manifestos?

So where is Nikki getting that “Inside the Mogul Camp” stuff…and that just a media feed to give the moguls are reason to stay out of talks?

Or another way to set up a secret back channel?

Point well taken, Stuart and Travis

Just to clarify, I do not work in the business of entertainment. I am an individual that does talk things over with loved ones, friends, and a psychologist I have had good relations with for ten years. Not once would I ever do the things I wrote.

Perhaps, with these writings, those that are thinking of these desperation on the cusp of madness approaches take measures to not do these actions. And that includes writers, corporations, and leaders and financiers alike.

I know that if I were in a position of leadership, such as Spielberg, Katzenberg, Wells, Young, Counter, Carell, Mamet, Moonves, etc., seeing the picketing today, I’d negotiate immediately before more hurt is caused.

Maybe this will take a day or a week to let off steam and state your needs; but business needs to be done. We know this is the underlying result, be it a deal for the DGA and/or SAG (SAG I do not think intends to strike, due to lack of agressive leadership such as William Daniels: the DGA will not strike for fear of losing Spielberg and Co.) Or perhaps the need to finish certain projects; Lost for example (Heroes? Pfft!) Maybe the terms of marketing and publicity on WGA’s side will be enough (there has been positive coverage for you guys, not negative.) But, optimally, a month at most will suffice being on strike. This is 2007, not 1988. I for one cannot tolerate so-called reality programming, and I know the internet is the future.

From what I gathered, the strike occured in order to have all sides save face. What good is a strike if it does not happen? Back-channel negotiations are being done. Eventually, before Thanksgiving, a tentative deal will be finalized in paper, not best for any side but still. Perhaps, the current heads of the AMPTP, Nick Counter in particular, agree to retire after 25 years of being essentially the producers’ and corporations lead attorney.

Once again, these writings reflect an idea some people in this dispute and overseeing the political end might be thinking. Writing this out serves to stop these individuals from doing such things. I can only hope that my writings, on my part, contribute to what I feel on this issue, and perhaps take a bad situation and lessen the damage. This will end, the strike. Know, though, that we are humans, and we need to care for each other in a world were caring is an afterthought by our leaders. We are all in this life together.

In deep love for my fellow brethren whomever they may be,

Lax24

By the by, it is imperative to never take my words literally dead serious. They are exagerations, nothing more.

Nothing occured today, and that is a good thing. Rep. Ron Paul also had $3 million donated today, and while I am a member of the Democratic Party, this too is a splendid thing. Perhaps from my statements, the writings of these words prompted our leaders and their fianciers to call whatever they were thinking off. That, my dear friends, shows peace being given a chance in our lives. It also showcases how the Internet is the medium of importance.

Note also that while I do not know you all, I will stand by you all. Today, you have done what was coming, by showing your cards. Now, let the eventual fianlizing of a deal take place. I do think this will be beneficial to all writers in this medium.

In humble awe,

Lax24

Lax24:

For someone who keeps proclaiming to be wanting only “deep love” and “peace”, you’ve got some pretty dark stuff kicking around in your head. Perhaps you should consider a writing career.

You claim to understand that the “Internet is the future” — yet even though all the AMPTP is offering is a label of “PROMOTIONAL” for any and all content downloaded and streamed, you seem to be fixated on a lack of negotiation as the underlying problem. If they won’t negotiate on this issue, then pray tell, how can you foresee negotiation as the solution?

P.S, Lax24:

Please, please take a carton of whatever it is you’re currently ingesting and drop it off at 15503 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, 91436.

If you do this, the strike will be over by Friday.

LAX24, you are overlooking one very important FACT - the temperament of a writer does not fit your scenario. Yes, we all know the cliches of iconoclastic curmudgeon, etc. - but here is the real truth.

Writers are not desperate, writers are survivors, writers have options and they know it. One does not come to the path of being a writer lightly. Being a writer means one has to face one’s demons alone at midnight with only the glow of the monitor for company - not just once but hundreds of times.

To be a commercially successful writer, one has to be entrepreneurial, hard working and not locked into a single avenue of choices, but willing to jump from possible-opportunity to possible-opportunity like a lumberjack rolling logs down a river.

To have gotten into the WGA, your writer has already faced depression and deprivation and won. They know they can do it again. Your WGA writer already is figuring out or knows in the back of their mind what they need to do to survive 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months or longer.

If you think a writer that has managed to achieve even the lowest boughs of success is going to go off half-cocked in desperation, you are mistaken.

Writers are, intrinsically by nature, survivors.

LAX24 — how’s the sequel to “Taxi Driver” going?

(couldn’t resist)

Stephen, the solution is simple:

If the internet content is payed off by either corporation or viewer, then it is not promotional. Nor should it be promotional. The minute this gets into the heads of all involved, the impasse is finished; therefore, the deal is optimalized for the writers.

By any means, I could be rightly pissed off at someone for a legitimate grievance, but eventually we all got to talk things over. I suppose that is the pacifist in me; yet I know the alternatives are much worse. And I would know; my pettiness and quirks when I was a younger person not realizing the condition I have (Asperger’s Syndrome) caused a great deal of friendships with fellow peers to be dissolved. Much of it was my fault, and not a time goes by that I do not regret what I did.

To paraphrase the great Norman Lear, I may have words that raise eyebrows, but know me by my deeds. In addition, I do have drafts, mental and physical, of fiction ideals in my future. Heck, this is probably the most I’ve commented on a regular basis, and I do not have a YouTube account yet. Just to note, a man of peace is a person that has seen war upfront and regrets taking part in it. I hope others take that deed to heart.

Sorry for past wrongs,

Lax24

Hasn’t everyone learned, when you address Lax24… it addresses you back. Perhaps we should ignore Colonel Kurtz’s second cousin.

After previously reporting that the TV show “Journeyman” was shut down, Nikki Finke now reports she heard it isn’t. Remember when reporters used to confirm the information they get before running with the story?

Yeah I just talked to a buddy of mine on the crew and he said they were NOT shutting down and he doesn’t know where this is coming from.

Just to “Counter” what Nikki Finke has written from the “Mogul” POV, here’s a paragraph from Variety that features a voice I do trust:

“WGA negotiators were infuriated by what they perceived as a lack of movement by the AMPTP once they had taken their proposal to double DVD residuals off the table. Negotiating committee member and showrunner Shawn Ryan (“The Shield,” “The Unit”) sent out an angry email afterward after spending nearly 12 hours in the Sunday session.

“I watched our side desperately try to make a deal,” Ryan said. “We gave up our request to increase revenue on DVDs, something that was very painful to give up, but something we felt we had to in order to get a deal made in new media, which is our future. I watched as the company’s representatives treated us horrendously, disrespectfully, and then walked out on us at 9:30 and then lied to the trades, claiming we had broken off negotiations.”

nikki fink was the biggest joke in journalism, now she’s getting a drip of attention because everyone is so urgently seeking info on this. she is STILL a joke.

Jen G., I am not Paul Schraeder, nor am I Martin Scorsese.

Also, a sequel to “Taxi Driver?” Wasn’t the first one fine enough to begin with:)

You do raise an interesting point about sequels though. Generally, with few exceptions (Godfather, Rocky, Lethal Weapon), they, in the words of Mike Judge, “suck more than anything has ever sucked before.” And yet, there were more sequels this year than any other time. Yes they made good money, but I certainly did not plan on seeing them, except for Ocean’s 13 (that was a good film:)

Remakes are even worse, and as a rule of thumb I rarely see them. Though I did make the mistake last year of seeing the Nicolas Cage-Neil LaBute “Wicker Man” remake that eschewed everything that made the original special and scary. I go over to read things on AICN, and remake ideas are through the roof. You guys should read the ideas being pitched to be remade: The Wild Bunch?! The Dirty Dozen??!! Evil Dead ???!!! Harvey ??!!?!? Oldboy??!!

Sad, is it not, when creativity runs dry. Sadder still, when things are remade which are not needed. (I do not count Chris Nolan’s Batman series.) Even saddest when audiences gobble this crap up like a favorite candy. I suggest that any person that wants to know how great film can be at least (television is fine when the creative geniuses have the autonomy, like Lost) take a good look at the Great Movies section at rogerebert.com. Newest on his list is Blade Runner, a film I hope gets a wider release in its Final Cut before its DVD release just before Christmas. Great writing from Hampton Fancher and David Webb Peoples, as well as Rutger Hauer’s known ad-libs.

Maybe when the deal is reached, first priority will be to school youngsters from all walks of life to discovering fine art, and not crap. No offense to anyone. We should have great works be shown all year round, not just in the waning months of a given year.

Sincerely and in good humor,

Lax24

(Climbing the soap box. Clearing throat…)

Okay, gang. Enough. I’ve heard all the “let’s not upset the Teamsters” BS to rationalize the 9am-5pm strike — aka Banker’s Hours Picket. ENOUGH! Stop taking all of us in the industry — WGA and non-WGA alike — on this silly ride. GET F’ING SERIOUS! DO YOU WANT TO FORCE THE ISSUE AND GET BACK TO THE TABLE? DO YOU WANT TO IMPRESS THE AMPTP WITH YOUR SOLIDARITY AND OVERALL INDUSTRY SUPPORT?

C’mon now, guys. 6am to 8pm. Every gate. Every casting session. Every local location. Every network and lot.

You’ve been told by all of the others not in your leadership that you need to be out in force. Dollygrip, Working AD and I are three examples who have all said: Get your asses out there early and stay late! Show up in force!

Among the BTL crew, there is the image of the writer as “the privaleged few.” Agent-negotiated “producer” credit when you are only a junior writer with one credit. Come late. Raid crafty for bagles. Long lunch. Don’t know the names of the crew. Where’s my chair? Talking to your agent on your cell during a take. Can I get in on the Starbucks run? Leave early. Big check.

Sorry, but it’s how many (not all, but many) of you are seen by your industry peers. Face it.

I grew up in this business. I have relatives in the WGA, DGA, SAG and IA. I feel I know the difference. But, here’s the question I have… Here’s the question the industry has…

Are you serious about this strike?

You don’t show it.

The crews are joking that you didn’t start early today cause you NEVER start a day early. They claim that you don’t know where to picket since you don’t know there are multiple gates at any given lot. They joke about the fact that many were seen sitting on “the sideline,” talking on their cells and backberries, picket signs on the ground. The crew even joked that you were rumored to have requested that Central send over a bunch of extras to help alk the picket line.

I know this is BS. BUT, NOT EVERYONE ELSE ON THE CREW KNOWS IT. Many of you say — “Screw it. We don’t care what the crew or the public thinks.” That may be the case, but you need the support of the industry at large if you’re going to find success.

IF YOU’RE GOING ON STRIKE, THEN STRIKE! SHUT THE TOWN DOWN AND STOP MAKING NICE. GET ON WITH THE BUSINESS AT HAND AND GET THIS THING WRAPPED UP.

(Oh, and don’t try and spin this back to the AMPTP, the Evil Empire. They’ve always been “The Man.” That won’t change. But, you guys can grow some huevos and demonstrate that you want a resolution, not a extended vacation.)

point maybe well taken but we’ve gotten tons of great publicity and celebrity support doing it just the way we’re doing it. for crissakes, its only day one. pipe down. we’re rockin it.

Craig,

DST just ended. We are currently in standard time. The “good” part of the year is daylight savings time.

This dark-at-five crap is “Standard.”

As an optioned non-Guild screenwriter, I too have set my pencil down for the duration.

I am 100% behind the Guild on this. I know what the deal is. Fact is, technologies are advancing so fast (HD Blue, Podcasts, downloads, etc.) the WGA will probably run into some other as yet unknown royalty issue before the ink is even dry on the next contract.

IMHO any Guild contract should include provisions for future technologies and applications that generate revenue (key provision) as DVDs and the Internet do now, and which never could have been predicted 20 years ago. Something to think about.

On a darker note (but not as dark as some previous posts), I am dismayed by some of the hostility toward the Guild strike by people who think writers live in the lap of luxury and just pull movie scripts out of our asses when we’re not lying on the beach surrounded by supermodels. Kind of like the Baseball Strike.

Well, you know, it’s a lot easier bitching about a striking baseball player’s salary than it is to hit a Josh Beckett fastball.

I have one simple answer for them. Try it sometime. Write a script. Create a marketable film, ON A DEADLINE, then pitch it, get it optioned, sold and made.

And IF you get that far, tell me how long it took, how many disappointments there were, how many rewrites, and how much hair you ripped out. And how after all that you’re no closer to where you wanted to be than when you started.

THEN you can bitch. And Welcome to Hollywood, ha ha ha!

I agree with you, Shreve. If this strike is going to put thousands of people out of work, strikers better look serious and make it count. The other unions want to be behind you - we really do - but when we see writers complaining of tired feet after a four hour strike shift, we roll our eyes. We stand for at least 12 hours a day. Start striking like your life depends on it. No sitting, no cell phones, no Starbucks. Get some passion and show the anger you are feeling! And #33, if you can’t show that passion the first day, it will only go down from here…

Joss Whedon updated fans (who sent pizzas to the Universal picket line!) on whedonesque:

FROM THE FRONT LINES!

Sick as a dog but proud as a noble and much healthier dog, I made my way to the picket lines outside of Fox studios today. I’m really glad I did. In addition to carrying the banner, it was a chance to talk with other writers, get more perspectives and more information about what’s happening, and to see a surprising number of old friends. David Fury and Mere Smith were there, as well as many non-mutant enemies that I know. We were all caught in that giddy first burst of solidarity and fear. Nobody thinks this is going to be easy. But everybody there knows that, as things stand, it has to be.

A particularly gratifying and unexpected sight was that of Aly and Alexis, along with Cobie Smulders, marching shoulder to shoulder with the HIMYM scribes. Aly and Alexis even brought boxes of candy bars to hand out to the flagging marchers (actually, I was the only one who appeared to be flagging - even the pregnant writer outlasted me). Mere told me young Boreanaz had also been there earlier that day. I was really touched, but my actor-friends were very matter-of-fact about the whole thing. They understand that the issues at hand affect the future of the entire creative community here, and that the writers, by virtue of being first, will set a precedent that affects all the guilds. That is why we writers have to be firm, intractable and absolute in our dedication to getting a fair deal. And that’s all we’re talking about: a fair deal. For us, and for generations of artists to come.

Sounds pretty damn pompous, no? “Generations to come”? Yeesh. But it’s true. Our culture, our government, our corporate structures have all gotten pretty used to taking care of ourselves at the expense of our children and their children. Part of this is simple greed, part is immediate practicality trumping long-view perspective, and part is perfectly understandable fear. It’s easier to take what you’re given, not protest, not make a fuss. A lot of people will suffer grievously if this strike isn’t quickly resolved, and the men and women who voted for it know that. But like so many things - our eco-system being the most obvious - if we don’t make it work now, what’s to come will be much worse.

Let me be clear on one point: I know I have it easy. I’ve done well, and I’m grateful that I can weather a long winter. Compared to what the studios have made off me my share is tiny and cute, but I’m in no position to complain. But take that differential, apply it to someone who’s just getting by when they deserve better. Now take it and- well, just take it, ‘cause when it comes to the internet and the emerging media there’s nothing there for the artists. There’s no precedent; these media didn’t exist the last time a contract was negotiated. We’re not just talking about an unfair deal, we’re talking about no deal at all. Four cents from the sale of a DVD (the standing WGA deal) sounds exactly as paltry as it is, but in a decade DVD may have gone the way of the eight-track. We have to protect the rights of the people who tell the stories, however they’re told. I’m never gonna be as articulate as Shawn or Brian (both of whom have been linked here, I believe), but I am just as committed. And a lot phlegmier.

I don’t think of the studio heads as a bunch of grinning tycoons sitting in a smoke-filled club and drumming their fingers like Montgomery Burns. I know some of those guys. I think they’re worried about the future as much as anyone. But they are beholden to their corporations, and that inevitably causes entrenchment and shortsightedness. They can’t afford that. This is an era of change, and for the giant conglomo-tainment empires, it will either be the Renaissance or the Ice Age. Because we will not stand down. Writers can be replaced, as we are constantly reminded. But so can companies. Power is on the move, and though in this town it’s been hoarded by very few, there are other companies with newer ideas about how to make money off of - or possibly, wonderfully, with - the story-tellers. Personally, I like things almost the way they are. I truly hope the executives negotiating for the AMPTP make the few simple concessions that will allow us to work with them again. I want to work. I have this idea, for a show about a girl… I even have the actress for it. And if we strike effectively, maybe she won’t have to.

I honestly started this post because of Aly and Alexis and their candy bars. But… well… there’s a lot going on. Huge props to the pizza people. Your support during this strike means more than I can express. (Note to self: picket near Jane.) I hope it won’t be long. I watched my Father strike, back in ‘88. It was hard. But I was proud. I’m proud now.

Sincerely, -joss.

Iatse guy,

People were asked to stay longer. Some people chose to do so. People complaining of tired feet might have, you know, stayed.

Where I was, not a lot of folks on cell phones. Not a lot of sitting. Sure, there was coffee (note: Not from any of the chains). There was a sea of red that crossed the street, really getting noticed. There were folks going off the suggested list, chanting catchy, er, chants — even some Twisted Sister.

Strikers could be completely serious and look totally miserable or they could look like they’re quite happy to settle in for a long one. Wouldn’t you rather have producers see the latter?

Johnny —

As I said, I know better what the writers responsibilities and gifts are. I’m not questioning that. But others are. Just as many writers don’t understand what a Rigging Grip does (you will if the lighting grid lands on your head), or the 2nd AD, or the Lead Scenic, or the POC or whatever. They, too, don’t just pull it all out their ass, either.

Chances are, they know your name. Chances are, you don’t know all of theirs.

I’m not looking to get into a mutal appreciation contest of industry peers. I’m looking to point out that you have the support of the industry IF you sincerely put the effort into a real strike. If you half ass it, then it will fuel the misinformed. Today, the crews that I spoke to on various shows at various places felt it was “an executive strike.” That includes more than one Teamster that I spoke to who viewed the pickets as “a joke.”

If the perception — right or wrong — is that you guys aren’t taking it serious enough to put the effort into it, then why should the crews? Worse still… why should the AMPTP.

We all support you and want this thing wrapped up for the good of the WGA and the good of the industry. We all know why the Teamsters asked you to come in late and leave early. Been there. Done that. Now, tomorrow, ratchet it up. Show you really mean business.

SHOWRUNNERS STOP TV! (This just in. The fabulous creator and showrunner of “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice”, Shonda Rhimes, is backing the strike completely. She is not crossing the picket line for her producorial roles. She, along with a hundred or so other TV showrunners (the men and women who literally run our TV shows), has put down her pen. This groundswell of solidarity has STOPPED TV. That’s right! You heard me TV HAS STOPPED! Come on Big Shot Producers – how ‘bout you start negotiating fairly. We took the DVD thing off the table - and you just walked away. Unbelievable. Shonda, and the other brave showrunners of televisions are standing up! They are our heroes.)

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.

-Shonda

Is there anything that we civilians can do in this situation? As much as I love my favorite TV shows, I recognize the importance of this strike and I would like to show my solidarity with the WGA any way I can.

Is there someone I can write to? A petition I can sign? A phone call I can make? What can a college student do? Point the way!

When Nick comes back to the table, for real, then you can claim to be ‘rockin’

For celebrity action there’s TMZ. Good publicity? You think the AMPTP cares what kind of publicity you’re getting? besides, a month later, you won’t be able to buy an ad in the trades, let alone get coverage.

You had great publicity during the Top Model strike- but no plan. No plan to get the parties to the table, no plans to win. Same for the reality campaing in general. But, you did have good publicity, spokesmodels and Myspace pages.

You want our support? Well we’d like to know that you have a plan - a plan beyond ‘rockin’ it and spokesmodels. You’re taking about people’s livelyhoods and futures. Their kids futures.

If that plan is to give the toughguy your lunch money, so he acts like your friend in front of the school bully, well, i’m not so sure it’s gonna get you far. You think Drivers are gonna stick by you even with the 9-5 schedule once they start getting sent to the unemployment office? Personally, I find that concept to be midly insulting.

I get to work at 5.50 am. I get a break at 9am, 11.45 am, and at 3pm I go home at 6pm. other than the breaks, I’m my feet. there’s some 4000 just like me in my local. When we start seeing you at the gate each morning and night, I’m betting you’ll start getting our support.

It sounds like a lot of people are jumping to completely unfounded conclusions, among them, that:

The WGA doesn’t know what time production starts and stops.

The WGA wanted to shut the whole town down on Day 1.

Obviously, neither is the case: I didn’t see an attempt by the picketers to prevent drivers from entering and exiting studios.

Should the WGA have tried to do that? On Day 1? Really?

I don’t see the point of second-guessing everything right now.

Propmaker:

Thanks for focusing on the timeframe issue — it’s really been bugging me. I mean, come on — 9 to 5? We all need to speak up to our strike captains and start organizing 6 am shifts.

This is an era of change, and for the giant conglomo-tainment empires, it will either be the Renaissance or the Ice Age. Because we will not stand down. Writers can be replaced, as we are constantly reminded. But so can companies. Power is on the move, and though in this town it’s been hoarded by very few, there are other companies with newer ideas about how to make money off of - or possibly, wonderfully, with - the story-tellers.

Awesome, a simply awesome, true, squirmworthy point.

I was pleasantly surprised to hear most of the television news coverage, tonight, was sympathetic to writers and eloquently relayed the bonified new media issue.

Thank you, WGA members.

Thanks Steven. That is all I mean. I am not pointing fingers, so everyone can stop being so sensitive. The point is, if we are all in this together (my union having no choice in the matter) this fight needs to be as effective and short as possible. And why shouldn’t the WGA attempt to produce massive damage on the first day? It seems that might prompt negotiations sooner. As of now, there are non scheduled.

What in the holy hell is so difficult to understand about the strike times? Why does that issue continue to be brought up?

Do you just like to talk about writers being pampered or lazy without regard for the actual, you know, truth? Or do you really not get it?

Because it’s pretty frigging simple to understand, and if you don’t, you should really just stop talking about it.

Do you really think nobody else understands how to strike or when grips start work? Really? Do you really think you are adding one ounce of insight? That you are saying anything anyone here doesn’t already know?

There are reasons it is being done this way and they are better than the reasons to do it your way RIGHT NOW. I know you think you know better, but you do not.

Y’all remind me of all the would be stand-up comics making jokes about how stupid people are for buying bottled water, ignoring a reality different than their own. Concepts too complicated for them to grasp, like awful tap water.

John #47:

1) Take a cold shower.

2) Since you claim to have such an excellent grasp of the situation, please to enlighten the rest of us: what is the benefit/harm analysis of starting the lines at 6:00 am?

You made your point. Now it just looks like you have a chip on your shoulder. Take it down a notch. ps: Don’t forget to set your alarm for 8:30 so you can get the Krispy Kremes while they’re warm.

John —

Sorry to touch on such a hot topic with you.

I’m going to take my two Emmys, my Golden Globe, and my crew with me. See you in a couple months. And, be sure to get some Gortex since it’s supposed to be a wet winter. We’ll be pulling for you.

C’mon guys — Working AD, propmaker, Dollygrip, IATSE guy — we’ve all got to get some sleep. Early call tomorrow.

You guys shooting outside tomorrow?

I am.

Stupid frickin’ end of Daylight Saving Time.

I gotta be there at 6 AM.

And I’m one of the later calls.

Goodnight boys, see you Shreve.

Last comment tonight from me. I promise.

Craig — In light of all the time you’re juggling, how the hell do you do this and direct, too? Amazing. Keep up the good work on all fronts and thanks for letting us guest on your blog site. We really are all pulling for a swift and successful end to this.

Drink plenty of liquids and don’t miss the vitamins!

Later, Shreve

Thanks Steven. That is all I mean. I am not pointing fingers, so everyone can stop being so sensitive. The point is, if we are all in this together (my union having no choice in the matter) this fight needs to be as effective and short as possible. And why shouldn’t the WGA attempt to produce massive damage on the first day? It seems that might prompt negotiations sooner. As of now, there are non scheduled.

I think you’re absolutely right. A strike is not a PR exercise, it’s a method of demonstrating that the cost of not meeting the union’s demands exceeds the cost of meeting them. And if that cannot be demonstrated quickly, effectively and powerfully, then what is the point of striking?

If there are good reasons to maintain at 9-to-5 picket schedule at this time, then those reasons ought to be (ought long since to have been) made known to the other union people in all of the other union jobs being affected by the strike. Because, as is self-evident by the posts here, there are a lot of people in other unions who someone assumed would be able to read the minds of the strike leaders and who are heartily pissed off that no one bothered to speak to them about what to expect and why.

If anyone remembers from history class what the description of the first real battle of the Civil War was like, you recall that townsfolk packed picnic lunches and spread out blankets on the hillsides to watch the festivities, thinking that it would be a genteel affair. And they were appalled and horrified at the carnage, for as General Sherman was later to observe, “War is hell.” Just as war is the continuation of diplomacy by other means, a strike is the continuation of negotiations by other means — and like war, it should be prosecuted aggressively and with clear strategic and tactical objectives chosen to force the other side to buckle as quickly as possible.

Oh, I get it dollygrip! I sleep late and eat donuts. Because I’m too lazy to strike at dawn. What a wicked barb. And boy did you nail me in one, too. Why just last week I only worked 75 or 80 hours. And the week before that. And that. And that.

Stephen, my friend, it has been explained. And explained again. None of this strike-advice/lazy writer insult-fest is insightful or original.

If you don’t understand it, ask the teamsters.

People, if your problem is that you don’t think we should honor the teamster’s wishes, then argue that, not the idiotic writers-are-out-of-touch, don’t-know-what-time-real-people-work silliness.

This same nonsense comes up in every single thread by people who don’t understand the issue, yet insist on being insulting.

Completely understandable to question the wisdom of the arrangement… but completely stupid to assign insulting motives because you can’t see any alternatives.

A word about the work schedule of a tv writer/producer: Yes, I’m the one who shows up at shooting call (or a little after) if I’m not worried about how the scene is going to be blocked. Sometimes I leave before wrap if I’ve seen enough takes to know we have what we need. And occasionally, I answer a call from my agent from my chair (but never during a take — I swear!) or even just spend a few minutes on the ichat being stupid with my friends. I don’t spend 16 hours on my feet, and I despise…and I mean DESPISE getting out of bed before 9am if I don’t have to. ( I do tend to avoid the crafty table, but that’s just me).

But here’s my life: breaking story, writing outlines, writing scripts, rewriting scripts, supervising set, managing prep meetings (ok, so I skip the tech scout — hate me), re-editing episodes, sound spotting, sound mix, music spotting, changing hair/makeup/wardrobe, network calls, studio calls, director calls, art department meetings, casting sessions, sleepless nights trying to save a script, sleepless nights trying to find the story in order to write the script, more sleepless nights trying to find the story AFTER the script has been written, approved, shot and STILL doesn’t deliver. Notes on other people’s outlines/scripts. Notes on cuts. Notes on music. Addressing other people’s notes on all of the above. Saturdays writing, Sundays editing. Mondays thru Fridays hoping to hell that my brain stays creative so that all of the work I generate doesn’t suck so that the hundreds of people who are employed on the show don’t lose their jobs when my potentially sucky work gets the show cancelled. Yeah, I make a really good living —- when there’s work. When there’s no work, I’m unemployed.

I live in constant admiration of the craftsmen and technicians who bust their asses on a daily basis (and who more often than not rise before —- cringe —- 6am and work 16 hour days). But even if my job requires less physical stamina, please don’t underestimate what a soul-crunching, exhausting round-the-clock, no-break-in-sight, stressful job it can be. And yeah, don’t get me wrong, sometimes it’s awesome. Which is why I’d like to go back to doing it as soon as possible. So rather than nitpick about whose feet hurt more (although mine do kinda hurt a lot today), let’s just stay focused on finding a way to end this thing soon. And thank you for those of you who have been unwavering in your support, even if we writers do seem like stupid blobs of crafty donut-eaters to you.

dude you’re a freakin riot and the beauty is you’re so worked up you actually took the Krispy Kreme bait. Yes you’re right, we’re all stoopid and don’t get it. I think you’re getting spittle on your screen though.

Shreve, congratulations on your Emmys! And a Golden Globe, too! I’m really, really proud. You totally deserved it. And we are all better people for having been informed of your success.

But unless I missed something, you maligned the Guild’s strategy, not lazy writers. So I’m not sure why you think you touched a hot topic with me or why anything I said was directed at you.

Sorry my last post was about #56. Another Hyphenate- My friend I’m with you, but isn’t it fun to watch this guy melt down?

My strike captain informed me of the strategy of the 9-5. There is a STRATEGY. And I prefer not to repeat it here, for the obvious reasons. Ask your strike captain. Will it work? Who knows? But, there’s a strategy in play.

John, Perhaps you and all other WGA members should read the Variety article posted today about lack of communication. While I know that Variety is a biased publication to begin with, I agree with this point. The WGA has, quite frankly, sucked at communicating with the public or other unions. How will you garner sympathy or understanding otherwise? How do you fight off the AMPTP claims? How do you expect us to freakin know your mind? And yes, I do believe that maybe having the “blessing of the teamsters” is not as affective as having an actual human baricade up that they have to choose to drive through. Of course, I’m probably just stupidly assuming though.

Everyone,

I can say this. I work on “the Office” and the writers there were out front at 4:30 in the morning and they didn’t go in shifts either. All of them stayed all day. And, as mixed as my feelings are about this strike, i.e. I’ll be out of work and I’ll probably have to pull out of escrow, it was still impressive. I hope all of you have this same spirit and that those of you who already have it don’t lose it.

dollygrip - Really? Your entertainment in life is to go to striking worker’s discussion boards and insult them, then proudly announce you are just baiting them?

What a quality person you are.

Do you understand how small that makes you look?

But it’s cute that you think I’m worked up because I used certain words on the internet. I’m about 60% yawning and 40% head-shaking. 0% spittle.

John, my buddy: you keep saying it’s been explained, and explained again, and explained again. Clearly you are aware of this explanation and clearly others posting on this board are not. Some have asked for your guidance — and with a supercilious tone, you say they should ask someone else.

All I’m suggesting is this: either share your wisdom and enlighten others, or stop criticizing people for seeking insight.

Jeez, did you hit that on the head. That’s what it is.

And one more time for you guys who don’t know why the strike isn’t starting at 6am. As I understand it. The teamsters explained to us that by starting later, they get the trucks out early, but then can’t get back in, so it disrupts the studio, but the driver’s still get paid (for sitting in the truck outside the lot). It creates a double whammy on the studio, they don’t get the goods, and they still pay.

I hope that’s correct, and I hope it really has that effect. And do remember that writers don’t have the numbers that trades do. There’s one to three of us on each film - how many of you guys? By all means give advice, but you don’t have to dump crap on us. I’ve been an army drill sergeant, an electrician, an engineer, and a contractor. Now I’m a writer and it’s far and away the hardest fucking job I’ve ever had. And I ain’t in any way rich, most of us aren’t - at all, not even close.

But we are a stubborn lot, we’ve been told, “you suck, go away” enough to make most people roll up in a ball and starve themselves to death. We’ll get through this.

Okay… I lied. One more post

Hyphenate — I think I’ve worked with you or many similar to you. I have total admiration for what you do, how you do it, and the consistency in which you perform. My earlier comments were about the percention — and misinformation — that gets fueled when the crew’s POV of the picket line is of one lacking passion and without intent. I am not questioning your work ethic or your responsibilities to the show or to your staff & crew.

John — I’m sure there must be a strategy with your Guild’s leadership. I hope there’s one, since the planning of this has been ongoing for awhile. Please realize that ALL of us — the BTL crew, the non-WGA producers and directors, the cast — all share you views on wanting a quick and equitable end. We’re just voicing our frustrations over what we see as a passive act rather than one of strength and conviction. We’re all watching the picket lines, looking for an indication that the road we are all collectively traveling is one that will not run us all out of our homes.

Brain turning even more mushy. Have a great and successful picket tomorrow. Make some headway in getting this thing back to the table.

Later…

62 - IATSE - I couldn’t agree with you more and have shared that opinion.

And I don’t expect people to magically understand the issues around this… I don’t myself.

All I am asking is that people do not jump to conclusions and assume bad motives.

And certainly not to go to a website dedicated to a group of people that have just made a difficult and unsettling step and insult them.

And this particular topic has been used by a lot of trolls that are not interested one bit in understanding, only in insulting.

Anyone who is legitimately curious why things are being done the way they are can find answers… but some people (claiming, by the way, to be things they are not) don’t want answers, they just want to keep trolling… and if they can get others worked up about the “lazy writers” along the way, so much the better for them.

Though I’m actually completley vertical and thoroughly relaxed at the moment… I do come from a blue-collar union family and I admit that I take the don’t-care-about-the-working-man stuff as horribly insulting. I didn’t become a writer until my thirties and worked a lot of different jobs before that. I’ve never crossed a picket line in my life.

And if the teamsters went on strike, I don’t know what the Guild would do, but I know what I would… and it would absolutely not involve seeking out suddenly unemployed teamsters and insulting them. The idea makes me a little sick to my stomach.

I think most of the people here claiming to be teamsters are not… but I would hope those that are would give some benefit of the doubt to people who just struck twenty hours ago.

65 - Stephen… my apologies. I was trying to point out that you can find the answers in most threads here and elsewhere without actually giving the reasons. I wasn’t trying to sound like the keeper of the keys.

I know some people don’t want the specifics publicized, but the general issue is that it was not writers being lazy or out of touch. It was about strategy (or tactics, I suppose) and it was about the Teamsters… not about writers. It could have been the same for any union striking.

Shreve - Thank you. I share all of your frustrations. Perhaps that is why I am so eager to not be blamed.

John, your points are well taken. Just be sure to always remember - I am just as struck as you even without being in the WGA. My show won’t go past this week. I have just as much at stake if not more, because in the end I do not see any of your possible residual gains. And I’m not bitter about that, but you must remember that we are all sacrificing.

Well this blog’s comments section has really degenerated into a few people just snipping amongst themselves, hasn’t it?

V for Verrone?

“Remember, remember, the fifth of November.”

Actually, it got to a place where everyone realizes that we’re all in this thing together — writers, producers & directors, cast, and crew. We sink or swim together. Whereas we may have different aproaches or strategies to see the end game, we are all unified. We’re all together. We’re all good.

Just read about the staff on “The Office.” Very impressive.

Wowza — Nothing wrong with some spirited dialogue. I think we’ve all put any personal differences aside, focusing on the real goal. To get back to the table and get a deal done.

I wish I was in the Guild now because it would give more validity to my caring so much. I hope this ends quickly with much benefit to each of you. I pray that you and your families weather this moment.

I aspire to be in your Guild. I like to think that this is in my behalf. Regardless of whether or not that’s true, I want to say thank you. Thank you to everyone walking a picket line and everyone not crossing one. Everyone who’s convicted that this moment is beyond them and is about fighting for the greater good within the writing community. Thanks to everyone who’s sacrificing.

Guy Fawkes False Flag Day is nearly over.

But I predict…that by Midnight…

We’ll all SUFFER THE SAME INESCAPABLE FATE:

A long night of - Lightning Flashes & Diabolical Laughter

nice sleeping weather.

(Look: fog! Scary, isn’t it?)

I took a lot of shit last night from some of you guys, but after 20 years in Hollywood, that’s to be expected.

But the strike today was laughable. Shreve, I understand your dismay. How dare the WGA ask for the support of the Locals, and not show up.

WGA, you did not show up. Until 4pm this afternoon, all news radio in LA kicked off their programs with the Dodgers officially announcing Joe Torre as the new manager of the Dodgers. Last night, some schmuck suggested that “the nation is watching!” Um, no it�s not. The nation doesn’t care about the WGA. Ragging on me won’t change it. But, hey, shoot the messenger. Shoot the guy who has walked a picket line, a successful picket line, a successful picket line before you were born.

This is not a garbage strike. This is not a transit strike. My relatives in New Orleans are laughing at you. Hell, my relatives I Studio City are laughing.

Who the fuck organized this jugfuck? You sent out 30 picketers to every studio? 40? Any Teamster worth their gross vehicle weight would have sent every goddamned WGA loafer to Universal at 4am this morning and actually disrupted not only production, but the Hollywood Freeway. That�s how you get your point across. And that�s why the Teamsters are insulted by the WGA.

At breakfast on our set this morning, (at 5 am, by the way) I heard more writer sleeping jokes than I could have ever imagined. �They�re very serious about this as long as they can sleep in.� Can you imagine a Teamster listening to sleeping jokes that don�t involve them? It was fucking comedy gold!

Let�s recap:

First day of the strike was a total failure.

Resources were grossly mismanaged.

Teamsters never had to make a decision to cross a line. Writers showed up late, went home early.

I hope everybody in the WGA Tivo�d Julia Louise Dreyfuss on the line today, because she won�t be there tomorrow.

WGA, you were the laughing stock of the industry today. Quit whining about coffee and the lack of sunscreen, and better luck tomorrow.

Seriously, if you want help from the other locals, don�t insult us by being big fat pussies.

Oh, and if taking shots at me makes it easier to accept your misery, go ahead. I�m here to help. Ripping me is easy. Explain that to your kids.

I don’t have to explain you to my kids.

They’re very familiar with know-it-all bullies who call people names.

An additional AMPTP Motivation.

The AMPTP isn’t worried about giving away too much money to writers, actors, and directors. They don’t just want to keep the money, they want to HIDE THE MONEY.

Here’s my thinking…

1) Any new media deal will be based on a percentage of the revenue that is taken in through said new media.

2) The revenue gained in new media is taken in through a more intricate process than commercials (TV) or retail sales (DVD).*

3) To determine the money owed the writers a media company will have to reveal where the revenue came from, how much they’ve received, and how many viewers they have. In other words, the company will have to OPEN THEIR BOOKS.

4) The company will fight tooth and nail to keep their books closed.

There is a reason why accountants in the rest of the world look at media accounting and go “you just made up these numbers while brainstorming the latest Spiderman movie, right?”

Actual downloads mean actual eyeballs instead of approximate numbers (see TV ratings). It’s precise. Hard to obfuscate costs and revenue.

It results in accountability. And that scares everyone.

Just a thought.

- Andy

*Unlike network TV, commercials from media streaming/downloading will result from a revenue per download basis. That is, the studio will get a certain dollar per download. That requires reporting of actual sales and actual viewers. Also, it’s a rolling figure where they can only get advertising revenue per download and that keeps changing. In order to get the revenue, they’ll keep track. And they hate reporting that.

Jack,

I bet your kids are VERY familiar with know-it-all bullies who call people names.

Father Of The Year accolades cannot be far behind.

Is it just me, or does anyone else you have the voice of a pirate in their heads when you read Hoffa’s posts? End each sentence with “Arggh” and it’s much more entertaining.

Wow, he’s right. My misery is much easier to accept now. Where are my kids?

Shreve, IATSE, Stephen… just for the record, you have now been introduced to the fella I thought I was talking to. Ain’t he a peach? He has a couple of names, I believe, but this one is particularly charming.

“#83 Is it just me, or does anyone else you have the voice of a pirate in their heads when you read Hoffa’s posts? End each sentence with “Arggh” and it’s much more entertaining.

Wow, he’s right. My misery is much easier to accept now. Where are my kids?”

Try it again in English, Mr. WGA.

I don’t speak Drunk.

“does anyone else you have the voice?”

Hard to believe you’re not working.

Idiot.

Hoffa’s self-satisfied twin:

Your numbers are a little off. And your romantic sense of your own toughness may be a little off, too. No real need to “take a shot at you,” as you’ve done a pretty good job of exposing yourself. Show don’t tell and all that.

I’m afraid you don’t know the half of it, pal. Maybe get to know a writer or two (maybe one who’s also a vet, or an ex-cop, or someone else you’d conventionally respect), or maybe talk to that showrunner who fought like hell to keep the show in LA. Or maybe just talk to one of those pickets, just a regular guy trying to do right.

“#86 Hoffa’s self-satisfied twin:

Your numbers are a little off. And your romantic sense of your own toughness may be a little off, too. No real need to “take a shot at you,” as you’ve done a pretty good job of exposing yourself. Show don’t tell and all that.

I’m afraid you don’t know the half of it, pal. Maybe get to know a writer or two (maybe one who’s also a vet, or an ex-cop, or someone else you’d conventionally respect), or maybe talk to that showrunner who fought like hell to keep the show in LA. Or maybe just talk to one of those pickets, just a regular guy trying to do right.”

Just keep scratching your head. That’ll turn back time.

Off to bed. Have to work tomorrow. According to the callsheet, 135 breakfasts ready at 5am.

135 workers… at 5am.

Think about it.

See you guys at 9!

Hey Shreve, Working AD, dollygrip, IATSE guy and fellow BTL’ers - Thanks for chimin’ in here. I’m glad you’re telling your stories and sharing the scuttlebutt you hear on your shows. I particulary like that you broached the subject of SOME of the perceptions toward writers. It’s raw information, that can be used or disgarded but better that then it being withheld.

when I was there this AM. Do the math, and you’ll see it wasn’t just 30-40 per studio. And don’t forget - the WGA is a small union.

The WGA will be striking from 9-5 this week: that was their decision: it isn’t up to you to decide how or when they strike.

Do you find it fulfilling to show up here and insult Writers? If that’s your motivation, no wonder you post anonymously.

If you’re going to demand people listen to you and take you seriously, have the guts to post with your real name.

To draw a totally-unrelated yet conceptually-similar parallel:

You know, this reminds me of the sniping I witnessed (and took part in) at my fraternity when I was an undergraduate at my previous college (out in the Midwest).

The alumni would always bitch at the actives for how we were supposedly running the chapter into the ground and failing to live up to the glory of “back in the day” when our the fraternity was thriving (you know, back when our university hadn’t, like, forced all the Greek chapter houses to go dry).

In turn, us actives (those who were enrolled, at the time, as undergraduates) would bitch at the alumni for thumbing their noses at us and making bossy, counterproductive comments with no real solutions.

And we would collectively express our ire at the university administration (some of whom made it their mission to make life hell for us), at the National Headquarters (who did nothing to help our chapter other than sending some hotshot to our campus once a year to dispense useless “advice”), and the neighbors who’d make our lives miserable (one, in particular, who “generously” took it upon himself to go patroling the streets at night on behalf of his fellow neighbors, so he could call the cops at any sign of house parties going on).

(I myself am currently an alumni of my fraternity chapter, although I was a Recruitment Chair at the time of the aforementioned conflict; can you tell I’m still bitter?)

Pardon the long anecdote: the point being, I see a lot of the same dynamic found in my fraternity (actives vs. alumni) that I see on this board (between the WGA members vs. the non-WGA unionized trade workers).

I want to commend all of the showrunners and successful writers who have shown their support in the strike. I also believe that the celebrities on the picket lines deserve some credit (yes, Jay Leno, Tina Fey, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss — here’s lookin’ at you!)…even if they only show up for a mere hour out of the day to picket, they’re the faces who’ll draw important publicity from the media, and, by virtue of being celebrities, they can speak out on these issues in a way that will make the press more likely to cover the non-AMPTP side of the story.

I just hope that I won’t end up downing a mouthful of STX once this strike ends. :-(

Shreve -

Well said. I think some of the commenters didn’t read your comment the way it was intended.

As a member of both the WGA and another trade union, I have worked both above and below the line. And I have been in arbitration for several years over underpaid residuals.

The fact is - everyone knows that they may be shooting themselves in the foot by trying to eek out what money they can in the short run, and they are really looking for the Guild to do this fast and furious —to settle the dispute and get everyone back to work.

And while not all writers have done this - many disregard the crews and treat them with disrespect and forget that without them, the TV shows and movies would not be made. I have seen a co-worker belittled and yelled at by a writer-producer who had gotten lost on their way to set- and then , instead of admitting they had made a mistake, wanted to fire someone to save face. (This happend only three weeks ago). This kind of act makes it that much harder to get support across the board, so they want to see the writers pushing back hard to et this done.

A lot of people remember only the hardship that the last strike caused may in this town. And people losing houses is a big concern. And crews who toil in the hot sun all day have little concern for someone who gets preferential parking, treatment and privileges, while they have to take it or leave it. Why should they care or support this?

And one sentiment that is floating around on sets is that So many writers rushed to push out additional scripts - giving the studios material to continue shooting, even after the strike started, why should the crews not get paid for those episodes, since the writers did? The proper course of action would have been to slow down the delivery of scripts before a strike - to leave the studios vulnerable to the work stoppage - not allowing them to stockpile and wait it out, while everyone suffers.

The only real effective way to get the studios to listen is to shut them down. A quick resolution to the dispute will go a long way to gaining the respect of the other trade unions in town - even if initially there is backlash. Everyone knows that this could get very ugly before it gets better. And they are trying to protect themselves by gathering what money they can.

People are taking await and see attitude this week. They are waiting to see if the WGA will be serious about pushing hard and getting this resolved.

If location shoots, studios and casting sessions are shut down - then, you will see more support for the strike among the crews. Because, while they want to keep working - they all know that the studios can survive for al ong time if there is only a slowdown, but they will move to resolve a shut down.

And most TV series only have a couple scripts left to shoot and then will stop - but the studios have plenty of feature scripts to keep them busy for awhile. TV shows are prepared and expecting to shut down. So stopping the flow of features is key to putting pressure on the Studios to come back to the table and negotiate. and it has to happen now.

I support the strike - the issues at hand are important. But the implementation of a strike plan could have been better. Calling a strike, only weeks before the holidays, does not go over well with the crews. But, now that it has begun - block the gates early and hard. Stop production and negotiations will resume. Then everyone can get back to work.

I just saw the numbers — over 3,000 of you turned out to picket today.

I take it back; that’s impressive.

You guys have now won over the other unions’ support and showed the AMPTP that they underestimated you and will have to re-think their position.

Accept my apologies and my kudos as well.

In solidarity, HHT.

I’d like to reiterate that, one way or the other, a shutdown was going to happen if the AMPTP doesn’t offer reasonable internet residuals.

Actors rely on residuals as much, if not more, than writers — and if they go on strike there’s no period of slowdown. Everything shuts down immediately and the whole city is out of work on day one.

By having the WGA go out on strike first, and hopefully establish a reasonable residuals formula, the SAG strike can be avoided. And the rest of the city can keep working while the writers eat the loss of pay until either a compromise is reached or the studios run out of banked scripts.

Hoffa is out of his mind if he thinks today was a failure. I spent the good chunk of my day walking around with a sign and a ton of actors and showrunners didn’t go to work today. There’s nothing else to say there.

Don’t respond to Hoffa.

He’s a scorned writer with no balls.

More Sag writers should be walking the lines. And I’m not talking the big names. WGA are taking the bullet for them. They’ll end up with 3x whatever deal we get.

”The Writers Guild of Great Britain successfully negotiated an internet usage rate with their employers. I’m uncertain what the exact rate is, but does that deal compare in any way to what the WGA is fighting for?”

The WGGB/Pact agreement is a very sensible ”catch all” in which the writer gets a straight 5.6% of gross receipts for the programme in any and all media.

I’m at a loss to see how the AMPTP can’t agree something similar. Apart from Sheer greed and bloodymindedness of course.

First off, good luck to the striking membership. You hold many futures in your hands with those placards. That from a wannabe.

Second, let’s not rag on HHT. He’s only pushing hard on how picket hours and attendance affects WGA perception across town. Boot in pants, if you will.

And now that the lines are packed, he’s with you guys (#93). Nuff said.

Third, for what it’s worth, the UK press is sitting on the fence about the strike, although they keep repeating Counter’s claim that the WGA walked out in an unreasonable fashion.

Here is today’s Guardian on it. They’re the most media-aware broadsheet. The worrying part is Verrone’s statement…

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2205784,00.html

BTW, anyone else see this article “Writers and Producers: here’s the deal they should make”?

Comments?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-handel/writers-and-producers-heb71157.html

Link fuggled up in pasting. Here it is again:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jonathan-handel/writers-and-producers-heb71157.html

Having technology issues here.

Help me out anyone?

Bruno,

It looks like your link title is too long for this website to handle.

Try using a tiny url (a specially-formatted short link title, that’s easier to fit on a web page comment section).

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Patrick Meighan Culver City, CA

Here is the article Bruno is talking about: http://tinyurl.com/28hgxu

FYI I know this may be old news to most, but there’s a supreme a-hole by the name of Alex Perez offering scab screenwriting services at www.hollywoodscabwriter.com and on YouTube, to name two.

I thought it was a joke at first, but I don’t think so. He’s got about ten promo videos on YouTube, and he’s really pushing it all over the ‘net.

IMHO This guy is a total loser who would never make it as a writer anyway, but that’s not the point. You can send him a love note and thanks for his support at alexperezwriter@gmail.com That’s ALEX PEREZ. Might want to remember that.

On a lighter note, there’s a great video on YouTube called “Heroes of the Writers’ Strike.” Very funny if you need a light moment.

From an optioned non-Guild screenwriter, Best Wishes for a short strike and a merry one, all!

Johnny, Alex Perez is definitely a joke. And a very well executed one, at that.

Patrick, Tom: thanks both for fixing! Appreciate it.

Tinyurl is a great tip.

Jacob, If hollywoodscabwriter is a joke, his promo videos omit the two most important elements in comedy: subject matter and timimg. Not funny, not now. Anyway, he’s not important.

Hailing as I do from Boston I can’t join you on the strike lines, but I am doing my best to represent and defend the Guild and the strike around the web. There are a lot of detractors out there who understand neither the strike nor the screenwriting profession. If there is any other way I can help from here, let me know.

Best Wishes, Johnny Simpson.

Pretty good PR on the east coast this morning at 8 am, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough’s show.

They showed footage of WGAe strikers and explained the issue clearly. Mr. Conservative Joe said (paraphrasing), “The writers are right on this one. They deserve a fair share of profits generated by DVD and new media.”

Joe seems to be a fan of Tina Fey — getting known faces like hers on the strike line really helps.

Joe then gushes about how talented Tina is and says something like — if Tina Fey wants it she deserves it.

Also — yesterday, two cable news talking heads discussed the fact they many people don’t realize the talk show guys — Leno, Letterman, Conan, et al — rely on a team of writing talent to produce their shows.

And one of the talking heads said, “Really? I thought they wrote it all themselves.”

And odd comment but I’m sure she was not the only person in TV land who made that assumption.

At least the message is getting out.

Having spent just short of 3 decades listening to “bankers hours” jokes, I can’t help wishing the people who are allegedly making lazy writers jokes around the craft services tables could try showing up at o’dark thirty WITHOUT A SCRIPT.

Oh wait. That’s going to happen soon, isn’t it?

Here is when writers stop working: NEVER. (Not even when they are asleep, BTW. I dream about plot problems I’m trying to solve more often than I don’t.)

Is it true that gradually, one by one, most picketer will be run down cars like that one guy was yesterday?

Cuz if that is the case, and i do believe it is, then why should we put our lives on the line?

will one of you please write a speech for me to read to my employees when i close my doors next week?

While I fully support your efforts, I will be laid off from my show next week. I won’t be getting 1/2 checks like the cast will be getting. I only hope that on day 100 there is as much passion and press as there was on day one. I plead with the WGA leaders to at least start talking again. The strike gives the studios ample tax write-off capabilities. Good luck, but I am scared to death I’ll lose everything. And I’m sure this Episode 11 is the last one this season. Question: when will I come back to work? Next July? 2010?