WGA STRIKE
Yesterday I was given a portion of an office to share with a fellow co-worker. So that's exciting. I have my own work pc and coming soon is my own work telephone number. No word on full time status. However I figure it will be just a matter of time considering how things have been going. For now I'm cheap labor.
The industry as a whole is really starting to feel the sting of the Writers Strike. I'm sure you've all been reading the news headlines but for now it has no end in site. Television shows are beginning to go on hiatus and many have halted production entirely. Our show is affected but can still continue production. To our benefit we have about 2 months of shows in the can and I believe we have enough material built up to continue production throughout Feb. This week was the first official week without our writing staff and while still in production, a number of employees have taken on double and in many cases triple duties making things run a bit differently.
I was surprised to learn that Wheel Of Fortune is not affected at all. I guess the two people who come up with the phrases are not considered writers so there not sweating it one bit.
The writers whom are picketing outside the Sony Pictures gates are there all day. When I drive into work in the morning they all stare at you like you are a criminal. Not to mention they block your vehicle until the last possible moment of available light entry time. I want to get a t-shirt made saying I'm just a temp let me through so I can eat. Overall though most of them out there are considerate, just backing up their unions. It's pretty amazing though how many other jobs are being affected. A number of caterers, make up artists, and below the line positions have been laid off. Not to mention it being a horrible time to get out of film schools. P.A. positions like most other entry level positions are not available with the strike and Christmas season coming up. Basically for the most part Hollywood shuts down for about 2 weeks anyway.
The last strike in 1988 proved to be beneficial for a number of different groups beyond the writers guild. Supposedly once the WGA renegotiated it sparked a movement for other departments to renegotiate their contracts and working deals. I def. agree with why they are striking and in the end it is for the best. I mean whom in 1988 could of guessed what future technologies would emerge. But it does not seem fair to all of the other jobs that are directly affected. Many of these other positions do not have a union to protect them as well as they were given no real timetable to prepare. Where as the writers knew that this was coming and had ample time to save up finances and prepare.
I think really it is the studio/ producers fault. I mean why does any one company have to make so much profit. Even giving into the writers demands the studios will still make millions. It is just greedy. So hopefully they work everything out, now prominent actors are walking off of jobs too. I think that soon the studios will be in a position in which they will be forced to make certain concessions.
Craig is Bravo feeling the sting. Obviously NBC is but I wasn't sure if a lot of Bravo shows were reality based or not?
recent branches
I was curious if the strike was impacting you. Since the picket line is full of creative writers I've heard the picket signs are pretty funny. Sarah Silverman was holding a picket sign that said simply "Don't be a Pube!".
I have a feeling this strike could last a long time. I believe the main point of disagreement is payments tied to digital downloads - which, in a few years will be a big percent of the media pie. While i generally side with the writers, some of their demands are pretty crazy. Like - they want royalties before studios break even. That doesn't seem right since the movie likely bombed in part because of a lame script.
i also heard everyone now hates Ellen Degeneres since she has not stopped working to join the strike. Technically she's not a writer anymore but i guess alot of people who started as writers (like Ellen) are supporting the cause by joining the strike.
A portion of an office eh' .. 1 step at a time my brotha. one step at a time. hope you finally got a key card!
Great posts, Adam. I hope the strike doesn't go too long - but if it does I hope it leads to a situation you think is more fair. Hang in there. If the right people see your blogs maybe you'll be a WGA writer, too? We certainly enjoy them. -J
ya, nbc (and outside 30 rockefeller) has definitely been feeling/showing it.. with famous folks out picketing and all. but yes, bravo is primarily reality based shows/competitions, so not much affect on our branch.
hopefully some aggreement can be reached sooner than later. looks like broadway is finally back up and running after the stagehand strike.