Well, it's happened. We went from rampant optimism to another break down in the talks in a matter of mere weeks. There's sniping, there's rhetoric, but what you really need to know is this: no progress was made, and it looks like the rest of the TV season is probably going to go down the tubes.
The Directors Guild takes up talks with the AMPTP soon. Directors don't usually walk, so that may end up forcing WGA's hand. We'll see.
Showing posts with label Variety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Variety. Show all posts
08 December 2007
20 November 2007
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Hollywood Reporter: Fox has joined NBC-Universal and Sony in delivering letters of suspension to their actors, but in a new twist, are not invoking force majeure, which essentially terminates contracts and leaves actors free to do what they want without worrying about when their show comes back. Fox asserts that the contracts are still valid, and TV contracts remain priority one. SAG says that five weeks of half-pay is the maximum for "hiatus status", and then after that, contracts must be terminated if studios don't want to pay in full. Fox appears to feel otherwise.
La Times: CBS news writers and graphic artists, working the last two and a half years without a contract, have authorized a strike as well.
Daily Variety: The upcoming talks appear to be more than just a PR stunt. Apparently, we have four powerful talent agents to thank for this minor reconciliation; they had kept in contact with the heads of the AMPTP since the start of the strike, and last week reached out to WGAW's David Young. Here's hoping that Young can channel a little of his PR mojo into negotiation for once.
Deadline Hollywood: Somebody's in trooouuuble! An unnamed TV writer-producer has been called befrore the WGA disciplinary committee for breaking the strike rules on his show and a couple of other projects.
LA Times: The strike is a PR war, and there's no doubt who is winning: the writers. One poll shows only 4% of the public favoring studios, another, 8%. I coulda told you who was winning just from reading the news. Writers are getting out there, and the AMPTP is coming across as a monolith. The human face, boys: It wins every time.
Media Week: Advertisers may be asking for their money back soon. The issue is February -- sweeps month -- when ratings are highest and ads go for big bucks. If shows aren't back on track in three weeks, say some advertisers, sweeps could be wiped out -- in which case, it'll be time to start making some demands.
La Times: CBS news writers and graphic artists, working the last two and a half years without a contract, have authorized a strike as well.
Daily Variety: The upcoming talks appear to be more than just a PR stunt. Apparently, we have four powerful talent agents to thank for this minor reconciliation; they had kept in contact with the heads of the AMPTP since the start of the strike, and last week reached out to WGAW's David Young. Here's hoping that Young can channel a little of his PR mojo into negotiation for once.
Deadline Hollywood: Somebody's in trooouuuble! An unnamed TV writer-producer has been called befrore the WGA disciplinary committee for breaking the strike rules on his show and a couple of other projects.
LA Times: The strike is a PR war, and there's no doubt who is winning: the writers. One poll shows only 4% of the public favoring studios, another, 8%. I coulda told you who was winning just from reading the news. Writers are getting out there, and the AMPTP is coming across as a monolith. The human face, boys: It wins every time.
Media Week: Advertisers may be asking for their money back soon. The issue is February -- sweeps month -- when ratings are highest and ads go for big bucks. If shows aren't back on track in three weeks, say some advertisers, sweeps could be wiped out -- in which case, it'll be time to start making some demands.
08 November 2007
News: Quick Hits
Just some linkeage:
Variety reports that several writers will not be following WGA Strike Rule #8, which stipulates that all writers must turn copies of any uncompleted scripts they have written over to the union, ostensibly to guard against allegations of strikebreaking. Studios sent writers' agents strongly-worded letters before the strike even started, telling writers that they would be in breach of contract if they did any such thing. Writers are justly afraid of being nailed by legal action from the studios, who have already paid for the scripts and would seem to have the high ground here. (Note: I am not a lawyer.) WGA asserts that the scripts do not become studio property until options are exercized, which they wouldn't have been yet on incomplete scripts; they're threatening censure or fines for guild members who do not obey Rule #8. Yikes.
The LA Times has an article detailing the reaction of labor leaders outside the conflict; not surprisingly, they appear to be on the side of the WGA. The most interesting tidbit seems comes from Rose Ann DeMoro, head of the California Nurses' Assosciation, who has a list of the four big needs for a successful strike: 1. Public support. 2. Cohesion among members. 3. Political power. 4. A righteous cause. I would say that #4 is way, way down the list, but it appears that the WGA has #1 on its side -- feeling on the internets, at least, is overwhelmingly in favor of striking writers, at least for now. It appeared that they hand #2, but if they start fining people over Strike Rule 8, that could be a problem. The other two? Well, the current Governor of California used to be a member of a Hollywood guild, so that can't hurt. As far as #4 goes, I'm not sure "righteous" ever comes into the equasion in today's America. I think they're right, but I don't know about righteous.
"Office" writers Michael Schur (who also plays Mose Schrute) and Jen Celotta stopped by Office Tally yesterday to chat with fans; Tanster has posted a chat transcript. It's long, but interesting.
"Office" star Jenna Fischer (Miss Beesly, if you're nasty) has a blog entry discussing the strike.
Variety reports that several writers will not be following WGA Strike Rule #8, which stipulates that all writers must turn copies of any uncompleted scripts they have written over to the union, ostensibly to guard against allegations of strikebreaking. Studios sent writers' agents strongly-worded letters before the strike even started, telling writers that they would be in breach of contract if they did any such thing. Writers are justly afraid of being nailed by legal action from the studios, who have already paid for the scripts and would seem to have the high ground here. (Note: I am not a lawyer.) WGA asserts that the scripts do not become studio property until options are exercized, which they wouldn't have been yet on incomplete scripts; they're threatening censure or fines for guild members who do not obey Rule #8. Yikes.
The LA Times has an article detailing the reaction of labor leaders outside the conflict; not surprisingly, they appear to be on the side of the WGA. The most interesting tidbit seems comes from Rose Ann DeMoro, head of the California Nurses' Assosciation, who has a list of the four big needs for a successful strike: 1. Public support. 2. Cohesion among members. 3. Political power. 4. A righteous cause. I would say that #4 is way, way down the list, but it appears that the WGA has #1 on its side -- feeling on the internets, at least, is overwhelmingly in favor of striking writers, at least for now. It appeared that they hand #2, but if they start fining people over Strike Rule 8, that could be a problem. The other two? Well, the current Governor of California used to be a member of a Hollywood guild, so that can't hurt. As far as #4 goes, I'm not sure "righteous" ever comes into the equasion in today's America. I think they're right, but I don't know about righteous.
"Office" writers Michael Schur (who also plays Mose Schrute) and Jen Celotta stopped by Office Tally yesterday to chat with fans; Tanster has posted a chat transcript. It's long, but interesting.
"Office" star Jenna Fischer (Miss Beesly, if you're nasty) has a blog entry discussing the strike.
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