Writer's Guild Strike

[mfs378]

Originally posted by: Wheezer

Leno, Letterman, & Conan, etc. went back on the air for two reasons. One, the networks had to get them back on the air, Two, they also did it so the rest of their workers and staff would have employment.

which is exactly why I think this whole thing is B.S.

The writers don't want what is "fair", they just want.

"Fair" would be taking into consideration all the other people affected by their choice, not just the audience.

That is why I have a hard time feeling sorry for them, they are already getting money from the sale of DVD material, and since they didn't get a little more they screwed all their fellow employees that are not members of their union who get nothing from the sale of DVD's and also work on the shows.

Of course the studios are all about fairness, right?

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: Wheezer

Leno, Letterman, & Conan, etc. went back on the air for two reasons. One, the networks had to get them back on the air, Two, they also did it so the rest of their workers and staff would have employment.

which is exactly why I think this whole thing is B.S.

The writers don't want what is "fair", they just want.

"Fair" would be taking into consideration all the other people affected by their choice, not just the audience.

That is why I have a hard time feeling sorry for them, they are already getting money from the sale of DVD material, and since they didn't get a little more they screwed all their fellow employees that are not members of their union who get nothing from the sale of DVD's and also work on the shows.

You're showing a very biased point of view. It would be equally valid to blame the studios. Since the studios want to keep more, "they screwed all their ... employees ... who get nothing from the sale of DVD's and also work on the shows."

There are two parties to the negotiations. Both sides are being stubborn. Both sides are being greedy. Both sides are placing their pocketbooks above the interests of the rest of the employees.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: palehorse74
I just think it's hard to feel sorry for people who already make $250,000/yr... and I don't watch a lot of mindless TV, so I can't say I really miss them either!

I do respect Leno and Conan for their decision to support the other staff who would have been laid off. I think that's pretty decent of them.

writers don't make that much.

I actually saw an article that had their average pegged at about $200k/yr, depending on the show.

How far off do you think I am?

Maybe the top tier ones do, but I think the regular joe's of the industry make far, far less, especially for TV.

Frankly, I was hoping this was going to force the cancellation of pretty much everything on TV, would get me out of watching Grey's Anatomy with my woman on Thursdays.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: palehorse74
I just think it's hard to feel sorry for people who already make $250,000/yr... and I don't watch a lot of mindless TV, so I can't say I really miss them either!

I do respect Leno and Conan for their decision to support the other staff who would have been laid off. I think that's pretty decent of them.

Most writers make a small fraction of that amount, and frankly even $250K is a small fraction of the profits the studios make off of their work. I am 100% for the writers on this one.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: Jadow
I just read an article about Leno writing his own stuff and violating the rules, and ya know what I'm fed up with the guild. F them. The studios will pay what they're going to pay, and as with any employment, whether you're a Wal-Mart cashier or a hollywood writer, you'll either take it or leave it.

The Writer's guild is just another craptacular union trying to bring this country down.

and the writers will work for what they will, and the studios will take it or leave it.

Exactly. Is it so confusing to Jadow that 100% of the writers have chosen to "leave it?"

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: CPA
I only watch sports and American Idol, so I don't give much of a crap concerning their bitching and moaning that they didn't have the vision to include royalties related to new and future technology.

The old contract was expiring so it was opened up for negotiation and they want it included this time around.

The writers are probably asking for quite a bit but the studios are pretty much unwilling to give up anything at all. I think this impasse qualifies as a studio attempt to break the union though this is really a war of attrition. The TV lineups for the next year are shot to hell and billions in ad revenue along with it. If the strike continues into the middle of 08 motion picture releases in late 08 an all of 2009 will be in danger and the downstream revenue (/video/dvd/cable/tv/games) studios survive on could disappear.

It's a game of chicken.

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: ayabe
Frankly, I was hoping this was going to force the cancellation of pretty much everything on TV, would get me out of watching Grey's Anatomy with my woman on Thursdays.

DOH! I knew I wasn't the only one! But that Izzy is hawt damnit....

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: Jadow
I just read an article about Leno writing his own stuff and violating the rules, and ya know what I'm fed up with the guild. F them. The studios will pay what they're going to pay, and as with any employment, whether you're a Wal-Mart cashier or a hollywood writer, you'll either take it or leave it.

The Writer's guild is just another craptacular union trying to bring this country down.

If capital has a right to unionize (ie, incorporate) why shouldn't labor?

Employees have as much right to refuse to work as employers do to refuse to pay them.

If they can't come to an agreement, that's the free market at work.

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: palehorse74

Originally posted by: miketheidiot

Originally posted by: palehorse74
I just think it's hard to feel sorry for people who already make $250,000/yr... and I don't watch a lot of mindless TV, so I can't say I really miss them either!

I do respect Leno and Conan for their decision to support the other staff who would have been laid off. I think that's pretty decent of them.

writers don't make that much.

I actually saw an article that had their average pegged at about $200k/yr, depending on the show.

How far off do you think I am?

If that figure is correct then that's why the whole situation looks like lions fighting over a chicken nugget to the average Joe. I just looks like infighting among those who are already much more wealthy than Joe Schmoe will ever be. "Rich" is relative. One may be rich. . .in fact many may be rich. . . and some may be richer, but there's only 1 richest. You have the same exact struggle between those with more relative to those with less of many things on many levels of society. I can see why people who will never make $200,000 per year think of the striking writers as whining rich little bitches. It's human nature to feel indignant when you see somebody who already has more fortune than you do ask for yet more. . .But I can also see that the writers are standing up for a matter of principle. You should never let the guy on top -- the richest -- stay on top without showing he deserves to be on top. Don't let him get complacent and don't let him rest on his laurels or he will become a tyrant. So I can see why the writers are striking. Nobody likes to feel like they are getting walked on. So, until this whole thing blows over, I'll just keep watching DVD's. D'OH!!

Besides, 90% of what is on TV is garbage anyway. I think the industry could use some fresh perspective and an infusion of new blood. When you make 6 figures a year, there's always somebody else below waiting to do your job. The writers better come to some kind of agreement before too long or the studios will just "write" them off and replace them.

 

[teclis1023]

I support the writers - they're being dicked around by the studios, and this is the best way to get what they want.

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: Wheezer

Leno, Letterman, & Conan, etc. went back on the air for two reasons. One, the networks had to get them back on the air, Two, they also did it so the rest of their workers and staff would have employment.

which is exactly why I think this whole thing is B.S.

The writers don't want what is "fair", they just want.

"Fair" would be taking into consideration all the other people affected by their choice, not just the audience.

That is why I have a hard time feeling sorry for them, they are already getting money from the sale of DVD material, and since they didn't get a little more they screwed all their fellow employees that are not members of their union who get nothing from the sale of DVD's and also work on the shows.

Fair what? This strike isn't actually over DVDs, everyone knows that right? The real sticking point is that the studios are paying the writers NOTHING for content distributed over the internet. That means when the show they wrote goes out on NBC's website, the writer doesn't get paid at all. Now seriously, how long is it going to be before the vast majority of shows are distributed that way... 10 years? Maybe a little more? Some shows already have significant online audiences.

So in effect, the studios are asking the writers to take a colossal pay cut for no particularly good reason (considering they are still making money hand over fist), and the writers told them to screw themselves. I think its great... and I support the writers 100%.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Originally posted by: eskimospy

Originally posted by: Wheezer

Leno, Letterman, & Conan, etc. went back on the air for two reasons. One, the networks had to get them back on the air, Two, they also did it so the rest of their workers and staff would have employment.

which is exactly why I think this whole thing is B.S.

The writers don't want what is "fair", they just want.

"Fair" would be taking into consideration all the other people affected by their choice, not just the audience.

That is why I have a hard time feeling sorry for them, they are already getting money from the sale of DVD material, and since they didn't get a little more they screwed all their fellow employees that are not members of their union who get nothing from the sale of DVD's and also work on the shows.

Fair what? This strike isn't actually over DVDs, everyone knows that right? The real sticking point is that the studios are paying the writers NOTHING for content distributed over the internet. That means when the show they wrote goes out on NBC's website, the writer doesn't get paid at all. Now seriously, how long is it going to be before the vast majority of shows are distributed that way... 10 years? Maybe a little more? Some shows already have significant online audiences.

So in effect, the studios are asking the writers to take a colossal pay cut for no particularly good reason (considering they are still making money hand over fist), and the writers told them to screw themselves. I think its great... and I support the writers 100%.

Exactly. The key issue at stake is digital distribution of media (downloadable content, whether visible for free on a studio's website or pay media downloaded through a service like iTunes). The writers don't earn money for digital distribution now. In the past, the writers underestimated VHS, establishing an agreement for far less money per unit than they could have negotiated, and ended up getting screwed when VHS became the format of choice for home video. Ditto for DVD. The writers, having realized the mistakes made in the past, are determined not to enter the digital age of media without an agreement in place that will guarantee they get paid for their work.

As for the nonsense about being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, that's an average that includes writers who get paid 7 digit salaries or more. Most Hollywood writers aren't making 200+k a year. Meanwhile the studio heads are pulling tens, if not hundreds, of millions, and the writers get a pittance. Without good writing shows fail; the writers know this. They're trying to broker a deal to gain more money because they are realizing the power they hold. As the studios see billions of dollars lost, they'll presumably be more willing to capitulate to a nominal salary for a group that has been largely fucked for the past 3 decades.

 

[Vette73]

Most writers are middle class; 46% did not even work last year. Of those who do work, one quarter make less than $37,700 a year and 50% make less than $105,000 a year. Over a five year period of employment and unemployment, a writer's average income is $62,000 per year.

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: ironwing
Yea, screw unions. We should all wait around for the rich to piss in our mouths.

What gives one union the right to hurt so many people that aren't in their union?

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: palehorse74
I just think it's hard to feel sorry for people who already make $250,000/yr... and I don't watch a lot of mindless TV, so I can't say I really miss them either!

I do respect Leno and Conan for their decision to support the other staff who would have been laid off. I think that's pretty decent of them.

Most writers make a small fraction of that amount, and frankly even $250K is a small fraction of the profits the studios make off of their work. I am 100% for the writers on this one.

If they dont like it they can flip burgers.

Or something else that provides steady employment.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: ironwing
Yea, screw unions. We should all wait around for the rich to piss in our mouths.

What gives one union the right to hurt so many people that aren't in their union?

What gives a corporation the right to screw over all their employees, especially the ones that make it possible for them to make their tremendous amount of money every year?

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: palehorse74
I just think it's hard to feel sorry for people who already make $250,000/yr... and I don't watch a lot of mindless TV, so I can't say I really miss them either!

I do respect Leno and Conan for their decision to support the other staff who would have been laid off. I think that's pretty decent of them.

Most writers make a small fraction of that amount, and frankly even $250K is a small fraction of the profits the studios make off of their work. I am 100% for the writers on this one.

If they dont like it they can flip burgers.

Or something else that provides steady employment.

We should just outlaw contracts, they're nothing but the devil's work.

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: ironwing
Yea, screw unions. We should all wait around for the rich to piss in our mouths.

What gives one union the right to hurt so many people that aren't in their union?

What do you mean 'the right'? You are in effect saying that the writers have to work in conditions they find unacceptable. They aren't slaves, they will work when they want to.

I'll never understand the anti union stuff I hear on here all the time. I guess people quickly forget how much unions have done for them.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: palehorse74
I just think it's hard to feel sorry for people who already make $250,000/yr... and I don't watch a lot of mindless TV, so I can't say I really miss them either!

I do respect Leno and Conan for their decision to support the other staff who would have been laid off. I think that's pretty decent of them.

Most writers make a small fraction of that amount, and frankly even $250K is a small fraction of the profits the studios make off of their work. I am 100% for the writers on this one.

If they dont like it they can flip burgers.

Or something else that provides steady employment.

Great. Then we can watch Clash of the Choirs, Survivor, and Dancing with the Stars seven days a week.

It's for this reason I just restarted my Blockbuster subscription.

 

[Nitemare]

unions used to be needed...just not in this day and time

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: Nitemare
unions used to be needed...just not in this day and time

Hahahahahahaha.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Most writers are middle class; 46% did not even work last year. Of those who do work, one quarter make less than $37,700 a year and 50% make less than $105,000 a year. Over a five year period of employment and unemployment, a writer's average income is $62,000 per year.

Some of the stuff they come up with is absolute garbage though. It should be more a percentage that way the crappy writers will have to get a new profession.

 

[fskimospy]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Most writers are middle class; 46% did not even work last year. Of those who do work, one quarter make less than $37,700 a year and 50% make less than $105,000 a year. Over a five year period of employment and unemployment, a writer's average income is $62,000 per year.

Some of the stuff they come up with is absolute garbage though. It should be more a percentage that way the crappy writers will have to get a new profession.

Since the writers are paid per copy of whatever they write sold, the good writers get paid much more then the crappy ones. Seems perfect to me. In addition a lot of them don't get to pick what they are writing about. It's like a good actor being in a crappy movie, sometimes the subject just sucks but you do it so you can pay the rent next month.

 

[Vic]

I have mixed feelings. Naturally, workers of all types have the right to organize and pool the resource of their labor. Management does the same thing and they call it a company or a corporation. OTOH, I do not feel that workers, once unioned, have the right to monopolize their organized labor pool anymore than a corporation has the right to monopolize the market for their product.

 

[nageov3t]

I've heard the 62K/year average mentioned in a few different places.

that's balanced between the people who could probably barely qualify as working writers and the superstars making millions per script.