I've never been a fan of futile gestures. I've (all in good fun) ridiculed fandoms for proceeding with "send random crap to the network" campaigns immediately in the wake of Jericho's successful nut campaign, both for the lack of creativity and the lack of rationality in some cases – no amount of crackers were going to save The Black Donnellys. But I appreciate the desire to do something when our favourite shows are threatened with cancellation.
Now, there's more at stake than my favourite show; all our favourite shows of the present and future are at stake. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) are on strike to ensure a fair share of profits when their work is reused on DVD and the Internet, and the longer the strike drags on, the more damage is done to the current season, the development of pilots for next season, the further fragmentation of the television audience, and the livelihoods not just of the writers and media conglomerates, but of the cast and crew who did not choose to strike but who are out of jobs as their shows shut down just the same.
Finally, happily, the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) and the WGA have agreed to resume talks on November 26. It's not an end to the strike. It's not even necessarily an end in sight. But it's the only way for the end to start. Now we have to hope a deal is reached, and soon, and fairly.
As House writer Doris Egan writes:
On the one hand, this is but a baby step. Remember, the AMPTP started negotiations by taking away what residuals we had — rather like someone who begins by punching their opponent in the face, then backpedals to simply slapping them. Both sides were pretty far apart, and negotiations had been ongoing for a while, without noticeable success. Talks will re-start on November 26, but they could continue for months; the congloms could walk away again; and with sharp-eyed correspondents pointing out the advantages to the corporations in keeping this going (using their force majeure clause, they can fire a great many people, basically), any celebration would be premature.
When you watch a rerun on TV, writers get residuals. When you buy or rent a DVD, writers get residuals — not much, however, because they settled for a paltry figure back when no one knew what kind of profit to expect from this new technology (exactly what the studios are saying now about the Internet, even as they tell investors that digital distribution is their golden goose.)
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Article comments
1 - Roy
What the writes have forgotten "is" we the public are the ones who keep you employeed. Thanks to cable, stations like the Discovery Channel, Military channel,Discovey Health etc. I for one really do not care if you stay on strike until Hell frezes over. You will have to get jobs making 6 to 8 dollars an hour. How will you pay your mortage etc. I say you have made your bed now you will have to lay in it.
2 - gonzo marx
and what Roy appears to have forgotten is that these Writers are middle class (some upper-mid, some lower- mid) folks who are only striking as part of the bargaining process on the value of their Labor
Directors and Actors have already bargained for their new contracts (as Unions) in the same matter of new residuals, now the Writers are merely looking to get the same kind of deal they already have for re-runs/syndication and VHS sales
one wonders what it is Roy has against Capitalism
Excelsior?
3 - Barbara Barnett
Diane,
I've never been one for futile gestures, but I do think sometimes symbols can be persuasive in making a point (as it were).
I think what the corporations may have not considered was that through the power of the Internet, fans can organize with and in support of the writers in a way never imagined 20 years ago during the last strike.
Barbara Barnett
4 - Diane Kristine
I agree, which is why I (sort of reluctantly) am joining the pencils campaign. Unfortunately the symbol means a little less now that it's spearheaded by one side of the strike. Still, it's something concrete fans can do to show our support ... but a symbol can't help put food on someone's table or pay their mortgage, which is why I encourage fans to do something even more concrete like donate to the Actors Fund.
5 - N2N2
I am one of the "Nutty Fans" that participated in the Nuts Campaign. I believe that the "symbol" was a very strong statement -- it is what got their attention. Then the 50,000+ email; letters, phone calls, youtube vids, etc. made them think again. One thing the studios have to understand is that the fan is the ultimate consumer of their product, and we know that whatever the outcome of this strike, we the fans, pay the price. Whether it is an additional $1 for a DVD or whether the price we pay is even higher -- more crap on TV!!
I joined the Nuts Campaign for the same reason I'm sitting here putting labels on 100 pencils to send to clueLES Moonves -- I don't like him telling me that I have to watch crap on his station. I am the customer; I want customer service. I want to be counted and I want a "CHOICE" when I sit down to watch TV. NOT a CSI for each of the 50 states nor more scripted unReality shows. Just remember this: Without writers you get blanks! Blank pages; blank scripts; blank screens; blank DVDs.
The writers are asking for FOUR CENTS! Some of that is what they gave back 20 years ago. Betcha clueLES didn't ask for pennies!!!