When you buy an episode from iTunes or Amazon Unbox, when you watch an episode from the networks' website, the writers get nothing. The studios claim this use is "promotional" and therefore should not be open to residuals. Since the entire industry is facing a sea change in the way content is distributed, a future where the distinction between your television and your computer, your cable line and your broadband, are erased, the Internet issue in particular is crucial.
Now, whatever I think of Send Crap Campaigns, it's gaining traction in this strike. The writers are embracing an initiative begun by fan sites like fans4writers, for viewers to send pencils to the moguls to make sure they knew we were on the writers' side in this and pressure them to make a fair deal.
United Hollywood, a blog begun by WGA strike captains, has embraced the idea and streamlined it, just like those Jericho nuts. They've contracted with one pencil vendor – a California vendor whose product is environmentally sustainable, of course – so fans and writers alike can click a button and have (they hope) truckloads of pencils delivered to the studio heads, instead of individual packages of pencils the poor mailroom people have to deal with.
They've thought of something practical to do with all those pencils too: "We’ll also send the media moguls suggestions about where they can donate the pencils to non-profits that teach kids how to write."
They also say: "Anything we have left over from our costs will go into the Union Solidarity Fund, which was created to help non-WGA members affected by the strike."
Check out the United Hollywood site for their Pencils2MediaMoguls campaign. You can even indicate what show you're supporting with your donation.
The writers strike will not be resolved through an onslaught of pencils. The Jericho campaign did not succeed because of the nuts. It succeeded because of spontaneous fan reactions and a larger coordinated campaign that let fan voices be heard (and because CBS had treasures like the cancelled-in-a-week Viva Laughlin on its development slate for the new season).
The pencil campaign is an offshoot of the fans' instant and heartfelt desire to have their voices heard in support of the writers. It's slightly more problematic now that the pencil campaign is now being coordinated by the writers — the Jericho nuts would have had far less impact if those whose jobs relied on the show's success were the ones behind the campaign.
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!!!