STRIKE! STRIKE! STRIKE!

Even this adorable child agrees:

http://www.yaledailynews.com/img/2006/11/17/best%20practices(sokolow)UP_014425_603799625.jpg

http://www.braggtopia.com/Timeline/articles/1984-09-11-photo.jpg

The Union forever
defending our rights
Down with the blackleg,
all workers unite

I shall honor the picket lines by not watching TV.

hey! i'm (technically still) a teamster!

i've walked a picket line! i was out of work for a month and all that happened was my employer didn't have to pay workers during an expected down time and the union bosses looked good to the rank and file for being "tough on management".

i guess my enthusiasm to do not much will have to wait until monday so i do not have to do much to advance my career in which i am not really doing much

Shall Remy go?
Yes he shall go.
(He does not move.)

in solidarity i will not write any sitcoms for the duration

@WSJ

OH NO I will never find out if George gets to bone Izzy if this drags on too long!

Hey, the Wobblies have an awfully nice webpage these days, and apparently I can pay dues using American Express.

good luck. (don't we have another thread with a very similar title? i'm sure i was posting on it in july.)

good luck remy (and any other WG ILXors).

You fools, you got 'Heroes: Origins' cancelled!

I'm glad your enjoying it Remy - despite being on the writers' side, literally, the strike could decimate our income. Not that I disapprove but it's not all fun and laughter.

xpost eh who cares about Heroes. Lost, on the other hand... ;_;

but otherwise, good luck WGA!

it's not at all fun and laughter!

No I know - are you going to be substantially affected on a financial level? It's all sucky :(

A friend works for WGA; man, I bet he's having fun staying up for conf calls w/ the West Coast from NYC.

well, I'm flat broke anyway - and not really working at present - so I doubt this will affect me much in any immediate financial sense. (I once read that of all the guild's members, only about 15% are working at any given time) However, it also means that I am kinda hog-tied when it comes to finding new projects. And since the money is tight, it looks like I'll be working holiday meat counter at Whole Foods.

Will you be letting pretty girls steal sliced cheese?

It's driving me mad... I have a new script all polished up and ready to go out, and people interested in looking at it, but now we can't really do anything with it until the strike is over. I've also been working on developing an animated feature, but with a company that has a deal with New Line, so it's looking like I'm going to have to put that on hold as well. Drat, drat, and double drat.

in the meantime, there is always...

THE THEATER

http://www.metropolitanconservatory.com/zack_red_curtain_monologue.jpg

http://www.amrep.org/darko

Looks like there's one last ditch meeting scheduled for Sunday morning.

yeah, i'm hoping...

i am not sure if i am allowed to work on a script for a foreign / non-signatory producer tho?

I have a professor that's pretty much convinced that the strike will kill the Chicago industry, still in its infancy. He then proceeded to tell everyone graduating in the next two years (incl. me) that we were fucked unless we moved.

Bit dramatic, but probably based in some truth.

However, being raised with union sympathies, I, like Dr. Superman, promise not to pen a single plot line in which a physically unattractive husband has communications problems with his improbably gorgeous wife.

I believe that's alright, Remy, at least if you aren't in the guild already. The producer I'm working with on the animated feature sent me this link: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-strikeqanda2nov02,1,3566733.story?coll=la-headlines-business

comic books?

If you are a WGA member you can't work for ANYONE during the strike.

Even though its an entirely different industry? That seems odd. Presumably they're not prohibited from tightening up that old novel they have sitting on the hard drive (and its difficult to see how such a thing would be enforceable anyway.) Also, if they are prohibited from writing for publishing during the strike, how are they going to get their side of the story out in editorials, etc.?

And it occurs to me now what with media conglomeration describing publishing as an 'entirely different industry' may not be completely true.

And it occurs to me I might have been too hasty. Certainly you can't write for the screen in any format. Journalism, literature etc. is presumably fine - there will definitely be a rash of books coming out in a year or so if the strike does go ahead.

what i am unsure about (specifically) is if i am able to continue work on my independent pilot for a foreign and obv. non-signatory market.

I am near-certain you will have to down tools Remy - we've done a lot of exploration of what can and can't be done lately and the only people who appear to be safe are non-members writing for non-signatory companies overseas.

So I can't call Ned a scab when he finishes his Nanowrimo?

I am my own closed shop.

We can call him a scab when he adapts it for the screen and sells it for $$$.

Now we're talking.

Have your people call my people baby.

Etc. etc. (Actually I'm kinda pleased with my effort so far this year -- obv. just a rough manuscript but I tend to envision things with camera angles in my head as I go.)

Well, looks like there's a meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning... maybe they'll sort things out? Striking just seems like a very bad idea to me...

OTM Jeff,

much as i support it, and i really do, the guild is trying to take on big media for money off (mostly) future (potential) non-traditional distribution profits : big media holds all the cards w/ their ability to convice general public opinion that the reason lost is delayed is because the writers are greedy manipulative bastards.

Talks have broken off and the strike's on. Good luck all.

Well that's taken care of. Now what do we have to do to get bloggers to quit posting?

The Board of Directors of Writers Guild of America, West, Inc. (“WGAW” or “Guild”) has adopted Strike Rules which will go into effect if and when the Guild calls a strike. A strike can occur only after the members of WGA East and West vote to authorize a strike action.

If there is a strike, each WGAW member is required to follow these Strike Rules. The purpose of these Rules is to win the best possible contract for writers. By following these Rules, you will enable your bargaining committee to be in the best position to achieve improvements in the MBA. Please take the time to read and review the Strike Rules in their entirety. Strict adherence by all Guild members leads to a more effective strike and ultimately a better MBA.

The basic principle behind these Rules is very simple: you (and your agent or other representative on your behalf) may not pitch to or negotiate with a struck company, and you may not provide writing services, sell or option literary material to a struck company.

As explained in some detail in the Rules themselves, prohibited conduct includes:

• delivery of written materials; and
• negotiations and discussions regarding present or future writing projects.

There are also certain notice requirements, including:

• notice to the companies to return writer-owned “spec” literary material; and
• filing with the Guild copies of unproduced literary material already written for a company.

There are Rules related to picket lines and other strike support activity, including:

• honoring all Guild picket lines;
• performing assigned strike support duties; and
• informing the Guild of strike breaking activity.

Finally, please note these other aspects of the Rules:

• Non-traditional media

The Rules prohibit writing services performed for a struck company in connection with new programming intended for initial viewing on non-traditional media (such as the Internet and cellular telephones), and the option or sale of literary material for that purpose.

• Animation

The Rules apply to (1) all network primetime animated series covered by a WGA contract and (2) contracts for writing services with struck companies in connection with fully animated theatrical features, unless covered by a current collective bargaining agreement with another union. Writers are advised to consult with WGA staff to determine whether animation writing is prohibited before performing any writing services. Members should assume that projects combining live action and animation, and live action-based processes such as motion capture, are covered by the Strike Rules.

• Hyphenates

The Rules prohibit hyphenates (members who are employed in dual capacities) from performing any writing services, including the “(a) through (h)” functions.

http://kingofbreakfast.livejournal.com/67646.html

Paul Dini passes along Micah Wright's explanation of the need for new contractual terms.

Oh God, please, couldn't Dini have found someone a little better than Wright, given his false Ranger stories that got him blacklisted from DC (and probably most of Time Warner)?

http://www.impawards.com/1976/posters/front_ver3.jpg

• Non-traditional media

The Rules prohibit writing services performed for a struck company in connection with new programming intended for initial viewing on non-traditional media (such as the Internet and cellular telephones), and the option or sale of literary material for that purpose.

Um, does this mean WGA members have to stop posting to ILX?

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20080104/2008_01_02t202000_299x450_us_screenwriters_strike_pix.jpg?x=229&y=345&sig=JlECbfDyURRYBY40gB56HA--

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080103/capt.b86cfccd53d24fe8bec177d29a22d1f4.hollywood_labor_late_night_la106.jpg?x=400&y=267&sig=9SHvPlpqXqwd1vMa3RlnPg--

Everything I've said so far is wrong ;_; but I think this is correct: Cops began because of the '80s US writers' strike, and led to all sorts of scriptless crap. I hate to think what'll happen this time.

-- Autumn Almanac, Wednesday, January 2, 2008 11:55 PM (2 days ago) Bookmark Link

God forbid television suddenly become full of scriptless crap...

So, who watched Conan? Is it worth tracking down the vid?

I watched it last night, but I was busy with caucus coverage tonight.

Leno's show hasn't been too different so far, perhaps a bit more looser with a couple good off-the-cuff lines (and that random story about his girlfriend who wouldn't move to California with him).

Conan so far is pushing the zany button as far as he can his pre-interview filler. I was pretty entertained with him climbing the rafters last night and talking to the hand-held camera a la Blair Witch, even if it was only done out of desperation. The good thing is that he seems to be doing more remote segments, which are usually great. The beard makes him look so much older though. I keep thinking of a perverse Jack Nicholson.

did Conan shave? Letterman said last night he was now the only host with facial hair "except for The View."

conan has not shaved. nbc.com has the episodes, and they're both pretty hilarious (at least the parts before the guests come on).

is it possible we're gonna have a brief golden age of improv/unpredictability here?

Very, very brief.

It could be the catalyst for a new era in television.

there would be, like, all sorts of "reality" shows and stuff

Golden Globes 'big show' cancelled

the revenge of sean penn

lol

No but imagine how cool the news would be if the anchor just improvised it all.

so I was watching jay leno, and at some point they made john melendez run around in the borat swimsuit.

I.JUST.DON'T.KNOW.

Clearly it will sort the wheat from the chaff.

Friend who works for WGA East just emailed: "Life in disarray."

TV writer contracts cancelled.

ABC straps camera to Britney Spears's head, starts new prime time craze

Word is it should be settled soonish.

A deal has been struck between the major media companies and the Writers Guild of America to end the writers' strike, former Walt Disney chief executive Michael Eisner revealed on CNBC.

"It's over," Eisner said. "They made the deal, they shook hands on the deal. It's going on Saturday to the writers in general."

Not official yet, but if MICHAEL EISNER says so, then...

I picketed today! It was fun sticking it to the man.

Rumour was it was supposed to get sorted last weekend but after the networks leaked that I've spoken to a few people since then who say it could go on until the summer.

Well, they are still having that big meeting on Saturday, so I suspect we will know after that.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f325/caek/IMG_2622.jpg

don't take too much glee in this strike shit, esp since i know a few people who have been out of work since this thing started.

Tentative agreement reached, etc.:

In a statement, guild leaders said the three-year deal made significant strides toward ensuring that writers get a fair cut of new media revenues.

"It is an agreement that protects a future in which the Internet becomes the primary means of both content creation and delivery," the guild said in an e-mail to it members. "We believe that continuing to strike now will not bring sufficient gains to outweigh the potential risks and that the time has come to accept this contract and settle the strike."

Being presented to the writers today.

so is it over?

They're furiously pounding out 30 Rock scripts for a nation of crying bloggers as we speak.

will "30 Rock" be infecting US movies 3 years from now like "Arrested Development" currently is?

go make your diarrhea on another thread, please

How is Arrested Development currently "infecting" US movies? By reviving the career of Jason Bateman?

http://www.porkbelly.net/azupload/uploads/widow/top10moments/Chinatown.jpg

xp: yeah, by making movies "very Michael Bluth" ;)

I'm guessing he means by giving Michael Cera a movie career?

xp

babelfish.morbius.com/

U R ALL CORRECT!

More Office episodes plz kthxbi

Best result of strike: episodes of The People's Court where litigants walk into the courtroom WITHOUT the sinister voice-over summary of their case and dramatic "he's accused of ... <terrible pun>."

Instead, they walk in silence while text scrolls across the bottom of the screen: THIS CASE WAS ADJUDICATED DURING THE WRITER'S STRIKE ...

Well not so much silence as "ba-dump bump .... ba-da-dump BUMP bump ... bad-da-dump bum ..." etc.

Srsly?

Also, is Harvey Levin still on the People's Court, or is he too busy w/sleazy TMZ?

He is! I don't really get it, but I admire his persona change between the two. TMZ Harvey appears to work out more.

Oh wait, never mind, he has nicer suits and his cool-guy TMZ haircut on People's Court now. And he looks all smug and relaxed.

OKAY i knew i knew that guy from somewhere

He just made a Zsa Zsa Gabor joke. You'd think Mr. TMZ would have something a bit more ... current.

he's been acting way gayer on the peep's court since alec baldwin outed him as super gay.

Bill Simmons this week:

Type No. 5: The "Watch Me Sit Out This Entire Season, I Will Absolutely Bite My Nose To Spite My Face!" Holdout

Usually a disaster, with two exceptions: Gus Williams (1980) and Sean Gilbert (1997) signed for significantly bigger deals than they passed up the previous year. Gus came back as good as ever, although I can't condone any situation that robbed us of one year of Gus' prime. (Loved that guy.) Gilbert was never as effective, no surprise because when players skip a year in their primes -- especially in football -- it's nearly impossible to shake off that rust.

(Important note: This is the same reason why the 2007 writer's strike in Hollywood was so dumb at the time and seems 10 times dumber now. Walking away from guaranteed salaries for eight months just to get a better deal on Internet royalties? I dare any writing winner at this month's Emmys to make a joke about how much they've enjoyed spending their millions in Internet royalties these last two years. The room will go dead silent.)

Is this true? Has there been fundamentally no impact yet from the new deal? Just curious.

(Def not true that the 2007 strike destroyed television -- I feel like TV has been much fresher since that strike, except for network dramas which were arguable not that strong to begin with.)

i think i'm in the minority in believing bill simmons to be a tedious dipshit but the strike was weird and career-affecting to a couple people i know who had projects sunk by the strike.