How Can I Show Support For The Writers?

[LarsVenice]

They are on strike because they get a unreasonably low cut of DVD sales and the money from online broadcasts

They are currently getting zero from online broadcasts. The original writer of I Love Lucy got no residuals - they were paid a salary and that was it - they made no money from the constant reruns.

I took a screenwriting class in Hollywood, and I was taught that when you sell a screenplay, you get paid a certain amount for it, and that's it - no royalties. Writers are treated worse than any other talent in Hollywood - and it's because they are not celebrities or household names, as a rule. To add to their dilemma, their careers are normally very short - similar to professional athletes, but with much tinier salaries, with only a very few rare exceptions.

The producers are not going to listen to any outcries from the public - they follow the buck. So we may be seeing more reality shows and game shows in the near future. My brother had to walk past picket lines this week to go to work at Sony Pictures, but he's only in the DVD department and not directly affected by the strike.

 

[falconfan]

Well speak as someone who is currently in college and aspiring to be a screenwriter I'm a little biased but it has always bothered me that movies are viewed as the director's baby... they're not the director's baby. I see them more like it's the writer's baby... they conceived it and brought it through development. The director is more like an adoptive parent.

 

[sonny10305]

My question is this - if the writer's stay on strike, will reality TV suffer? Because say what you want, but somebody may not be writing those shows word-for-word, but somebody IS guiding them in specific directions. Is that somebody a writer, or director?

Lex

Actually, someone being interviewed on that subject suggested that reality shows were spawned by the last writers strike. Innovation and conceptualizing is key now.
Which brings me to something that has been bugging me. Why did all the late show hosts fold up when the strike started, If I were Letterman or Leno I would sure would find a way to stay on the air. They could eliminate the monologue and things like Dave's top 10, but surly they cold still put on some sort of a show, just change the format. Why not have more guests and give them each more air time, include more music especially from Paul (Letterman) and Kevin (Leno).
Apparently not one of those guys have a lick of talent when it comes to saying something funny on their own. When asked about the strike, Leno actually said
"I am an empty shell waiting for someone to tell me what to say. How pathetic.
The only excuse I could accept from these "talents" would be that they are members of the writers guild and are (should) support them. Such is the case with Jon Stewart, and Saturday Night Live, where most of the people on the show write as well as perform.
That said let me reinterred my support for the writers, they must have a share in every format their work is presented in.
The writers are the most important people in that industry, without them, all the others involved in the production of TV and movies would be as Leno said, "empty shells".

 

[falconfan]

Actually, someone being interviewed on that subject suggested that reality shows were spawned by the last writers strike. Innovation and conceptualizing is key now.
Which brings me to something that has been bugging me. Why did all the late show hosts fold up when the strike started, If I were Letterman or Leno I would sure would find a way to stay on the air. They could eliminate the monologue and things like Dave's top 10, but surly they cold still put on some sort of a show, just change the format. Why not have more guests and give them each more air time, include more music especially from Paul (Letterman) and Kevin (Leno).
Apparently not one of those guys have a lick of talent when it comes to saying something funny on their own. When asked about the strike, Leno actually said
"I am an empty shell waiting for someone to tell me what to say. How pathetic.
The only excuse I could accept from these "talents" would be that they are members of the writers guild and are (should) support them. Such is the case with Jon Stewart, and Saturday Night Live, where most of the people on the show write as well as perform.
That said let me reinterred my support for the writers, they must have a share in every format their work is presented in.
The writers are the most important people in that industry, without them, all the others involved in the production of TV and movies would be as Leno said, "empty shells".

Have you considered that they may have let the show go into reruns out of respect for their writers? I mean if a strike is going to be effective it must have an effect and if you're writing a show in their absences you're basically a scab.

 

[sonny10305]

Have you considered that they may have let the show go into reruns out of respect for their writers? I mean if a strike is going to be effective it must have an effect and if you're writing a show in their absences you're basically a scab.

Yes, you make a good point.
I can support that point of view, hopefully it will send the message home,
WE CAN'T GO ON WITHOUT THE WRITERS!
Not only is it morally wrong to "scab", but let's face it, the talent is lost without the writers. Most importantly, the writers are entitled to ALL profits generated by their work.

 

[prettyboysing]

Have you considered that they may have let the show go into reruns out of respect for their writers? I mean if a strike is going to be effective it must have an effect and if you're writing a show in their absences you're basically a scab.

I'm pretty sure this is 100% right. Don't forget, some of the other unions (including the actors' unions) are up for re-negotiations next year. They will want the WGA to support them as well.

 

[sonny10305]

I'm pretty sure this is 100% right. Don't forget, some of the other unions (including the actors' unions) are up for re-negotiations next year. They will want the WGA to support them as well.

Another good point

 

[sunoftheskye]

They are currently getting zero from online broadcasts. The original writer of I Love Lucy got no residuals - they were paid a salary and that was it - they made no money from the constant reruns.

I took a screenwriting class in Hollywood, and I was taught that when you sell a screenplay, you get paid a certain amount for it, and that's it - no royalties. Writers are treated worse than any other talent in Hollywood - and it's because they are not celebrities or household names, as a rule. To add to their dilemma, their careers are normally very short - similar to professional athletes, but with much tinier salaries, with only a very few rare exceptions.

The producers are not going to listen to any outcries from the public - they follow the buck. So we may be seeing more reality shows and game shows in the near future. My brother had to walk past picket lines this week to go to work at Sony Pictures, but he's only in the DVD department and not directly affected by the strike.

Hm, I'm not sure but my playwriting teacher was friends with the guy who wrote Lords of Dogtown, and he substituted for our class once, and he told us that he's been living off the royalties from that film ever since. So...maybe it depends on the deal the writer makes?

With regard to the writers being treated badly, I'd agree when it comes to feature film. But in television the writers are the ones who are really the be all end all of television, and are highly respected.

In the film industry, you're lucky to even be allowed to come sit and watch the shooting of the movie.

 

[prettyboysing]

I just read through some of the WGA contracts. It looks like it is pretty standard to pay the writers for a Theatrical release on a "flat fee" system. I haven't read through everything, but there did not seem to be a mention of any B.O. residuals.

What I read did mention television reruns, so there is compensation for that. I didn't see any mention of money being paid for DVD releases (of theatrical releases or television), but again, I didn't read through the entire thing.

MBA Contract

 

[Glafna]

I wouldn't be surprised if alot of writers would be happy with how it was, because even if you were payed crappy on a film, if you done a good job with the script, you'll be approached by bigger companies, and TV writers, if they worked on a few, long standing and popular shows, they could just rake in the cash.

IMO, if the movie writers get a larger percentage of the DVD sales, then the good one's could just do like 5-10 good movies, and they could live comfortably for the rest of their life, possibly making more spots for the bad writers who tend to mangle good ideas(remember Spiderman 3??

 

[falconfan]

I wouldn't be surprised if alot of writers would be happy with how it was, because even if you were payed crappy on a film, if you done a good job with the script, you'll be approached by bigger companies, and TV writers, if they worked on a few, long standing and popular shows, they could just rake in the cash.

IMO, if the movie writers get a larger percentage of the DVD sales, then the good one's could just do like 5-10 good movies, and they could live comfortably for the rest of their life, possibly making more spots for the bad writers who tend to mangle good ideas(remember Spiderman 3??

Dude I don't mean to be rude but you just don't know what you're talking about here. Clearly everyone strikes when the majority of people are content... oh wait no that wouldn't make any sense.

 

[sunoftheskye]

I wouldn't be surprised if alot of writers would be happy with how it was, because even if you were payed crappy on a film, if you done a good job with the script, you'll be approached by bigger companies, and TV writers, if they worked on a few, long standing and popular shows, they could just rake in the cash.

IMO, if the movie writers get a larger percentage of the DVD sales, then the good one's could just do like 5-10 good movies, and they could live comfortably for the rest of their life, possibly making more spots for the bad writers who tend to mangle good ideas(remember Spiderman 3??

I don't think you have an accurate understanding of the way the business works. Good try, though.

 

[Jory]

First off I support the strike but here what I want you to do and think about. at the end of your favorite tv show read the names in the credits most of these people are not getting a paycheck anymore because production has closed down I just wanted you all to remember that others are being effected by it. So I hope they put in a lot of all nighters at the table.

 

[prettyboysing]

First off I support the strike but here what I want you to do and think about. at the end of your favorite tv show read the names in the credits most of these people are not getting a paycheck anymore because production has closed down I just wanted you all to remember that others are being effected by it. So I hope they put in a lot of all nighters at the table.

All of these people are part of unions. All of these unions have strike funds. No one is going hungry.

 

[falconfan]

First off I support the strike but here what I want you to do and think about. at the end of your favorite tv show read the names in the credits most of these people are not getting a paycheck anymore because production has closed down I just wanted you all to remember that others are being effected by it. So I hope they put in a lot of all nighters at the table.

That's the point of a strike. It shows the effect people of one profession has.

 

[sonny10305]

It seems a lot of celebs are supporting the writers strike, as well hey should.
But they may be in for some trouble.

Found this today

Studios to showrunners: It's back to work, or else
With the writers' strike now in its fifth day, with no settlement in sight, emotions are at a pitch, and the last thing the Hollywood studios that turn out movies and TV shows need is a bunch of recalcitrant showrunners lending support to picketing writers, as so many have. Showrunners have multiple duties, including writing for the shows they oversee. But many like “Grey’s Anatomy’s” Shonda Rhimes have not only quit writing but also have quite working entirely in support of their writing pals. Thus three studios owned by CBS, Fox and NBC have sent threatening letters ordering them to return to work to perform non-writing duties like editing for their shows. Several dozen letters went out Wednesday night notifying the showrunners that their pay was being suspended and that they faced civil breach-of-contract suits and presumably heavy penalties for not meeting the terms of their contracts. How many will respond is the big questions. Well over 100 have already rallied in support of fellow members of the Writers Guild of America, with many vowing not to work until the writers' union and the producers return to the negotiating table

 

[LarsVenice]

Hm, I'm not sure but my playwriting teacher was friends with the guy who wrote Lords of Dogtown, and he substituted for our class once, and he told us that he's been living off the royalties from that film ever since. So...maybe it depends on the deal the writer makes?

With regard to the writers being treated badly, I'd agree when it comes to feature film. But in television the writers are the ones who are really the be all end all of television, and are highly respected.

In the film industry, you're lucky to even be allowed to come sit and watch the shooting of the movie.

I took my screenwriting class in 1992 - things may have changed somewhat since then, but the teacher was telling us what to expect as beginning writers. For a beginning writer, the script is sold for a negotiated price, and then the studio or producer owns it and can do anything they want with it, including having a novel written from it, if the movie is successful. This is considered reasonable because the studio/producers are taking a risk, albeit a calculated one, that the script will produce a successful movie. Writers who have reputations can belong to the WGA, but that still involves limitations with regard to royalties.

Actors support the writers because they are aware that without good scripts, there will not be good movies. Actors get compensated for their box office appeal, which is important, but most of the public is unaware of who the writers are.

 

[sonny10305]

 

[sunoftheskye]

^lmao........

 

[sonny10305]

^lmao........

My Mom and Dad lovd it too. They sent it to me.