2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike

[Hurmoth]

So some of you might be asking, what strike? :blink: Yeah, I hadn't heard about this until recently either, but here's the scope thanks to Cinematical...

Does a Hollywood Strike Concern You? Or, do you look at it the same way you do a sports strike -- that these friggin' people make so much money as it is, why on earth should they be striking? Lets' backtrack first, because I want to explain this strike to those who keep hearing about it, but don't really know what the hell anyone is talking about. Who's striking? Why are they striking? When are they striking? And what does their striking have to do with me and my electric bill? Okay, here's how it's playing out: The WGA (Writer's Guild of America) contract with the studios is up in October, but they're going to delay negotiations for a bit so as to catch up with the DGA (Director's Guild of America) and SAG (Screen Actors Guild), whose contracts end in June of 2008. The current notion around Hollywood is that all three of these guilds could team up in June, go on strike and literally cripple the entire industry (look at it as the equivalent to getting punched in the nuts ... hard).

"Why would they have a reason to strike in the first place?" Easy ... money. Why else? Essentially, all parties are looking for better residuals on "new media entertainment" -- internet, stuff like that. So, in the meantime, studios are stockpiling scripts and rushing productions in order to have a slate lined up so that if there is a strike, they still have a product to put out. But like with any rush job in any field, I wouldn't expect that product to be any good. Devin from CHUD makes a good point when he says that no matter what happens, studios are still going to be left with all these films they rushed to complete -- which means, no matter what, we're still going to be exposed to the crappy "pre-strike" movies because studios will have no other choice but to dump them on us since, well, they're already completed. Which kinda sucks. As Devin points out (as well as the LA Times), the same thing happened in 2001, and that's the same year we got Men in Black II, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Reign of Fire and Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes. Nice. But if the strike doesn't happen, it also means actors and directors will have open schedules and be available to take on smaller projects over the summer. So, there's a chance we may get some good movies out of this after all. Who knows ...

...read more here.

Since there is a strike looming, it is safe to bet that Hollywood studios are stocking up on scripts and fast tracking a lot of films so that they have something to release during the strike (if it happens). Want to know some of the possible projects on the pre-strike fast track? Here's that scope from Cinematical...

Now that we know what this whole Hollywood strike is about, a new list has been circulating which details all of the films (and their directors) the various studios and production companies have fast-tracked. Not all of these films will wrap production by June 1, 2008, but it does give us a clear indication as to which movies are taking priority. Interestingly enough, the list also confirms some details that (as far I can recall) weren't previously known -- for example, Guy Ritchie is directing a remake of The Dirty Dozen? For real? Another fascinating tidbit is that Fox lists the A-Team as one of their top priorities, however I thought that flick was stationed way toward the bottom of development hell. Also on that list for Fox is Used Guys, directed by Jay Roach -- although we were told production had stopped due to scheduling problems. Is it back on?

Some other stuff worth pointing out: Dimension lists Eli Roth's Cell as a pre-strike priority, even though Roth has said the script still isn't done and that it may be awhile before the film takes shape. They're also fast-tracking a Porky's remake, with no director currently attached. You superhero fans should be happy to know that both Magneto and Wolverine are on the list, as well as Justice League, Thor and Punisher II. Those that love Martin Lawrence in a fat suit, well, they're fast-tracking a Big Momma's House 3, without a director attached. And hey, Fletch Won is on there too -- with Steve Pink at the helm. Random sequel time: The Birdcage 2? Really? There's a bunch of untitled stuff on there (including one from Cameron Crowe and one from Jon Favreau), so who knows how many of these will manage to get things going in time. Regardless, it's a good chance to see what the next year will look like at the movie theater. I've included the full list after the jump (courtesy of FilmJunk); let us know what you think.

...read more here.

So I guess we have a lot of crappy films to look forward to because of this strike. Hopefully it also brings us a lot of great films as well, but we'll have to wait and see about that though.

Complete list of pre-strike (fast tracked) films:

2929 Entertainment

BURNING PLAIN - Dir: Guillermo Arriaga

VILLAIN - Dir: Martin Campbell

BALDWIN

ATLAS SHRUGGED - Dir: Vadim Perelman

INDISCRETION - Dir: Tony Goldwyn

LUNA - Dir: Deepa Mehta

BEACON

CONFESSIONS OF AN ECONOMIC HITMAN - Dir: Kip Williams

DISNEY

ADVENTURELAND - Dir: Greg Mottola

ALICE - Dir: None attached

AMERICAN DOG (animated) - Dir: Chris Sanders

BEDTIME STORIES - Dir: Adam Shankman

BOY SOLDIER - Dir: Oliver Higschbiegel

A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Dir: Robert Zemeckis

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC - Dir: PJ Hogan

DOUBT - Dir: John Patrick Shanley

ESCAPE FROM WITCH MOUNTAIN - Dir: Andy Fickman

G-FORCE (animated) - Dir: Hoyt Yeatman

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 - Dir: Kenny Ortega

JUNGLE CRUISE - Dir: None attached

LIBERTY - Dir: None attached

PRINCE OF PERSIA - Dir: None attached

PRINCESS AND THE FROG (animated) - Dir: Ron Clements and John Musker

THE PROPOSAL - Dir: Robert Luketic

SCHOOLED - Dir: Walt Becker

SNOW - Dir: Francis Lawrence

DIMENSION

CELL - Dir: Eli Roth

COMEBACK - Dir: Fred Durst

PORKY'S - Dir: None attached

SUPERHEROES - Dir: Craig Mazin

WEDDING RINGER (PREVIOUSLY GOLDEN TUX) - Dir: Lavender and Garelick

YOUTH IN REVOLT - Dir: None attached

DREAMWORKS

CAMP CREEPY TIME - Dir: None attached

DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS - Dir: Jay Roach

EAGLE EYE - Dir: DJ Caruso

GHOST TOWN - Dir: David Koepp

HOTEL FOR DOGS - Dir: Thor Freudenthal

I LOVE YOU MAN - Dir: John Hamburg

THE RIVALS - Dir: John Madden

SHE'S OUT OF MY LEAGUE - Dir: None attached

SIEGE OF FULTON AVE - Dir: None attached

THE SOLOIST (PREVIOUSLY IMAGINING BEETHOVEN) - Dir: Joe Wright

THOUSAND WORDS - Dir: None attached

TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 - Dir: Steven Spielberg

WEDNESDAY - Dir: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo

WILL - Dir: None attached

FOCUS

THE SERIOUS MAN - Dir: Joel and Ethan Coen

CURVEBALL - Dir: None attached but looking to Josh Marston

LITTLE GAME - Dir: Ang Lee

NICK AND NORAH - Dir: Peter Sollett

MEMORY OF A KILLER - Dir: None attached

PIANO TUNER - Dir: Werner Herzog

SIN NOMBRE - Dir: Cary Fukunaga

FOX

A-TEAM - Dir: None attached

COOL SCHOOL - Dir: None attached

DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL - Dir: Scott Derrikson

FANTASTIC VOYAGE - Dir: Roland Emmerich

GULLIVERS TRAVELS - Dir: None attached

MAGNETO - Dir: David Goyer

ME TIME - Dir: None attached

RUNAWAY TRAIN - Dir: Martin Campbell

SELLING TIME - Dir: None attached

STREET FIGHTER - Dir: Andrezej Bartkowiak

THEY CAME FROM UPSTAIRS - Dir: John Schultz

TOOTH FAIRY - Dir: None attached

TROUBLE MAN (PREVIOUSLY WICHITA) - Dir: Tom Dey

USED GUYS - Dir: Jay Roach

WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS - Dir: Tom Vaughn

WOLVERINE - Dir: Gavin Hood

FOX ATOMIC

BRAD CUTTER RUINED MY LIFE - Dir: Ari Sandel

CAPTAIN AWESOME - Dir: None attached

DON'T SEND HELP - Dir: None attached

I LOVE YOU BETH COOPER - Dir: None attached

PLAYBOYS - Dir: Trevor Moore/Zack Creggors

SPACE INVADER - Dir: Andrew Currie

SMASH AND GRAB - Dir: None attached but looking to John Moore

FOX SEARCHLIGHT

500 DAYS OF SUMMER - Dir: Marc Webb

KIDNAP - Dir: Nate Gwaltney

NOTORIOUS - Dir: George Tillman

RABBIT HOLE - Dir: None attached but looking to Sam Raimi

SECRET LIFE OF BEES - Dir: Gina Prince Bythewood

TOGETHER - Dir: Miguel Arteta

WAY BACK - Dir: None attached

FOX 2000

AFTERLIFE - Dir: None attached

ANOTHER bull**** NIGHT IN SUCK CITY - Dir: Paul Weitz

BACHELOR BOYS - Dir: None attached

BOYS NEXT DOOR - Dir: None attached

CONTACT ZERO - Dir: None attached

DALLAS - Dir: Betty Thomas

LIFE OF PI - Dir: Jean Pierre Jeunet

LUCKY STRIKE - Dir: Tony Scott

MARLEY AND ME - Dir: David Frankel

MONTE CARLO (PREVIOUSLY HEADHUNTERS) - Dir: Tom Bezucha

RAMONA - Dir: Liz Allen

SHADOW DIVERS - Dir: None attached

TOWNHOUSE - Dir: John Carney

WOLF BROTHER - Dir: Catherine Hardwicke

GOLD CIRCLE

ARCANUM - Dir: Randall Wallace

CHILLED IN MIAMI - Dir: Jonas Elmer

FLYPAPER - Dir: None attached

HONEYMOON'S OVER - Dir: None attached

HBO FILMS

CONNIE & RUTH - Dir: Jane Anderson

RECOUNT - Dir: Jay Roach

INTERMEDIA

KILLER'S GAME - Dir: Simon Crane

LAKESHORE

GAME - Dir: Neveldine & Taylor

LINCOLN LAWYER - Dir: None attached

LIONSGATE

5 KILLERS - Dir: Mark Helfrich

ADDICTED - Dir: Peter Medak

ATLAS SHRUGGED - Dir: Vadim Perelman

BACHELOR #2 - Dir: Howard Deutch

CHURCHBOY - Dir: Sonu Gonera

MEANone attachedLLS - Dir: John Whitesell

PARTY BOYS - Dir: Pate Bros.

PUNISHER II - Dir: Lexi Alexander

SHRINK - Dir: Kevin Donovan

THE SPIRIT - Dir: Frank Miller

TULIA - Dir: John Singleton

MANDATE

CURVE - Dir: Charles Stone

DOGS OF BABEL - Dir: None attached

WHIP IT - Dir: Drew Barrymore

MIRAMAX

HERO - Dir: Julian Farino

THE RESURRECTIONISTS - Dir: John Madden

NEW LINE

20,000 LEAGUES - Dir: None attached

$40,000 MAN - Dir: None attached

APPALOOSA - Dir: Ed Harris

CONRAIL - Dir: Ericson Core

ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK - Dir: Len Wiseman

FOUR CHRISTMASES - Dir: Seth Gordon

GEARS OF WAR - Dir: None attached

GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST - Dir: Mark Waters

HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU - Dir: Ken Kwapis

HONEYMOON WITH HARRY - Dir: None attached

KILLING ON CARNIVAL ROW - Dir: Neil Jordan

KING OF KONG - Dir: Seth Gordon

MILD THINGS - Dir: Frank Coraci

MY SISTER'S KEEPER - Dir: Nick Cassavetes

PAPER WINGS - Dir: None attached

SEX & THE CITY - Dir: Michael King

SNITCH - Dir: Carl Franklin

THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE - Dir: Robert Schwentke

NEW REGENCY

BIG MOMMA'S 3 - Dir: None attached

BRIDE WARS - Dir: None attached

CAGE - Dir: None attached

CAPRICORN ONE - Dir: None attached

DALLAS - Dir: None attached but looking to Betty Thomas

MONTE CARLO (PREVIOUSLY HEADHUNTERS) - Dir: Tom Bezucha

VOLTRON - Dir: None attached

OVERTURE

105 DEGREES - Dir: Jon AMiel

HUMBOLT PARK - Dir: None attached

RIGHTEOUS KILL - Dir: Jon Avnet

LAST CHANCE HARVEY - Dir: Joel Hopkins

PARAMOUNT

ANGUS, THONGS - Dir: Gurinder Chadha

CHEF - Dir: None attached

THE FIGHTER - Dir: Darren Aronofsky

GI JOE - Dir: None attached

I WANT TO _____ YOUR SISTER - Dir: None attached

LOVE GURU - Dir: Marco Schnabel

MEN MAKING MUSIC - Dir: Clay Tarver

NOWHERE LAND - Dir: Karey Kirkpatrick

PSYCHO FUNKY CHIMP - Dir: Ruben Fleischer

STAR TREK - Dir: JJ Abrams

THOR - Dir: Matthew Vaughn

TORSO - Dir: David Fincher

UNTITLED CAMERON CROWE - Dir: Cameron Crowe

YEAR OF LIVING BIBLICALLY - Dir: Julian Farino

WINTER OF FRANKIE MACHINE - Dir: None attached

WORLD WAR Z - Dir: None attached

PARAMOUNT VANTAGE

AMERICAN STORAGE - Dir: Andrew Cohen

CAGED - Dir: Chris Kentis

DON READY (PREVIOUSLY CLAY HUJKO LIKES CARS) - Dir: Neal Brennan

DEFIANCE - Dir: Ed Zwick

DIRT - Dir: None attached

ROGUE

BELCOO EXPERIMENT - Dir: James Gunn

BFF - Dir: None attached

CASTLEVANIA - Dir: Sylvain White

DYNOMITE - Dir: Paul Feig

FIGHTIN' - Dir: Dito Montiel

LABOR DAY MASON - Dir: Will Gluck

LOST SQUAD - Dir: Leger & Mather

NEAR DARK - Dir: Sam Bayer

SCREEN GEMS

ARMORED - Dir: Nimrod Antal

BONE DEEP - Dir: John Luessenhop

THE BURIAL - Dir: None attached

THE CROSSING - Dir: None attached

INSANITARIUM - Dir: Jeff Buhler

LODGER D:David Ondaatje

KINGDOM COME - Dir: None attached

PHENOM - Dir: None attached

UNTITLED MARDI GRAS PROJECT - Dir: Phil Dornfeld

SPYGLASS

ANTHONY ZIMMER - Dir: Lasse Hallstrom

IRONBOW - Dir: Derin Seale

SONY

AGAINST ALL ENEMIES - Dir: Robert Redford

ALIEN UPRISING - Dir: Wolfgang Peterson

ANGELS AND DEMONS - Dir: Ron Howard

BASTER - Dir: Speck & Gordon

BIG MAN ON CAMPUS - Dir: None attached

BOND 22 - Dir: Marc Forster

BROTHERS - Dir: Jim Sheridan

EDWIN A. SALT - Dir: Terry George

FANTASY ISLAND - Dir: None attached

THE GRAYS - Dir: Wolfgang Peterson

I DREAM OF JEANNIE - Dir: None attached

JULIE JULIA - Dir: Nora Ephron

MONSTER HUNTER - Dir: David Dobkin

SAMMY'S HILL - Dir: David O. Russell

SEVEN POUNDS - Dir: Gabriele Muccino

STEP-BROTHERS - Dir: Adam Mckay

THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS - Dir: Steve Zaillian

THE TAKING OF PELHAM 1 2 3 - Dir: Tony Scott

TOKYO SUCKERPUNCH - Dir: None attached

YEAR ONE - Dir: Harold Ramis

VOYEUR - Dir: None attached

SONY CLASSICS

DANCING WITH SHIVA - Dir: Jonathan Demme

SUMMIT

DJINN - Dir: Nicholas Refn

NEED - Dir: Ryan Murphy

PARENTAL GUIDANCE - Dir: None attached

RAT ****** - Dir: Gary Winick

SEX DRIVE - Dir: Sean Anders

UNITED ARTISTS

THE BIRDCAGE 2 - Dir: None attached

PINKVILLE - Dir: Oliver Stone

UNIVERSAL

ABSENT HEARTS - Dir: Jim Whitaker

BARBARELLA - Dir: Robert Rodriguez

BIG BROTHERS - Dir: David Wain

THE CHANGELING - Dir: Clint Eastwood

CIRQUE DU FREAK - Dir: Paul Weitz

CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON - Dir: Breck Eisner

DARK FIELDS - Dir: None attached

DRACULA YEAR ZERO - Dir: Alex Proyas

FAST & FURIOUS 4 - Dir: Justin Lin

HURRICAINE SEASON - Dir: Billy Ray

I, THALUS (PREVIOUSLY OLYMPIAD) - Dir: Pete Segal

LAND OF THE LOST - Dir: Brad Silberling

THE LOS ANGELES RIOTS - Dir: Spike Lee

LA SCORTA - Dir: Asger Yeth

MAN AND WIFE - Dir: Gabriele Muccino

MY NAME IS JODY WILLIAMS - Dir: Audrey Wells

NOTTINGHAM - Dir: Ridley Scott

ONE NATION UNDER BOB - Dir: Tom Shadyac

PHARM GIRL - Dir: None attached

PLAYBOY - Dir: Brett Ratner

REPOSSESSION MAMBO - Dir: Miguel Sapochnik

RIPD - Dir: David Dobkin

SANDS OF TIME - Dir: None attached

SCOTT PILGRIM - Dir: Edgar Wright

STATE OF PLAY - Dir: Kevin McDonald

SOURCE CODE - Dir: None attached

TRAVELING - Dir: Brandon Camp

TRUMP HEIST - Dir: Brett Ratner

UNDOMESTIC GODDESS - Dir: None attached

UNTITLED CHARLES RANDOLPH PROJECT - Dir: None attached

UNTITLED JON FAVREAU PROJECT - Dir: Jon Favreau

WOLFMAN - Dir: Mark Romanek

WALDEN

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA - THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER - Dir: Michael Apted

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA - THE SILVER CHAIR - Dir: None attached

CITY OF THE BEASTS - Dir: None attached

TORTOISE AND THE HIPPO - Dir: John Dykstra

RELATIVITY - Dir: None attached

WARNER BROTHERS

1906 - Dir: Brad Bird

ALTERED CARBON - Dir: James McTeigue

ARRANGED - Dir: Gary Winick

CARPE DEMON - Dir: None attached

CLASH OF THE TITANS - Dir: None attached

THE DIRTY DOZEN - Dir: Guy Ritchie

FARRAGUT NORTH - Dir: None attached

GUARDIANS OF GA'HOOLE - Dir: None attached

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE - Dir: David Yates

HEART SHAPED BOX - Dir: Neil Jordan

HIMELFARB - Dir: Miguel Arteta

THE INCREDIBLE MR LIMPET - Dir: Chris Columbus

JUSTICE LEAGUE - Dir: None attached, but looking to George Miller

LOSERS - Dir:

MEN - Dir: Todd Phillips

MORTDECAI - Dir: None attached

NIGHTCRAWLERS - Dir: McG

PENETRATION - Dir: Ridley Scott

SHANTARAM - Dir: Mira Nair

SHERLOCK HOLMES - Dir: None attached

SPOOKS APPRENTICE - Dir: Tim Burton

THE TOWN - Dir: Adrian Lyne

YES MAN - Dir: Peyton Reed

WARNER INDEPENDENT

DISASSOCIATE - Dir: Zach Helm

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH - Dir: Jonathan Jakubowitz

MAN WITHOUT A GUN - Dir: Pete Travis

MESSAGE FROM THE KING - Dir: None attached

RUM DIARY - Dir: Bruce Robinson

WHITE JAZZ - Dir: Joe Carnahan

THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

BERNARD THE GENIE - Dir: Richard Curtis

FLETCH WON - Dir: Steve Pink

I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT - Dir: David Frankel

GOING DOWN (PREVIOUSLY MUSKRAT LOVE) - Dir: Andy Fickman

NINE - Dir: Rob Marshall

THE READER - Dir: Stephen Daldry

SEVENTH SAMURAI - Dir: None attached, but looking to Justin Chadwick or Wayne Kramer

SHANGHAI - Dir: Mikael Hafstrom

TULIP FEVER - Dir: Peter Chelsom

ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO - Dir: Kevin Smith

WORKING TITLE

BAD NEWS INC. - Dir: None attached

BURN AFTER READING - Dir: Coen Bros

EVEREST - Dir: None attached

FOOD FIGHT - Dir: Steve Brill

IMPERIAL LIFE - Dir: Paul Greengrass

LOST FOR WORDS - Dir: Suzanne Bier

THE RIP - Dir: Roger Michell

ROCK THE BOAT - Dir: Richard Curtis

YOUNG AT HEART - Dir: None attached

[SuperJediMedia]

Man, I just read the latest EW issue, and it really thinks the strike would be VERY BAD for TVs and Movie if it happens... many of TV shows/movies will Cease production, Actors out of jobs.

What do you think about this? I Hope not, I hope EW is blowing stuf out of proportion!

BTW, More Hobbits? But that's another Topic.

[Hurmoth]

Hollywood Writers Set Strike for Monday Unless Deal is Reached

Film and TV writers prepared to go on strike Monday for the first time in two decades to break what has become a high-stakes stalemate with the world's largest media companies over profits from DVDs and programming on the Internet.

Writers Guild of America board members voted unanimously Friday to begin the strike at 12:01 a.m. Pacific time (3:01 a.m. EST) unless studios offered a more lucrative deal with a bigger cut from video sales and shows sold or streamed over the Web.

"The studios made it clear that they would rather shut down this town than reach a fair and reasonable deal," Patric Verrone, president of the western chapter of the guild, said at a news conference.

The union said it would stage its first pickets in New York and Los Angeles after strike captains meet Saturday to finalize details.

Both sides agreed late Friday to meet with a federal mediator on Sunday in a last-ditch effort to avoid a strike. The meeting will take place at a neutral location to be determined, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers said.

Earlier in the day, J. Nicholas Counter, president of the producers' group, called the writers' strike "precipitous and irresponsible" in a prepared statement.

Producers believe progress can be made on other issues but "it makes absolutely no sense to increase the burden of this additional compensation" involving DVDs and the Internet, he said.

Last year alone, members of the western chapter of the guild were paid $56 million in additional compensation from DVD residuals, he said.

Counter declined a request by The Associated Press for further comment.

Among other media giants, the alliance represents CBS Corp.; NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric Co.; and The Walt Disney Co., owner of the ABC network.

The negotiations began in July and were joined this week by a federal mediator.

"We are committed to seeing this through and are willing to engage in any further discussions if the studios so desire," Verrone said.

The first casualty of the strike would be late-night talk shows, which are dependent on current events to fuel monologues and other entertainment.

"The Tonight Show" on NBC will go into reruns starting Monday if last-ditch negotiations fail and a strike begins, according to a network official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person lacked authorization to comment publicly.

Garth Brooks and Tommy Lee Jones were the scheduled guests.

Comedy Central has said "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" would likely go into repeats as well.

A message left seeking CBS comment on plans for "The Late Show with David Letterman" in New York was not immediately returned Friday evening.

During the 1988 writers strike, Letterman, then host of NBC's "Late Night," and longtime "Tonight Show" host Johnny Carson initially went off the air but later returned as the walkout dragged on for 22 weeks and cost the industry about $500 million.

Daytime TV, including live talk shows such as "The View" and soap operas, which typically tape about a week's worth of shows in advance, would be next to feel the impact.

The strike will not immediately impact production of movies or prime-time TV programs. Most studios have stockpiled dozens of movie scripts, and TV shows have enough scripts or completed shows in hand to last until early next year.

There could be widespread disruptions in Hollywood as other unions support the writers.

Officials with the Screen Actors Guild have told members they must report for work but encouraged them to join picket lines during their off-time.

A similar message came from the head of a local Teamsters union. However, those workers were told they were protected by law from employer retribution if they honored strike lines.

John Bowman, chief negotiator for the writers guild and the producer on an upcoming TBS show "Frank, TV," said he would not cross picket lines, even if it cost his job.

"Unfortunately we have to inflict as much damage as we can as soon as possible in order to get this thing over," he said.

The economic impact of a strike is hard to estimate because not all production will be halted at once, economists said.

"There definitely will be pain," said Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp.

The entertainment industry contributes about $30 billion a year to the Los Angeles economy, or about $80 million a day, he said.

Talks between writers and producers will likely impact upcoming negotiations between the studios and unions representing actors and directors.

All those unions believe revenue from content offered on the Internet, cell phones and other platforms will grow tremendously in the years ahead, even though it's now minuscule compared to DVD sales.

Consumers are expected to spend $16.4 billion on DVDs this year, according to Adams Media Research.

By contrast, studios could generate about $158 million from selling movies online and about $194 million from selling TV shows over the Web.

The strike was first announced Thursday night at a meeting attended by 3,000 union members whose moods ranged from defiant to somber.

News Source: FOXNews.com

[QuantumTrickery]

This won't last long. Big studios aren't going to watch their wallets empty.

[Rappy Veteran]

Yeah I hate the fact this is gonna happen its gonna ruin tv for at least 3 to 4 weeks but at least some if not most of the shows have episodes in advance but once they run out thats it.

[Hurmoth]

Well if this lasts long, studios could end up looking for independent writers which might mean we get better films and TV than what these guys who are in it for the money can do.

[SuperJediMedia]

The Main news right now!!!

[Hurmoth]

Pencils Down Means Pencils Down - The Strike is On!

The writers who make up the words for most of the movies and television shows produced in the United States will be walking picket lines Monday morning outside of major studios in New York and Los Angeles as the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has launched a strike against producers.

The writers union said a strike, which began at 12:01 a.m. Monday, was necessary to protect their future incomes as the shows they write are increasingly distributed over new media, primarily Internet downloading.

While studios have been hoarding scripts for months in anticipation of a strike, some television shows that are more topical - especially late night TV - are expected to immediately go to reruns.

A last-day effort to reach a new work agreement collapsed Sunday night despite a major concession by the writers as they dropped their demand for a doubling of how much they are paid for DVD sales. This had been considered the major stumbling block to a deal.

The president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) criticized the WGA negotiators for walking out of the talks Sunday night.

"When we asked if they would 'stop the clock' for the purpose of delaying the strike to allow negotiations to continue, they refused," said AMPTP President Nick Counter.

The union's statement said while it chose to withdraw its DVD proposal - which would have doubled writers' residuals - the producers were still insisting on rules concerning Internet distribution that "makes a mockery of any residual."

The WGA said producers want to deny the union future jurisdiction over scripts written for most new media and there is no economic proposal for that part of new media writing the guild would cover.

Other rules demanded by producers would give writers no residuals when a movie is streamed online or during a "window" when online consumers have free reuse of downloads, the WGA said.

Counter placed the blame for the failed talks on the negotiators for the writers.

"We made an attempt at meeting them in a number of their key areas including Internet streaming and jurisdiction in New Media," Counter said. "Ultimately, the guild was unwilling to compromise on most of their major demands."

While working writers are generally paid well, they depend on residuals to get them through lean times of unemployment.

Writers face a changing industry as traditional television and movie theaters are increasingly supplanted by video iPods and Internet downloads. Their last contract was negotiated in 1988, years before DVD sales displaced VHS distribution.

Reality television has been another wake up call for writers, since most do not require scripts. "American Idol" and other hit shows should not be impacted by a prolonged strike.

AMPTP said that just 67 percent - 64 of 96 - television series this season are scripted, down from 81 percent just two seasons ago.

Late-night television hosts like David Letterman, Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel, as well as programs such as "The Daily Show" will likely feel the pinch of the strike first. Because of their topical nature, networks do not typically shoot these shows in advance.

Daytime soaps normally stockpile about 30 days in advance and most prime-time shows would likely make it through the end of the year without any major impact on programing.

But networks would have to resort to reruns, news programs and reality shows to fill the schedule in 2008 if a strike were to drag on.

If the strike lingers on, the WGA faces the danger of writers opting out of full membership for "financial core" status, which would allow them to return to work. They would lose their voting privileges, but retain all benefits.

The last WGA strike 20 years ago lasted five and a half months and cost the entertainment industry an estimated $500 million.

News Source: CNNMoney.com

[Rappy Veteran]

It's gonna be a dark day!

20 weeks tho is crazy!

[Hurmoth]

So some of you may be thinking that this won't effect you at all, but you are wrong if you are into American entertainment (i.e. film, and/or tv).

Understanding The Coming Hollywood Strike

Over the past few months we?ve been dropping mention of the big coming Hollywood strike, and I think it?s time to talk about about it specifically, what?s happening, why it?s happening, when it?s happening, who is involved and what the issues are. I hope this will make things a little more clear? to be honest I?m not 100% clear on all the issues myself? but one thing is for certain? come June 2008, the streets in Hollywood will be silent. Ok, let?s take a look at this horrendWHO ARE THE PLAYERS:ARE THE PLAYERS:

Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTA)

The Writers Guild of America (WGA)

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG)

The Directors GuilWHAT IS THE TIMELINE:IS THE TIMELINE:

The current collective contract of the WGA runs out on October 31st. However, the Writers Guild has decided to postpone taking any action until the collective contracts of the SAG and DGA also run out in June of 2008. This is CLEARLY a co-ordinanted move in order to give all three unions a stronger bargaining position and leverage. Therefore, for all intents and purposes, the agreements that currently exist for the WGA, the SAG and the DGA will expire at the same time? JUNE 30th 2008. At this point, all three entities can (and will) call upon their membership to strike unless new agreements are reachWHAT ARE THE ISSUES:AT ARE THE ISSUES:

The issues between BASICALLYe WGA BASICALLY b1) The WGA wants provisions for internet distribution in any new contractn any new contract

This is understandable for the WGA to want. As things stand, Studios are selling their product through the new medium of the internet for which there are no provisions really in the current contract for writers to be compensated for. However, the AMPTA is wanting to put off the issue of the internet for 3 years because ?it?s a new avenue? and they?re not clear how it will work. I can understand their apprehension to commit to something that may just die in 18 months? but at the same time there is no denying they are making money off the internet right now? and therefore it is totally reasonable for the WGA to want their agreement to cover that NOW iWHO IS RIGHT? The WGAoa2) The AMPTA wants to withhold royalty payments until the Studio makes back its investmentudio makes back its investment

Under the current agreement, royalties are paid on project right away. The AMPTA want to change this to a more fair system where royalties only begin to be paid out after a project has recovered its investment. In other words, if a movie cost $53 million to make, then royalties on that movie will only be paid out after the producers have made back their initial investment. This is totally reasonable and the way things should be. Those who risk are the ones who should reap the rewards. The WGA risk nothing, and therefore it is reasonable that a Producer should at least make back their investment before handing out additional royalties. This would mean a serious thrid party accounting system would have to be put in place to protect the WGA from studio accounting misconduct, but it is still the riWHO IS RIGHT? The AMPTAs.3) The WGA want reality and game show writers covered under the new agreementovered under the new agreement

This one is absolutely ludicrous and I?m not going tWHO IS RIGHT? the AMPTA it.

WHO IS RIGHT? the AMPTA

There are other issues, but from what I understand these are the BIG contentious ones. Obviously item #3 doesn?t apply to the DGA or SAG, but you can bet they are also looking at items #1 and #2. I?m unclear right now what additional issues the DGA and SAG will bring to the table.

So there you have it. Doomsday in Hollywood right now is June 2008. Unless an agreement is reached (and i seriously doubt there will be) all productions have to be at least in post-production by that time in order to have any hope of finishing. This is why no Transformers 2 plans have been made? this is why they?re quickly moving Wolverine into a November shooting start date, and this is why we?re hearing (like Pompeii) about movies getting killed because they were looking at shooting schedules into or after June 2008.

By no means am I an expert on this issue? so if you have more to add that is relevant to this topic, please include it in the comments.

Source: The Movie Blog

[SkyyPunk Veteran]

:o

Gears of War movie?!

[Hurmoth]

:o

Gears of War movie?!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gears_of_War#Film :D

[Rappy Veteran]

Interesting video with who I think is Tina Fey...

http://www.theinsideronline.com/video.php?...13883/index.php

[Hurmoth]

I posted this in the Heroes thread, but since it spans more than just Heroes, I'm posting it in here too...

The Writer?s Guild of America is on strike.

It?s official: as of 12:01 a.m. Monday, the Writer?s Guild of America is on strike.

The strike comes after last-minute negotiations failed Sunday night.

WGA is still fighting for more compensation for DVD sales and Internet TV shows.

Reruns will begin for late night shows like ?The Late Show with David Letterman? and ?The Tonight Show with Jay Leno?, among others.

USA Today reports that by January or February, soap operas, sitcoms and dramas would be shut down after they run out of their scripts.

Most networks are already reworking theNBC?s ?Heroes? prequel, set to start in April, is now on hold, is now on hold while ABC decided to not premiere new drama ?Cashmere Mafia? laterFox?s ?24? is expected to be halted until next season and ?Lost? fans will only see 8 episodes instead of the planned 16.des instead of the planned 16.

The strike will also affect next season. Television fans should expect to see more reality-TV, game shows and repeats.

Source: http://www.thecelebritycafe.com/features/12206.html

[Rob2687]

Maybe now people will get off their butts and go out more...or become even more stupidified with all the filler crap they intend to show.

[gigapixels Veteran]

Interesting video with who I think is Tina Fey...

http://www.theinsideronline.com/video.php?...13883/index.php

Yep, that's Tina Fey.

I don't think the WGA is being unreasonable, but it's unfortunate that this has to happen.

[Hurmoth]

Yep, that's Tina Fey.

I don't think the WGA is being unreasonable, but it's unfortunate that this has to happen.

I agree. They deserve more money, they are the minds behind the shows. That's pretty clear since all these shows are ending early. Without them, there's no show.

[Rappy Veteran]

Yep, that's Tina Fey.

I don't think the WGA is being unreasonable, but it's unfortunate that this has to happen.

I agree its a right cause just it couldn't come at a worse time, imagine if 24 doesn't air at all thats Fox stuffed.

[2xSilverKnight]

I agree its a right cause just it couldn't come at a worse time, imagine if 24 doesn't air at all thats Fox stuffed.

couldn't care more about 24 anyway.

i'm just glad Stargate Atlantis will not be affected at all. and season 5 is already confirmed due to good ratings.

[Rappy Veteran]

couldn't care more about 24 anyway.

i'm just glad Stargate Atlantis will not be affected at all. and season 5 is already confirmed due to good ratings.

Not yet at least, they can only film what they have writers in everyshow are striking not just one or 2 shows. I mean Weeds has a 4th season but they have to put it on hold till its over.

[Nicholas-c Veteran]

Completely idiotic if you ask me, they want royalties for internet services...

well... Internet = Torrent = no one pays for torrents...

other internet services like VOD they are paid for anyway as they are only available for virgin so do they want virgin (who paid for the rights to air it anyway) to charge more ?

[Hurmoth]

couldn't care more about 24 anyway.

i'm just glad Stargate Atlantis will not be affected at all. and season 5 is already confirmed due to good ratings.

How will it not be affected? Even if it is confirmed, if the writers are on strike, they can't write. If the scripts haven't been written, they won't get written until the strike is over.

Completely idiotic if you ask me, they want royalties for internet services...

well... Internet = Torrent = no one pays for torrents...

other internet services like VOD they are paid for anyway as they are only available for virgin so do they want virgin (who paid for the rights to air it anyway) to charge more ?

You aren't think about this correctly.

They are talking about services such as Unbox. They are talking about going to nbc.com and watching the show on there, where there's ads, which NBC makes money from. Buying the TV show from iTunes or similar services, not torrents.

[Rappy Veteran]

Completely idiotic if you ask me, they want royalties for internet services...

well... Internet = Torrent = no one pays for torrents...

other internet services like VOD they are paid for anyway as they are only available for virgin so do they want virgin (who paid for the rights to air it anyway) to charge more ?

Yeah this is American Streaming I mean over here I am not sure who makes the money but its like nbc.com or abc.com that they are appealing about.

[Nicholas-c Veteran]

ah, my bad :p i still think its stupid

[2xSilverKnight]

How will it not be affected? Even if it is confirmed, if the writers are on strike, they can't write. If the scripts haven't been written, they won't get written until the strike is over.

You aren't think about this correctly.

They are talking about services such as Unbox. They are talking about going to nbc.com and watching the show on there, where there's ads, which NBC makes money from.

because season 4 is already done. It think it was finished even before it actually aired. Maybe editing and montage still needs a bit of tweaking for

season finale, but for what I know they even never mentioned star gate has being affected by this strike.

- I remember looking at the episodes descriptions before season 4 premiere and all of them already got their title and confirmed air-date.