2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike

By Hurmoth
in The Media Room

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2007 Hollywood Strike  

282 members have voted

  1. 1. Who do you support in the strike?

    • The AMPTP
      35
    • The WGA
      140
    • Undecided/Don't Care
      107

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Grand Master

gigapixels Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
You do realize that the majority of the 10,500 writers, the majority of them don't make $30-40K a year, right?

You people need to get the facts before you start forming opinions it seems.

Yeah, apparently all these writers in Hollywood are rich. I never knew about that :rolleyes:

The funniest thing is that all these people opposed to the strike believe so because they don't have their facts straight. When you sit down, read a little, and really get a sense of what is happening it is pretty easy to support the writers.

Grand Master

OPaul

Posted
Posted
When you sit down, read a little, and really get a sense of what is happening it is pretty easy to support the writers.

I disagree. I understand the facts and still can't be bothered with unions and strikers. It's hard to support a group of people who spend their time writing mindless entertainment.

Grand Master

Hurmoth

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I disagree. I understand the facts and still can't be bothered with unions and strikers. It's hard to support a group of people who spend their time writing mindless entertainment.

So you don't want any films, tv, etc.? So you don't think they should be payed for creating excellent work such as Pan's Labyrinth, Children of Men, Saving Private Ryan, A Beautiful Mind, etc.? Just because you don't watch this stuff doesn't mean that they shouldn't get paid for the work they do.

Grand Master

OPaul

Posted
Posted (edited)
So you don't want any films, tv, etc.? So you don't think they should be payed for creating excellent work such as Pan's Labyrinth, Children of Men, Saving Private Ryan, A Beautiful Mind, etc.? Just because you don't watch this stuff doesn't mean that they shouldn't get paid for the work they do.

Sure I want them, but I don't need them. My life isn't going to feel empty because CSI or House stops airing. Yes, excellent work deserves higher pay.... but they are not being asked to be paid on the quality of their work. If they write crap, (i.e. CSI for example), expect to get paid crap. I understand they're just trying to make a living, and it's hard work writing for shows like CSI that put out 20 some odd episodes a season. But we would all like a little more money on a paychecks, that shouldn't be justification for them to strike... IMO.

Edited by OPaul
Grand Master

Hurmoth

Posted
  • Author
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Sure I want them, but I don't need them. My life isn't going to feel empty because CSI or House stops airing. Yes, excellent work deserves higher pay.... but they are not being asked to be paid on the quality of their work. If they write crap, (i.e. CSI for example), expect to get paid crap. I understand they're just trying to make a living, and it's hard work writing for shows like CSI that put out 20 some odd episodes a season. But we would all like a little more money on a paychecks, that should be justification for them to strike... IMO.

You could say that about a lot of things though. We don't need cars, or the internet, or fast food. So let's stop paying them too.

Again most writers don't make over $30 to 40K a year. I may do a crappy job on a project, but that doesn't mean my boss is going to lower my pay for it. That doesn't happen in the real world. If I continue to do a bad job, then I get fired. The same thing happens with writers. They are released from their contracts or their contract isn't renewed when the project is over. If they did a crappy job, most likely they won't continue in the business. Or if they did do a crappy job, but the ratings were high and the money continues to flow in, then it isn't the writers fault, it is ours as a consumer to continue watching the stuff. I don't see how that's the writers' fault.

Grand Master

Mathachew Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
Sure I want them, but I don't need them. My life isn't going to feel empty because CSI or House stops airing. Yes, excellent work deserves higher pay.... but they are not being asked to be paid on the quality of their work. If they write crap, (i.e. CSI for example), expect to get paid crap. I understand they're just trying to make a living, and it's hard work writing for shows like CSI that put out 20 some odd episodes a season. But we would all like a little more money on a paychecks, that should be justification for them to strike... IMO.

In regards to compensation, there are two viable options:

1. Pay the writers at a much higher rate than they are paid now so that residuals are not factored. The pay would be significantly higher because there would be no income from DVD sales, online streaming, etc.

2. Pay them lower fees and then pay them a percentage of sales of their works. Studios make money in TV and online advertisements, box office sales, DVD sales, etc. They get residual income from those works, and the writers want this as well.

There really is no other option without going outside of having a union. Studios wouldn't like #1 because as you and others have noted, there is some bad crap out there, so why pay so much money for crap? If something that doesn't appear to be a big deal becomes one (Matrix comes to mind here because I'm sure they didn't expect it to become such a cult hit, as well with Heroes), then they have future money coming in based on sales, not just advertising. Studios would come out further ahead if they paid big bucks for something that is hugely successfull, but hits are few and far between each of the mediocre content that is usually dished out. For this reason, #2 is done. Lower initial investment, if it's a hit, it generates more money in future sales. Bleh, enough business talk, I'm starting to feel tainted.

Community Regular

xinary

Posted
Posted
So you don't want any films, tv, etc.? So you don't think they should be payed for creating excellent work such as Pan's Labyrinth, Children of Men, Saving Private Ryan, A Beautiful Mind, etc.? Just because you don't watch this stuff doesn't mean that they shouldn't get paid for the work they do.

They do get paid, plenty enough. YOU need to get the facts straight. You seem to love making comparisons so let me give you a few so that you know how silly you sound.

If I buy a TV from Best Buy, should I send a check to the manufacturer everytime I turn it on?

If I hire an employee with a salary rate, should I pay him individually for every task he completes?

If I get my brakes done on my car, should I tip the mechanic everytime they stop me at a stopsign?

If I order a steak at a restaurant, should I give an additonal dollar for every bite I take?

I can go on and on, these writers are trying to make themselves look like something they are NOT.

Writing is the same as any other job, you get paid a said rate for a service, if you don't like it, find another profession. GET OVER IT!

Grand Master

Hurmoth

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
They do get paid, plenty enough. YOU need to get the facts straight. You seem to love making comparisons so let me give you a few so that you know how silly you sound.

If I buy a TV from Best Buy, should I send a check to the manufacturer everytime I turn it on?

If I hire an employee with a salary rate, should I pay him individually for every task he completes?

If I get my brakes done on my car, should I tip the mechanic everytime they stop me at a stopsign?

If I order a steak at a restaurant, should I give an additonal dollar for every bite I take?

So who should get the money every time you buy a DVD? Just the studios? No one else should?

Your examples don't work in the film industry at all. Again this is a union thing, something you obviously aren't going to get.

The writers get only $.04 per $20 DVD sale. That's not a lot of money there.

Consider this, the recently retired CEO of Viacom (parent company of CBS) got a $60,000,000 severance package while the writers, the guys and gals who do the real work creating the content we see on CBS may only make $30 to 40K a year. Some how that doesn't make sense.

Yet you couldn't care less.

Check these videos out:

&
Edited by Hurmoth
Grand Master

OPaul

Posted
Posted
Consider this, the recently retired CEO of Viacom (parent company of CBS) got a $60,000,000 severance package while the writers, the guys and gals who do the real work creating the content we see on CBS may only make $30 to 40K a year. Some how that doesn't make sense.

Of course it doesn't make any sense. But it is no different then any other large organization. The guy on top is always going to make more money then the guys holding everything together at the bottom.

Grand Master

Hurmoth

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  • Author
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Of course it doesn't make any sense. But it is no different then any other large organization. The guy on top is always going to make more money then the guys holding everything together at the bottom.

Then if it isn't right for a CEO, who didn't create the content to begin with, to get that kind of money, then what's wrong with giving the writers a piece of the pie?

That's what I don't get about some of your positions (maybe not you specifically OPaul), but the writers are asking for something that will only cost the studios roughly $153 million over the next three years (that's 5 or 6 major studios). Why is that such a big deal?

They created the content and some barely make ends meat vs the cost of living in Hollywood and NY City. So one writer may go from $30 to 40K a year to $35 to 45K a year (obviously that depends on the writer, the content, how popular the show is, etc.).

All of these figures are based on a percent to begin with, but what the WGA is asking for is pennies to the producers.

Grand Master

Hurmoth

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  • Author
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Here's an interesting question for those who say that the writers don't deserve residuals.

Do you think authors of novels should continue to get residuals for their novels that they write after it is published? Or just a one time fee and everything else goes to the publisher?

This is essentially the same thing.

Or how about this. Musicians get money for every CD that's sold and because of iTunes they get money for legal purchases online. Now they're setup differently (non-union) because there's so many different distributors in that business as opposed to the film/tv industry where there's only 5 or 6 major studios.

Grand Master

Rappy Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
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Anyone see Letterman and Conan last night? So hilarious. Haven't seen Conan that funny in a while. (Y)

The strike beards are the best.

I saw some clips, they were funny, how long can they keep that up tho! (the beards also :laugh: )

Grand Master

Hurmoth

Posted
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Anyone see Letterman and Conan last night? So hilarious. Haven't seen Conan that funny in a while. (Y)

The strike beards are the best.

I recorded Conan but haven't watched it yet. Letterman was pretty good, but Craig Ferguson was a riot :laugh:

Grand Master

spenser.d

Posted
Posted

To those not supporting the writers, I don't get you. The writers make their money off residuals for everytime their episode it aired on TV, so why should it be any different everytime the episode is aired online?

Unless you think they shouldn't get residuals for TV airings either, in which case they aren't making much at all.

-Spenser

Grand Master

Rob2687

Posted
Posted
Oh God, what has the Writers Strike done?! :p

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVxbAvD1onc

If this strike drags on for long enough he will probably eventually do that show he's always talking about where he dances for the whole hour.

Grand Master

Rappy Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
If this strike drags on for long enough he will probably eventually do that show he's always talking about where he dances for the whole hour.

Question is tho is it gonna be as "good" as American Gladiators

Grand Master

Rappy Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
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These are the dates of the Finales...

BY DATE:

Women?s Murder Club (ABC) Jan. 4

Desperate Housewives (ABC) Jan. 6

Gossip Girl (CW) Jan. 9

CSI (CBS) Jan. 10

Grey?s Anatomy (ABC) Jan. 10

My Name Is Earl (NBC) Jan. 10

30 Rock (NBC) Jan. 10

Family Guy (Fox) Jan. 13

CSI Miami (CBS) Jan. 14

NCIS (CBS) Jan. 15

ER (NBC) Jan. 17

Without A Trace (CBS) Jan. 17

Moonlight (CBS) Jan. 18

Life Is Wild (CW) Jan. 20

Law & Order: SVU (NBC) Jan. 22

Ugly Betty (NBC) Jan. 24

Brothers & Sisters (ABC) Jan. 27

Boston Legal (ABC) Jan. 29

Friday Night Lights (NBC) Feb. 8

Cashmere Mafia (ABC) Feb. 13

Scrubs (NBC) Feb. 14

Psych (USA) Feb. 15

Prison Break (Fox) Feb. 18

Samantha Who? (ABC) Feb. 18

Nip/Tuck (FX) Feb. 19

Las Vegas (NBC) Feb. 22

Monk (USA) Feb. 22

Medium (NBC) March 3

Terminator (Fox) March 3

Stargate Atlantis (SciFi) March 7

The Wire (HBO) March 9

Breaking Bad (AMC) March 16

Kyle XY (ABC Family) March 17

Lost (ABC) March 20

L Word (Showtime) March 23

Quarterlife (NBC) March 24

Jericho (CBS) March 25

In Treatment (HBO) March 25

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