TV and film industry rattled by strike fears

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117947983.html?categoryid=18&cs=1&query=STARTING+TO+STOCKPILE

Industry rattled by strike fears
Prospect of work stoppage speeds prod'n
By DAVE MCNARY

Although the WGA's contract for showbiz writers doesn't expire until October 2007, the guild's tactics have convinced studios and networks that a strike is a strong possibility.

"We have no choice but to plan for a strike, given the noise and belligerence from the guild," Alliance of Motion Picture & TV Producers prexy Nicholas Counter tells Variety. "I've been doing this since 1982 and, except for the 1988 strike, this is the lowest point of the relationship."

Film execs are starting to stockpile scripts and accelerate production. In TV, the prospect of a work stoppage means trying to shoot more episodes of scripted series, being less inclined to launch new series and planning for more reality, news and sports programming.

WGA leaders aren't predicting a strike. But "a strike is a possibility -- no more and no less," says WGA West prez Patric Verrone. "The industry should be doing everything in its power to prevent it by accommodating the talent community and its demands."

WGA East prexy Chris Albers adds: "We refuse to engage in chatter about a strike. There is plenty of time for the companies to show us that they value the content we create and that they intend to compensate us whenever and wherever it appears."

The key issues at the upcoming contract talks -- not yet scheduled -- will probably include hard-to-resolve issues like digital downloads, jurisdiction, new media and product integration.

FULL story at link.

[Deja Q]

1. Here's how to avert the strike:

Remake old classics like "My Mother the Car" and "Captain Nice".

:hide:

In seriousness, don't they get paid enough already?

[Kutjara]

2. What!?! You mean there's a real danger...

...that the the steady stream of derivative, thinly-disguised plagarised crap that fills TVs and movie screens may dry up?!?! Oh no, Joe, say it ain't so?!?! Whatever would we do?!?! Watch foreign films? Watch reruns? READ BOOKS!!?! Arrrrrrgghhh! I'll kill myself first!!!!

Wait a minute. You mean to tell me that someone actually WROTE the stuff that's on TV? Intentionally?

[LoveMyCali]

6. Wasn't the result of the last strike

the origin of reality TV? Think of the new onslaught of craptacular programs that might be beamed to your living room soon. :scared:

[Kutjara]

7. I think you may be right.

I can't even imagine what could be crappier than the current crop of tosh, but then I never was that imaginative. I can hardly wait.

[Lint Head]

3. Wow! Does that mean we'll have to read a book?

Oh no. What is the world coming too? :dem:

[Rick Myers]

4. The situation with several unions is QUITE IMPORTANT

It's time to update the contracts, and the blatant failure of Big Media to take advantage of New Media has put them in a VERY BAD position to negotiate from... If WGA, SAG and DGA can function together, they may get a deal, but with all the biggies using accounting tricks to make every project a 'loss,' it may be a hollow victory.

The problem is: The Big Media cannot comprehend New Media... The Inter Web and Internets are just tubes to them...

[villager]

5. Tied in to net neutrality, etc.

At least, as blogged about by Hollywood trade "Below the Line:"

http://www.btlnews.com/blog/archives/34

[FATNED]

8. A little surprised by the animosity here...

It seems to me that no matter the product, the quality of the product or even the wages paid for making the product, democrats should support these union members in their negotiations with massive, greedy conglomerates.

I'm a SAG member who scratches out a sometimes comfortable living as a non-name actor. The results of these WGA negotiations and next year's SAG negatiations will determine whether I continue to share, even to a miniscule degree, in the billions and billions of dollars raked in by these companies and made possible by my labor. Most working class actors like me (plus writers and directors) rely on residuals earned from TV/films/commercials played in a variety of expanding formats just to pay mortgages, rent and basic bills. Our old contracts don't adequately cover (or cover at all) new formats like computer downloads, ipod movies, cell phone content, etc. In the years to come, all of the big evil media companies that are often excoriated here at DU stand to rake in piles of money and as it stands, the labor used to make this content (and while it's not digging ditches, writers, actors and directors are most certainly workers struggling for our fair share) will earn an increasingly smaller percentage of these piles. If I provide a skill/service as an actor and you make money by selling the product over and over again on new formats, surely I deserve to be paid for helping you make that money. And surely no one at DU begrudges a worker from getting their fair share from management.

Sure I've got a bias but so would any worker fighting for a fair contract. As a life-long liberal, I've been pro-union since long before I was luckily enough to join SAG.

Believe me, these fights are about the working class members of these unions. Tom Cruise probaby doesn't bother himself with the minutiae of how many pennies per sold DVD a grunt actor makes (and it is literally pennies and is then split between all the actors who worked on the film) but most union members are truly and legitimately working-class, trying to string together enough odd jobs and hoping that $300 residual check arrives before the mortgage comes due. Okay, actually most members are out of work and making less than $5000 dollars a year; this contract is even more important for them if they hope to make a living one day and keep their union viable.

In any event, you can hate or not use the product they produce but please don't begrudge a group of workers trying to keep management fom busting their union. I think most American cars are crap but I always support US auto workers fighting for a fair contract.

[kernelfarmer]

9. I agree with Fatned

As UNION members, we need to stand by our sisters and brothers in all industries/services. I, for one, will turn off the TV if the WGA is forced to strike. I will also do all I can to support the WGA and spread the word locally about their strife, and round up community support in my area. That is was UNION membership is all about. An injury to one is an injury to all. WE must stick together.