Why They Fight… the Writers Guild Speak Out!
A 4 minute video, clearly outlining just why it is that the writers have gone on strike in Hollywood. I knew all of this already, but if anyone out there is confused, make sure to take a look. It really is clear, and very helpful!
The WGA (Writers Guild of America) also have their own YouTube channel, where they have more videos. Such videos include news updates, log’s and speeches.
I’ll be attempting to interview a few writers, as well as some other media personalities who are affected by this strike. I want to help these guys, because one day, I wouldn’t mind having one of their jobs.
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Comments
I have a question. I’m not asking this ironically, or sarcastically or anything. I’m honestly curious. Why don’t writers just get paid a normal salary with benefits like other people?
Why did they strike now on their own? Ask them why they didn’t wait till the other industry guilds contracts are up for reneweal next year and then go all in as a collective bargining negotions.
Your better off, quick call of the strike now and get back into in next year!
A sense of entitlement is something to be cherished.
The entertainment industry never ceases to amaze me.
In an ideal world the credit cycle should benefit the writers, then the directors, then the actors, and last of all the producers. But, life is not fair. I definitely agree on this strike and support it, even if I have to wait for my favorite show to get interesting again.
Television writers are employees. Song writers and book authors are usually self employed artists. When I go to my corporate boss with a cost saving plan I don’t get residuals on it at my company…
Hey y’all… I’m a striking writer and wanted to answer some of the questions above…
Why don’t writers just get paid a normal salary with benefits like other people?
Because a writing gig typically lasts only a few months (in the case of a feature script), or a few years max (in the case of a TV show). But even a few years is pretty rare. Most shows that are written never even have a pilot shot. Most of THOSE never make it to air. Of THOSE few that are broadcast, most are canceled very quickly, after only a few episodes. And even those that do have long runs STILL turn over writers every so often (which may be one reason why one season is good and another might suck then things might get good again). Writers- working writers that is- frequently bounce around from show to show and gig to gig with huge week, month, or even years-long gaps between employment. Thus most writers have long periods of no work, during which we spend time writing “spec” (ie, unpaid) scripts or working on ideas that we hope we can sell.
The point is, there’s usually no single employer over the course of a writer’s career who might give us the benefits/salary you asked about. The writer’s guild went on strike in the 1960s, which resulted in a pension and health care program. Today, WGA members look to the union for these things (There is a WGA pension, a WGA health care program, etc.)
Hope that answers your question..
Why did they strike now on their own? Ask them why they didn’t wait till the other industry guilds contracts are up for reneweal next year and then go all in as a collective bargining negotions.
Great question– the truth is that this is exactly what everyone EXPECTED the writer’s guild to do– wait until the screen actor’s guild’s contract expired in June and THEN strike at the same time with them.
As a result, the companies were just beginning to prepare for a June strike (by starting to stockpile scripts and shoot more TV episodes and films earlier than they would otherwise), and the WGA leaders determined that a strike in November right when their contract expired would catch the studios off guard.
Another advantage of striking early is that the WGA interrupt the current television season. A strike in the summer when many shows are in reruns could only affect the next fall’s season.
On that last point, so far, the WGA seems to have been pretty successful.
Hope that helps.
A WGA member.
In all seriousness, WGA member, that entitles you to what? Granted, the studios get way too much for these shows, but the driving factor behind royalties is ownership of rights, not writing credit.
Why not become the producers and distributors? David Kelley alone whould have the seed cash for the start-up. Seriously, I think the pool you swim in makes the whole deal a tough sell to the customers of these “properties”, who are a bit tired of overpaying themselves and being told they’re criminals for logical fair use. If the WGA wants the support of the public (I assume from your publicity campaign) a quid-pro-quo would be in order. Otherwise, why not let the whole damn thing burn down and start over?
[…] Why They Fight - The Writers Guild Speaks Out! We’ve all heard about the WGA Strike in Hollywood. But, do we all understand why it is happening? The Writers Guild have now spoke out on why they are on strike, and here’s the video… (via Digg). […]
someone on the Beeb site commented that beginning script writers would get their break during the strike, only to be reminded (by another commenter) that such action would bar them from the Guild forever… which is fair enough. I’m on the writer’s side as well.