11/30/2007

in

The familiar phrase "Possession is 9/10ths of the law" comes to mind.

Susie Kopecky

The writers strike rages as, as representatives of film and television firms and union representatives of the Writers Guild of America try to make headway, but as of yet are not successful in ending the strike. The Hollywood writers strike has been going on for over three weeks, and has made a difference in major programming. For instance, E! News reported yesterday that NBC will be adding additional reality T.V. programming to cover holes in the slots caused by no one writing new shows.  
  
VoA News reports that there is now a four day hold on negotiations, after yesterday's offers were rejected. The writers are striking against production companies as they feel they are not receiving high enough royalties from the use of their work when viewed in digital format.  
  
A VoA article reports that, "the writers would only make $250 from a year's re-use of an hour-long show on the Internet - a fraction of what they make for a network rerun."  
  
VoA reported the numbers as having a difference of about $21 million.  
  
Apparently the rejected offers last night were not that different in monetary value, but the two sides' negotiation teams did not agree. It is about according the writers greater respect. Often enough, the writers are not the focal points of a successful movie or television show, and perhaps according more prestige to an important job, an intangible change, is what needs to be focused on next. Frankly, the writers provide the fodder that attracts the viewers, so if the writers want $151 million more per year, that's not so far off from the reportedly offered $120 million. I don't want some amazing shows, new and old to disappear; I look forward to "Grey's Anatomy," "Pushing Daisies," "Reaper," and "Samantha Who," among others. The viewers are the customers, and as I learned from the job, the customer is always right. Please get those brilliant writers back to work!