Writers' Strike

[FilmBuff33172]

As we all know, the Writers' Guild of America called for - and got - a strike against television and movie studios over financial issues. Basically, what the writers want is a share of the revenue generated by content legally placed on the Internet by studios and networks, which the latter don't seem to want to divvy up with the script writers, who sometimes also are series creators and producers.

As a result, only those series which had a handful of episodes ready for production are airing new episodes, while others, like 24, have been forced to cancel this season's run.

How do you feel this will affect your television watching habits? The networks are already turning to "reality shows" to make up for missing scripted dramas or sitcoms. Will you watch more of these? Will you be on the Internet more? Or will you turn to DVDs, Xbox games, and even, dare I say it, books to while away your time?

[leedug]

To be honest it really doesn't affect me too much. I am much more of a movie watcher than a television watcher, and the few shows I do watch are either HBO shows or reality shows. So basically I will keep just doing what I have been doing, although I know many will be affected negatively by this.

[festciv]

To be honest it really doesn't affect me too much. I am much more of a movie watcher than a television watcher, and the few shows I do watch are either HBO shows or reality shows. So basically I will keep just doing what I have been doing, although I know many will be affected negatively by this.

If I recall right, the strike will affect movies not now in production but projected. We who have big video libraries will cope, but not everyone will.

[talkmaster]

It is not a good thing if it is dragging too long. I mean, how many non-writers will lose their jobs because of this? Movie is a big business and it's going to have some serious ripple effect if it continues for too long.

[DVDlover]

Considering that the networks have been cutting down on "traditional" dramas and comedies and going for the cheaper reality shows, viewers will have to either learn to love those shows, rent more movies from Netflix or Blockbuster, or hope that the strike ends before the next Fall season is seriously affected.

[simonfan05]

It is not a good thing if it is dragging too long. I mean, how many non-writers will lose their jobs because of this? Movie is a big business and it's going to have some serious ripple effect if it continues for too long.

I think quite a few non-writers are going to be hurt. You know all those names that scroll up during TV show and movie end credits that most people don't watch or tune out? Most of those will be collecting unemployment checks if the writers don't come to terms soon.

[Nightowl]

As a matter of fact, the studios are using this oppotunity to eliminate the projects and long-term production contracts. See this news:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/877c999c-c784-11dc-a0b4-0000779fd2ac.html

It's going to affect a LOT of people.

[alexfardreamer@aol.com]

As a writer who once had hoped to become a screenwriter, I understand why the Writers' Guild of America feels that the studios and networks short-change the writers whose thoughts and words are the blueprints for scripted shows and dramas. Hell, the way people refer to movies pretty much says it all; it's never "Robert Rodat's Saving Private Ryan or Melinda Mathison's E.T. - those are "Steven Spielberg's films." Maybe that's to be expected since the director has to coordinate the production crew and he/she does have lots of creative control and the ultimate responsibility, but still.

However, the WGA is basically going to screw everything up for lots of people, not just the viewers but also anyone involved in the production of TV shows and movies.

Does anyone have any idea of when feature films might be affected?

[festciv]

As we all know, the Writers' Guild of America called for - and got - a strike against television and movie studios over financial issues. Basically, what the writers want is a share of the revenue generated by content legally placed on the Internet by studios and networks, which the latter don't seem to want to divvy up with the script writers, who sometimes also are series creators and producers.

As a result, only those series which had a handful of episodes ready for production are airing new episodes, while others, like 24, have been forced to cancel this season's run.

How do you feel this will affect your television watching habits? The networks are already turning to "reality shows" to make up for missing scripted dramas or sitcoms. Will you watch more of these? Will you be on the Internet more? Or will you turn to DVDs, Xbox games, and even, dare I say it, books to while away your time?


Although it's too late to salvage the season's run for 24, I read today in the newspaper that the writers and the studios have come closer to reaching an agreement over the sticky issue of Internet revenue sharing. As they say in TV, stay tuned!

[ken7700]

For me being a part-time writer I really find it crazy. I wish I got half the money they are getting. They should be happy they have a job and go back to work. Many people are losing their job and they are paid well for what they do.

[cassie]

I haven't heard about this. I am sure millions of other writers are ready to get in line to take over their jobs. We have so many movies and shows out that I don't think this will cause a big problem.