Why Hollywood may be shutting down Monday...

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EJ Pennypacker

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Incase you've not noticed on the news (it hasn't got massive coverage) the WGA and AMPTP have been butting heads on various contract issues of late, and a strike is to go ahead this Monday, 5th Nov, 2007.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO THE WRITER ON THIS BOARD?

No material would be read by any WGA-sig Studio/Company, or likely, any agent. I would imagine managers would still seek out new talent. but for mostly all of us, it seems highly likely that Hollywood is likely to be put on lock-down until these issues are resolved. In simple terms, NO BUYING OR READING OF SPECS BY WGA-SIG COMPANIES.

Obviously Non-Sig companies and such aren't going to be affected by this outcome, but anyone who chases material up the pole to the WGA-sig studios will see doors closed everywhere they look.

it's also imporant to know that if you do sell a spec or get work in this time of strike, and you'd like to be considered for WGA membership when this all blows over, listen carefully and research the following fully, DOING SO MAY VERY WELL BAR ANY FUTURE MEMBERSHIP TO THE WGA. That's right, even if you do sell a script or get work and you want that work to be considered for 'points' towards the WGA, they may black-list you in the future. That said, don't worry about companies that have no interest to WGA points system nor indie outfits that have no interest either. Those you can sell and sleep safely.

On the plus side, those who know all about this know it's a great time to get your head down and really nail down those specs into place so when this does all blow over, you have material that's in excellent shape to send out.

Hollywood Reporter link below:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3iffd111966f0eedab6711aba177715e47?imw=Y

EJ
 
Not a WGA fan

Not a WGA fan

I recently signed a contract with an agent on one particular script, and in that contract it said ...

1. It is understood that Alex Whitmer (writer) is not a professional writer as that term is defined in the WGA Basic Agreement.

Guess I need to see what that BA says before I draw conclusions.

This from a dictionary ...

Professional:

  1. engaged in a specified occupation for pay or as a means of livelihood. a professional writer or athlete.
www.alexwhitmer.wordpress.com


www.guerro.wordpress.com
 
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I recently signed a contract with an agent on one particular script, and in that contract it said ...

1. It is understood that Alex Whitmer (writer) is not a professional writer as that term is defined in the WGA Basic Agreement.

Guess I need to see what that BA says before I draw conclusions.

This from a dictionary ...

  1. engaged in a specified occupation for pay or as a means of livelihood. a professional writer or athlete.
www.alexwhitmer.wordpress.com

www.guerro.wordpress.com




The people I know who have done non WGA signatory deals have gotten hosed.
 
Found it

Found it

A “professional writer” means any person who has (1)
received employment for a total of thirteen (13) weeks as
a television, motion picture or radio writer, or (2) has
received credit on the screen as a writer for a television
or theatrical motion picture, or (3) has received credit for
three (3) original stories or one (1) teleplay for a program
one-half hour or more in length in the field of live
television, or (4) has received credit for three (3) radio
scripts for radio programs one-half hour or more in
length, or (5) has received credit for one (1)
professionally produced play on the legitimate stage or
one (1) published novel.
 
I'll take that chance.

Little too much like organized religion for my taste.

A

www.alexwhitmer.wordpress.com

www.guerro.wordpress.com


Not at all. Even with the guild writers get hosed. Writers have historically been exploited by Hollywood. The guild exists in part to mitigate that.

If you're ever in LA stop by the WGAwest office. It's no teamster local. The fact is, most of the membership struggles and aren't making 6 picture deals with Dreamworks. And one of the things that keeps writers from living in dumpsters is residuals--one of the major bones of contention.

All I can say is visit the WGA. You'll see.
 
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Then you sir, are an fool, and have no comprehension of how the system works.

And the sheep marched on!!


Brian ...

Well, I don't live in the US, and will probabaly never visit LA, but I'll take your word for it. I guess my experience with unions has never been good.

I prefer to make descisions without a third party's help. And yes, even if it means less money. I write for the purity of story, not the bucks. In an industry driven by the almighty dollar, I know this is blasphemous.

A

www.alexwhitmer.wordpress.com

www.guerro.wordpress.com
 
I'll take that chance.

Little too much like organized religion for my taste.

A

www.alexwhitmer.wordpress.com

www.guerro.wordpress.com

Complete nonsense. I see where this is going and I would suggest a lock before it gets ugly. Not a good time to bash the union and what they stand for. They feed writers in this town and now many will be broke, fighting for a just cause. One that someday you will be a part of the second you get the opportunity, or get shafted.

Cool your jets.
 
I merely stated I would take less money before I belonged to a union. The reaction was a little sharp by some. Not my jets that need cooling.

I have personal reasons for not wanting to work with a union. It's purely philisophical of course, but it's a boundry I stand by. I'm not knocking it for those who like what it offers. It's a 'to-each-their-own' issue.

Fact is you don't need a union to eat, as you alluded to. Just like you don't need an army of Attorneys to live in harmony.

I hope the strike is over with quickly, and that all sides find an amicable middle ground. I understand a lot of writers depend on just that. But at the same time, it is for that reason (one anyways) that I do not belong to a union, nor ever will.

Just my take. Others will differ.

Maybe you can enlighten me as to why, as a screenwriter, being in a union is a better bet than than the contrary. Why do I need a third party to speak for me?

Alex

www.alexwhitmer.wordpress.com

www.guerro.wordpress.com
 
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This is a different age. YouTube doesn't care whether there is a WGA strike. If this goes on and TV languishes, this may be the big spark which launches internet-based content as a major force.
 
I would suggest a lock before it gets ugly.

Great idea. Lets slam the door on discourse.


Being a writer of films is not a one-dimentional endeavor. Some writers work 9-5 for television, others sit in dark attics and pound the keys in hopes of writing the perfect screenplay. Some want the picket fence, while others nurture vise and voice.

Some consider it a craft, others an art. Some even approach it like a science, methodical in their sturcture and analysis.

I suppose the union works fine for the 'working' writer that depends on (or has become accustomed to) a certain standard of living. But it isn't for everyone. I sure as hell would not want somebody speaking for me, nor telling me when I can and cannot write. But that's just me.

I am of the opinion that far too many 'workers' from all manners of employment cling to unions like a suckling baby. And when the teet runs dry, there's bloody hell to pay.

I look forward to the day when fairness is instinct, not regulated.

One can always hope.

www.alexwhitmer.wordpress.com

www.guerro.wordpress.com
 
This is a different age. If this goes on and TV languishes, this may be the big spark which launches internet-based content as a major force.

except that internet based content is one of the issues on the table--perhaps the biggest issue.
 
Great idea. Lets slam the door on discourse.


Being a writer of films is not a one-dimentional endeavor. Some writers work 9-5 for television, others sit in dark attics and pound the keys in hopes of writing the perfect screenplay. Some want the picket fence, while others nurture vise and voice.

Some consider it a craft, others an art. Some even approach it like a science, methodical in their sturcture and analysis.

I suppose the union works fine for the 'working' writer that depends on (or has become accustomed to) a certain standard of living. But it isn't for everyone. I sure as hell would not want somebody speaking for me, nor telling me when I can and cannot write. But that's just me.

I am of the opinion that far too many 'workers' from all manners of employment cling to unions like a suckling baby. And when the teet runs dry, there's bloody hell to pay.

I look forward to the day when fairness is instinct, not regulated.

One can always hope.

www.alexwhitmer.wordpress.com

www.guerro.wordpress.com
Considering how the studios would be glad to pay you as little as possible, take away your deserved writing credits and give them to the producer's brother, and stop paying you residuals because they think that it won't be worth it for you to sue them, I'm not sure how the union is the problem here.

The WGA gives writers bargaining power. The Guild's Minimum Basic Agreement saves writers money on attorney fees, because they don't need to renegotiate it all every time they strike a deal. The WGA ensures that the studios pay you for your writing, because it is harder to screw a WGA writer than a non-WGA writer.

If you only want to write low-budget independent films, go ahead and stay out of the guild, but if you want to write larger films, you need to be in the WGA.
 
The WGA ensures that the studios pay you for your writing,
ookay...

because it is harder to screw a WGA writer than a non-WGA writer.
Error!

If the WGA "ensures" that you get paid, then it must be impossible to screw a WGA writer. Otherwise, the WGA doesn't "ensure" anything.
 
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