Hollywood Writers' Strike

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

According to payscale.com, the median salary for screenwriters in LA is 130,000. I had seen higher salaries reported in recent articles about the strike.

Yowza. I am in the wrong line of work. 'Course, with my lack of a network (a) in that field and (b) in LA, my chances of becoming a screenwriter are slim to none, and slim just left town.

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

If they don't resolve this soon, it will probably be Reality shows out the yin-yang...even more so than now.

Sorority Life 4, anyone??!?!

[DolphinChicaDDD]

I heard that the producers of Lost might not start the season in Feb 08 as planned, because they want the whole season at once, but in Feb 09 instead. I'll be super pissed if that happens.

[ZTABullwinkle]

Fox has cancelled "24" for the year. "The Office" has also shut down production, because several members of the cast (Steve Carrell included) would not cross the picket line to film the episodes they have scripts for.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by ZTABullwinkle

Fox has cancelled "24" for the year.

YAGH!!! As in, no hope of having any 24 at all this year? Even if the strike is resolved? Still no 24???

[Tippiechick]

There are no shows without the writers. They are actually more important, in my mind, than the actors. Pay them the damn money. They sure earn it.

[Kevlar281]

The Office is Closed

[Kevin]

Who cares what it looks like to everyone else? These are creative people who put out a unique product. They are leveraging that in order to make a more fair cut on these other areas. Studios have started making money in different areas without considering the writers. Why shouldn't the writers get a cut?

Really good writers should be every bit as well compensated as really good actors.

And hair stylists? Makeup people? Completely interchangeable. Put out a want ad and 100 people will send resumés.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by Kevlar281

The Office is Closed

Boo!! Pay them! I want my Office back!!!!

[nittanyalum]

This is a really good explanation of why the writers are striking -- it's not like they're asking for the world for heaven's sake, PAY THEM the stinkin' 4 more cents, stop robbing them on the DVDs AND GET OUR SHOWS BACK!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ55Ir2jCxk

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Really good writers should be every bit as well compensated as really good actors.

Exactly.

[smiley21]

Originally Posted by ZTABullwinkle

Fox has cancelled "24" for the year. "The Office" has also shut down production, because several members of the cast (Steve Carrell included) would not cross the picket line to film the episodes they have scripts for.

As for the "The Office" actors, I say good for them. I am seeing a lot of actors standing behind the writers. It could be because the actors know that the writers need support. Then again, I also think the actors know better than to bite the hand that feeds them. I agree that without the writers, there is no television.

I heard something silly on the news about reality shows. The hosts of "Dancing With The Stars" had to ad lib because there were no writers. *GASP* You mean reality shows may have to start being based on actual reality???

[ZTABullwinkle]

Originally Posted by smiley21

I heard something silly on the news about reality shows. The hosts of "Dancing With The Stars" had to ad lib because there were no writers. *GASP* You mean reality shows may have to start being based on actual reality???

I think that is what is bugging me so much about the late night shows and reality shows during the strike. Conan, David and Jay are all comics. Do they really not have a big enough brain to WRITE THEIR OWN MATERIAL?!?!?

I have to agree with all the previous posters. This is beyond ridiculous. It is more than apparent that even with the best actors, the WRITERS are the ones who are more responsible for the success of the show.

On another note, I am not sorry to see SNL dark. That show has become painful to watch.

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by smiley21

As for the "The Office" actors, I say good for them. I am seeing a lot of actors standing behind the writers. It could be because the actors know that the writers need support. Then again, I also think the actors know better than to bite the hand that feeds them. I agree that without the writers, there is no television.

I heard something silly on the news about reality shows. The hosts of "Dancing With The Stars" had to ad lib because there were no writers. *GASP* You mean reality shows may have to start being based on actual reality???

Most of the Office Actors are also writers. So they're nearly all on strike in the first place.

Originally Posted by ZTABullwinkle

I think that is what is bugging me so much about the late night shows and reality shows during the strike. Conan, David and Jay are all comics. Do they really not have a big enough brain to WRITE THEIR OWN MATERIAL?!?!?

Conan, David, Jay, Jon, Stephen are ALL writers guild members. They can't/won't cross their own picket line. Add that into the idea that one person should come up with 45 minutes of new material a day all week? No one person can do that. Most stand up comics use the same routine(s) regularly with only small tweaks and changes

[squirrely girl]

can't say i blame them. after watching the youtube video from the office writers i think its a bunch of bs that these writers aren't being appropriately compensated. that info 'bout the webisodes is complete hooey.

[skylark]

I support the strike... the way that people watch shows has changed (more people watch on the internet or by DVD/netflix), which affects the way studios make their money. The formulas and methods for writer compensation should change, accordingly, to keep up.