critterdvd

They want job security and they don't want to be taken advantage of in their field. Right now they have barely any job security beyond next month and they get no residuals for DVD sales. That is like asking an author to be paid for a manuscript and not get some of the money for the sale of the book.

The strike is needed, and unfortunately it is happening in the midst of production time. Yes, April/May would have been the perfect time for a strike, but then the impact wouldn't be felt as much as then they might not get want should be coming to them.

I'm personally willing to sacrifice maybe half a season of television to know that the writers will be taken care of. 95% of actors and other crew members completely support this strike... what does that tell you?

chris_sc77

I'm willing to sacrifice a full season of shows for the studios if they tell the writers "Fuck off! We do not have to kind of money you people are wanting."

McHawkson

I'm not really looking forward for 7th day of 24, not after disappointed season (Day 6). And that they're bringing Tony back from death doesn't sounds good story.

CaptStormy

I agree with the writers on this one. Sure you may get a plum gig and get 250k for a season of a show. but what is to say that the gravy train will continue? These residuals for new mediums NEED to be addressed.

Stu 17

So if they are forced to pay the writers more money, where is the money going to come from?

Its not like its just sitting in a bank somewhere. Networks will need to advertise more or cut corners on production.

So we either get lower quality or more commercials. WHOOOOOOO!!!!!!

If they don't like the money they are making they should find other jobs. Unfortunately its such a simple answer people don't understand it.

rfduncan

Hmm. Now maybe I can find time to sit down and watch all the OZ seasons I've been meaning to finish. And watch Angel all the way through again! Hey! I got plenty to watch - stuff that the WGA is pissed off about not being compensated for on DVD!

CharlieK

The money will come from the revenue the networks make on the ad-supported online content. And you're already seeing more commercials! Did you see the 'webisodes' that 'The Office' produced last summer. That was all original content written by the show's writers. They didn't get paid for any of those, and there were 10, I believe. That is not fair. The network made money from the ads, but didn't share with the writers who wrote them.

Jeremy517

They don't have four cents per DVD sale?

DVD Josh

It's not just four cents. It's four cents more for the writers (8 total), THEN the SAG will want 8, and the producers and directors 8. All of the sudden, 12 is now 24. That's one of the big issues.

Original Desmond

All this writers strike is doing is making all writers targets for a huge beatdown when they meet fans of the shows they are messing with.

I am all for writers getting what they deserve but do it another way

WallyOPD

How does the current formula work for television shows? Is it 4 cents per DVD sale that then gets spread around to all of the writers who contributed to the episodes on that set? Is it 4 cents per writer? When I bought the Buffy complete series set instead of the 7 individual ones did that mean that the writers only got 4 cents instead of 28?

Jeremy517

How much do the actors, producers, and directors get now? I'd guess they get more than the writers do.

7Keys

Were you tied to a recliner or something?

Stu 17

Doesnt matter where the money specifically comes from. It all gets pooled together in the end. If the big wigs have to pay more without an increase in productivity, they would be losing money. So they will pass the costs onto the consumer, either via higher prices for dvd sales or more commercials.

How does any of this benefit the people that actually watch TV?

Comp625

Hi, please watch this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ55Ir2jCxk

Jackskeleton

BAW HA HA HA HAA HAHA.. What? Put down the crack pipe.

From the profits they are making. Go to NBC or The Daily Show and check out a web streamed episode. It's being brought to you by the folks of whoever is sponsoring it as you are forced to sit through ads. Those advertisers and their buck is what is suppose to pay the writers.

Can't watch heroes online unless you want to be asked if you want a pizza. And why are these writers entitled to this? Well, I would say because they were promised this back in the day. The took and agreed to the .4 cents in order to support home video. Now it's time to pay the piper. The studios may be taking a loss at the amount they will be getting in now, but it's a loss that they were fully aware was suppose to happen. Worse of all, they are calling the online streaming of the show a promotion so that they wont have to pay for that. Such bullshit.



And guess what, it's time the studios gave up hording the amounts. Becuase come summer those SAG and DGA members will be out with picket lines as well.

Actually, a lot of writers are getting support. Hell, you should see the picket lines. People come down with sodas and cookies. There is no bad blood with those who are actually using logic.


This is the best quote of everything

When you illegally download something and the network doesn't get any money for it, they call it piracy. But when you download something or watch streaming video with commercials and the writers don't get any money for it, the networks call it promotion.

dcprules

Too bad about 24. Yes, last season wasn't the greatest (though the first four hours were awesome) but I still enjoyed it enough and was really looking forward to my Jack Bauer Power Hour.

I say give me the eight episodes filmed. Spread it out once once every two weeks or once every month and I wouldn't mind.

Here's hoping this strike can be resolved next week or something. I don't think I can stand the non stop reality show/game show (Deal or No Deal will be on every night here pretty soon at this rate) lineup that is likely in store.

Jackskeleton

It's not completely dead. They are just going to start showing them after the strike and after more/all are completed. So season 7 will still happen.

critterdvd

Actors and producers already get a percentage...

aynrandgirl

What's improper about their compensation? Most software writers don't get royalties; they get their salary and that's it. What makes TV writers so special?

Jackskeleton

Because Writers already get royalties from syndication. What they don't get is residuals from internet streaming which is exactly the same as showing it again. The network gets the advertising dollar the same way as they would in syndication.

What the difference the network is saying is that streaming video is considered "promotion" instead of syndication in order to get out of paying that royalty they would have received.

Also, the deal for .4 cents was made as a lower amount in good faith to make it so that the studios would push harder for the home video market. It wasn't a big deal in 88, but it is a big deal now when home video sales are finally up and a key role. Shit, just going off inflation the .4 cents is off.

So what makes writers different than software programmers? Well, for one thing writing is not a stable gig compared to software programmers. For another it's like comparing apples and oranges. Might as well ask why Musicians or the song writers get residuals?

Ranger

Speaking of alternative forms of entertainment, this strike shouldn't affect comic books (reading is reading)?

Might as well ask that since Jackskeleton is here.

FinkPish

Interesting, looks like Fox might be airing the unaired 1994 pilot of "24." Check it out.

Jackskeleton

Comics aren't unionized. So nope. Hell, in a recent interview Joss Whedon said he would love to work on more comics, but he actually wants a steady paycheck.

Comics wont be effected at all by this.

Stu 17

Right, so less money coming into the network means they are going to have to make it up somewhere else.