OSCARS May be Cancelled
01-01-08 | 09:24 AM
#51
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Originally Posted by chris_sc77
^Yeah I am sure everyone buying the DVD is buying it to watch the interview segments with that asshole. He should be willing to participate in extras for the fans because that is what the supplements would be for. Not the studio...the people that have watched whatever show he made for years and therefore provided him with the money that he did get paid for the work he actually did. Participating in an interview/featurette/documentary like the one that asshole is describing is not work.
I may not care enough about some studio hack or 3rd tier writer but I would definitely be swayed towards a purchase by an interview by Harlan Ellison, especially considering how entertaining he is. Ellison is infamous for being contentious, contrary, and the antithesis of politically correct.
01-01-08 | 09:56 AM
#52
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Here are the WGA's contract proposals, if you're interested. IIRC, the key sticking points are internet streaming and bringing the writers of animated and reality shows under the union contract. From the looks of it, most of the other issues, could probably be negotiated.
http://www.wga.org/contract_07/proposalsfull2.pdf
IIRC, on the streaming issue, I think I read someplace that ad revenues were $120 million for the industry this year for content that is free to view. As you can see from the proposals, they are asking for 2.5%, so the aggregate dollars currently aren't huge. Of course, the real issue is what happens 5 or 10 years down the road.
http://www.wga.org/contract_07/proposalsfull2.pdf
IIRC, on the streaming issue, I think I read someplace that ad revenues were $120 million for the industry this year for content that is free to view. As you can see from the proposals, they are asking for 2.5%, so the aggregate dollars currently aren't huge. Of course, the real issue is what happens 5 or 10 years down the road.
01-01-08 | 10:18 AM
#53
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Originally Posted by Brian Shannon
Not in the least, never have watched, never will.
01-01-08 | 10:47 AM
#54
My favorite movies have never won Oscars, and I can count the watchable parts of the ceremonies I've seen on one hand. I didn't watch last year, and I could be bothered this year.
I'm a aspiring screenwriter and I have to add to the sub-thread as it were. The gist of the strike is the residuals: on DVDs it's actually 0.3% currently. That's how Hollywood makes the body of it's profits nowadays, so multiply $3 for every grand a DVD makes, and multiply that into millions, hundreds of millions....get the picture? For the theatrical release, it's 2.5%, and for Internet broadcast? Zip. Goose eggs.
The WGA originally wanted to double residuals, but went in understanding they would have to compromise some things. The producers disregarded the whole residuals thing and offered a flat rate of $250 for a series download, among other stupid suggestions. Needless to say, the strike rages on.
A striker's take is here: http://bulletin.triggerstreet.com/viewtopic.php?t=42082 (it's members only BTW). As to Mr. Ellison, I admit I laughed at his curmudgeon act, but I grated when he made fun of Hollywood hopefuls working for free. EVERYONE who wants into DA BIZ does all the pro bono work they can physically do to get discovered, and Mr. Ellison knows that. Or does he pay his interns a middle class wage and benefits? So he's an asshole but he is correct about everything he says, so you have to respect that.
I'm a aspiring screenwriter and I have to add to the sub-thread as it were. The gist of the strike is the residuals: on DVDs it's actually 0.3% currently. That's how Hollywood makes the body of it's profits nowadays, so multiply $3 for every grand a DVD makes, and multiply that into millions, hundreds of millions....get the picture? For the theatrical release, it's 2.5%, and for Internet broadcast? Zip. Goose eggs.
The WGA originally wanted to double residuals, but went in understanding they would have to compromise some things. The producers disregarded the whole residuals thing and offered a flat rate of $250 for a series download, among other stupid suggestions. Needless to say, the strike rages on.
A striker's take is here: http://bulletin.triggerstreet.com/viewtopic.php?t=42082 (it's members only BTW). As to Mr. Ellison, I admit I laughed at his curmudgeon act, but I grated when he made fun of Hollywood hopefuls working for free. EVERYONE who wants into DA BIZ does all the pro bono work they can physically do to get discovered, and Mr. Ellison knows that. Or does he pay his interns a middle class wage and benefits? So he's an asshole but he is correct about everything he says, so you have to respect that.
01-01-08 | 11:23 AM
#55
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Originally Posted by chris_sc77
Wow, that guy is the biggest fucking asshole I have seen in weeks. No wonder the studios can't reach agreements with the WGA if this is representative of the people they have to deal with.
I don't agree with him about the interview, since I'm certain people do those for free, in order to publicize whatever they've worked on, but if he wrote something he shouldn't have to provide it out of the goodness of his black little heart.
01-01-08 | 12:26 PM
#56
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From: Bellefontaine, Ohio
Originally Posted by DeputyDave
Check a little known forum called DVDTalk and see how many people complain about a lack of special features. Look and see how many posters say "No special features = no sale".
I may not care enough about some studio hack or 3rd tier writer but I would definitely be swayed towards a purchase by an interview by Harlan Ellison, especially considering how entertaining he is. Ellison is infamous for being contentious, contrary, and the antithesis of politically correct.
I may not care enough about some studio hack or 3rd tier writer but I would definitely be swayed towards a purchase by an interview by Harlan Ellison, especially considering how entertaining he is. Ellison is infamous for being contentious, contrary, and the antithesis of politically correct.
The chick called him up and asked to use a vintage interview this dude had already gave and it would be something special for the fans. It's not like she said drive yourself over to the studio and participate in this project. If that was the case yes he should have been paid.
This was something for which he was probably already paid for. I am sure he did not participate on the original interview just out of the goodness (or in t his case blackness) of his heart.
I dont think the studio would be gaining any additional revenue to have had the inertview on the set so the only ones getting fucked are the fans. And the fans are the people who have already supported whatever show it was by watching it and also supporting it by buying the DVD in the first place.
01-01-08 | 12:46 PM
#57
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Originally Posted by brianluvdvd
As far as the writers strike goes, I could care less what happens. If they get what they want, great...if not, great. Their strike isn't affecting me personally.
01-01-08 | 01:03 PM
#58
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Originally Posted by MoviePage
And yet, since your user name is brianluvdvd, it may very well affect you personally before it's over.
I'm sure some people could honestly say that this strike isn't going to affect them personally. I don't really give a rat's arse about most TV, and if movies stop getting made for a while, I can fall back on the enormous catalogue of movies already released that I have not yet seen.
, but only an 8 episode season of Lost affects me greatly. 
01-01-08 | 02:22 PM
#61
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From: Building attractions one theme park at a time.
Originally Posted by brianluvdvd
Not at all. I dislike all of the award shows and watch none of them...including the crappy Oscars.
The Oscars rarely get it right with their awards or even their nominees and all it has become is a chance to watch a bunch of preening obnoxious arrogant peacocks strut around.
I love movies but hate the Oscars. Add me in the bunch that say "Fuck 'em."
As far as the writers strike goes, I could care less what happens. If they get what they want, great...if not, great. Their strike isn't affecting me personally.
The Oscars rarely get it right with their awards or even their nominees and all it has become is a chance to watch a bunch of preening obnoxious arrogant peacocks strut around.
I love movies but hate the Oscars. Add me in the bunch that say "Fuck 'em."
As far as the writers strike goes, I could care less what happens. If they get what they want, great...if not, great. Their strike isn't affecting me personally.
01-01-08 | 02:30 PM
#62
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we do know if the Oscars do go ahead, we are going to get every actor and presenter saying their bit about the strike, comedically or otherwise
It will get old real quick
It will get old real quick
01-01-08 | 05:21 PM
#63
Are the writers gonna start striking against their own union? I assume the majority of writers are taking a beating financially speaking. I'm quite sure the studios can holdout a lot longer. But of course like most unions, they have a bottom line in mind, and never the actual working individual.
01-01-08 | 08:34 PM
#64
DVD Talk Legend
One of the main reasons I'm looking forward to the Oscars this year is that I was hoping Once would be nominated for Best Original Song, and I really wanted to see them perform it live. Just another one of the many reasons I'm looking forward to the show this year.
01-01-08 | 09:20 PM
#65
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by mllefoo
Actually, Harlan Ellison is a well-known asshole, but he's right. He shouldn't have to work for free.
Of course, actors and directors get royalties for the DVDs, and critics/historians get a chance to plug their books. Writers, until they get the concessions they're demanding, don't have a reason to care whether the DVD sells well and have no reason to participate unless they're paid.
As for Ellison, he'll probably sue DVD Talk for linking to that YouTube interview.
01-01-08 | 09:43 PM
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I haven't really cared about the Oscars for at least a decade. They need some fresh blood. They were getting close with host like Jon Stewart and Chris Rock but then I guess they offended too many people so we go back to the sterile Ellen, Billy Crystal, and whoever else hosted since then.
01-02-08 | 12:30 AM
#68
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Originally Posted by whoopdido
I don't know if that's true or not but I find that absolutely ridiculous.
It doesn't matter what the "higher ups" make. Everybody has their part. That's like saying that the janitor at the Walmart headquarters should strike because the CEO makes more money than he does. Well, the janitor cleans the frickin floors and takes out the garbage while the CEO makes decisions that affects hundreds of thousands of employees and millions of customers.
Boo hoo if the networks make a lot of money. Be it fate or circumstance or hard work but those in that position are there and the writers are in their own position. Like I said before, if they don't like it they can find another job.
The "higher ups" will ALWAYS make money. That's just how it is. If you don't like that move to Cuba. That's how capitalism works.
Again, I honestly don't know how much money the writers make. Like I said before, if they make $17,000 while the network executives make millions then yeah...they're underpaid and probably deseve more money. However, if they make $250,000 writing cliched sitcoms and they feel they deserve $500,000 then screw em. That's why I would love to know exactly how much more money they want. Again, it's irrelevant how much money their superiors make. The issue is how much money they are worth.
It would be so much easier for me to support the WGA if I could see that they make whatever per year and all they want is a 5% increase in pay and an insurance package. However, nobody has been able to tell me what, exactly, they want.
It doesn't matter what the "higher ups" make. Everybody has their part. That's like saying that the janitor at the Walmart headquarters should strike because the CEO makes more money than he does. Well, the janitor cleans the frickin floors and takes out the garbage while the CEO makes decisions that affects hundreds of thousands of employees and millions of customers.
Boo hoo if the networks make a lot of money. Be it fate or circumstance or hard work but those in that position are there and the writers are in their own position. Like I said before, if they don't like it they can find another job.
The "higher ups" will ALWAYS make money. That's just how it is. If you don't like that move to Cuba. That's how capitalism works.
Again, I honestly don't know how much money the writers make. Like I said before, if they make $17,000 while the network executives make millions then yeah...they're underpaid and probably deseve more money. However, if they make $250,000 writing cliched sitcoms and they feel they deserve $500,000 then screw em. That's why I would love to know exactly how much more money they want. Again, it's irrelevant how much money their superiors make. The issue is how much money they are worth.
It would be so much easier for me to support the WGA if I could see that they make whatever per year and all they want is a 5% increase in pay and an insurance package. However, nobody has been able to tell me what, exactly, they want.
01-02-08 | 12:33 AM
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Originally Posted by chris_sc77
All i know is I will never support any work that Ellison has been involved with after seeing that video. I wouldn't want one fraction of penny going to that ass.
And if you own The Terminator, Babylon 5, Star Trek (or at least "City on the Edge of Forever"), and the 80's Twlight Zone series, among others, better toss them out, too.
01-02-08 | 05:33 AM
#71
Originally Posted by GreenVulture
You're missing out on a lot of great writing, then.
And if you own The Terminator, Babylon 5, Star Trek (or at least "City on the Edge of Forever"), and the 80's Twlight Zone series, among others, better toss them out, too.
And if you own The Terminator, Babylon 5, Star Trek (or at least "City on the Edge of Forever"), and the 80's Twlight Zone series, among others, better toss them out, too.
01-02-08 | 06:20 AM
#72
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Originally Posted by Original Desmond
It's not the same because the guy who takes out the garbage can be replaced just like that. He is not in any way responsible for the generation of the profits. In the case of Friends, you couldn't just replace all 6 cast members and expect the same level of success, they are key in generating the revenue. Ditto for the writers. without their writing, a show won't be successful.
I'm not saying that anyone here said it, but I often hear complaining about how big companies and networks (and sports organizations) are "evil", and that the talent deserves all the money. No.
Edit to add: Yep, Harlan Ellison is a world class ahole, but darn can he write. You'd be silly to ignore his stuff just because you don't agree with one interview.
01-02-08 | 06:49 AM
#73
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Originally Posted by rw2516
The original Outer Limits too.
01-02-08 | 09:44 AM
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From: Bellefontaine, Ohio
Originally Posted by GreenVulture
You're missing out on a lot of great writing, then.
And if you own The Terminator, Babylon 5, Star Trek (or at least "City on the Edge of Forever"), and the 80's Twlight Zone series, among others, better toss them out, too.
And if you own The Terminator, Babylon 5, Star Trek (or at least "City on the Edge of Forever"), and the 80's Twlight Zone series, among others, better toss them out, too.