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So what exactly happens if this strike does last into the next TV season? If July rolls around and returning shows can't start filming due to a lack of scripts, are the actors still under contract on those shows or will they get released at some point? This concerns me with a series like Lost which has such a huge cast.
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I imagine that it's a show by show concern. There is probably some cost to keeping everyone under contract, even when everyone is striking. If the show isn't good enough to make the cut, maybe the show is canceled and everybody is free to strike while jobless instead of striking while employed. At the same time, the cost probably isn't all that great. With shows visible enough or with high enough ratings, I imagine everyone remains under contract.
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So when exactly is the 'point of no return' for the 2007-2008 season? I know many shows have already used up all episodes, while many also have 1-3 episodes left..
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Originally Posted by Doughboy
If July rolls around and returning shows can't start filming due to a lack of scripts, are the actors still under contract on those shows or will they get released at some point?
Now I have been reading this thread for a while, and I'm confused a little. Some people here are talking about the networks, but isn't in fact the STUDIOS that are responsible for the strike? While ABC does own Buena Vista/Touchstone (responsible for Scrubs, LOST and Desperate Housewives), it is the production side that has the beef. The networks feel the brunt of it because they are losing revenue from advertising. The studios (not the networks) are trying to prevent more revenue being given to the writers for DVD and internet usage. Right? :hscratch: |
Interesting development:
Globes, Oscars stricken By Tim Surette - TV.com December 19, 2007 at 12:34:00 PM | more stories by this author Writers guild says awards shows won't get their support or permission to use old clips; stars ponder attending. This year's Golden Globes and Oscars could lack the luster usually attributed to the two awards shows, as the writers strike has forced some changes to the annual events. On Monday, the Writers Guild of America denied standard requests from the producers of both shows, a move that could greatly affect how both are run, according to Bloomberg. Dick Clark Productions, which runs the Golden Globes, won't have the assistance of WGA writers to pen its presentations, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which handles the Academy Awards, does not have permission to use clips from old films, something normally used in the event's tributes. More damaging to the shows was actually how the WGA will participate in the Golden Globes--they'll attend, but mostly on the sidewalk holding signs. The WGA told Variety that it plans to picket the Golden Globes, which could deter some stars from participating. The Screen Actors Guild has been very supportive of the WGA since the onset of the strike, and many stars feel that attending the awards show is crossing the picket line, both literally and figuratively. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the side on the other end of the strike, continued its attack on the union in the wake of the WGA's decisions. "In the category of Worst Supporting Union, the nominee is the WGA," says a post on the organization's Web site. The post also accuses the WGA of hurting its own members, the city of Los Angeles, and "the creative artists who deserve to be honored for their work over the last year." Without writers, the awards shows could be even more awkward than normal, with actors having no teleprompter jokes they typically stumble through. Producers of the show are also weary of vocal actors speaking out against the AMPTP and the studios when they're at the podium. The Golden Globe Awards show takes place January 13. Whoever is in charge of censoring the telecast better be ready. Well not to mention that if the strike perpetuates, what will be available for nominations next year? I bet something some studio deemed so crumby that it was relegated to a canister in a dusty storage locker somewhere will end up being nominated for best picture. |
Originally Posted by Jimmy James
The networks may be bound and determined to see this go for a long time, but this is a movie and TV strike. Unless there is some sort of schism and the WGA signs contracts for motion pictures but not for television, I can't believe that the studios and independents are willing to see summer 2009 and beyond go right into the shitter.
Writers guild says awards shows won't get their support or permission to use old clips |
If the strike goes too far into 2008, isn't it possible that the networks could just import overseas programming to fill slots?
Same goes for the big movie studios. Couldn't they just buy the rights to US distribution for a shitload of foreign films and plunk those into the theaters? I'm sure it's not as simple as that, but isn't this possible? It would keep some advertisers on board as well as put a little bit of money into the networks' & studios' pockets, right? |
Originally Posted by DRG
I can understand not attending and not writing anything for the show, but this just seems like a dick move to me. Don't you just love it when there is no clear cut good or bad guy? |
Originally Posted by superdeluxe
So when exactly is the 'point of no return' for the 2007-2008 season? I know many shows have already used up all episodes, while many also have 1-3 episodes left..
Your talking about 12 weeks minimum to maybe get 6 more episodes in the can before the 2007-08 season is officially done. Is that possible? Sure, but with the way things are going with no progress being made, it's looking doubtful right now. |
Originally Posted by rfduncan
Interesting development:
Quote: Globes, Oscars stricken By Tim Surette - TV.com December 19, 2007 at 12:34:00 PM | more stories by this author Writers guild says awards shows won't get their support or permission to use old clips; stars ponder attending. This year's Golden Globes and Oscars could lack the luster usually attributed to the two awards shows, as the writers strike has forced some changes to the annual events. On Monday, the Writers Guild of America denied standard requests from the producers of both shows, a move that could greatly affect how both are run, according to Bloomberg. Dick Clark Productions, which runs the Golden Globes, won't have the assistance of WGA writers to pen its presentations, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which handles the Academy Awards, does not have permission to use clips from old films, something normally used in the event's tributes. More damaging to the shows was actually how the WGA will participate in the Golden Globes--they'll attend, but mostly on the sidewalk holding signs. The WGA told Variety that it plans to picket the Golden Globes, which could deter some stars from participating. The Screen Actors Guild has been very supportive of the WGA since the onset of the strike, and many stars feel that attending the awards show is crossing the picket line, both literally and figuratively. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the side on the other end of the strike, continued its attack on the union in the wake of the WGA's decisions. "In the category of Worst Supporting Union, the nominee is the WGA," says a post on the organization's Web site. The post also accuses the WGA of hurting its own members, the city of Los Angeles, and "the creative artists who deserve to be honored for their work over the last year." Without writers, the awards shows could be even more awkward than normal, with actors having no teleprompter jokes they typically stumble through. Producers of the show are also weary of vocal actors speaking out against the AMPTP and the studios when they're at the podium. The Golden Globe Awards show takes place January 13. Whoever is in charge of censoring the telecast better be ready. |
Since when does the WGA have the rights to the clips used in the telecasts?
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Letterman got his deal. This should be interesting.
Letterman Makes Deal With Striking Writers By BILL CARTER Published: December 28, 2007 David Letterman has secured a deal with the striking Writers Guild of America that will allow him to resume his late-night show on CBS next Wednesday with his team of writers on board, executives of several late-night shows said today. Most of television’s late-night shows are scheduled to return to the air that night after being off for two months due to the strike, but it is likely that only Mr. Letterman, and the show that follows him on CBS hosted by Craig Ferguson, will be supported by material from writers. The reason is that Mr. Letterman’s company World Wide Pants, owns both those shows. The company announced two weeks ago that it was seeking a separate deal with the guild that would permit the two World Wide Pants show to return to the air. The talks seemed to be at an impasse until today when the deal was completed. A spokesman for Mr. Letterman’s company declined to comment. Beyond the obvious advantage of having writers to supply comedy material that other shows will not have, Mr. Letterman’s and Mr. Ferguson’s shows will likely gain a benefit by being able to book guests who will not appear on shows still being struck by the Writers Guild. Representatives of some of the other late-night shows have reported difficulty booking some the top-name actors in Hollywood, who have indicated reluctance to appear on shows whose networks are still among the entities the writers are striking against. Numerous big-budget movies have opened during the holiday season without having opportunities for their stars to promote them on the late-night shows as they normally would. The World Wide Pants shows may now be able to book many of those stars, some of whom may still resist appearing on the other shows, like NBC’s “Tonight” with Jay Leno and “Late Night” with Conan O’Brien, and ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” All three of those shows are scheduled to return Wednesday without writers. |
Originally Posted by rfduncan
Now I have been reading this thread for a while, and I'm confused a little. Some people here are talking about the networks, but isn't in fact the STUDIOS that are responsible for the strike? While ABC does own Buena Vista/Touchstone (responsible for Scrubs, LOST and Desperate Housewives), it is the production side that has the beef. The networks feel the brunt of it because they are losing revenue from advertising. The studios (not the networks) are trying to prevent more revenue being given to the writers for DVD and internet usage. Right? :hscratch:
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Originally Posted by DVD Josh
Since when does the WGA have the rights to the clips used in the telecasts?
I imagine that if you're willing to pony up the royalty, you can use what has already been written to your heart's content. That's how remaking old shows or movies verbatim would work, I'd imagine. |
Originally Posted by Flay
Letterman got his deal. This should be interesting.
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Originally Posted by GizmoDVD
Wow. I wonder how everyone else in the WGA of other shows feel about this. Seems unfair they get to go back to work and get paid while the people they have been hanging out with for 5-6 weeks get to continue picketing.
Here's the full letter from Verrone and Winship: To Our Fellow Members, We are writing to let you know that have reached a contract with David Letterman's Worldwide Pants production company that puts his show and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson back on the air with Guild writers. This agreement is a positive step forward in our effort to reach an industry-wide contract. While we know that these deals put only a small number of writers back to work, three strategic imperatives have led us to conclude that this deal, and similar potential deals, are beneficial to our overall negotiating efforts. First, the AMPTP has not yet been a productive avenue for an agreement. As a result, we are seeking deals with individual signatories. The Worldwide Pants deal is the first. We hope it will encourage other companies, especially large employers, to seek and reach agreements with us. Companies who have a WGA deal and Guild writers will have a clear advantage. Companies that do not will increasingly find themselves at a competitive disadvantage. Indeed, such a disadvantage could cost competing networks tens of millions in refunds to advertisers. Second, this is a full and binding agreement. Worldwide Pants is agreeing to the full MBA, including the new media proposals we have been unable to make progress on at the big bargaining table. This demonstrates the integrity and affordability of our proposals. There are no shortcuts in this deal. Worldwide Pants has accepted the very same proposals that the Guild was prepared to present to the media conglomerates when they walked out of negotiations on December 7. Finally, while our preference is an industry-wide deal, we will take partial steps if those will lead to the complete deal. We regret that all of us cannot yet return to work. We especially regret that other late night writers cannot return to work along with the Worldwide Pants employees. But the conclusion of your leadership is that getting some writers back to work under the Guild’s proposed terms speeds up the return to work of all writers. Side-by-side with this agreement, and any others that we reach, are our ongoing strike strategies. In the case of late-night shows, our strike pressure will be intense and essential in directing political and SAG-member guests to Letterman and Ferguson rather than to struck talk shows. At this time, picket lines at venues such as NBC (both Burbank and Rockefeller Center), The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, and the Golden Globes are essential. Outreach to advertisers and investors will intensify in the days ahead and writers will continue to develop new media content itself to advance our position. We must continue to push on all fronts to remind the conglomerates each and every day that we are committed to a fair deal for writers and the industry. Best, Michael Winship President, Writers Guild of America, East Patric M. Verrone President, Writers Guild of America, West |
I think it's a good move, but they're going to need more than a couple of late night shows. They need to get a deal done with somebody who produces more than that if they're going to seriously try the divide and conquer route.
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Is it even feasible for the WGA to secure back door deals with scripted dramas/comedies production companies?
For example, can the WGA try to talk to CBS/Paramount TV to get all the CSI's, Criminal Minds back on the air? |
I don't see how that would be any different than their deal with Worldwide Pants.
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I would guess the answer is that it depends on the specific situation. The tighter the production company is bundled in with the studio and/or network, the tougher I imagine it would be. I imagine it will also have a lot to do with the relationship between the producer in question and the WGA. If it weren't a Touchstone show, I'd think Scrubs could be in line for a deal to finish it out.
It appears It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is only distributed by fx. It would be best for an entire studio to break with the other side and sign a deal, but maybe there are enough shows that aren't studio productions that it can make a difference. |
Originally Posted by Jimmy James
The networks may be bound and determined to see this go for a long time, but this is a movie and TV strike. Unless there is some sort of schism and the WGA signs contracts for motion pictures but not for television, I can't believe that the studios and independents are willing to see summer 2009 and beyond go right into the shitter.
I also think we could very possibly see one or two networks fold if they're bound and determined to go this way. I also think the others may very well be trouble. With any luck, the cable nets that back drama and comedy today will make up for the broadcast network mistake of thinking they can get out of scripted TV. |
It might as well go forever. With the cheap crap like Dancing with the Stars getting huge ratings, that is what we will be seeing more of. If that is my future, I will go back to books. And I don't like books. :grunt:
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Originally Posted by RayChuang
I feel that the WGA folks want the strike to last long enough to overlap with a potential strike by the DGA and SAG starting July 2008 over more or less the same issues. Such a strike could essentially bring the ENTIRE TV and movie industry to a screaming halt and that could be enough to bring down not only TV networks, but possibly whole entertainment companies. We could see a merger of entertainment companies if we have an extremely prolonged strike.
I think the entities most at risk are the broadcast TV networks. Media conglomerates will constantly merge and spin off parts, but I think we could be down to 4 or even 3 networks by the end of this if goes on for a while. |
Originally Posted by Jimmy James
I think the entities most at risk are the broadcast TV networks. Media conglomerates will constantly merge and spin off parts, but I think we could be down to 4 or even 3 networks by the end of this if goes on for a while.
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Originally Posted by kvrdave
It might as well go forever. With the cheap crap like Dancing with the Stars getting huge ratings, that is what we will be seeing more of. If that is my future, I will go back to books. And I don't like books. :grunt:
I don't like books either, but that might be are only opinion at some point. Video games are another opinion, but I suck at them. :( |
Originally Posted by nateman241
I feel your pain. I know people are tired of us complaining about shows like Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, Deal or No Deal, etc. but they all get great ratings, thus the networks will (and are) try and shove more mindless trash down the mainstream audience.
We have yet to see the real crap reality TV that will be a result of the strike. All the shit thats on right now (Battle of the Choirs, etc), that was already in the process before the strike. |
What's the point of constantly complaining about Reality TV and Game Shows? They always get good ratings and are cheap to produce and will always be a part of our Television lives whether we choose to watch them or not?
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Originally Posted by RayChuang
The most likely victim if we have a prolonged strike: the CW network. ABC, NBC and Fox will survive because they are only parts of larger media conglomerates, and CBS survives because Les Moonves is generally pretty good at programming decisions.
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Originally Posted by DJariya
So your saying assuming the CW network doesn't have the financial resources to survive a long streak? Even though it has the full backing of CBS and Warner Brothers.
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I can't believe production companies are just sitting on their hands, waiting for the strike to end (Bad Robot, The Mark Gordon Company, Berlanti Television .. etc).
Doesn't it take about six weeks to produce a show that has already been written. When a back 9 is ordered from a new series it takes about a month to get a show ready to air. If the writers are writing (which I believe they are), then its very possible that shows will be able to finish seasons. Shows that start in the second half may finish in the summer. They won't be full seasons, but at least they might be cohesive. New pilots can be written right now. Nobody can stop this. It will happen behind the scenes, ensuring production companies workers have jobs to go back to. |
Originally Posted by RayChuang
I feel that the WGA folks want the strike to last long enough to overlap with a potential strike by the DGA and SAG starting July 2008 over more or less the same issues. Such a strike could essentially bring the ENTIRE TV and movie industry to a screaming halt and that could be enough to bring down not only TV networks, but possibly whole entertainment companies. We could see a merger of entertainment companies if we have an extremely prolonged strike.
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Writers are already making their deals and are returning to the late night shows.
With the presidential election in 2008 they have to return to make fun of FoxNews and the Republican candidates. So the studios all have to do is wait and they will settle with the deal the best suits the studio. |
Originally Posted by wm lopez
Writers are already making their deals and are returning to the late night shows.
With the presidential election in 2008 they have to return to make fun of FoxNews and the Republican candidates. So the studios all have to do is wait and they will settle with the deal the best suits the studio. |
three months or longer seems to be a winner.
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Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs
three months or longer seems to be a winner.
Although the choice of 1st month of '08 is kind of awkward, I'd say that is the closest. I'm also completely biased because that's what I picked. :) |
Hopefully the Lost season will be completed this year - and we'll get Jack Bauer back!
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Originally Posted by andicus
Not yet. It would have to last until at least Feb 12th.
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Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
:hscratch: The strike started on November 5.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Wr...America_strike |
Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
:hscratch: The strike started on November 5.
So, technically, the three months would be the 12th, since the poll stated 'How long will the WGA strike last from 11/12/07.' |
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