BREAKING: Talks Break Down, Strike Back (Back) On!
Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy, Newsstand, Politics
Earlier this evening, talks between the WGA and AMPTP broke down once again. Negotiating between the two sides for a second time began shortly after the Thanksgiving break following three weeks of picketing, protests and celebrity spotting. This time, things were nasty, with each side releasing a statement that pretty much amounts to a spit in the face (though the WGA's letter kind of wipes off that spit, and makes an attempt to hug it out). Here's the breakdown (without all the strike lingo and number stuff): AMPTP delivered a proposal that was better, but not really, because it would require the WGA to remove several of their important demands. The WGA ran into a hotel room, locked the door and debated their next move. While still in the hotel room, AMPTP knocked on the door and told them they were leaving the bargaining table -- that this was a take it or leave it proposal -- and when the WGA send a letter stating that all of those demands are taken off the table, they'll go back to talking. Game on!
A few noteworthy lines from each side's official statement:
WGA: "We reject the idea of an ultimatum. Although a number of items we have on the table are negotiable, we cannot be forced to bargain with ourselves. The AMPTP has many proposals on the table that are unacceptable to writers, but we have never delivered ultimatums."
"We remain ready and willing to negotiate, no matter how intransigent our bargaining partners are, because the stakes are simply too high. We were prepared to counter their proposal tonight, and when any of them are ready to return to the table, we're here, ready to make a fair deal."
AMPTP: "While the WGA's organizers can clearly stage rallies, concerts and mock exorcisms, we have serious concerns about whether they're capable of reaching reasonable compromises that are in the best interests of our entire industry."
"Their Quixotic pursuit of radical demands led them to begin this strike, and now has caused this breakdown in negotiations. We hope that the WGA will come back to this table with a rational plan that can lead us to a fair and equitable resolution to a strike that is causing so much distress for so many people in our industry and community."
Then there's this gem from the studio and network reps: "Under no circumstances will we knowingly participate in the destruction of this business."
So, are things f**ked ... or are they f**ked?
[via Deadline Hollywood]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-08-2007 @ 4:45AM
Philpott said...
uckfed!
Reply
12-08-2007 @ 9:23AM
Philip said...
I guess the real question now is: how much does the WGA have in the warchest? Playing a starving artist only looks good on TV, methinks. I do think its a gross miscalculation on both sides. The writers may or may not deserve more money, but the studios most definitely have some to share. As I predicted back in early November, this won't get REALLY interesting till February, but already we get a sense the AMPTP is losing patience and money. In the end, both these groups have really hurt themselves. I do believe its equivalent to the NHL strike. Some of these viewers may never come back to the TV shows they'll end up not seeing.
Reply
12-08-2007 @ 12:18PM
Jeff N. said...
I think everyone loses with this strike. The writers and producers are all losing money. The jobs around them are also gone, and the public doesn't get any new scripted TV. There will be no winners.
It's sad that some kind of a decent compromise can't be obtained.
12-08-2007 @ 11:02AM
Gina said...
I don't particularly care if they throw away the rest of the season -- "Monk" and "Psych" have most or all of their early 2008 episodes done already, and I can be contented with "House" and "Friday Night Lights" reruns. I just feel bad for the writers and others who are being hard hit. I understand why they're striking and I support them, but it looks like things are just going from bad to worse for them.
Reply
12-08-2007 @ 7:26PM
las6 said...
You know, I don't really care what the WGA are demanding. With this strike they've only managed to alienate the only side that really cares about them - the viewers. But not anymore - the WGA people just seem greedy and well, stupid. What's the point of this strike if it's going to end up causing the end of bunch of tv-series like Battlestar Galactica and thereby destroying the very industry they work for.
Talk about shooting at your own leg.
Reply
12-08-2007 @ 8:48PM
Fred Philbie said...
I hear what you're saying, Las6, but it's not about greed on the part of the writers, it's about the writers maintaining the status quo for getting paid when their work is shown on the internet, as opposed to regular broadcast TV. The only greed here is the big media conglomerates who are refusing to pay the writers for the work they have created when it's downloaded and shown online -- including BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. I encourage you to go to unitedhollywood.com and watch two YouTube videos there -- WHY WE FIGHT and VOICES OF UNCERTAINTY. They are short, entertaining, and they explain things very clearly. It might change your views on things.
12-09-2007 @ 1:43AM
Lee Evan said...
One very sure thing in life - the media will quickly broadcast the truely starving strikers' story in any strike situation. The strikers, what are they on vacation? If i was out of work for 30+ days I'd be scrambling scraping begging, and if it were that situation i'd be sure to make that known, and it would be known.
You dont see that anywhere in the media, cause it aint so. This "strike" is pure greed, NOTHING MORE>
Reply
12-09-2007 @ 11:50AM
Fred Philbie said...
Lee Evan, you are wrong. The only greed is on the part of the giant media conglomerates who have forced the writers into this strike and who OWN most traditional media and news outlets. I think that's why most news stories have been one-sided in favor of management's point of view -- other than online outlets like deadlinehollywood.com. Ironic since the whole thing is about new media, and the internet seems to be the place where the writers' side is able to get reported.
12-09-2007 @ 8:32PM
Ian said...
Heaven forbid the writers actually get paid for their work when it's put online.
They got the total 100% shaft with DVDs, at that time the studios claimed that it "was too new" and that the future was "uncertain" for DVD, so the writers caved and got a raw deal for DVD royalties. The studios are trying the same thing with new media/online offerings. Claiming that it really won't go anywhere and that writers really don't have anything to complain about.
Naturally they don't intend to get screwed again.
As to "greed." for every bazillionaire writer like Joss Whedon there are legions of staff writers who make less than most of the tech dweebs reading this blog. For them it is royalties that tide them over between gigs. If media goes online, and over the coming decades it will become more "new media" than not, they need royalties for that work or they don't eat.
A typical writer gets $.13 per DVD sale. The studios want to give them NOTHING for on-line work. Or a pittance flat fee. That is total B.S.
The BSG "resistance" "webisodes" last year were new content created for SciFi and the show. The studio wanted to pay NOTHING for it since they called it "promotional" material. Right, there were still scripts written and content shot. It's thins kind of underhanded BS that have got the writers united.
I don't know about you but I don't want scabs writing my favorite shows. I'll load up on books until this blows over. After all, my mind has an infinite FX budget.
Reply
12-09-2007 @ 8:35PM
Ian said...
Heaven forbid the writers actually get paid for their work when it's put online.
They got the total 100% shaft with DVDs, at that time the studios claimed that it "was too new" and that the future was "uncertain" for DVD, so the writers caved and got a raw deal for DVD royalties. The studios are trying the same thing with new media/online offerings. Claiming that it really won't go anywhere and that writers really don't have anything to complain about.
Naturally they don't intend to get screwed again.
As to "greed." for every bazillionaire writer like Joss Whedon there are legions of staff writers who make less than most of the tech dweebs reading this blog. For them it is royalties that tide them over between gigs. If media goes online, and over the coming decades it will become more "new media" than not, they need royalties for that work or they don't eat.
A typical writer gets $.13 per DVD sale. The studios want to give them NOTHING for on-line work. Or a pittance flat fee. That is total B.S.
The BSG "resistance" "webisodes" last year were new content created for SciFi and the show. The studio wanted to pay NOTHING for it since they called it "promotional" material. Right, there were still scripts written and content shot. It's thins kind of underhanded BS that have got the writers united.
I don't know about you but I don't want scabs writing my favorite shows. I'll load up on books until this blows over. After all, my mind has an infinite FX budget.
Reply