The Writers' Strike Diary

c The atmosphere was described as a "par-tay," with writers and actors mingling. A friend playfully wondered why the writers were so happy to see "stars." "They work with celebrities everyday, and now they're excited?"

Chalk it up to solidarity.

Over at Sunset Gower studios things were decidedly more tragic with one picketer being struck by a car. Apparently the individual is okay, but not a good way to start the writers' strike.

On to the facts:

Maybe the most significant issue other than the actual resolution to the work stoppage: Strike Rule #8, or the Script Validation Program.

I called the writers guild to get clarification on the SVP. I was told the rule was fully explained on the writers guild's web page. I checked out the page. It was not fully explained in that it laid out no legal precedent for compelling writers to hand over scripts, nor did it explain how the guild would indemnify writers against law suits from production companies for turning over material they own to third parties.

I called the writers guild again, and was told a guild lawyer would contact me.

I was not contacted (as of yet).

I called an entertainment lawyer and was told the VSP was inducement to breech contract and was illegal.

Until I hear from a writers guild lawyer I'm doing nothing.

However, the VSP and the lack of specific instructions from the guild is already drawing attention.

My first day on the picket lines will be tomorrow (today as you read this). I'll let you know how it goes.

Read more thoughts about the strike on the Huffington Post's writers' strike page.

Comments

[Ptonye]

03:26 PM on 11/06/2007

I'm a member of an IA local and I want to advise the writers to picket local locations as well as the studio lots. They'll have to do a little detective work but it can be accomplish­ed and it may be effective.

[ReelBusy]

02:39 PM on 11/06/2007

Hollywood moguls take pride in being dealmakers yet they can't make a deal to share even a thin slice of an increasing growing revenue pie. I guess their not the dealmakers we thought they were. Time to start dumping the entertainm­ent stocks! Game shows and reality TV don't sell well on DVD at the end of the season like a HEROES or 24 so their cash flow is going to tank. SELL SELL SELL!!!

[MrsWakely]

02:34 PM on 11/06/2007

correct me if I'm wrong (entirely possible) but, it seems to me the wga already blew it when they caved on dvd residuals at the 11th hour. it displayed a stunning lack of resolve and desperatio­n to capitulate on your single biggest demand, did it not? yeah, yeah, "new media" is important, but right now, new media is not exactly a cash cow folks. making a deal on new media will have an effect down the road, but NOW is dvd - AND THEY ALREADY CAVED! invertebra­tes unite! what will they do now? take it back? they've already flashed their ace! does anybody really think the producers are going to give an inch now that the wga negotiator took their principal demand off the table - and the producers STILL flipped them the bird? I'd say that reads as the producers having a long term strategy for this thing, and the wga having a short term, last gasp bank shot that missed. they should NEVER have offered up dvd. never! now? now it gets ugly: divide and conquer tactics by the producers will begin to kick in. you'll see less and less smiling celebritie­s on the picket line as all the creative unions retreat to their own interests and start to bitch about how the writers already blew it. that's the key point: the unions needed to be united and clear on a message, and a strategy for the talks. hold fast, set a precedent on dvd and new media, and then - tough it out. now? good luck...

[BillSeward]

01:50 PM on 11/06/2007

correct me if I'm wrong (entirely possible) but, it seems to me the wga already blew it when they caved on dvd residuals at the 11th hour. it displayed a stunning lack of resolve and desperatio­n to capitulate on your single biggest demand, did it not? yeah, yeah, "new media" is important, but right now, new media is not exactly a cash cow folks. making a deal on new media will have an effect down the road, but NOW is dvd - AND THEY ALREADY CAVED! invertebra­tes unite! what will they do now? take it back? they've already flashed their ace! does anybody really think the producers are going to give an inch now that the wga negotiator took their principal demand off the table - and the producers STILL flipped them the bird? I'd say that reads as the producers having a long term strategy for this thing, and the wga having a short term, last gasp bank shot that missed. they should NEVER have offered up dvd. never! now? now it gets ugly: divide and conquer tactics by the producers will begin to kick in. you'll see less and less smiling celebritie­s on the picket line as all the creative unions retreat to their own interests and start to bitch about how the writers already blew it. that's the key point: the unions needed to be united and clear on a message, and a strategy for the talks. hold fast, set a precedent on dvd and new media, and then - tough it out. now? good luck...

[MetalPhil]

01:35 PM on 11/06/2007

Yeah, the whole script validation thing is a bit ridiculous­. While I support the strike, 'cause it's a tad ridiculous that writers aren't making any money for internet profits, you certainly have a point about the SVP.

One thing that no one is really pointing out, that I think is particular­ly interestin­g, is that the only unions with any clout anymore are the entertainm­ent unions. If baseball or football players go on strike, it's a big deal. But it seems like you just don't see people who *desperate­ly need* unions (like the poor saps who work at wally world or McDonald's­) don't really seem to have or get them.

[wadenelson1]

01:05 PM on 11/06/2007

Describing a "par-tay" without mentioning the name of any of a single celebrity participan­t nor describing any of the activities ....

You're fired!