With the substance and quality of most of what comes from this country’s entertainment industry on a daily basis, I for one hope that the writers strike remains permanent.
Okay well Talladega Nights is not selling for $28.95. Its right under $20. And if it is selling for $28.95, then it is a private seller and the money isn't going to the "parent" company anyways.
What's with the snarky comments against the writers? First off if you don't like the quality of what does air you still need to blame the media maguls as they will take a great script and then send it to a yes man in development who has no creative background but will try and show their importance by rewriting the script according to what ever formula is in vogue at the moment.
Also Barry Diller, Sumner Redstone, Howard Stringer and company are some of the wealthiest people in the world. I have writer friends who have written good stuff that did air who live hand to mouth.
The residuals thing is serious. Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch are two of the most heavily syndicated shows in history but at the time those actors only got paid for the work they did when the show was orginally taped. The media companies and producers made billions while the creatives made little. Now that these media conglomerates have new revenue streams worth billions on theweb and through DVD's, writers should get SOMETHING.....ANYTHING, as it is their idea that is making money for the moguls.
Jeff's been spamming every thread- don't take it personally that he has such a hollow life.
BTW, I can cut and paste, too, Jeff: Interesting, Jeff, that you consider the writers to more to blame for the failure to meet your standards than the actual executives who control what goes out over the cable and into the theatre.
There is crap out there-but if that crap is making studio executives big money, then it is only just that those who help bring that revenue in get a fair share.
I’ve been reading a lot on the Net about different perspectives on the strike and starting to feel the pitter-patter of crocodile tears regarding compensation and the studios. Yes, they spend a lot of money on television pilots and many don’t make the cut; that is known as a business risk But the executives still get paid regardless! They don’t get a cut in salary if the shows don’t go. In fact, they can expect handsome raises and more perks if shows do take off! Yeah, the writers get paid for their scripts and make nice residuals if the shows fly, but if not, no residuals, no salary no paid vacations, nada. They’re back to scrambling to rack their brains to come up with something to pitch to executives that, against gigantic odds, might catch the attention of the general public. Oh, and while they’re doing that, they don’t get paid!
I work for the marketing creative group in the home entertainment division of a major studio.
While I agree that the corporations should pay the writers a percentage of all revenue generated by their work (including new media, internet, phone casts, pod casts, etc.) I think Tim's presentation is a bit of an oversimplification. The studios also pay for the development of the DVD content (bonus features, extended editions, etc.) and separate marketing and promotions campaigns so that the public will go out and buy the DVDs. That being said, I agree with the writers and what they are trying to establish as common business practice going forward. If they are successful, it bodes well for all of the unions who will be facing the issue of fair new media revenue sharing going forward. Unfortunately, as an underpaid studio hack, it won't help me get more than my cost of living raise each year. Still, I love what I do.
Simply put, since the beginning of Hollywood, everything (good or bad) that has been created has started with the writer. Your perception of whether certain films, TV shows, etc. are good or bad is totally up to you. No industry has a 100 % approval rating. But if you have ever enjoyed a film or TV show, then you owe that enjoyment first and foremost to the writer(s), and they deserve far more respect than the studios & networks are giving them.
These comments are moderated, just like they are on Deadline Hollywood and Ain't it Cool News and... well, just about every other Internet site out there. This is a place for discussion and debate, which means that gratuitous jack-assery and rudeness -- to either side -- don't belong here. If you're not comfortable with this, feel free to go to the AMPTP's site and post your comments there (we're sure they'll start allowing comments any day now.) Rational debate and discussion from any perspective is welcome, and will never be deleted. However, insults from either side will not be tolerated. Unless they're hilarious.
Good to see something like this. It's like the eggs "This is your brain, this is your brain on drugs..." commercials.
ReplyDeleteAny questions?
With the substance and quality of most of what comes from this country’s entertainment industry on a daily basis, I for one hope that the writers strike remains permanent.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day Hollywood.
Okay well Talladega Nights is not selling for $28.95. Its right under $20. And if it is selling for $28.95, then it is a private seller and the money isn't going to the "parent" company anyways.
ReplyDeleteSimplicity at its best.
ReplyDeleteWhat's with the snarky comments against the writers? First off if you don't like the quality of what does air you still need to blame the media maguls as they will take a great script and then send it to a yes man in development who has no creative background but will try and show their importance by rewriting the script according to what ever formula is in vogue at the moment.
ReplyDeleteAlso Barry Diller, Sumner Redstone, Howard Stringer and company are some of the wealthiest people in the world. I have writer friends who have written good stuff that did air who live hand to mouth.
The residuals thing is serious. Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch are two of the most heavily syndicated shows in history but at the time those actors only got paid for the work they did when the show was orginally taped. The media companies and producers made billions while the creatives made little. Now that these media conglomerates have new revenue streams worth billions on theweb and through DVD's, writers should get SOMETHING.....ANYTHING, as it is their idea that is making money for the moguls.
Jeff's been spamming every thread- don't take it personally that he has such a hollow life.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I can cut and paste, too, Jeff:
Interesting, Jeff, that you consider the writers to more to blame for the failure to meet your standards than the actual executives who control what goes out over the cable and into the theatre.
There is crap out there-but if that crap is making studio executives big money, then it is only just that those who help bring that revenue in get a fair share.
Writers are workers. Workers deserve fair pay.
I’ve been reading a lot on the Net about different perspectives on the strike and starting to feel the pitter-patter of crocodile tears regarding compensation and the studios. Yes, they spend a lot of money on television pilots and many don’t make the cut; that is known as a business risk But the executives still get paid regardless! They don’t get a cut in salary if the shows don’t go. In fact, they can expect handsome raises and more perks if shows do take off! Yeah, the writers get paid for their scripts and make nice residuals if the shows fly, but if not, no residuals, no salary no paid vacations, nada. They’re back to scrambling to rack their brains to come up with something to pitch to executives that, against gigantic odds, might catch the attention of the general public. Oh, and while they’re doing that, they don’t get paid!
ReplyDeleteBoo-hoo to the suits.
I work for the marketing creative group in the home entertainment division of a major studio.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that the corporations should pay the writers a percentage of all revenue generated by their work (including new media, internet, phone casts, pod casts, etc.) I think Tim's presentation is a bit of an oversimplification. The studios also pay for the development of the DVD content (bonus features, extended editions, etc.) and separate marketing and promotions campaigns so that the public will go out and buy the DVDs. That being said, I agree with the writers and what they are trying to establish as common business practice going forward. If they are successful, it bodes well for all of the unions who will be facing the issue of fair new media revenue sharing going forward. Unfortunately, as an underpaid studio hack, it won't help me get more than my cost of living raise each year. Still, I love what I do.
Unfortunately, as an underpaid studio hack, it won't help me get more than my cost of living raise each year. Still, I love what I do.
ReplyDeletePerhaps y'all need a union.
Just sayin'...
BTW it's friday evening on the East Coast...and this youtube vid has been pulled down.
ReplyDeleteLink dead.
:(
that's just so cool!
ReplyDeleteSimply put, since the beginning of Hollywood, everything (good or bad) that has been created has started with the writer. Your perception of whether certain films, TV shows, etc. are good or bad is totally up to you. No industry has a 100 % approval rating. But if you have ever enjoyed a film or TV show, then you owe that enjoyment first and foremost to the writer(s), and they deserve far more respect than the studios & networks are giving them.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to get in. I have several scripts. GO WGA!
ReplyDeleteThe internet is the future. If you don't get your fair share now, you never will. Get it.
ReplyDeleteGO WGA! Get the Feds for arbitration and open the books. See how fast they want to talk.
ReplyDelete