Here's what's being done by fans for the WGA strike: "Now is the time to save ALL our shows. MAIL PENCILS pencils to the AMPTP and to any studios whose shows you enjoy...
Maybe we can help the studios see just how much support the WGA has. And maybe, just maybe, we can give them a graceful way out (not because they're buckling under the writers' demands, but because they care so much about their audience. Us. And isn't that supposed to be their job?"
-- Nikki Finke, 11/12/07
PLEASE NOTE: As of 12/31/07, the campaign is closed.
Total Pencils Sold: 650,026!
THANK YOU, FANS!
Okay, what is Pencils2MediaMoguls?
We’re asking people to use our site to buy pencils to send to the six media moguls who run the six corporate conglomerates.
Why pencils?
A lot of different fan sites were suggesting that people send pencils to networks and studios. United Hollywood and Strike Points met with some of the television showrunners, and together we decided to follow the fans’ lead.
Pencils have become the symbol of our cause: We are putting them down until we get a fair deal.
Symbolism, whatever. Let’s face it -- isn’t this kind of a waste of pencils?
We were worried about that too, so we found a vendor who makes environmentally sensitive product: California Republic Stationers. Their pencils are made from sustainably harvested wood, which means they don’t deforest.
We’ll also send the media moguls suggestions about where they can donate the pencils to non-profits that teach kids how to write. After all, the CEOs aren’t writers. It’s not like they can use them.
What happens to the money from the pencils?
Anything we have left over from our costs will go into the Union Solidarity Fund, which was created to help non-WGA members affected by the strike.
So who are these “media moguls”?
They are the six men who run the multi-media conglomerates, the companies that control almost everything you see on tv or in the movies. These individual CEOs have the power and influence to make a fair deal and end the strike, if they choose.
Leslie Moonves, President, CEO
CBS Corporation
51 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
www.cbscorporation.com
Jeffrey Immelt, CEO
General Electric (NBC/Universal)
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City, CA 91608
www.nbcuni.com
Rupert Murdoch, Chairman, CEO
News Corporation (Fox)
1211 Avenue of the Americas
8th floor
New York, NY 10036
www.newscorp.com
Jeffrey L. Bewkes, President, COO
Time Warner Inc. (Warner Brothers)
1 Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019
www.timewarner.com
Robert Iger, President, CEO
Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521
corporate.disney.go.com
Sumner Redstone, Chairman
Viacom
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
www.viacom.com
Why can’t I just buy some pencils and mail them myself?
You can! We just wanted to take our fans' great idea and make it easier. We’re taking a leaf from the Jericho campaign in which fans contracted with one vendor who could pool all their purchases together. That way, instead of individual bags of nuts, fans sent truckloads of nuts to CBS.
We’ve contracted with a single vendor to buy all the pencils for the same reason. We can deliver all of them in bulk, a truckload at a time, so the impact will be (we hope) greater.
You can mail pencils yourself if you want to, but joining together seems to have a better chance of getting noticed. It’s worked in the past.
If you do decide to mail pencils yourself, just make sure they’re not sharpened. And please be polite. (We know how hard that is. Trust us.)
How come it’s a buck a box?
That price covers purchase and delivery of 12 pencils. (They’ll probably be packed by pallets instead of in individual boxes.)
And did we mention the “sustainably forested” thing?
All right, responsible pencils, I get it. But in the end, what are you trying to accomplish here?
We want the media moguls to start negotiating in good faith. We want the strike to end with a fair deal for both sides.
If we get a fair deal, it helps the actors, the directors, and the below-the-line crew members. Their deals are directly tied to ours.
Click to send a message to the moguls: It’s time to make a fair deal. We’re all on the same page.
192 comments:
Just sent my pencils.
20 boxes to support my favorites. Hang in there from a BIG fan of what you all do!
If you really want to get their attention, there's a better use of fundraising + all of your temporarily unemployed, genius minds. Come on guys. Really; come on.
Send them to the ADVERTISERS, guys!
Where can I buy one of your strike/union T-Shirts?
Also, just as a silly idea, what would it take to start a new guild-run studio? Eh, forget I asked that one.
Bought a few dozen too. Great idea. How do you guys come uo with thi stuff?
Inverted Morality : those t-shirts are given freely on picket lines. Don't buy any on picket lines. On Alex Epstein's Blog there's a thing to buy different t-shirts all the funds will be donated. I'm not sure how trustworthy it is but you never know. I don't think Alex would give out a link to buy t-shirts it was phony.
10 for now. More later. But will donate some time to spreading the word.
Here's to proving that even a dead-broke student like myself can afford to spare a buck for the cause..
Good luck, you guys. I'm not a huge television watcher, but even so I've called my cable provider to suspend my service until the networks are willing to provide me with quality programming. My thoughts are with you all.
Take your pencils and shove them up your ass!
My american dollar doesn't go very far here in London but I will gladly give up some cash for the cause.
Okay, this is getting ridiculous now. Stunts like this make me question supporting the writers. (Which I have done from when I first heard about the potential strikes months ago.)
Rather than waste money on pencils, send it to a GOOD cause. Supporting the writers is one thing, but wasting money on stunts like this? For such creative types, that's a pretty retarded idea.
Of course while I've supported the writers, I don't actually care if the few current shows I like come back.
My sympathy for the writers is starting to wear very very thin. This doesn't mean I am starting to side with the media companies. I'm not. I'm starting to not side with ANY of them.
Dayna: "I've called my cable provider to suspend my service until the networks are willing to provide me with quality programming."
You're going to have a very long wait, even if they went back to work today. I've just dumped cable due to a complete lack of quality programming. Has nothing to do with the WGA and everything to do with the utter wasteland that is TV.
And I'd like to just state, for the record, that anyone who writes for "According to Jim", they have absolutely no support AT ALL from me for the dross they spew from that atrocity of a TV show. The one benefit of the strike is crap like that won't be made.
Every cloud has a silver lining...
Not to be all Rainy von Paradenstrudle, but I think this might be more effective if WGA had nothing to do with this campaign. A concerted fan effort is certainly a good idea, and it will hopefully show them who really has the public support. But since it comes from unitedhollywood.com it will be easier for them to dismiss it as writer-driven.
Don't get me wrong, I'm about to buy a few boxes. I guess I'm wondering if you plan to include personal information with the delivery... like "Real person's name from Mississippi sent you 4 boxes." I think that definitely should be included so they know the sentiment comes clearly from the fans.
There's no need to get all bent out of shape over this little stunt. Some of you talk like this huge windfall spent on pencils should be diverted to something else. Do you really think a huge sum of cash will be dumped into something like this?
As the post said, it's just symbolic, it's an attention-grabber. Imagine if you were a studio exec and someone came in and said a truckload of pencils was just delivered by a coalition of writers to protest the strike? You'd surely feel a bit uncomfortable, and you'd be reminded of it for many weeks to come every time you heard a pencil sharpener whirring.
Gee there are some negative people out there. What's with you guys? What's the big deal with sending a symbolic box of pencils? (Will send my order in later today)
I called CBS, ABC and Fox the other day. There is nothing like the sound of a ringing phone on a busy person's desk. It's very grating on the nerves. Doesn't take long either.
Don't like the pencils 2 moguls campaign? Don't do it. DO something else.
Hi, I've been looking at the WGA website and I cannot find any link to donate money to the help fund. I wonder if giving the address so that people can donate money to help you guys and other workers if they're fired would be such a bad idea. Some of us might think that doing the pencils campaign is fun but is not supportive enough.
I'm still waiting to hear back from the WGA about how to donate to the strike and solidarity funds. I know their busy, so I ain't complaining. But I'd rather put my money directly into the strike fund than into pencils.
Still, given that union staff are generally overworked at the best of times, it might be a while before I hear back from them. So maybe I'll buy some pencils after I get back from my wedding tonight.
Anyway, regarding a few points...
Anonymous - In a labor struggle, there is NO SUCH THING as "not siding with any of them." Like the lady said, "They say in Harlan County, there are no neutrals there. You'll either be a union man or a thug for J.H. Blair." Neutrality is AUTOMATICALLY support for the status quo.
Timothy Barrington-Smythe: You may think According to Jim is a steaming pile of garbage (and I may agree with you, but I've never seen it). But that's not the point. Saying you don't support the writers who make that show means that you want the execs who put it on the air to make EVEN MORE money off of it. The money is coming in, the question is only how it should be divided.
Don't get me wrong. I do think this is a well intentioned, very respectable idea. I "bought" 6 boxes. If nothing else, it will help cement mine and others' appreciation in the union members' minds.
My post was more centered around logistical information. I want this campaign to be as effective as possible, and I think that being able to show Big Media proof that these come from the fans would help.
Of course, that's predicated on the idea that the people you are dealing with (AMPTP) are rational.. and I'm not too sure that's the case here.
Regardless, good idea. It really helps to at least think I can make some tiny bit of difference for your cause.
While I concur with those folks who say "please, let us paypal a few bucks into the 'keep a striking writer eating' fund", I bought my box as well; hopefully, y'all can arrange some news coverage when the trucks roll up. :-)
My comments on the purchase screen:
===
We're pleased to see that you're returning to the table, Variety's mischaracterizations of why notwithstanding.
But we love our writers, and we don't want to see you shaft them. Again. And we buy the advertisers' products; don't think we won't remind *them* next.
===
The Jericho Fans + TheFanUnion.com actually started the Empty Pen Campaign which led to the pencils FYI.
I ordered 6 boxes, one for each media mogul. I think it's a great idea, thank you! 100% behind you!
Wow, I thought it was just writers who overthought everything. This is just a stunt. And guess what? Stunts like this work in Hollywood. You can donate to the Actors Fund if you don't want to do this. It helps everyone. But really, so does this. It all goes to the same end. The end of the strike, that is.
I think this is brilliant!
Love the idea of this S#%@-load of pencils showing up to their office!
I wanted to let yall know that the college student communties support yall.
I have setup a facebook group, working on trying to get membership up - its only at about 100 right now, but i graduated from a small school in Alabama so my net work is a little tight.
Ill post a linke if any writers are on facebook to try and spread the word
Eric
While I like the idea at first glance, I have a few questions that were not covered in this post's FAQ.
(1) Does anyone think the Moguls will actually donate these pencils to charity? ;-) And on a related note . . .
(2) What's to stop the companies from simply refusing delivery when a truck rolls up to their gates? (OTOH, I guess if they do refuse, you can donate the pencils yourselves.)
(2) If the WGA (or an unofficial group of its members like United Hollywood) orders the pencils in bulk and has them delivered, how does this give the companies any sense of public support for the writers? The pencils will have come from WGA or United Hollywood and since they will all arive together, there will be no impression of thousands (hopefully) of Americans caring enough to give the time, effort, and money for this symbolic gesture.
I saw the field for us to indicate which show we were supporting, but does that mean every box of pencils is going to have a note that says something like "Paid for by a fan of L&O:SVU"?
(3) Now on the more practical side, I'd like to know where you will be sending these truckloads of pencils. One to each company? To the various studios? I feel like we're missing some of the finer details of this plan.
I'd really appreciate answers to these questions!
I want to support the writers and I think symbolic gestures of support are great, but I want to know that the gesture has been well-planned enough to potentially have the desired impact on the companies (I say "potentially" because I have my doubts about whether the companies or the men in charge care one iota about what any of their viewers think).
What they do care about is profit--obviously. So how can we hit them were it hurts? Why is the WGA (or its unofficial-but-affiliated groups) not calling on fans to stop buying DVDs and downloading programs until a new contract is agreed upon and signed?
Thanks for your time and stay strong. All love to the writers and their supporters!
To be honest, this should be more creative. What you should be sending them are pencils that have erasers at both ends...ya know, cause you can't write with it. Kind of a whole Greed Erases Creativity thing. That's my two cents anyway. I'll still buy the pencils none the less.
Is there an alternate way to donate? I want to help, but I can't use Paypal to do it.
"Greed Erases Creativity"
(image: a pencil with an eraser at both ends)
Brilliant! Somebody go make the t-shirts!
My pencils are on their way
What about Sony? Aren't the involved in this, too?
I agree with the guys who said send them to the advertisers. And the newspapers, they might actually use them.
Inverted Morality -
The site Alex Epstein links to is strikeswag.com. I'm the WGA member who started it. I'm selling bracelets and t-shirts. I had some of the shirts made. The WGA is letting me sell the others for them, including the gray strike shirts.
All profits from these sales are going to the WGA Union Solidarity Fund.
United Hollywood links to the site.
If you have other questions, visit strikeswag.com or email me at strikeswag@gmail.com.
Thanks.
Tom Smuts
Here's an article listing direct phone numbers and email addresses of studio executives and a list of talking points:
http://www.americanrightsatwork.org/take-action/campaigns/support-the-writers-strike-call-studio-executives.html
How about labeling that box up there, "Writer or Show"? Many of us are fans of certain writers rather than just shows. Since this is about supporting writers, let us express our support for you individually as well as your shows.
Buy pencils and use your own !
Hang pencils from bumpers.
Pencils from bushes.
Pencils in your hair.
Pencils everywhere !
Done and done.
Come on moguls! We know you have some kind of sense, somewhere, somehow. Get back to the table and make a fair deal.
sent in mine!
Donated! And I'm also posting about this in my LiveJournal.
I hope y'all will keep us updated about the number of boxes donated. I think that will help to encourage more fans to donate. Plus, it'll be fun watching the numbers climbing and climbing!
Since there was no guerilla-friendly graphic for this besides the pencil, I created one to use on the fans4writers site. Feel free to use it, and link to UnitedHollywood.
Icon: http://www.fans4writers.com/images/pencils-200x120.jpg
Link: http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/pencils2mediamoguls.html
David Grenier: Neutrality is NOT support for the status quo.
Neutrality in the issue means they can ALL go to hell. Don't pull your grade school political crap on me mate.
I think it's a pretty good idea and it's a good symbolic gesture because it's something the studios can recognize as fan-driven because other campaigns have been similar.
I also want to point out, for the complainers, that I find it suspect that all these anonymous people have posted about how the WGA DOESN'T support the below-the-line workers but when the WGA makes a concerted effort like this to pool money at one source for the Solidarity Fund we have the same complaints. I guess there's no pleasing a bunch of corporate talking heads.
I sent in 24 boxes in support of 24.
I sent $5. I am hoping it helps. I want to see the Dollhouse on the screem soon. Hurry up Moguls and give these writers what they deserve.
I'm a writer but not yet a WGA member. I think this is an awesome idea and have contributed and passed on the link on myspace. However, I agree with people wondering about the details of the plan. I added the following message with mine to really kick the studios where it hurts: "In support of the writers , I will not buy any DVDs, watch any reruns or internet programming until the strike is over. Please, be fair!"
Will that message be passed on to all six moguls? And I do agree that there should be some sort of list of the names and cities of all the people who contributed so that it is clear how much of it is from the PUBLIC all across the country (and world in some cases) and not just from writers/WGA members.
I just sent 6 boxes, one for each mogul.
It would be great if there were a tally on UnitedHollywood.com that kept track of how many boxes of pencils were purchased.
Or if they could post a video of them being delivered on youtube.
I can picture it now, instead of a polite delivery guy going back and forth with his dolley-loads, it should be Sopranos style. Like, hundreds of thousands of pencils in the back of a dump-truck, that just dumps them on the front steps to the building. That would make me very happy.
JERICHO fans are in action first batch of pencils on the way $150 worth
Thomas Cunningham, you're right.
They should list where everyone is from. I'm from Bangor, Maine.
The online petition will serve that purpose, too, though.
Followed Doris Egan's blog here, and made my donation, then posted the link on my own blog.
Sending good thoughts your way.
I'm passing the word around via Livejournal, across fandoms. It's simple to do and allows fans - like myself - who actually are across the ocean to participate and show our support for the writers :)
Brilliant, and, if it were possible to know numbers, now and then (how many boxes/amount of donations/ possibly per show), that would encourage others to donate (and also stimulate fandom's self-pride too ;)
Hope it's not a problem if I list an old show amongst the rest. I mean, those are on DVD too, right?
Sent my 50 boxes for my shows... never could say no to Joss! :) No matter what, I hope the networks can understand where the majority of the fans side in this situation... we will do what we can to help our writers get a fair deal!!!!
This seems antagonistic and counterproductive. Please don't.
I just sent my pencils in support of Joss and Dollhouse !
Antagonistic? Sending pencils? You've got to be kidding. Whose sock puppet are you?
I just sent 7 boxes.
Hang in there and hope you get back to work soon!!
Just bought 10 boxes for the cause! Rock on, WGA!!
20 boxes sent.
All you people talking about how we should send our money to a better cause probably won't send a dime to ANY cause, will you?
I support the writers as a wannabe screenwriter myself and a fan of their work. Writers are keeping whatever art there is left in mainstream film/tv. Without it you'd have Big Brother After Dark 24/7. AWESOME.
I think this is a great idea, if anyone else doesn't - fine. But I am getting so sick of the negative nitpicking. If you don't like the gesture, don't do it. Simple. Pencils are easily used and donated, it's on the studios if they throw them out. It gives the fans a voice.
Feature writers are on strike too -- not just TV writers. I walk the picket lines 20 hours a week and am feeling a bit left out here. Can you please include an option to support feature writers in the pencil drive?
Sincerely,
a striking feature writer
I think THIS is a better idea.
And calling advertisers and asking them to put the heat on as well.
Dayna said...
Here's to proving that even a dead-broke student like myself can afford to spare a buck for the cause..
Good luck, you guys. I'm not a huge television watcher, but even so I've called my cable provider to suspend my service until the networks are willing to provide me with quality programming. My thoughts are with you all.
What is this "Union Solidarity Fund" and can I donate directly to it? (I already bought pencils by the way.)
Purchased my 7 boxes today (in support of Heroes, 24, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Lost, How I Met Your Mother and Brothers & Sisters) with the following comments:
We all know the Internet is the future. To expect writers not to have a share in your billions of new revenue is absolutely ridiculous. I love these shows and will be sad to see them off the air, but I support them for as long as it takes to get a fair deal. These are the people that make your living possible, please treat them accordingly.
Just sent my pencils. Wonderful idea!
What's amazing about this campaign and this site and fan-based pro-writer sites like fans4writers is this is how the writers are going to come out ahead.
This isn't the last strike. The writers and the fans of their shows and films are using the internet to get the public on their side. Not too hard to do. The writers now have a direct line to the public that loves their work. Who are they going to side with? Joss Whedon, James Gunn, Steve Carell... or Rupert Murdoch, Les Moonves?
That's the studios' achilles heel. They just think in terms of studios VS. writers. They're so arrogant that they don't even factor in the people that keep them in business. I think they're in for a rude awakening when the public they hold so little regard for turns on THEM when they have nothing but reruns and shitty reality TV to watch. When they refuse to watch and start telling studios and their advertisers that they're not going to watch, download or buy anything until the writers get a fair deal.
It's pretty hard to argue that the writers, actors and directors have a lot more respect for the public that keeps them in business than the studios do. And the public know that, so let's see who will be hurt more by the strike when the boycotts begin.
Personally I think the best idea of the entire strike was Tim Minear's "let's use blank picket signs" one :)
I ordered two boxes of pencils, with greetings from the U.K
Sent 10.. but where is the tally?you wanna take a leaf out of Jericho's book. get a running tally of how many pencils have been purchased.
and one commenter had a very fair point. it ould have been better to set this all up on F4W.com so it looks more like the fans are doing this, not the members themselves.
but to answer their other one, CBS never turned down our nuts, and i dont think the other networks turned down mars bars or tobasco sauce either. and they could have easily.
I posted the link on the Criminal Minds Fanatic blog. I hope that it helps!
Umm... I'm seriously not saying this to be a dick but: "Anything we have left over from our costs will go into the Union Solidarity Fund, which was created to help non-WGA members affected by the strike."
I'm pretty sure it should be: EFFECTED by the strike. I wouldn't bother saying anything but... y'know, writers and all... don't wanna look bad here.
Nevermind my above comment. It is affected. You guys were right, I was wrong. My bad.
Pencils Sent. Notice posted on fansite!
http://dollhouseecho.com/
Thank you!!!
Hello, from a french TV Series fan. Up till now I seriously thought the writers, directors, and actors were making big bucks out of DVD sales, online streaming and iTunes downloads. I'm speechless to learn that you don't - although not entirely surprised that Hollywood Moguls don't want to share their profits. These CEOs don't care about their audience, they only care about the money they make out of their audience.
Sending my pencils now, in support of Stargate Atlantis, Battlestar Galactica, Eureka, NCIS, Jericho and Brothers & Sisters.
As some of the other comments pointed out, you should add a counter box on your site to show how many boxes (tons ?) have already been sent.
Excellent idea. :) I'm all the way down in Australia, unable to do much to help my fellow writers. :( This idea finally allows me to do something other than hope and pray things work out for everyone concerned.
I want to support the shows Smallville supernatural ER The simpsons king of the hill family guy 24 Deal or No Deal please keep our favorite shows running thanks
Sent mine on in support of Supernatural and all of you writers. As someone in early childhood special education, I entirely understand. You guys do an amazing job and, aside from one reality show that I occasionally watch, I'll be more than willing to turn off the TV if they don't give you a fair shake. Who needs reality TV when all you have to do is step outside and look around?
Before there was television people actually went to the library for books to read. I guess if the Moguls don't get their act together and stop trying to keep the money all to themselves, they're just going to have to deal with the consequences.
Pencils sent! A running tally would be great guys!!!
Suggestion: how about posting not just a running tally of boxes bought, but a breakdown of boxes by fandom? We fans are so competitive -- you know that would spur people to buy more boxes to increase their show's numbers.
my comments have been reproduced here
(oh and if you start a "feed the writers and laid-off studio support staff" fund,let me know)
I support Supernatural all the way, but I don't have credit card and you have only this option, so I can't sent any pencils.
Shame. I wanted to help.
However stay at last here my support to my favourite TV Show ever: Supernatural!
I want to support my wife who is a feature writer. How do I do that?
Ummmmmm how much of this - if any - goes to the strike fund?
Has this been cleared with the WGA?
10 boxes and I don't even watch TV.
Here's why. I am a writer. Print and Internet. I have always been a freelancer. I have never known the rights of employment or the protection of a union.
Over the last ten years, I have also seen rights creap eat away at my income and the potential to sell my pieces in multiple markets. As a result, I earn fewer peanuts every year.
I don't want writers in other industries see their own incomes eroded. I want to see them thrive and keep the dream alive.
One day, I am going to earn some decent coin, I can feel it. Even more, though, I know the money generated by my imagination is going to line someone else's pockets. All I want is a fair share. And I want all the other writers to get a fair share too.
I've designated Tuesday as my solidarity day. No blogging, no research, no interviewing, no writing.
As a writer, I sympathize and encourage. pencils... away! WGA's cause is also supported by The Student Operated Press.
http://www.thesop.org/article.php?id=8367
http://www.thesop.org/article.php?id=8354
Four boxes sent for my four favorite features in the last year or so. Peter Morgan (The Queen), John Carney (Once), Patrick Marber (Notes on A Scandal), and James Vanderbilt (Zodiac).
i sent some for heroes and some for joss whedon (i know that is not a show, obviously, but he's a writer and i want some dollhouse asap)!
Hey, me and my friends just started a music blog.
It'll be really kool if you could check it out, leave some comments etc..
www.xplosive-mess.blogspot.com
thankss
x p l o s i v e m e s s =)
Sent my pencils as well. As an aspiring screenwriter/filmaker myself, I am very hopeful that everything turns out well and hopefully this will help!
Strike supporter here. Signed the petition. Bought my t-shirt. Video on my blog. Sub'd my pic for a strike pic, etc. but can't support this.
Recipients will not feel particularly charitable upon the arrival of the pencils regardless how earth friendly the stunt is so strike captains should probably be prepared to receive equal amounts of broken pencils and shavings.
Seems to me like the revenues could go to a sure thing where there's no question the money won't go to waste. Doesn't WGA have a fund for strikers having trouble meeting their bills?
To people who think this is a waste of money that could otherwise be used elsewhere:
It's $1 for 12 pencils. It would cost almost as much for all of us to send postcards if not more if you consider the price of a stamp + the postcard.
By us giving United Hollywood a dollar, it's actually costing us less since we don't have to pay to ship it ourselves.
No matter what, campaigns like this cost money. Whether it's a letter writing campaign, postcards, web sites, printing flyers...it all costs us money.
Webhosting costs money, the price of color printer ink is astronomical and postcard paper isn't cheap either. But I don't see anyone complaining that those initiates are a waste of money.
It's only because we're all pooling our money together that it seems like more. But it isn't.
For example, if United Hollywood came up with a post card design and posted it for free for us to download and print, I would have to go buy printer ink for about $30 and $10 for a pack of 50 postcard sheets. If I were actually going to print the whole pack of postcards in color, I would probably have to buy 2 or 3 ink cartridges for $60 or $90. If I were only going to print one, I'd still have to buy the whole pack!
well i've counted 476 boxes minimum just from the numbers in comments posted. and from knowing a few people who have sent some.
im sure the numbers are much higher than that as anyone who just said "sent my pencils" or "donated" i counted as one box, and im sure some of them were more. that's 5712 pencils
still not a hugely impressive number. for an impressive deilvery you're looking at 2000 boxes minimum. but hey there could be that many. you'd think they would have set up a running tally, and been working on a fandom/tv show breakdown.
that was one thing nutsonline.com did. it automatically updated when you ordered some. and they set goals, and people were inspired to donate more to try to reach the goal. plus who doesnt want to see the numbers going up and up and up?
RUNNING TALLY ALREADY PEOPLE!!!
Hi, I'm from a far, far away country named... Argentina.
I really hope you guys can get what you want from the studios and also... I WANT TONY ALMEIDA TO COME BACK IN JANUARY 2008!! NOT 2009!!
Dear Media Moguls: if you don't pay your writers/actors for downloads/streaming video, we shouldn't have to pay you anything either. I like the concept, please sign me up for the FREE!
tally-ho
errgh. While computer geeks can whip up tallying scripts on a bottle or two of Bawls (and consider it fun)...I don't really expect strike captains to have the skills or time to do so. (Not trying to be insulting. I can't write TV scripts afterall.)
I'm assuming, since they're keeping track, they'll just blog the numbers the old fashioned static way at some point.
Take it easy...
My friend and I wrote Office quotes on are pencils and are sending them tomorrow. It was fun :D
Do you have any information on where people can send money to the Union Solidarity Fund directly if they would like to? I think people who might not be a fan of sending pencils along with a letter might still like to donate money to that particular cause. :)
- Teresa
User-Generated Content
viewingpublic.blogspot.com
Just sent 10 boxes using the form in the blog post.
I have a friend who's a writer in L.A., and I spoke with her at length about the strike. While everyone is trying to "support the writers", most of the writers have cashed in what funds they have available and are moving on to other things.
I also question why strike when the WGA took in a whopping $260 million last year? It was a record breaking amount. Plus, the shows these people are writing are utter crap. More people buy canceled shows on season set dvds than are watching what's currently offered. So, could it be they're not getting paid more because they're doing a slack job of writing?
What's your friend write? A column for a small newspaper?
Try this:
a) That $260 million is probably only twice as much as the major studio heads make in a year. If you don't get what I'm saying, I'm talking about 50% of $260 million going to 5 people as opposed to 100% of $260 million going to 12,000 people.
b) The writers aren't asking to be paid "more" they're asking to be paid "something". While you were speaking with your friend "at length" (assuming she doesn't write a column for a small newspaper) were you paying attention? Or were you imagining she was talking like Charlie Brown's teacher?
Anon :I have a friend who's a writer in L.A.,
Could you BE anymore of a plant? Please stop beating that same old horse, it died two weeks ago.
Plant indeed.
I don't care. Even if every show on television was the worst ever with zero (and I mean zero!) creativity to it... when the studios make billions off said crap, the makers of said crap deserve a cut.
Dear blog admins
Can you remove this post
''English Dave said...
Ummmmmm how much of this - if any - goes to the strike fund?
Has this been cleared with the WGA?''
As it was in response to the scummy post you have have now removed and was nothing to do with pencils.
Oh, and this one too!
Cool! A pencil tally! 60,000 (at the time of writing this) is pretty impressive. But is that 60,000 BOXES of pencils or 5,000 boxes of 12 pencils?
Luckily, 60,000/12 is easy since, like a lot of writers, I suck at math! HA!
Keep on keepin' on!