WGA member "Chris" sends this anecdote. -JA
I have a nice story from the line that will warm the heart:
We're at the CBS TV City main gate today, and it's raining, with big, slappy drops. There's maybe a dozen of us braving it out for The Cause, but only a couple umbrellas, meaning most of us are getting soaked. (Someone asked, "What's more unappealing than an unemployed writer? An unemployed wet writer.") Then a car drives up with a bag full of brand new rain ponchos. The guy handing them to our grateful selves says, "I'm a grip. So when you go back to work, just remember -- not all grips are dicks."
Duly noted.
1/25/2008
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8 comments:
Who the hell ever said they were?
I personally would rather hang and talk with a group of grips than some of my fellow writers. There is nothing phony about them. They are real, honest hard working people. And let's face it. We couldn't do it without them.
That's very cool that he took the time to buy and drop off rain ponchos. Maybe there will be a few positive character portrayals as well, so the next camera or lighting grip murdered on CSI actually has co-workers that didn't hate him! :)
You should love the grips. They are paying the price for your strike by losing their homes, apartments, Christmas for their kids, future employment and watching their industry being devastated.
Enjoy your celebration with SAG on Monday. You have a lot to celebrate.
I just hope everyone can continue to play well together once this is all over.
the strike has affected many more people than just the writers and the grips. Transportation, electrical, accounting... and how about the people who rent studio equipment, next it is the support staff with the managers, agents, attorneys and business managers. And then what... it is understandable to stand up and fight, but the cost to so many people who will never benefit from this strike, makes me wonder why no one is talking. Clearly the AMPTPs are heartless, but how many people are going to lose their homes before this is over?
I am a grip, and I am juggling funds, and selling off most of my unneccesary belongings to stem off forclosure. I want to thank the writers for my extended vacation, it has given me alot of time to rethink my career. This is one of the few industries where a small segment of a workforce can completely shutdown work for everyone else, and the outcome does absolutely nothing for the others, except ensure there is less money for thier rates. Sign or not, if this keeps up they will go back to filming in other countries, and the grips you claim you love so much will be completely out of work.
The grip that gave out the raincoats was most likely a nice guy. No one like to see human suffering, but we are all suffering. The fall out from this strike will be felt for years. There will be hard feelings, no respect and I don't think a coffee truck will fix this.
So in the end, when your cashing your internet check remember the grips. Somehow this strike will be their fault.
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