tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post5063249568559606078..comments2023-08-28T01:47:52.421-07:00Comments on United Hollywood: LA Times Reports on Progress In NegotiationsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-85081957801089939942008-02-04T17:22:00.000-08:002008-02-04T17:22:00.000-08:00Ah ha. . .now Variety is saying,The proposed deal ...Ah ha. . .now Variety is saying,<BR/><BR/><I>The proposed deal for the WGA is the same as the DGA terms for the first two years of the WGA contract. But starting in the third year of the WGA contract, the formula would change to give writers a fixed percentage of distributor's gross (believed to be 2%) from the get-go after the promotional window ends, rather than a fixed residual for the first year of streaming availability.</I><BR/><BR/>Now that would be something decent, and more or less what I and others have suggested could be a way forward. The studios get two years to build the market on the cheap, but WGA gets the precedent for year three and when contract renogiation comes around so you're not on the short end of the smelly 20 yr stick once again.<BR/><BR/>Assuming, of course, that Variety isn't just making it up again.Geo Rulehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17854351487508000198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-8219861043338221082008-02-04T09:39:00.000-08:002008-02-04T09:39:00.000-08:00This has been an interesting socialogical study in...This has been an interesting socialogical study into how people react to things. I mean Variety's sources are no doubt the same sources as the N.Y. Times' were. At least they're just as annonymous, yet people go reading into it like the deal they are reporting on is gonna be the deal yet urging everyone to ignore the N.Y. Times report. Let's just wait and see.Jeremyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950230024812256179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-50420449636341219812008-02-04T05:24:00.000-08:002008-02-04T05:24:00.000-08:00Nothing "innovative" about those terms, is there? ...Nothing "innovative" about those terms, is there? Looks very much like "DGA + separated rights".<BR/><BR/>I wonder where the "innovative" comes in? Some guarantee on number of broadcast reruns maybe?<BR/><BR/>Dunno, but there's barely any lipstick on the pig that Variety is describing.Geo Rulehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17854351487508000198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-86872255035420220812008-02-03T21:28:00.000-08:002008-02-03T21:28:00.000-08:00If today's Variety is to be believed, it's a crapp...If today's Variety is to be believed, it's a crappy deal that's getting presented to the NegCom and Board on Monday: <I>Industry sources said the WGA's streaming deal still included a combination of a flat fee for the first year (excluding a two- to three-week window of free usage for promotional purposes) followed by a percentage of distributor's gross.<BR/><BR/>On the issue of paid downloads, the WGA's proposed pact is said to be identical to the DGA deal, which more than doubles the residual payments from the old homevid formula for titles that sell more than 100,000 units. And on the issue of new-media jurisdiction, the terms also are said to mirror the DGA agreement, giving the guild jurisdiction over projects with budgets of more than $15,000 per minute, $300,000 per program or $500,000 per series, whichever is lowest.</I><BR/><BR/>If Variety's facts are correct and we then ratify this shitloaf, it'll be 1988 all over again, and <B>we</B> will be the writers who sold out all future generations.<BR/><BR/>Keep marching!<BR/><BR/>Oh, and I quite agree with the message to WGA leaders: <B>Do not call off the strike until members have voted.</B>Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06548172194023256446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-6818452640900704332008-02-03T21:20:00.000-08:002008-02-03T21:20:00.000-08:00The deal points that Variety has been listing toni...The deal points that Variety has been listing tonight do not strike me, generally, as good enough to be met with open arms by the membership generally.<BR/><BR/>But then they've made up most of what they've reported on this strike, so maybe they still are.Geo Rulehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17854351487508000198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-17893781415197860642008-02-03T21:10:00.000-08:002008-02-03T21:10:00.000-08:00I too believe it would be a mistake to call off th...I too believe it would be a mistake to call off the strike before the membership weighs in, expecially if the contract proves too similar to the DGA's.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12373157272501668764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-43628244719854989312008-02-03T21:01:00.000-08:002008-02-03T21:01:00.000-08:00I met with one of the members of the negotiating c...I met with one of the members of the negotiating committee today... Contrary to news reports, he doesn't feel a deal has been made yet. He feels this recent media blitz is just another ploy of the AMPTP's.<BR/><BR/>Reminder: the recent NY Times piece breaking the "Strike may be over" story, was written by a journalist who has been in the AMPTP's back pocket since day one...paint the town redhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14619508675209984779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-35230638533792281982008-02-03T20:06:00.000-08:002008-02-03T20:06:00.000-08:00I agree with Tom D.Oh, and WGA leaders - DO NOT CA...I agree with Tom D.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and WGA leaders - DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE MEMBERS VOTE!hotlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11785641606931294466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-32873225080272357512008-02-03T20:02:00.000-08:002008-02-03T20:02:00.000-08:00WGA LEADERS - DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE...WGA LEADERS - DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE LEGALESE IS CLEAR ON BOTH SIDES. AND DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE MEMBERS VOTE!<BR/><BR/>WGA LEADERS - DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE LEGALESE IS CLEAR ON BOTH SIDES. AND DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE MEMBERS VOTE!<BR/><BR/>WGA LEADERS - DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE LEGALESE IS CLEAR ON BOTH SIDES. AND DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE MEMBERS VOTE!<BR/><BR/>WGA LEADERS - DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE LEGALESE IS CLEAR ON BOTH SIDES. AND DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE MEMBERS VOTE!<BR/><BR/>WGA LEADERS - DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE LEGALESE IS CLEAR ON BOTH SIDES. AND DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE MEMBERS VOTE!<BR/><BR/>WGA LEADERS - DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE LEGALESE IS CLEAR ON BOTH SIDES. AND DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE MEMBERS VOTE!<BR/><BR/>WGA LEADERS - DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE LEGALESE IS CLEAR ON BOTH SIDES. AND DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE MEMBERS VOTE!<BR/><BR/>WGA LEADERS - DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE LEGALESE IS CLEAR ON BOTH SIDES. AND DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE MEMBERS VOTE!<BR/><BR/>WGA LEADERS - DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE LEGALESE IS CLEAR ON BOTH SIDES. AND DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE MEMBERS VOTE!<BR/><BR/>WGA LEADERS - DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE LEGALESE IS CLEAR ON BOTH SIDES. AND DO NOT CALL OFF THE STRIKE UNTIL THE MEMBERS VOTE!hotlinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11785641606931294466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-52318657912099309572008-02-03T16:43:00.000-08:002008-02-03T16:43:00.000-08:00geo rule:Well, um, it does sort of sound from the ...geo rule:<BR/><BR/>Well, um, it does sort of sound from the press coverage that there are leaks on both sides.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12829450636460420354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-88981590100500891482008-02-03T16:29:00.000-08:002008-02-03T16:29:00.000-08:00I don't know why UH would want to vouch for the LA...I don't know why UH would want to vouch for the LA Times this way, particularly when they wrote their article at the top to clearly imply all the leaking is coming from the WGA. . ."three sources" followed by listing who is negotiating, and the list of three WGA leaders.<BR/><BR/>You jumping in this way to vouch as "fairly accurate" is going to make it look like the WGA is not honoring the media black-out, and why would you want to jiggle the cart right now?Geo Rulehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17854351487508000198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-89920601334400395362008-02-03T15:41:00.000-08:002008-02-03T15:41:00.000-08:00Tom - thanks for your civil reply and I do now und...Tom - <BR/><BR/>thanks for your civil reply and I do now understand where you are coming from - <BR/><BR/>Stay strong.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18124873230169174640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-80494671352179334722008-02-03T15:15:00.000-08:002008-02-03T15:15:00.000-08:00michael,this notion of the definition "promotional...michael,<BR/><BR/>this notion of the definition "promotional use" is exactly the reason we are on strike. no one EVER had a problem with clips. they're called commercials and they advertise our product. what the studios have claimed - and are probably STILL claiming - is that they can air an entire episodes (with paid commercials) and call THOSE airings "promotional". it is NOT lawyers being lawyers. it is the AMPTP's end-run around EXISTING contract language that says that writers need to be compensated for any re-use of their product.<BR/><BR/>so if they're still arguing over the definition of the word "promotional" then we're still in trouble. because everyone knows what a commercial is. everyone knows what an actual episode is.<BR/><BR/>except, apparently, the AMPTP.rye-torhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06166386318066148058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-77527469376123654042008-02-03T15:09:00.000-08:002008-02-03T15:09:00.000-08:00"Seems like this would be a great time to increase...<I>"Seems like this would be a great time to increase presence on picket lines to show support for the WGA NegComm. Show the AMPTP just how many warm bodies are going to vote to ratify (or not) the deal they come up with."</I><BR/><BR/>I'll be out on the picket line, for sure. I always have been, and I always will be, 'til the WGA tells me otherwise.<BR/><BR/>See you out on Pico (I'm a Fox guy, myself).<BR/><BR/>Patrick Meighan<BR/>Culver City, CAPatrick Meighanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17142434479229635863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-7910571730589400332008-02-03T15:06:00.000-08:002008-02-03T15:06:00.000-08:00not an,What I was trying say is this: If SAG is go...not an,<BR/><BR/>What I was trying say is this: If SAG is going to shut down the industry again in 3-4 months anyway, we should continue to strike to put on more pressure and make an even better deal in concert with SAG this summer or fall. <BR/><BR/>I'd rather take it to the wall this time and get the best deal possible. If we do it right this time, hopefully we won't have to strike again for another 20 years.Tom Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04036381119581928144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-16029050830068359062008-02-03T15:01:00.000-08:002008-02-03T15:01:00.000-08:00The only leverage writers have to make sure the de...The only leverage writers have to make sure the deal points agreed to in the room actually end up in the contract, is to stay strong and united<BR/><BR/>its interesting that they use "united" when they are making side deals so some of their "striking writers" can work...<BR/>pencils down means pencils down...unless of course you made a back alley deal...then...well...someone else can hold the picket sign.unemployedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09727697278133665139noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-10477703984023007162008-02-03T14:56:00.000-08:002008-02-03T14:56:00.000-08:00Just FY'all's info, here's the text of the letter ...Just FY'all's info, here's the text of the letter sent today to WGA members by WGAW's Patric Verrone and WGAE's Michael Winship (from btlnews.com - http://btlnews.com/blog/archives/139):<BR/><BR/><I>To Our Fellow Members,<BR/><BR/>While fully mindful of the continuing media blackout, we write you to address the rumors and reports that undoubtedly you have been hearing.<BR/><BR/>The facts: we are still in talks and do not yet have a contract. When and if a tentative agreement is reached, the first thing we will do is alert our membership with an e-mail message. Until then, please disregard rumors about either the existence of an agreement or its terms.<BR/><BR/>Until we have reached an agreement with the AMPTP, it is essential that we continue to show our resolve, solidarity, and strength.<BR/><BR/>Picketing will resume on Monday. Our leverage at the bargaining table is directly affected by your commitment to our cause. Please continue to show your support on the line. We are all in this together.<BR/><BR/>Best,<BR/><BR/>Patric M. Verrone<BR/>President, WGAW<BR/><BR/>Michael Winship<BR/>President, WGAE</I>QuoterGalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07777611797689081883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-12718851774279217412008-02-03T14:28:00.000-08:002008-02-03T14:28:00.000-08:00Tom - SAG's reaction will be of interest but I don...Tom - <BR/><BR/>SAG's reaction will be of interest but I don't let the AMPTP make my decisions and I don't let SAG make my decisions. I read the commentary, do personal research and make my own decisions.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18124873230169174640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-39476019806168569772008-02-03T14:01:00.000-08:002008-02-03T14:01:00.000-08:00This all sounds pretty positive. Re: the DGA cont...This all sounds pretty positive. Re: the DGA contract language, I don't think two lawyer conflicts over deal points in a complicated contract like that is huge cause for alarm. That's just lawyers being lawyers/<BR/><BR/>It's interesting that there's some sort of hangup about the use of promotional video clips. It's not something I've heard people talk about much on the line, and I thought the general consensus was that using promotional clips without compensation is okay (as long as by clip they don't mean 'the whole program.') Since hopefully that boosts audiences, keeps shows on the air and writers employed, etc.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12829450636460420354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-41414707397249450212008-02-03T13:07:00.000-08:002008-02-03T13:07:00.000-08:00It will be interesting to see SAG's reaction to th...It will be interesting to see SAG's reaction to the deal points. If they don't like it, we might as well stay out on strike until June and join forces with SAG to get an even better deal.Tom Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04036381119581928144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-16090079614841090872008-02-03T12:37:00.000-08:002008-02-03T12:37:00.000-08:00Seems like this would be a great time to increase ...Seems like this would be a great time to increase presence on picket lines to show support for the WGA NegComm. Show the AMPTP just how many warm bodies are going to vote to ratify (or not) the deal they come up with.<BR/><BR/>Showing the AMPTP "Front Men" that you aren't beaten down by the length of the strike so far would likely help with their interpretation of the deal points into legalese.<BR/><BR/>No matter what your personal situation may be, this is the time to convince the AMPTP that your point of negative returns is farther in the future than theirs, so the strike can end sooner.<BR/><BR/>Still wishing you strength, unity and perseverence.4merBTLerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12682748606747530855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-20607916741042721352008-02-03T12:17:00.000-08:002008-02-03T12:17:00.000-08:00Not sure we should trust anything the LA Times rep...Not sure we should trust anything the LA Times reports. Thus far, they have done nothing but spread disinformation on behalf of the AMPTP.The Book Bondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014913614591869289noreply@blogger.com