tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post3751124637513009228..comments2023-08-28T01:47:52.421-07:00Comments on United Hollywood: Modest Proposal: CEOs Go FirstUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-48050255949761736012007-11-19T16:55:00.000-08:002007-11-19T16:55:00.000-08:00Is it me or did the CEOs completely forget fan pre...Is it me or did the CEOs completely forget fan presence on the Internet in the form of letter writing, blogging, and mad organizational skills? Guess they missed that corner of the Web market. This is 2007, <I>not</I> 1985, and today's fans are far more invested in TV that is worth our time. Also: our favorite writers keep us informed...through said Internet. Mysterious technology is biting CEOs in the ass. Again.<BR/><BR/>Viva the WGA!secondrinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06515244814347438612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-85918598490815042422007-11-16T22:10:00.000-08:002007-11-16T22:10:00.000-08:00I will stand with you Mike Schur, I will.I will stand with you Mike Schur, I will.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-3155816197137946862007-11-15T07:57:00.000-08:002007-11-15T07:57:00.000-08:00You know, I'd have a lot more respect for your arg...You know, I'd have a lot more respect for your arguments if you didn't make the issue into old-fashioned Marxist class warfare. There is no class warfare going on here. These companies are looking out for their bottom lines - to make as much money as possible. You and every other writer are looking out for your bottom lines - as you should! The companies need you and you need the companies. As long as that holds true, negotiations will carry on and a compromise will eventually be met. When you're out of work, they're out of work, and they don't like that.<BR/><BR/>So, let's get real. I believe that you're striking for writers who haven't been as successful as you, but you and everybody else know that you're concerned about your wallet, too. That's not wrong. It's not wrong when your bosses do the same, either. As much as you want to say that you're asking for fairness, that's a subjective term that can't be easily applied to any situation. Your definition of fair is most certainly not the same definition one of the big corporate guys holds. Ultimately, you have to understand that each player in this battle is looking out for his own interest. Stop idealizing and romanticizing your 'struggle' with the corporations. I WISH I made $62,000 a year. (Yes, I live in an expensive part of California.) <BR/><BR/>I think you should get a bigger cut of new media, but you lose my sympathy and support when you use unionist/class warfare language. Ugh.<BR/><BR/>I continue to be a loyal fan of the show. It's my favorite on TV. I hope this all gets resolved soon so that I can continue to enjoy it. Please, though - when you talk about politics, you ruin the illusion for me. I have actually stopped watching shows when the writers and actors publicly broadcasted idiotic political views. I just can't pretend you're Mose when you write crap like this. Sorry, man.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-15910830664305679742007-11-14T14:00:00.000-08:002007-11-14T14:00:00.000-08:00to the last poster....What college are you in? I'm...to the last poster....<BR/><BR/>What college are you in? I'm looking to go in the same study (Film and Television). I'm just curious as to what kind of classes a film major can take. <BR/><BR/>ThanxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-62624236599267765342007-11-14T11:07:00.000-08:002007-11-14T11:07:00.000-08:00As someone who is in college majoring in Writing f...As someone who is in college majoring in Writing for Film and Television, I can wholeheartedly affirm that if the CEOs take the pay cut, I will be down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-36764541477399980072007-11-14T01:08:00.000-08:002007-11-14T01:08:00.000-08:00I've been a below-the-line crew member for the las...I've been a below-the-line crew member for the last seven years. I spent five years before that taking off work from waiting tables to work for free where I could in order to get my foot into the industry door. We have all earned our keep, and I agree that the writers should be paid for their work, royalties and residuals and all that good stuff. What I can't stand in this whole thing is the "poor me" mentality that the writers are conveying to the media. Writers know going into it that maybe their career will have lags, maybe it won't. That's part of it. That's part of it for all of us. If you don't like it, get another job. When I don't have work for a month or two, I get other jobs that I am qualified for. That's my choice in life and profession, and I don't expect anybody other than myself to get me by during the slow periods. I question your sincerity as to whether you would cross our picket lines. Of course, since we work under a no-strike clause, you will not have to make that decision because we will not strike. We are told by the studios to either cross the picket line or lose our jobs. You know, the friendliest writers I've ever met were the ones picketing my show on day 1 of the strike. They were all smiles and hellos and politeness. Prior to that they wouldn't even make eye contact with the crew. These times have been revealing indeed...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-35883593464987501162007-11-13T22:04:00.000-08:002007-11-13T22:04:00.000-08:00teve B said... Just Wondering, you're forgettin...teve B said...<BR/><BR/> Just Wondering, you're forgetting that we're only asking for 12.5% (if pattern bargaining works as normal) of *internet revenue.*<BR/><BR/> Internet revenue is a very small percentage of the overall earnings of the whole company. The 12.5% of internet earnings would be less than 0.01% of total earnings. I'm pretty sure they can survive a <0.01% cut into their 9.8% revenue flow.<BR/><BR/>*<BR/><BR/>Yeah, but the one thing that both sides seem to agree on right now is that within the medium-term time-frame, the internet will supplant broadcast TV, Even now, broadcast is hemorraging viewers, and ad revenue is sinking. Most shows (though not hits like the office- of which there are maybe ten on the air right now, out of 65) don't come anywhere near recouping, and the deficit between the budget, paid by the studio, and the licensing fee paid by the network, is about a million bucks.<BR/><BR/> So, really, what we're asking for is 12.5% of something that won't be a secondary market much longer. Pretty soon, it'll be the primary market. (Maybe not for movies- I'm talking about TV here, since everyone else is.)<BR/><BR/>If studios have to give up 12.5% of gross in what will more or less be the primary market for scripted episodic shows right off the top, do you really think they'll still invest the huge amount of capital it takes to make them?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-1905821164878282772007-11-13T21:44:00.000-08:002007-11-13T21:44:00.000-08:00Just Wondering, you're forgetting that we're only ...Just Wondering, you're forgetting that we're only asking for 12.5% (if pattern bargaining works as normal) of *internet revenue.* <BR/><BR/>Internet revenue is a very small percentage of the overall earnings of the whole company. The 12.5% of internet earnings would be less than 0.01% of total earnings. I'm pretty sure they can survive a <0.01% cut into their 9.8% revenue flow.<BR/><BR/>For the studio electrician, you may not know it (because Tom Short has conveniently neglected to tell you), but you and ALL of the IA and Basic Crafts crew DO get residuals. <BR/><BR/>Residuals are what fund your pension and health care programs.<BR/><BR/>And because of that, the WGA is the front line in YOUR residual battle. If the studios can cut our legs out from under us, guess who they'll come after next? The IA and BC stand to lose just as much as we do. We are the tip of the spear on this issue - if we win, you guys will have a great bargaining position. If we lose, you guys won't have a leg to stand on.<BR/><BR/>And once residuals are gone (and with them, your P&W funds), the studios will go after jurisdiction next.<BR/><BR/>Would you allow the studios to demand huge rollbacks in your wages and jurisdiction, without a fight? I don't think you would -- and if you fought the rollbacks I would refuse to cross your picket line. That's all we're asking from you.<BR/><BR/>I got my 'big break' this year, after ten years of working for free. We don't have 'on the job training.' <BR/><BR/>I would bet you anything that, over the course of your career, you will earn a higher hourly wage than I do. Even factoring in whatever residuals I'll make over my lifetime. I'm not some greedy effete snob with a mansion and a yacht; I'm a working dude who lives in a dinky little condo in Glendale. Residuals don't pay for hookers and cocaine -- they pay for our mortgages and our kids' braces.<BR/><BR/>Sincerely,<BR/><BR/>Steve Barr<BR/>Barr@socalfilm.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-21226313454968646642007-11-13T17:54:00.000-08:002007-11-13T17:54:00.000-08:00Heres the thing the writers aren't getting paid fo...Heres the thing the writers aren't getting paid for some of their work, thats wrong. The corporations have done nothing to give the writers what they have deserved, this looks like the only way they can get it done. In addition to this many people are forgetting the unemployment rate of some writers so many actually depend on the royalties for their families. A boost in royalties is a boost in family life for some of these people.<BR/><BR/>It sucks that people get laid off but they can find other jobs, and I've read (doesnt mean its necessarily true) that many of these workers are supporting these writers.<BR/><BR/>To anyone who says look at both sides I completely agree with you. On one side you get writers who live from show to show not getting what they are entitled to. Yes some may be wealthy but many writers arent exactly living the high life. They need those royalties.<BR/><BR/>Lets face it, the companies are either greedy or actually worried about the money made on the internet. The writers arent getting paid for anything on the internet, the result is this strike. Unfortunatly this had to happen and I wish the best of luck to the writers and to the laid off workers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-26753346144995466682007-11-13T12:22:00.000-08:002007-11-13T12:22:00.000-08:00Ahhh Moxie. Typical union reponse. Whenever some...Ahhh Moxie. Typical union reponse. Whenever someone has an opposing viewpoint they are simply uninformed. I guess you get myopia from martching around in circles all day chanting silly slogans. What exactly did I say that was gibberish?<BR/><BR/>Unions were formed for the purpose of helping secure rights for the poor & uneducated workers who were being exploited. <BR/><BR/><B>CHECK</B><BR/><BR/>The writer here is in the top 5% of income earners in the US, and he has the gall to lecture us about the poor plight of the helpless writers...please. <BR/><BR/><B>I don't have access to Mr Schur's W2, but I'm confident that he makes more than $154,120, which puts him in the top 5% of earners in the US.</B><BR/><BR/>You write jokes for a living and get paid well for doing it.<BR/><BR/><B>If the $62K amount give by Mr Schur is accurate, that would put the average writer in the top 30% of earners in the US.</B><BR/><BR/>The problem you have is that you are surrounded by people (actors, directors) who make more than you, naturally you are going to be jealous. Well not everyone makes more than you, the grips, set-dressers, caterers who are not working because of your strike make less. Way to stick it to the man!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-201370163253671742007-11-13T11:37:00.000-08:002007-11-13T11:37:00.000-08:00I am a studio electrician in Hollywood. I make a ...I am a studio electrician in Hollywood. I make a little over $30.00 an hour. While I agree that the writers need to be paid for the content they create, I find it difficult to sympathize with their pleas for more money when they have put thousands of other people out of work for their own financial gain. It's difficult to listen to them talk about how greedy the studios and producers are until they get the pay raises that they feel they deserve. What about the rest of us? We don't get residuals every time something airs. We below-the-liners are paid hourly, which means when we're not shooting, we're not getting paid. There is no system in place for us to earn money on work we've already completed and been compensated for. Everyone is making it out like the writers are working for free...that's not the case. Writers HAVE ALREADY BEEN PAID for their scripts once! Everything above and beyond that is icing on the cake. So again, I agree with the plight of the writers, but for them to whine about not making extra money and putting the rest of us out of work until they get it is just as greedy and selfish as they are accusing the studios as being.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-1762033665960800302007-11-13T10:57:00.000-08:002007-11-13T10:57:00.000-08:00I don't understand why people who don't have the f...I don't understand why people who don't have the facts about the situation waste everyone's time by posting gibberish. <BR/><BR/>Yeah, I'm talking to you AndyW.Moxiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06411078818745520728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-49146191860011357902007-11-13T10:50:00.000-08:002007-11-13T10:50:00.000-08:00Unions were formed for the purpose of helping secu...Unions were formed for the purpose of helping secure rights for the poor & uneducated workers who were being exploited. The writer here is in the top 5% of income earners in the US, and he has the gall to lecture us about the poor plight of the helpless writers...please. <BR/><BR/>You write jokes for a living and get paid well for doing it. Get back to work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-66796162233527861852007-11-13T05:04:00.000-08:002007-11-13T05:04:00.000-08:00well, it sounds good and all, but in the same sens...well, it sounds good and all, but in the same sense aren't you the "big guys" to the grips and drivers and others who just lost their jobs because of YOUR strike?<BR/><BR/>in the end, YOU chose to be in this business. it was your passion for what you do that led you to take the risks involved with writing in hollywood. now it seems like you're pissed off because one of those risks didn't pan out like you wanted, and so you're crying to get your way.<BR/><BR/>i love the show, but c'mon. this is how the world works. if it wasn't for those "old suits," your show would still be on radio.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-33738701727053224372007-11-13T00:19:00.000-08:002007-11-13T00:19:00.000-08:00Suits SuckSuits SuckRiddick021https://www.blogger.com/profile/01931448040388987821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-70908009714621487892007-11-12T16:35:00.000-08:002007-11-12T16:35:00.000-08:00I hope you stole enough paper products from Dunder...I hope you stole enough paper products from Dunder Mifflin before the strike! I would hate to see the cost of paper drain your rally! Fight the fight!<BR/><BR/>You will win!<BR/>rogerwilko@gmail.comRoger Wilkohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09320266096765541503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-25549143266021669112007-11-12T15:53:00.000-08:002007-11-12T15:53:00.000-08:00I saw this article linked on OfficeTally.Com, and ...I saw this article linked on OfficeTally.Com, and just though I'd let you know that the 10000000000s of Office fans are pushing for you guys. <BR/><BR/>It sucks to know that cooperate America is just as greedy and heartless as people think they are >_>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-79544033172224461642007-11-12T13:56:00.000-08:002007-11-12T13:56:00.000-08:00VerdureVision:Yes the financial statements that co...VerdureVision:<BR/><BR/>Yes the financial statements that companies release must be accurate, after Enron, due to the Robinson-Patnam Act. So what you see the companies releasing regarding their income statements are 100% true.<BR/><BR/>If its true that the total amount of residuals that media companies pay out due to these guilds total 12.5% including the WGA, that's a high amount for the companies to have to pay out. <BR/><BR/>As Just Wondering said, that total exceeds Disney's net profit, which is bad business.<BR/><BR/>All you guys who are seemingly blindly supporting the WGA need to look at the facts and analyze it, not just supporting the strike because of a post from a writer. Look at a article showing the media company's side, and then make a judgement. <BR/><BR/>I love how after someone posts clearcut numbers that show how the WGA's proposal would hurt company's bottom line, there's still numerous responses saying: "I support you guys!" <BR/><BR/>I'm probably one of the biggest Office fans, and I'm pissed that after this Thursday we're going into rerun mode already for the time being, but get both sides point of view first.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-44945943864522186502007-11-12T11:24:00.000-08:002007-11-12T11:24:00.000-08:00Anonymous: The SAG residual pool is always 3x the ...Anonymous: The SAG residual pool is always 3x the DGA or WGA residual rate. Which makes sense because it is split more ways (since more actors on a project get residuals than writers or directors.<BR/><BR/>So when thinking about the overall impact of whatever deal the WGA gets, you gotta multiply the percentage by 5.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-12856070961889433062007-11-12T09:48:00.000-08:002007-11-12T09:48:00.000-08:00justwondering... I'm not sure how you address your...justwondering... I'm not sure how you address your actual point (don't know enough) but where exactly are you getting 12.5? Three guilds x 2.5 = 7.5, from where I'm sitting. What's this 3x SAG thing you mention? Are all the residual rates for TV currently the same for all guilds? Anybody know?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-84704680186675244862007-11-12T08:52:00.000-08:002007-11-12T08:52:00.000-08:00Michael,I have two words for you ... you rock!A Fa...Michael,<BR/><BR/>I have two words for you ... you rock!<BR/><BR/>A Fan of "The Office"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-15618036635796551272007-11-12T08:13:00.000-08:002007-11-12T08:13:00.000-08:00I remember in the 2002 when the economy downturned...I remember in the 2002 when the economy downturned there was a employee layoff at Viacom and someone figured out that Summer Redstone's bonus that year was more than the amount saved by the layoffAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-58187837574326357392007-11-11T22:53:00.000-08:002007-11-11T22:53:00.000-08:00verdurvision:But that's just the thing-- the highe...verdurvision:<BR/><BR/>But that's just the thing-- the higher the profit-to-revenue level, the better for the company's stock-- and boosting stock price is what publicly-held corporations want to do above anything else. So if studios are lying about these figures, which they may well be, that means that the profit-to-revenue stream at Disney is probably *less* than the 9.8% it's claiming, not more. <BR/><BR/>So I'm still wondering if a 12.5% residual pool on gross income from new media isn't way too high.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-6481942973997103382007-11-11T19:02:00.000-08:002007-11-11T19:02:00.000-08:00Absolutely brilliant. So proud of you!Absolutely brilliant. So proud of you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462026865900537983.post-4903461968314069632007-11-11T18:31:00.000-08:002007-11-11T18:31:00.000-08:00@just wondering:You're not forgiven, and no, 2.5% ...@just wondering:<BR/><BR/>You're not forgiven, and no, 2.5% is not "too high."<BR/><BR/>When is the last time anyone could actually trust what a corporation has to say publicly about its earnings? (Once upon a time, there was a bright, shiny infinitely profitable corporation called Enron...) I would suggest that 9.8% is the part Disney hasn't managed to write-off or otherwise cover up somehow with creative bookkeeping.<BR/><BR/>Look, 2.5% of nothing is still nothing, if we believe the Producers that "oh, this New Media is to neeeeeeeeew, so we can't pay anyone anything for it, since we don't know if it even makes money." <BR/><BR/>(Ad nauseum...) <BR/><BR/>Until the AMPTP actually sits down and talks to the WGA about a deal, nothing is pretty much what's on the table, anyway...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com