Fade to Black

[jennifer48423]

Being from Detroit... Why don't we just get foreign TV shows I bet their cheaper... I bet Tv show made in China don't contain Lead...

[HomoCristos]

Because its an ACLIPSE...hihi...¤8)

"MayBe"

[beandog54]

Fuck lost and Heroes I want ENTOURAGE back!!!

[theflatlander1]

good for the networks, too bad for the writers. should have been doctors. i say fuck em. i just want to see a fade to black vid and you tricked me.

[jcaleman]

WTF....?

[squawk56]

Why is this vid called "Fade to Black"?

[Imagitv]

Nicely done. If the producers won't budge. The writers should simply ask for more cash up front. Then everyone wins.

[oviedofl]

I hope this ends soon. As stupid as this sounds, I can't live without Heroes and I want Lost to come back! Figure this out, people! Pay them what they want and get on with it!

[yellxoh]

I called every single number up there.

[Skipper50]

Put the Christmas burning log on 24/7 on every channel and we'll all be better off. Get a real job.

[MrReee]

How much does being a retard on the Internet pay?

[melimidland]

Hah! I think the log is mainly in NYC though.

[pburto]

Who says any of "the pie" belongs to writers?

Factory workers don't get a portion of sales of a product. Should everyone get royalties from everything they contribute to?

[MrReee]

Writers aren't factory workers... they're the INVENTORS of the fucking product, you moron.

[pburto]

I'm a programmer for a software development company. Do I get royalties?

[MrReee]

Did you have a previous deal with your software company to get royalties that they're not honoring? Is there a historically recognized union for programmers? You may well have a valid legal basis on which to sue, but your comparisons to the WGA are asinine.

[pburto]

If there were a dishonored agreement it would be a suit, not a strike.

Don't worry, they'll win. Might makes right.

[MrReee]

Legal might is always on the side of the deepest pockets, which in this case is inarguably the studios. And any union strike would always come BEFORE any class-action suit, in hopes of a good faith negotion (or arbitration) before a court is forced to decide.

Do you spend all day on other message boards posting incorrect opinions about other subjects you know nothing about?

[pburto]

You suggest that a strike is the only way to entertain negotiation, which is ridiculous. Negotiation should come before the threat of either: a strike or a suit.

If a broken agreement is in black and white, deep pockets mean very little in a suit. It's those cases where the intent of a contract isn't clear that deep pockets matter because arguments can be complex and lengthy.

Class action suits are a lot less expensive to the worker than not getting a paycheck during a strike.

[MrReee]

No... YOU began by suggesting that writers are factory workers (which was moot before you typed it,) and every single thing you've posted since then is either blatantly incorrect, or inapplicable to the current situation.

Have a nice day.

[pburto]

You're correct that I used a poor analogy at first. The latter analogy is better, and completely applicable.

One of us is angry, namecalling, and unresponsive. It ain't me.

Feel free to quote the broken contract.

[MrReee]

You used a HORRIBLE analogy at first comparing writers to factory workers, and then used another ignorant analogy comparing writers to programmers. Then you tried to change the subject, which is by definition UNRESPONSIVE. Do you never tire of reality being exactly the opposite of everything you say?

The contract in question is the previous deal from 1988. Do your own research.

[WTF4711]

Unless you completely suck at negotiating, I'm sure you have a bonus package that's partly dependent on what you do and partly dependent on company performance?

[pburto]

The only programmers I've ever known with such a structure were part owners. Most of them are happy with $70K-$100K.

MrReee: How about we just say you win and I'm wrong about everything? You'll be happier, and it really won't affect my life.

I hope we at least agree that the writers will win this. Even if it's justice for it to occur, their victory won't be affected by justice, but rather by their influence. Indeed good talent is hard to find and that makes a strike very effective.

[MrReee]

Since you've now almost completely backtracked from your original insulting post questioning whether writers even deserve a piece of the pie at all, how about we just say that you have no credibility whatsoever? I'm sure you'll enjoy the sound of your own voice regardless.

[pburto]

Okay. Peace out.

[MrReee]

You started name-calling (writers = factory workers) even as you admitted your inability to comprehend a writer's contribution to the product. Then you arrogantly presumed you could arbitrate the WGA/AMPTP impasse yourself, if I'd merely quote you relevant passages from the last contract. Now you'd like to pretend you're taking the high road, because you're really a spineless waffler who got caught gasbagging on a topic about which you know nothing. Think twice before you pontificate again.

[pburto]

Okay, I will. Bye bye.

[MrReee]

Bye-bye!

[mashturbation]

I imagine this conversation was exactly what the pre-strike negotiations sounded like. Except with more poop throwing.

[MrReee]

I imagine the arrow on your "I'm With Stupid" T-Shirt points up.

[jjcorreia]

Watching this conversation as a spectator with a totally neutral opinion, I have to say that MrReee is making himself look like a total jerk.

[MrReee]

Actually, you didn't HAVE TO SAY anything... you CHOSE to add your ignorant opinion to the others. Perhaps next time, you should hire a professional writer instead of a factory worker.

[kaduzy]

Hey MrReee, take a chill pill. You seem to be taking this whole thing quite personally.

[MrReee]

Dude, this particular thread started out as an insult to all writers. If ill-informed people want to comment on a pro-WGA video and question why creators of intellectual property deserve the right of residuals, they should expect to have their stupidity challenged. That's all.

[Bigjohnnywad]

I hope the strike stays on...

[starlapolo]

Your strike is totally justified. Hang in there. I hope you get everything you deserve. Being on strike sucks but God bless you for standing up for what's right. Union forever!

[kpm1001]

Whine, whine, whine!Quit bitching about the money. You knew the deal when you joined the profession. If you don't like it write a novel. Oh that's right you WGA hacks aren't talented enough for that. Go back to writing for Ugly Betty. America can not survive without that crap. Stay on strike forever!

[rstock2]

I would like to see you try to write some of the shows on TV. A lot of it is crap, but there are some genuine, witty shows out there. And they weren't aware of the internet portion of the contract when they made these deals because it wasn't part of the contract! Media has just begun to be displayed on the internet, and (even ask the corporations) it's an entire new gateway for media.

[kpm1001]

Name one witty show! The best show is The Office which is just a ripoff of a British comedy. TV writing has to be the easiest since our standards are so low plus did you ever see the writing staffs. Jeez do they need so many people to create that crap?

[bungloid]

I hope no WGA member wrote this script. :)

In all seriousness I support the writers and hope they get their share.

[salitine]

I consider the writers guild to be heroes. Besides, the lack of new programming has been causing people to notice something new.

Their leaders.

[salitine]

People are talking about laws passed in congress seriously, and getting VERY angry. It would be the height of ultimate WIN if the writers strike caused some honesty in politics. People are even talking seriously about Cheney. It's being discovered that he is not a nice guy. Hippies are siding with gun owners to protect the second amendment. It's amazing.

[salitine]

The worst part is everyone that makes less than 100,000 dollars a year has been the ones paying for the war with their taxes. If you make more than that, or you receive a "gift" of 40,000,000 dollars(in land or cash), you only pay taxes equal to or -less- than 100k earners. Everyone that has an income under 100k has been paying for the war.

Cheney made monies off it.

[salitine]

Hey, could you delete my posts? I don't want what I said being attached to you or to the daily show.

[norb1937]

The only mainstream program I watch is The Unit, about an army ranger team. Then I switch to PBS. I also watch Seinfeld reruns and the news. If nothing I like is on I read.

[JimTS]

I just have two things to say in response...

1) Shut the fuck up.

2) Shut the fuck up.

[MourningTree]

I concur with statement 2.

[lasoccjock]

"None of you took the risk..."

Um, perhaps because they contributed TALENT?! It's the money guys that - since they can't contribute talent - need to buy their way into the equation. And they're happy to do so.

How many naysayers here work for their companies where 90% of their work is unpaid, unless your company - after the project is done and turned in - decides they want to keep it? None? That's what writers deal with every day.

[AmberAlley]

Meanwhile, make-up artists, prop masters, grips, camera operators, caterers, and all the rest of us "below the line" peons get laid off just in time for the holidays...thanks, y'all!

[tleisher]

Sorry this is when the contract expired and this is when they had to deal with it, there's no waiting around.

Does it suck? Yes. Could they have delayed it? Nope.

[smilehallow]

Could you explain the writer's strike to me?

[XKataomoiX]

This strike is bullshit. Writers should have signed on to better contracts or not at all. Then the public would have demanded it for them.

[moiammo]

Their contracts just expired...That's why they are striking. So that "not at all" you were talking about is happening. So I guess the public should be demanding it for them. I hope you are in support.

[elahmo]

The writers are negotiating for a new contract because their previous one has expired. And the reason there's a strike at all is because the AMPTP refuse to find common ground-- they don't want to give them residuals for "new media" at all, despite the popularity and profitability of things like iTunes and UnBox downloads. You pay for these, they've earned tens of MILLIONS of dollars, yet where is that money going?

[salitine]

Corporate executives are like writers. Always bitching and moaning for another yacht and another 100 million dollars in residuals.

Wait, what do you mean writers don't get residuals?

Jeesus, how can they afford food? Whiny damn butthurt execs. Pass the buck on to consumers. That's what you do every other time. Give the writers their 1/4 of a penny and charge the consumer a dollar like you always do.

[moiammo]

"The majority of the WGA's 12,000 members are unemployed at any given time, and median earnings are about $25,000 a year."

"Despite the stories of multi-million-dollar pitch sales and six-figure-per episode salaries enjoyed by a small percentage of writers, most professional writers in Hollywood are very middle-class people."

[djpsinex]

And the only people who will benefit from increased royalties are not going to be those writers who are out of work. This strike benefits working writers on studio pictures that get cable, iTunes and DVD deals and tv shows that are sold into syndication.

[tleisher]

Not true, any writer that has his work put on the internet is going to have royalties paid. This ranges from Netflixes new online service, YouTube, Hulu and everything else.

Plus think about it, in the future the internet is going to be the primary source for movies and television, you'll be able to pick a movie from the millions that have been made and watch it instantly.

[baseballlegend15]

sure whatever you should get 2.5 percent of the revenue. Even though you took none of the risk in making the show you should still get profits. also look at what your doing to other shows. you are effectively killing some new fall shows and dooming later shows

[tleisher]

Oh.. I get it, so the author of a book shouldn't get residuals right? They should just get a one time flat fee and be told "That's it"?

I guess that the movie could've been made without them right? Oh... wait.. they wrote the script? So I guess the movie relied on them right? Oh geez, maybe they SHOULD get paid for what they create.

[djpsinex]

So don't compare writers to waiters, that's a horribly inaccurate comparison because their base salary is in the thousands compared to the 300-500 a waiter might make before tips. Royalties allow writers to hang out at cafes and expensive restaurants during the daytime to be served by those aforementioned waiters. It's hardly about survival.

[KatLilly]

Stay strong. You guys deserve a piece of the Internet ("promotional" or otherwise"). Hopefully this will be sorted out sooner rather than later... I miss The Daily Show and I want 24 back!

[alliewobbles]

Good for you guys! Stay strong and stick it to the networks.

[justplaindoug]

a deal would have been struck by now if the requests weren't ridiculous. Read into what the WGA wants- they want royalties on films and shows before the financiers even break even. Just check into everything they are demanding- I say sure go for more money thats great. But their requests are outrageous.

[NTSCisDEAD]

Uh...grips and caterers, as part of their business model, get paid before the financiers break even. And royalties are part of the business model for writers that allow them to survive (in the same way, say tips are part of the business models for waiters...and authors get cuts of every book, irrespective of their corporate publishers making a profit). P.S. The studios ALWAYS make a profit...and ALWAYS like about.

[NTSCisDEAD]

Meant "always lie about" -- see, what is this town without good writing... :)

[djpsinex]

That's bullshit. Writers get paid A. when a script is optioned, B. when a script is purchased, C. get royalties once the show airs on cable or is shown theatrically. If it's a script polish, they'll get a five or six digit payday on a studio project.

[tleisher]

Yeah, they get paid when a script is optioned. 10% of the total budget for them is paid upon optioning. If the producer wants the movie made, he then pays him the other 90%. They then get 2.5% of the movie is aired on TV and 4 cents if the DVD is bought.

I dont find it outlandish that they get paid 8 cents when something is bought, or 2.5% when a movie is watched on the internet.

Why should studios not have to pay when something is watched online, even though they sell ads on it?

[julica7]

No. We want profits when THEY make profits. Nothing more, nothing less. A fair contract--that's it.

[kpm1001]

This is suppose to be funny? No wonder TV sucks. Whoever made this must be a real hack. What lousy show do you write for, Chuck or is it Heroes? Do you think people care that you are on strike. With all the DVDs and the holidays coming you really misjudged the public if you think they give a rat's ass about you. Instead of making stupid videos why don't you see if Mickey Ds is hiring. Good luck at your forclosure hearing you talentless jackass!

[EthanFurman]

Wow, you must really amuse yourself writing the same things over and over again. Got any more foreclosure jokes, you retarded twit?

[kpm1001]

Youtube was so slow that I posted my comment twice. At least I was twice as creative as the loser who posted this video.

[vigwig]

We miss you guys! Stay strong! (Please see my vid response).

[kpm1001]

That sucked!! Stay out on strike you hack! I'll spend my time reading a good book. Your show must suck if you think that video was worth what little effort you put into it. Do you think with DVDs and the holidays coming th epublic is going to miss that crap on TV? You guys misjudged the public big time. Have fun getting your house foreclosed on you loser!

[guellow23]

go back to work

[antonlash]

I'd call, but I'm afraid that I'd get blacklisted and my career would be cut short before it even starts...just kidding.

[rkutner]

absolutely right, djpsinex. We're totally agonizing over our own folks being out of work. But this all just points to the need to get the AMPTP to sit down and actually negotiate. It's in all of you guys' interest to get this over with - pls call and pester them to make a deal.

[MrReee]

You're handsome.

[djpsinex]

I like that writers are trying to make more. But to sacrifice the salary and lives of editors like me and other people in the industry who will never see a dime of the increased revenue is somewhat callous. Hopefully this doesn't drag on too long, or many people will suffer greatly, not just writers...

[ajamison]

For serious, I have a ton of PA friends, assistants that are about to be in serious jeopardy of their jobs here within the week...if they still have them! This town is crazy.

[nylabc]

Love it, Rob - you rock!

[julep70]

fantastic! call them all!!!

[jrscott79]

Brilliant. What pricks the AMPTP are...

[coyote131313]

This is terrific. I hope people really do call.