WRITER SPEAKS OUT

[albee1000]

Funny - when people disagree with the strike, they call the WGA a bunch of names (whiny, etc), but they don't present any counterarguments to their claims. So far, I've seen a couple analogies from the pro-WGA folks here, and nothing but ineloquent baby-talk from the anti side.

[ceremonyforafatlip]

There don't need to be counter-arguments. The point isn't that they can't strike the point is that the business has a right to run itself the way it sees fit. Personally I will never join nor will I ever directly do business with a company that uses union employees. If I ran the studio I would start looking for new talent and simply stop using union writers. There are 12 year old on the net doing better work than the average TV or Feature writer.

[albee1000]

You realize that after you hire these 12-year-olds, they're going to unionize once they find out how important they are to your business.

[ceremonyforafatlip]

Hardly, there will always people of character who wish to be paid based on their value rather than their ability to threaten to disrupt production.

[Hastur83]

The problem is they aren't paid based on their value and the only way to persuade the big guys is to strike. Or perhaps you you know some other way? Or think that it's fair not to pay for the internet stuff.

[ceremonyforafatlip]

Yes, there is a much better way. Quit and start your own production company and compete directly with the studios instead of begging for scraps like a dog.

[Jarrow]

Didn't I just tell you that that is what many of the Writers are doing?

[Jarrow]

Yes, and Studios who negotiate in 'good faith' are likely not to encounter any disruption in production. But you suffer from the same misunderstanding as those who think a 'quality' product is of superior construction. People of 'character' can be people of very questionable character.

[Jarrow]

So if you're anti-union, anti-worker, does that make you pro-corporate abuse and pro-unfair compensation? Unions would never exist without horribly unfair business practices of management & corporations. I completely agree that they need to worry about the bottom line, but what they and you are missing is that, to paraphrase SOYLENT GREEN, "The bottom line is People!"

[ceremonyforafatlip]

The concept of unfair has no meaning. You will either work for a certain amount or you will not. A company will either put up with bullshit like this or it will not. Both sides of this strike are cowards in my estimation. The companies for letting themselves be held hostage when they could just fire all the writers and hire non-union writers, and the union members because they could start their own companies or change professions all together.

[Jarrow]

You're a regular psychic. Cowardly Writers ARE partnering with venture capitalists to start Internet "Networks" where instead of the 2.5% of revenue for broadcasts of their work, they'll get 50%! And the Cowardly networks ARE firing writers and producers by employing Force Majeure clauses. Your utopia is forming. So can you write something other than a less than 500 word comment, and for a living? You can write better than a 12 year-old, right? If you don't, does that make you a coward?

[ceremonyforafatlip]

I know you desperately want to make me the topic rather than the situation, but the bottom line is that the writers involved in this strike clearly doubt their own value. The very act of striking is a defacto admission that you expect to recieve more than fair compensation for your work. If the writers were worth the money the studios would be fighting over themselves to outbid each other for their services.

[Jarrow]

What? Did you say "(Writers)...expect to receive more than fair compensation...?" But you said "The concept of unfair has no meaning." Well if unfair has no meaning, surely it follows that fair doesn't either. Hmm, Got Hypocrisy? As for making 'you' the topic rather than the situation. When you post comments that call people 'stupid' 'cowards' etc. you invite others to scrutinize you. If you can't bear your hypocrisy, get out of the kitchen.

[ceremonyforafatlip]

Fair value is not a moral judgement it is an economic one dumbass. Fair = market price, not "what I feel I should get".  You desperately need an econ course.

[Jarrow]

Ooooooooh, catching your inconsistency touch a nerve? Perhaps we really should all agree to characterize your statements as BRRRRRILLIANT, for when you use the term 'fair' it must mean something other than what YOU characterize otherw mean when they use the term. Well, at least we've gone from "stupid" to "Coward" to "Dumbass" you know, like in a 12 year-old name calling exercise.

[Jarrow]

When someone offhandedly dismisses the work of others who work very hard, it's clear that they are not in this business. FYI, most poor writing decisions are a result of interference from Network Brass & Producers changing, homogenizing or simply putting their 'fingerprints' on the creative process. You can spout philosophy from the cheap seats until you're blue in the face, bucko, but but as Teddy Roosevelt stated, "The credit belongs to the man in the arena." And that, sir, is not you.

[ceremonyforafatlip]

Writing is not work. Patrolling the streets of Bagdad is work. Shoveling pig shit all day for two dollars is work. Being a cop is work. Being paid to write is like being paid to engage in your favorite hobby. These people spend so much time inventing "wacky" scenarios they start believing their own stories. The West Wing wasn't a documentary, Martin Sheen wasn't really the president.

[Jarrow]

Work is work is work. Being a Physician is work even if you love medicine. Being a bookkeeper is work even if you love math. Playing professional sports is work even if you love your sport.  Rush Limbaugh LOVES to talk, is his show work? You bet it is, that's why he gets 30,000,000 per year. If you get paid for it, it is usually a job of some sort.

[ceremonyforafatlip]

Sorry, but being an entertainment writer is as worthless a contribution to society as there is. I would compare them to crack-whores but that would be an insult to crack-whores.

[Jarrow]

Wait, more name-calling. YIPPEE! Crack-whores? Well that makes us nearly the oldest profession now, doesn't it? Maybe not the 'crack' part, but we have you to thank for that innovation. I suppose anyone who works could be construed to be prostituting something. Still, I think I'm done with this discourse since you're now just calling the Studios/Producers 'Johns' and the audience a bunch of porn addicts. That's just too much for me to endure!

[hdtvcamera1]

This is why writers should not be camera operators. I loved the pan audience shot that shows all the empty seats.

[JesseQuintana]

Not everybody is a computer geek.

[budx12]

what a bunch of losers, supporting the studios, acting like they're voicing regular people's concern

[Song0Seven]

regular people? Oo... you are separating people with what criteria? These are "regular" people. Just because they have the possibility (I stress POSSIBILITY) to make more than you financially doesn't make them anything less or anything more than just people.

[Bigjohnnywad]

What a bunch of ego maniac over paid idiots..whining like babies..

[BadBrad23]

Television will be extinct in about 3 more years. All the sponsers will be going to the internet, to have a worldwide audience. If the writers make a deal they will have to write alot better than the tv sitcom crap they have been producing as worldwide they will not watch and mock them. I have watched some television programs in different countrys and makes the US look like cavemen...

[Proofpoochie]

I agree with fattyfactcats. go back to work!

[wachipi11]

You are really stupid! No one calls any one a fattyfactcat that just makes you sound like you have problems. Plus they are doing the right thing by being on strike.

[shelli516]

OMG. BABBLE!!! blah blah. stop taking. get a application for walmart. see if you can live on that paycheck. who cares you big baby.

[wachipi11]

Dude GET A LIFE!!!!!!!!!!! They are not getting what they deserve! You wouldn't want to live under those conditions either! Working hard for an unfair pay!

[ceremonyforafatlip]

The problem is that union employees think that they have a right to a certain pay in a certain field of work, and they don't. This whole situation only exists because the studios and other companies that hire writers are stupid enough to continue to hire union people.

[thedragonforce]

Wow, I'm glad I watched this video; I never knew the full length office episodes were on the nbc website! YAY I'm gonna watch them now!

[GretnaBlast]

I've thought about that before, how eventually people won't have a tv and a computer, it'll pretty much just be a computer, likely with remote control just like a tv. We gotta start treating stuff we watch on the net exactly like it's treated on tv, that means recongnizing intellectual property.

[fattyfactcats]

no, it will only end if people band together and demand that it stops. But we would rather talk about comedy writers.

[WendyLaurenE]

Erm... where my comments go? I had some valid supporting points for the WGA...

[WendyLaurenE]

Ignore that..

[fattyfactcats]

there's a f-ing war going on. these guys need to SHUT UP, they make me wnt to puke.

[WendyLaurenE]

Yeah, you've got a war going on and what are you doing about it?

Talking about how ridiculous it is that middle-class writers want a fair price for their work, instead of handing over their money to the growing upper-class assholes trying to keep it from them.

[WendyLaurenE]

They have a democratic right to fight for their work in a capitalist society where hard work usually means better pay. That's right a DEMOCRATIC right, and last thing I heard was that the war was intending to bring American values to Iraq. Ideologies like democracy and capitalism. So next time you complain about people fighting for what America apparently stands for, think twice. Not that a person like you would think twice anyhow...

[shelli516]

zzzzz Think twice about this. NO ONE CARES. THE TV SUCKS

[albee1000]

No one cares?

Then why are you posting here?

[fattyfactcats]

it is just so nauseating to se all this pontificating by comedy writers when our government is actually discussing "waterboarding". why would you want to work any of those evil corporations anyway.

[WendyLaurenE]

I'm not necessarily advocating television, I hardly even watch it. I am a film studies major, however, and am concerned with the way that this will effect the future film industry (if it does). I understand the seriousness of torture, the seriousness of war and that complaining about a pay raise like this seems silly in light of that. However, this stands for values that are supposedly the foundation of many nations, and therefore I support them.

[WendyLaurenE]

To digress a little, I might mention that The Daily Show might bring to light the seriousness of Waterboarding if it weren't effected by this valid protest.

[fattyfactcats]

You're right. I'm a teacher, I just freaked out. I support their cause, have just been overwhlemed with conveying and discussing tragedy and horror to teens all week. The WGA representatives could be less annoying though- seriously, to regular people like me and my students, they come across as self righteous and unlikeable.

[WendyLaurenE]

It's amazing how so many people have different personas on the net than they do in person. I think it's a shame that people can come online and be completely unaccountable for their actions. Thanks for becoming a bit more open.

[MollyNYC]

"why would you want to work any of those evil corporations anyway."

Hmmm. Why would a TV writer want to work in the television industry? Gosh, that IS a toughie.

[MollyNYC]

Right. Because if the writers settle for the producers' proposed contract, the war will end immediately.

[shelli516]

They seriously make me puke. OMG You just have to wonder is TV just full of little baby whiners or what?

[fattyfactcats]

god they are so f-ng full of themselves. no one cares.get a real job.

[jeremyrain98]

then why do you come here you dumbass?

[MischaBotticelli]

The same can be said for your job. Many teachers complain about low wages and there have been many a time where there has been a strike for them. They were passionate about the service they provide and their product of education. Did anyone complain? No, and if anyone did, they're being quite selfish.

Anyone would be just as "self-righteous" if they weren't being properly rewarded for their creative products and time.

[WendyLaurenE]

Without the writers, there would be no shows, no TV, no movies. Unless you enjoy watching substandard crap (i.e. porn without the sex - and even porn has writers) I suggest paying close attention to the points that are being raised.

[shelli516]

That is what TV is soft porn. What did you not notice the crap that is on TV? Come on. Are you serious.

[Breeslave]

I could care less I WANT MY SHOWS BACK AND TO NOT BE CANCELLED BECAUSE OF THE STRIKE I REMEMBER MOOMLIGHTING!

[buddhaplex]

You want your shows back? That's great. Writers who make a living doing that want to be able to PAY THEIR MORTGAGES; and SEND THEIR KIDS TO COLLEGE.

[fattyfactcats]

who CARES about their mortgages and their kids?????? no one CARES

[TheMadKingII]

An analogy: A novelist gets royalties from a recently published book which sells a million copies. The publisher then converts that book to pdf and sells a million more on the web, yet the novelist is not compensated at all for those pdf sales, which rake in millions.

Is that fair to the novelist, without whom those internet profits would not even exist?

Discuss amongst yourselves, I'm getting verklempt.

[ShyMazta]

I have the volume on my computer turned all the way up - and could not hear what was being said.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask what the portion of profits the actors/directors/cameraoperato­rs/etc. make on things like internet downloads etc.

Thank you. I am sure someone on here will be able to answer this question for me.

[erindizmo]

Nobody gets *any* residuals on internet downloads. Writers, actors, nobody. It's just the studios pulling in pure profit.

[ShyMazta]

Okay, I thought they were protesting the unequal balance between writers and others who work on the material.

This strike is just for the writers though, correct? So I am guessing this will continue further even if the WAGs criteria are met, because the actors will need to be compensated as well.

[erindizmo]

Yeah. The actors' and directors' run out within the next year or so, IIRC. So that's another reason that they're supporting the writers so heavily right now. Whatever the writers get, they'll likely end up with as well.

[albee1000]

Yeah, I did the same thing volume-wise. The sound is a little subdued.

[Dannychico]

The AMPTP needs to get its head out of its ass.

[CarloCondo]

Howard for president.

[Dax125]

I love Lost...yet I watched the entire 3 season on internet and I will buy the DVD...I didn't watch a single episode on TV...

[twilightgal]

I don't get the studios greed. Isn't there enough money being made now and into the future to share? Why should only the producers get super fat from this entertainment? Even from just a common sense standpoint that doesn't work. AMPTP, you are making a ton of money, and will make a ton of money. Let the people who are instrumental in making this product share in that. How hard is that to figure out? Didn't your mothers ever teach you al to share?

[joshee1003]

sweet.

[shont2006]

I have to admit...I watch all my favorite shows on the internet. I watch zero shows when they actually air.

Those days aren't just coming...they are already here.

[wachipi11]

He is so awesome! Thats a great speach! (thats my dad!) GO DAD!!!!

[MiyaunnaCleveland]

Good for him!! ;)

[wachipi11]

thanks

[MiyaunnaCleveland]

No problem....I'm from a writing family. Go WGA!

[mickthesick]

Personally, I think the writers should ask for a higher cut on the DVD sales also. And, I agree on internet being a major factor. I don't have TV, so I watch all my favorite shows in the internet. I watch 5 commercials per episode of The Office, Journeyman, Chuck and Heroes. The writer's should get paid for me watching those Lysol, Clorox and Honda advertisements.

[Beeks84]

This man is a great speaker and he really does hit every point someone could in 3 minutes.

He's right--soon enough TV and internet will completely merge and that doesn't bode well for writers.

[mickthesick]

He is a "writer" and a writer always knows what to say and how to say. I am one of those people who, when, watches TV and appreciates the writing on shows like The Office, Dexter, Daily Show and the Colbert Report. Those show would not be what they are without those awesome writers.

[shelli516]

What a whiner. Come on who watches this crap on TV anymore?

[34atticus398]

Well said! As a viewer, I could not ask for a better presented argument for your cause.

[TFTalbott]

Did you guys see PHIL HAY and DEREK HAAS at the end of that clip?

It's almost as cool as seeing the back of MALCOLM SPELLMAN's head in the middle!

[amazonbaby]

There's no TV or movies without a script.

All the writers are asking are a fair share of the ridiculous profits.

It's not fair that the studios make hundreds of millions of dollars and writers (and, if the studios have their way, actors and directors) get nothing.

[cekinla]

Beautifully said! Let's hope someone other than the WGA listens.

[stupidtjones]

Well said and heartfelt and great.  thanks, Howard.

[austinrobinson]

greedy divisive hacks!

[epitone]

This is a perfect summary of the writers' position and their need to strike.

[lamtsite]

And society deserves a system where people don't get paid over and over for a job performed once, and that includes actors, directors, producers and everybody

[TMHMM]

But as long someone is getting paid the writers, as one of the authors, deserves their share.

A fair share.

[myrudehand]

If you write a book and 10,000 people buy it you've performed a job once, but people have paid someone for it 10,000 times. I think writers should get paid based on how many people enjoy what they've written. If it's shown on the internet, repeated on tv, on dvd, or as in-flight viewing.

[fattyfactcats]

well said.

[ArchiteuthisDux]

Go Writer's Guild! I don't think writers deserve credit -- they deserve CASH! Without writers, all TV would be a compilation of YouTube idiots hurting themselves in various ways.