Harlan Ellison -- Pay the Writer

p.s. the "won't piss for free" was obviously a sarcastic remark, if you had a sense of humor you would've got it.

Harlan Ellison was the creative consultant. He didn't "write" it.  There's a reason they had to ask him. Cast and crew often have that stuff in their contracts, but Ellison certainly didn't. They want to use *his* material, for nothing. Ridiculous. It's not like Warner Bro. can't afford to pay him.

Yes they can afford to pay him, but you're still not going to convince me that he should get residuals for an interview he already taped that was, at the time, clearly done as promotional material (did he think they weren't going to use it to promote the project?). If they ask him to go do additional press that's a different story.

PS if he wanted to get paid for the interview, he should've asked for money BEFORE the interview. Who gives an interview, waits to see if someone wants to use it, then demands money? You're espousing the morals of a guy who self admittedly "won't piss for free". Good luck gaining favors

jpw4134, that's not how things work. It's like saying someone who photographed a celebrity that no one else captured should just give it away to every media outlet at no charge...

Awesome rant.

Woot !! This guy is on target !

God bless Harlan Ellison.

All you people who post ads on Craigslist, wanting people to do creative work for little or no pay should pay attention to this.

I had a venue in my hometown ask me to play for free. They were quite taken aback when I told them I never perform for free, except for a few choice nonprofit benefits a year. To all those musicians who play for free, STOP! You are perpetuating the idea that musicians and artists in general should not be paid.

Thanks Harlan for this great commentary.