if only we had some Nowbies covering the Entertainment industry

[danny burstein]

https://laist.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/tv-and-movie-writers-could-go-on-strike-on-monday-heres-whats-at-stake

_____________________________________________________
Knowledge may be power, but communications is the key
dan...@panix.com
[to foil spammers, my address has been double rot-13 encoded]

[Rose Ellen Auerbach]

This post sums it up well. The snarkier version is: The WGA contract that came about after the last strike is up, and the people at companies that air, stream or otherwise distribute the shows are like, "Yeah, lost money during the pandemic, can't pay you, pay no attention to all the money we've been sinking into streaming services that are eventually going to have to consolidate because it turns out people have limits on the number or things they'll subscribe to."

In my observations from around the industry, writers get the short end of the financial stick because the people with money don't understand the work. 

There seems to be this notion that because so many writers are sitting around coffee shops working on screenplays or pilot pitches, there's an endless supply of writers who will do it for cheap. WGA keeps reminding them that even though it often happens in isolation, screenwriting is a specialized skill that is the foundation of anything worth watching.

The sides are far enough apart that I expect the strike will happen. Late night shows will go dark, and that might be the only thing you notice at first. If there's not a quick resolution, it's likely to drag on at least until the networks don't have new fall seasons to sell advertising for. 

--Rose

[danny burstein]

On Sat, 29 Apr 2023, Rose Ellen Auerbach wrote:

> This post sums it up well. The snarkier version is: The WGA contract that

[snip]

[Twitter]

Casey Malone
@CaseyMalone
In 2007 NBC was going to cancel The Apprentice, but the strike caused a
need for reality TV. They greenlit Celebrity Apprentice, which blew up and
reignited Donald Trump's celebrity status and set the stage for his run
for president.

Give the fucking writers whatever they want.

Adriana
@Adriana1o5
If there was an award for the most regrettable unintended consequence,
this wins. (hands down)

[danny burstein]

Writers Guild of America West
@WGAWest

The Board of Directors of the @WGAwest and the Council of the @WGAeast ,
acting upon the authority granted to them by their memberships, have voted
unanimously to call a strike, effective 12:01 AM, Tuesday, May 2.

[a] not sure what time zone applies, esp
as this Tweet is from WGA **WEST** (emph added)