A new news article has been published at TrekToday: If current talks between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP) fail, writers... Continue reading...
So once again millions of low wage earners could lose their best stress reliever because billionaires can't agree with hundred thousandaires who has to live with slightly less money. Oh well. At least this may save Amazing Race one more season.
Well, it's bullshit that most writers affected by these issues make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. But, you know, keep whacking away at that "pox on both your houses" false equivalency to make bad guys out of workers who'd like a fair deal but might inconvenience you in your leisure time pursuits.
Agreed!!! I'm so tired of this 'equality for all' bullshit from some people that start to complain when said equality becomes troublesome to them. Save a few priviliged famous writers, writers in Hollywood DO NOT make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. They deserve decent wages aswell, just like you. So suck it up, and deal with it. Plenty of good stuff to either watch on a disc or stream on Netflix or whatever.
Yup, writers are people who have rights and protections in their employment. Whether they earn a couple of dollars for a script or millions (I'm sure both extremes apply in the right circumstances) they can and should protect those conditions like anyone else. If that means my trek is delayed I have more pressing concerns and the the above principle matters more than my entertainment. However, two small points: 1) TNG came through such a strike seemingly all the better. It's strongest seasons followed the strike and few if any would argue it was in any major way a detriment to success. 2) The episodes are largely written anyway. Yes there will be re writes and tweaking, but there is nothing here that should prevent the series being aired.
I understand that a successful writer could make around $14,000 for a half hour TV script. There's a lot of hours that go into a script and a lot of work that never gets purchased. If you're not a regular or staff writer, your income may not be reliable and maybe two or three sales a year wouldn't exactly provide you with a lavish lifestyle. Yeah, screw those guys...
One of the sticking points in this contract is the tendency toward shorter TV seasons. They take nearly as long to produce from a writing standpoint, but the writers are paid per episode, and are generally not allowed to look for other work when it is not in production. They want to raise the minimum script fees so that these guys can still make a living.
Oh I've no reason to suspect that the strike helped, but it didn't stop the following seasons being largely viewed as the strongest of the series.
Meh. I hardly watch TV anymore. Hopefully the writers come out winners in this, however long it takes.
I wish nothing but the best to anyone who's trying to make as much money in their job as they can. I hope it doesn't delay Discovery, but if it does no big deal. We've survived two delays already.
I'm not commenting on the positions involved in the Strike - but your numbers caught my attention - $14,000 per half hour script, let's be generous and go with your upper limit of three sales a year. That's $42,000 per year. Or, using todays conversion rates - £32689 as an annual income. About level with the average US income, but almost £6000 higher than the average income. That's a take-home pay, after tax and NI, of approximately £25501 - which isn't exactly a shabby income to be honest.
How much do they make for hour long episodes? Assuming it isn't exactly twice the amount of a half hour episode.
Now factor that you likely need to live in LA to get regular work. From everything I've seen, that money will get you a solid refrigerator box on skid row.
No, but it's hardly untold riches either. We're not exactly talking pampered billionaires. Also it's probably very insecure employment at that level, probably no holiday or sickness pay as a freelancer and this is America - you've got to pay for some kind of health insurance too...
How many writers only do a few scripts per season though. I watch a lot of shows with the same writers across the whole season.
Strike avoided. http://deadline.com/2017/05/wga-strike-averted-tentative-deal-film-tv-contract-amptp-1202081121 It is here, especially in LA.