Scott Bakula, Brent Spiner, Judith and Gar - Writer's Strike
- Thread starter commodore64
- Start date
Are the stiking writers trying to get more compensation for just themselves, or everyone else affected by the strike? The set builders, caterers, costumers, camera guys, grips, etc...all the other people who will not be getting paid once all the scripts run out? Or is it just too bad for them?
I don't pretend to know how much series and movie writers get paid. I'm sure it varies depending on how successful the projects are that they work on. Apparently they make enough to afford to hold out during a strike. But the "little people", the ones who don't have prominent credits at the beginning and the end, may not.
I've been wrong before, though...
I don't pretend to know how much series and movie writers get paid. I'm sure it varies depending on how successful the projects are that they work on. Apparently they make enough to afford to hold out during a strike. But the "little people", the ones who don't have prominent credits at the beginning and the end, may not.
I've been wrong before, though...
As I understand it, the writers aren't getting a share of the profits made from new media... downloads, DVDs, pay-per-view, repeat showings and so on.
Fair play to Scott, Brent and the rest showing solidarity with the real driving force of the TV/Film industry. It's not uncommon for actors to mercilessly lay into scriptwriters, showing no appreciation whatsoever. So this is a refreshing change. If you slaved away at endless rewrites, you'd want recognition for performing miracles too.
Fair play to Scott, Brent and the rest showing solidarity with the real driving force of the TV/Film industry. It's not uncommon for actors to mercilessly lay into scriptwriters, showing no appreciation whatsoever. So this is a refreshing change. If you slaved away at endless rewrites, you'd want recognition for performing miracles too.
Agreed with that. I was just curious if everyone else affected by the strike is on-board with it.
Unions can only represent the interests of those people included in their jurisdiction. Labor law would not permit them to make demands on behalf of people beyond that.
As for the people whose jobs are on hold because of the strike, they've probably been laid off and are collecting unemployment benefits. (In fact, the staffs of several late-night programs are being paid by the stars of those shows (Leno, Letterman, Stewart and Colbert, specifically that I know of).
And keep in mind the studios are the other half of this equation. Strikes are only called when management won't move on issues. The studios are claiming that they can't pay better for the new media opportunities because they don't know what's going to happen. Which is a ridiculous argument. If they decided to stop putting episodes up on their web sites, or on DVD or whatever, the writers simply don't compensated for something that isn't happening.
And it doesn't surprise me that the actors are supporting the strikers. Unions engage in solidarity actions all the time.
It's not only that, I think the actors guild contracts are up in june or sometime around that. They have similar grievences, so the actors are supporting the writers because a defeat here will make their fight later on a lot harder.
Not to say I'm sure there aren't a good number of actors who are nice people, but en masse that's one of the primary reasons.
Not to say I'm sure there aren't a good number of actors who are nice people, but en masse that's one of the primary reasons.
Re: Scott Bakula, Brent Spiner, Judith and Gar - Writer's St
I sooooo agree with you! I heard SAG (Screen Actors Guild) has their contract coming up soon.
I also think it would be nice, since movies and television are a team effort, to share the profits with all groups who help create it.
I sooooo agree with you! I heard SAG (Screen Actors Guild) has their contract coming up soon.
I also think it would be nice, since movies and television are a team effort, to share the profits with all groups who help create it.
Re: Scott Bakula, Brent Spiner, Judith and Gar - Writer's St
A former TBBS poster explained it a little better here.
From what I've been told, those who cross the picket lines to do scab work run a large risk in being blacklisted once the strike is over, since the union. A writer would be better off flipping burgers for the duration of the strike than crossing the picket line and never working again afterwards.
A former TBBS poster explained it a little better here.
Re: Scott Bakula, Brent Spiner, Judith and Gar - Writer's St
Yep, that's true
Good for Scott, my respect for him rises every day. Themed events sound like a funny idea but, hopefully, they get some of the Trek XI people involved as well.
Yep, that's true
Good for Scott, my respect for him rises every day. Themed events sound like a funny idea but, hopefully, they get some of the Trek XI people involved as well.
Re: Scott Bakula, Brent Spiner, Judith and Gar - Writer's St
For those of you who are still a little fuzzy about why the writers are on strike--the big picture--Phil Alden Robinson, the writer/director of one of my favorite films, "Field of Dreams," sums it up quite eloquently here.
Here's the latest news from the trenches: Los Angeles Times article: "Writers, studios break off talks"
Keep in mind that the majority of screenwriters, like the majority of actors, don't earn a living at their chosen craft. They have day jobs, or spouses who support them as they pursue their dream. They can't afford this strike. But they support it because they're fighting for their futures.
For those of you who are still a little fuzzy about why the writers are on strike--the big picture--Phil Alden Robinson, the writer/director of one of my favorite films, "Field of Dreams," sums it up quite eloquently here.
Here's the latest news from the trenches: Los Angeles Times article: "Writers, studios break off talks"
Keep in mind that the majority of screenwriters, like the majority of actors, don't earn a living at their chosen craft. They have day jobs, or spouses who support them as they pursue their dream. They can't afford this strike. But they support it because they're fighting for their futures.
^ *Sigh* The artists formerly known as... 
It's not as if Paramount could sue them for using a word from the dictionary either... so maybe there's another reason for dropping the connection.
It's not as if Paramount could sue them for using a word from the dictionary either... so maybe there's another reason for dropping the connection.
Re: Scott Bakula, Brent Spiner, Judith and Gar - Writer's St
Here's a video of some of our favorite Trek actors and Harlan!
http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/2315853.html
Here's a video of some of our favorite Trek actors and Harlan!
http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/2315853.html