The WGA contract negotiations/strike/ramifications/scuttlebutt will be featured here as events dictate but I also plan to continue posting my usual variety of nonsense, snarky rants, and self indulgent anecdotes. I feel I have that obligation to you, my dear audience.
Thank you.
You be as self indulgenet as you like. That's why we come here. And it will be nice to read a delightfully sarcastic commentary on where on Wilshire someone can read the best picket signs.
ReplyDeleteJust be careful some enterprising producer doesn't grab a few of your funnier postings and have them read by actors for broadcast. You don't want to end up a blog-scab.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear. Are there any implications of that? I mean, it's writing. Though it's your own personal blog I guess. Would be funny if a writer couldn't even make up a shopping list while striking.
ReplyDeleteDid the last minute negotiations that were going to happen last night not go well?
ReplyDeleteI think the negotiators broke to catch a midnight showing of Bee Movie, opening today at a theater near you.
ReplyDeleteKen - I'd be curious to know how non-writers can support the WGA's cause. Are there specific things we can do (or not do) to show our support?
ReplyDeleteWell, as non-guild, we can form a Non-Writers' picket line.
ReplyDeleteNo one -- I stress *no one* -- can cross that line to avoid writing.
I was involved in a strike once, as a striker. Over 20 years ago. I haven't crossed a picket line since.
ReplyDeleteSomeone above asked what bystanders can do to help WGA. I can't imagine what that might be, but if there were something I could do, I would
Ken! It's Karen Hall. I put you on my sidebar so someone better educated than me re strike issues -- okay, that's not an elite club, so let's say people better educated than me, with blogs, whom I like -- could explain the facts to all 20 of my regular readers. (For the record, don't bother trying to become one, all I do is rant about the sorry state of Catholicism, with the occasional semi-witty story about my cousins.) All of this just to say "hi" and I won't see you in the picket lines because I will be in NC growing (and selling) my own vegetables and homeschooling my 6 year old. But I will be mentally honking my horn every time I think of my WGA brethren.
ReplyDeleteWow, Karen Hall from MASH? and Moonlighting? You worked on some amazing shows (and grace under fire, but I won't hold that against you), you must have some good stories to share. It would be nice to hear some of them, on most of the 80's and 90's best shows. Nice work Karen.
ReplyDeletenow that I've exposed myself as a TV nerd, I'll move on
What will the daily shows do, specifically Jay, Letterman, Conan. Jay is famous for his pizza and writing sessions with Jimmy Brogan,,, do they just stay away from the keyboard? How do they get the monologue done since they aren't allowed to use their regular staff? If anyone knows. Thanks..
ReplyDeleteI'm a little worried about the prospects for the strike. In the AP story I saw last night, one of the early graphs featured a quote from Harris Goldberg, listed as writer for "Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo." That's one way to build support for management.
ReplyDeleteHi Ken,
ReplyDeleteI'm a college student studying film, and am hoping to get an internship out in LA this summer. I had a couple questions for you, that I hope you can answer.
First...Do you think the WGA strike could affect my chances of getting an internship?
Second...Could you give me some good tips for applying for internships? Maybe the best things to highlight in cover letters and resume specifically for the industry or the best places to apply?
Thanks in advance...Your blog has been a great source of information and entertainment for me...Keep it up!
If I donate money to your blog through Paypal, does that count as you crossing the picket line?
ReplyDeleteScab blogger! Scab blogger!
Really good site about the writers issues...
ReplyDeletewww.artfulwriter.com
What can you do? If you can summon the energy to comment on Ken's blog you can email your support for the WGA to the networks. For example:
ReplyDelete'Dear Sir, I am using your email contact system to express my support for the WGA in their campaign for fairer compensation for writers. Rather than forcing the issue with the people who creat the content that earns you the money, you should work on devising a business model that benefits everyone, including the viewers.
Yours, etc...
artful writer is excellent. Check out two adverbs also.....
ReplyDeleteAs another non-guild member, I figured the best I could do was post, on my blog, an amazing letter from a teamster, posted at the United Hollywood blog, on why writers, and sisters unions NEED to stand together.
ReplyDeleteI was moved by it and felt it needed maximum exposure.
Here are the links:
United Hollywood
and
Mine
Watch the video where Larry King asks Jerry if his show got canceled.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yahoo.com/s/725354
Priceless.
Note: Short commercial first.
-Jim
last comment ment for previous thread. Sorry bout that.
ReplyDelete-jim
Write on!
ReplyDeleteWhat is this Bee Movie you speak of. Haven't heard of it.
ReplyDeleteWhat none of you know is that Ken actually wrote three dozen blog posting before the strike. If they run out before the strike is over, Ken will be in reruns or be replaced by a reality blog.
I'm assuming all of your WGA member readers saw the full page ad placed by show runners pledging to not write during the strike?
ReplyDeleteAnyone else notice who's name was NOT on that list?
Chuck Lorre of "Two and A Half Men". Says a lot, doesn't it.
Hi Ken,
ReplyDeleteCan you give us some insight about the strike? What do the writers want? What do YOU want? I read on CNET news that the writers want a bigger portion of proceeds from Internet distribution.
Brian
We want a share of New Technology - like post telegraph.
ReplyDeleteI heard Ellen will do new shows without writers. She cares about the writer's cause but as for not doing shows, it's not like they are puppies.
ReplyDeleteTo Bradford: I'm also a college student in film. As a junior, most of my friends and I either have or are searching for internships (I'm in the searching category)... And most of my friends that have internships on scripted TV shows have been fired because their productions are shut down.
ReplyDeleteI think a bigger question is where do our loyalties lie? Should we, as students, avoid interning at struck companies? Are there alternatives? I'm looking at PBS productions right now, but I would love to hear how WGA stands on this issue. While interns don't provide absolutely essential services, I'm sure that their respect for the picket line would mean something. Any thoughts from the "grown ups" out there?