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Post by Jeffrey on Oct 31, 2007 20:15:02 GMT -5
Anyone hear about this strike potentially going on soon? They've been talking about it forever, but it looks like tomorrows the decision day. Yahoo has an article about the affect this might have on popular tv shows like Heroes and Desperate Housewives. Check it out here: ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/071029/entertainment/hollywood_labourKinda sucky if the good shows get stalled and reality tv takes over, but I'm sure it wouldn't be permanent. I'm sort of interested in the fallout of this, even though it may make a mess of the film and tv industry. Hmm...
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Post by Corey Blake on Nov 1, 2007 13:34:39 GMT -5
Yes, as you might imagine it's being talked about a lot here.
What's at issue is "payment for profits on DVDs and shows offered digitally on the Internet, cell phones and other devices."
The new media stuff in particular really needs to be worked out more, in my opinion.
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Post by Ziska on Nov 1, 2007 15:01:23 GMT -5
There are times I wish negotations could begin before the contract is about to expire.
Aside from the reality TC angle, I have to say I'm curious how it will play out when people are forced to do something other than watch TV. Or if they notice they are watching re runs.
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Post by Corey Blake on Nov 1, 2007 16:38:49 GMT -5
I honestly don't expect it to last long enough for it to get to that.
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Post by Corey Blake on Nov 2, 2007 16:23:28 GMT -5
From Cynopsis.com:
It's official. At a press conference held just minutes ago, WGA announced it would go on strike as of Monday, November 5th.
The press conference was conducted by WGA West head Patric Berrone, WGA East's Michael Winship and the WGA negotiating committee chair John Bowman.
As mentioned this morning, the first shows effected by the strike - late night talkers which depend on writers for their day and date opening monologues. Those shows will likely go into repeats as soon as the strikers begin picketing. The majority of the scripted TV series would begin to see the effects of a strike in 1st and 2nd qtr 2008.
The biggest issue facing the two sides of this debate right now are the DVD and new media residuals. Currently the formula is based on the home video formula created years ago when VHS and the sale of home video movies were first introduced. That formula provides that the first 80% of the revenue from sale of VHS tapes (and now DVDs) goes to the cost of manufacturing and distribution, and of the remaining 20%, writers are awarded just 1.2%, or about 3 cents on every $20 VHS or DVD. The WGA is now asking for their percentage to be based on 40% of the sale, and the same formula should be applied to all new media.
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Post by Jeffrey on Nov 2, 2007 19:23:32 GMT -5
Well, 1.2% doesn't seem like a lot, so I can see the need to strike. I have nothing against creators trying to get more money for what they deserve. I'm just curious to see how this actually plays out for tv shows and film. I'm not a huge tv watcher anyway, so personally I won't be too affected. I'll be sad if Lost doesn't come back on when it was supposed to early next year, though!
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Post by Ziska on Nov 2, 2007 20:37:00 GMT -5
Yeowch! Not to mention, as I understand it, aDVD is technically cheaper to make than a VHS and faster.
But, I am still confused. So, they are essentially now asking for double what they are getting now? It still doesn't seem like all that much. And who would swallow the difference (since I'm sure some creative accounting could make it seem like 80% of the total doesn't cover production cost)?
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Post by Corey Blake on Nov 2, 2007 21:32:19 GMT -5
Just to clarify, they currently get 1.2% of 20%. Or, as it says, 3 cents of a $20 DVD. A pretty ridiculous share considering their contribution.
I think the idea is to ask for a pretty huge piece of the pie with the understanding that negotiations will bring it down, hopefully to a still respectable level. Coming to a consensus as to just what that amount is seems to be the trick.
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Post by Jeffrey on Nov 2, 2007 22:06:08 GMT -5
Yeah, 1.2% of 20%. Not a whole lot. I just read another article on Yahoo about it, and it says Lost most likely won't be affected. They've stockpiled scripts since this past June, so they've got almost the entire season written already, and it should be fine to start in February! Hooray!
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Post by Corey Blake on Nov 3, 2007 18:52:11 GMT -5
Delaying the season paid off for them. Battlestar Gallactica may be in the same situation.
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Post by Jeffrey on Nov 4, 2007 9:37:07 GMT -5
Hooray!
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Post by Corey Blake on Nov 5, 2007 14:00:44 GMT -5
According to TV Guide, Heroes is shooting an alternate ending to the Fall finale in case it ends up having to be the season finale due to the strike.
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Post by Corey Blake on Nov 5, 2007 14:05:15 GMT -5
Speaking of TV Guide, they have a blog up that will be covering how the strike will affect various shows. First, soaps are safe through January, then a network-by-network breakdown. What's interesting is that according to them, Lost isn't as safe as the Yahoo article Jeffrey read seemed to indicate. Jeff, do you have a link to that article?
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Post by Jeffrey on Nov 5, 2007 22:11:41 GMT -5
Crap, I don't have the link anymore. Sorry.
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Post by dotxom on Nov 5, 2007 23:59:01 GMT -5
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