Writer's Strike....

[Sawyer]

Flying and looking cute in a red bikini is not "everything Clark should be doing and then some".

Thats debatable.

 

[triplet]

wow, that's really nice of Stewart. He's even paying Colbert's guys? Wow.

Daily Digest apparently got a denial from his reps....

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/

You know that report I cited earlier that Jon Stewart is paying his writers' salaries during the first two weeks of the strike out of his own pocket, for both The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, according to Portfolio.com? Well, his rep has denied it. That's right, denied it.

 

[triplet]

A Vancouver paper has a report on the local impact and explains why they have Smallville and other shows shot in Canada have to abide by the strike:

Writers' strike could have negative impact on Vancouver TV industry

Monday, November 05 - 02:08:54 PM

Katharine Kitts/Bruce Claggett

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - Writers Guild members in the U.S. are heading to the picket lines, and that's bad news for people up here in Hollywood North. The strike could have an impact on the TV and film industry in Vancouver.

First it was the strong Canadian dollar; now it's a strike that could hurt shows like 'Men in Trees' and 'Smallville', which are both shot here. Don Ramsden with the BC Council of Film Unions says most of the locally shot TV shows will have enough material available to carry them until Christmas, but there could be problems after the holidays. "Any of the TV series that are (shot) here, but have writers signed in Los Angeles...those shows are signitory to the Writers Guild West of America. They're being struck."

Ramsden says this could go on for a very long time, and have a lasting impact. "Traditionally when we come back from the Christmas break in January and February, that's pilot season, so I don't imagine there's going to be any of those this year. So not only will the shows that are functioning stop, but there won't be anything coming along."

http://www.news1130.com/news/topstory/article.jsp?content=20071105_170854_1160

 

[avidreader]

A Vancouver paper has a report on the local impact and explains why they have Smallville and other shows shot in Canada have to abide by the strike:



http://www.news1130.com/news/topstory/article.jsp?content=20071105_170854_1160

I wonder if the script editors that Smallville has in Vancouver will be forced to strike or are they Canadian and therefore exempt from striking?

 

[triplet]

I wonder if the script editors that Smallville has in Vancouver will be forced to strike or are they Canadian and therefore exempt from striking?

I don't know, I guess it depends if they're part of the WGA contract or not.

I don't think so, because they would often use a script by Holly Harold as one of their two required freelance scripts and she was their script editor for a very long time before she moved up to producer.

 

[Gold Samurai]

I wonder if the script editors that Smallville has in Vancouver will be forced to strike or are they Canadian and therefore exempt from striking?

well Stargate Atlantis writers are all Canadian, they seem exempt from the strike obviously

 

[avidreader]

I don't know, I guess it depends if they're part of the WGA contract or not.

I don't think so, because they would often use a script by Holly Harold as one of their two required freelance scripts and she was their script editor for a very long time before she moved up to producer.

But she's in L.A. and wasnt she a Story Editor. I know they have that girl, who's exact title I dont know, that works with the actors up there directly.

well Stargate Atlantis writers are all Canadian, they seem exempt from the strike obviously

Much to my son's relief.

Al & Miles are in support of this strike, so I dont see them going to Canadian writers to get scripts written.

 

[avidreader]

This SNL Video sums the situation up perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-FZK5K8J-s

t:

 

[triplet]

This is Conan's commentary on the strike:


HYSTERICAL!



LOL!

 

[triplet]

This SNL Video sums the situation up perfectly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-FZK5K8J-s

t:

That's awesome!

But let me link it up for you...



very funny....

too bad the sound is so low.

 

[Superfreak]

-Should WB negotiate with the craptastic writers of Smallville?

-or Should WB hire scabs, and replace those craptastic writers with a newer, younger, and obviously more creative generation of 'decent' writers?

 

[triplet]

-Should WB negotiate with the craptastic writers of Smallville?

-or Should WB hire scabs, and replace those craptastic writers with a newer, younger, and obviously more creative generation of 'decent' writers?

The thing is the writers aren't "craptastic." DeKnight all but said in his blog, without really coming right out because he still liked his job, that its the network notes that writers must take that cause a lot of the problems that the fans percieve as being because of the writer.

 

[avidreader]

No one has posted this from Ksite.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Statement From Gough & Millar On The Writers' Strike
[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Yesterday we posted an article here on KryptonSite about writers of television and movies now [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]being on strike. Now, we can report on this with added clarity, as we received the following statement from Smallville's executive producers and creators, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As of 12:01 am yesterday, our entire writing staff is on strike. That means that the pencils went down and there won't be any more scripts until our guild, the WGA, receives a fair deal from the studios and networks. The biggest sticking point is residuals on the internet and new media. Residuals are the amount a writer gets paid every time an episode or movie they wrote is rebroadcast. Right now there is no formula in place for internet downloads. So any episode of any show that you download on iTunes or other such services, or watch for free at one of the network's ad-supported websites, the writer gets nothing. I think we can all agree that is unfair.

Screenwriting isn't like other professions. There is no guarantee of employment week to week or year to year. It is a feast or famine business, and when the music stops, you may not still have a chair. As a film school teacher once described it -- you can't make a living, but you can make a killing. It is those times when you are working that you have to plan for the future, because it doesn't last forever. Miles and I have been writing together for 15 years now. Each year I wonder if this is when it all comes crashing down.

I know that if most people have even heard of a screen or television writer, it is usually someone high profile and rich. However, the majority of writers in our guild are middle class. They live paycheck to paycheck. Residuals are what get you through the lean times, so that you can continue doing what you love for as long as you can, and still support your family.

Please understand that no writer wanted a strike, but the issues we are fighting for will determine not only our future in the digital age, but the future of generations of writers to come. If we don't take a stand now, that future will look pretty bleak.

We were able to complete scripts for 15 episodes. Episode 15 is a cliffhanger. To the best of my knowledge, the studio plans to produce all of them. If there isn't a quick resolution, then the season ends in February. It is our wish that this strike will be resolved quickly so that we can get back to doing what we love -- writing.

From the entire writing staff, thank you for your continued support.

Up, up and away!

Al Gough & Miles Millar[/FONT]​

 

[Prison Mike]

that really sucks. If nothing is resolved then the season finale is in february. At least it's better than Heroes, whose finale is in december.

 

[avidreader]

I wonder if one of the story arcs that Gough is referring to would be Kara's.

Know's Pat and Co. are secretly hoping for this to be true. And in all honesty (although I've enjoyed Kara) I hope so too. If we're only getting 15 episodes then I want to see the attention paid to the main cast, especially the big guy who likes to wear red and blue.

I wonder what impact this will have on the actors who werent going to be returning for a Season 8.

 

[Gold Samurai]

I wonder what impact this will have on the actors who werent going to be returning for a Season 8.

that's what I was wondering about with Rosenbaum. Since he will only be in 15 out of the 22 eps will the last 7 have to be mandatory for him in season 8?

No one has posted this from Ksite.

Statement From Gough & Millar On The Writers' Strike

Al Gough & Miles Millar

Yeah there was a shorter version from supermanhomepage

 

[AgentPat]

I wonder if one of the story arcs that Gough is referring to would be Kara's.

Probably not.

Kara's big arc was in the first half of the season, not the second half. So she's been serviced well.

No, in all likelihood, the character to get the biggest shaft this season will be Lois. Second would be Chloe. Neither has had much development so far. They were probably saving their main story arcs for second half - Chloe doing the Watchtower thing with Oliver and Lois moving up at the Planet. Lex was supposed to go all obsessive on Kara (which will probably still happen), and who KNOWS where the writers were taking Lana? Clark of course... well, he's just there. Like he usually is.

It's a shame they couldn't have been more prepared for the strike. If they went into the season knowing they only had fifteen episodes to work with, they might not have "wasted" episodes on Black Canary and whatnot. I get the focus on Supergirl; they want a spin-off after all, but S7 is going to seem pretty disjointed in retrospect if they're chugging along and all of a sudden, the season ends with a cliffhanger at #15.

It'll be seven months before they can resolve it at the earliest, and even THAT isn't guaranteed. We don't know if CW has ordered S8, we don't know how a shortened S7 affects existing contracts (will Rosenbaum be "forced" to return?), and we have no clue how the SAG and DGA strikes will affect the show should they even happen. And that isn't even the half of it. There's quite a few variables going forward.

 

[Prison Mike]

No one has posted this from Ksite.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Statement From Gough & Millar On The Writers' Strike[/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Yesterday we posted an article here on KryptonSite about writers of television and movies now [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]being on strike. Now, we can report on this with added clarity, as we received the following statement from Smallville's executive producers and creators, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]As of 12:01 am yesterday, our entire writing staff is on strike. That means that the pencils went down and there won't be any more scripts until our guild, the WGA, receives a fair deal from the studios and networks. The biggest sticking point is residuals on the internet and new media. Residuals are the amount a writer gets paid every time an episode or movie they wrote is rebroadcast. Right now there is no formula in place for internet downloads. So any episode of any show that you download on iTunes or other such services, or watch for free at one of the network's ad-supported websites, the writer gets nothing. I think we can all agree that is unfair. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Screenwriting isn't like other professions. There is no guarantee of employment week to week or year to year. It is a feast or famine business, and when the music stops, you may not still have a chair. As a film school teacher once described it -- you can't make a living, but you can make a killing. It is those times when you are working that you have to plan for the future, because it doesn't last forever. Miles and I have been writing together for 15 years now. Each year I wonder if this is when it all comes crashing down. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I know that if most people have even heard of a screen or television writer, it is usually someone high profile and rich. However, the majority of writers in our guild are middle class. They live paycheck to paycheck. Residuals are what get you through the lean times, so that you can continue doing what you love for as long as you can, and still support your family.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Please understand that no writer wanted a strike, but the issues we are fighting for will determine not only our future in the digital age, but the future of generations of writers to come. If we don't take a stand now, that future will look pretty bleak.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]We were able to complete scripts for 15 episodes. Episode 15 is a cliffhanger. To the best of my knowledge, the studio plans to produce all of them. If there isn't a quick resolution, then the season ends in February. It is our wish that this strike will be resolved quickly so that we can get back to doing what we love -- writing.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From the entire writing staff, thank you for your continued support.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Up, up and away![/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Al Gough & Miles Millar[/FONT]​

Is this why Smallville is not on iTunes? Because they don't like that the writers don't get paid for each episode rebroadcast? I'm trying to think why Smallville is not on iTunes yet because they could make so much money. Supernatural, Reaper, and a bunch of other CW shows are on iTunes but not their highest rated show? I don't get it.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

^ oh the irony of that, considering you cant download Smallville on iTunes nor can you watch it on the CW's website...

And I dont think Smallville not being on iTunes has anything to do with Al & Miles. Those guys have little control over that decision.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

Probably not.

Kara's big arc was in the first half of the season, not the second half. So she's been serviced well.

No, in all likelihood, the character to get the biggest shaft this season will be Lois. Second would be Chloe. Neither has had much development so far. They were probably saving their main story arcs for second half - Chloe doing the Watchtower thing with Oliver and Lois moving up at the Planet. Lex was supposed to go all obsessive on Kara (which will probably still happen), and who KNOWS where the writers were taking Lana? Clark of course... well, he's just there. Like he usually is.

It's a shame they couldn't have been more prepared for the strike. If they went into the season knowing they only had fifteen episodes to work with, they might not have "wasted" episodes on Black Canary and whatnot. I get the focus on Supergirl; they want a spin-off after all, but S7 is going to seem pretty disjointed in retrospect if they're chugging along and all of a sudden, the season ends with a cliffhanger at #15.

It'll be seven months before they can resolve it at the earliest, and even THAT isn't guaranteed. We don't know if CW has ordered S8, we don't know how a shortened S7 affects existing contracts (will Rosenbaum be "forced" to return?), and we have no clue how the SAG and DGA strikes will affect the show should they even happen. And that isn't even the half of it. There's quite a few variables going forward.

Do you really think it'll be a big cliffhanger though, how many real cliffhangers has Smallville had mid/late season. Maybe it'll be that Lana is pissed at Clark again, which probably would've been "resolved" offscreen by the opening credits of episode 16. I support the writers strike, but the whole cliffhanger thing seems like trying to garner fan support from Gough and Millar.

As for the "wasted" episode with the Black Canary, we get a good 10 of these episodes a year as it is with freak of the weeks. Smallville isn't a serial show and 2-3 of the episodes we'd be missing of those 7 would also be "wasted" episodes as quite a few of the episodes leading to the season finale always are one-offs or gimmicks.

 

[Prison Mike]

yeah it is ironic. I just want to know why. Is it because of the lawsuit over Superboy/Superman or something? I don't know, I'm just wondering.

 

[amazingfantasy15]

^ oh the irony of that, considering you cant download Smallville on iTunes nor can you watch it on the CW's website...

And I dont think Smallville not being on iTunes has nothing to do with Al & Miles. Those guys have little control over that decision.

Well, CW is really behind on that front, which is really surprised considering most of their shows are geared toward an audience that is very tech savvy. They've just started putting shows on iTunes this year. However, it's not just internet it's also DVD sales and CW is on top of getting those out just in time for season premieres.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

yeah it is ironic. I just want to know why. Is it because of the lawsuit over Superboy/Superman or something? I don't know, I'm just wondering.

doubtful. you could download SR all over the place when it came out. I think even Wal-Mart.com had it. I think its more of the network's decision than something to do with the character.

 

[Prison Mike]

I just get pissed off that Smallville is not on iTunes or the CW website. They have all the other crap shows on the site, but not their highest rated one? And if Smallville went on iTunes, I'm sure there would be a ton of people buying season passes or even just individual episodes. The Aquaman pilot with Justin Hartley was the top tv episode for a while. They could have the same success with Smallville.

 

[OobeDoobBenubi]

I agree with the writers & I am on their side with their reasons to go on strike I just think they picked a bad time to do it. As Studios have shown the studios are not taking this seriously or the strike would have been over before it even started. The writers guild should have waited until the actors & directors were able to go on strike with them then the studios would have taken this more seriously. I just think that they chosed a very bad time to go on strike because no studio is taking them seriously & we the viewers get screwed over in the end because of bad planning.