Response to a Reader’s Comment Bashing the Writers’ Strike
A few days ago Kel stopped by to leave a long rant about why he hates the writers’ strike, and I felt the need to respond with a post instead of a comment. It’s no secret that I am a fierce supporter of the writers, and perhaps it is naive of me but I think most folks like Kel would be too if they understood the stakes involved in the issues.
Much of the strike is about the fact that writers are not being paid for their work AT ALL. The episodes that end up on the internet are seen as “promos” under the current WGA contracts, even though studios and networks sell advertisements and make a profit off of them.
So the writers are simply wanting to be paid for what they produce, because right now they are expected to produce internet only content without compensation.
And while you may be right about the fact that writers have little to do with producing DVDs, there would not be a DVD without a good script. Residuals from things like DVDs help writers stay writing over the course of their careers.
Sure, you are correct that some writers advance their careers to the point that they are making a lot of money. But most script writers make about as much as your friends and neighbors do, only they can expect to be unemployed for about half of their lives as they scramble to land their next job. Not everyone makes the fat checks a showrunner like Joss Whedon does, and the residuals help feed their families during the times that they are between writing jobs.
Plus, let us remember that they are not exactly asking for the moon here. Expecting to make eight cents rather than four cents off of a $19.99 sale is really not asking all that much in the grand scheme of studio profits, but it can make a huge difference to a working family.
Trust me, I know how much it sucks to think that your favorite show will not be around for a while .. or perhaps be gone for good. But in the grand scheme of life, I would rather support people who are simply trying to make a living. Kel and others may have a different opinion, and I support their right to do so … but for me, I am backing the writers.
November 16th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Wow, I have never had a website actually respond to one of my comments and yes it was a rant because I was upset. Hopefully this one will be more organized, like your response. Firstly, I’d like to say that the site is great, which is why I visit it continually. Secondly, thank you Margie for being respectful instead of just stating that I am an idiot, which I may well be. As I said in my original post, I’m probably being selfish here. After a week, I’ve learned more facts about the writers’ strike and calmed down slightly. Are the writers’ right? Probably. I heard they make $30 000 a year…I don’t know if that’s the case for a staff writer on a show? Maybe you could enlighten me, what does a writer on Smallville or Supernatural make per episode? I now agree that they deserve more, most of them do anyhow as you stated. Are the producers being greedy? Again, probably but I think that’s pretty natural once you make a certain amount. You’re not going to give any of it away if you can help it. Am I very annoyed and disappointed in the strike? Yes. I don’t really support the writers’ decision to actually strike because they’ve turned their backs on the fans that made their show in the first place. Without us, they wouldn’t be working on Smallville or Scrubs or Bionic Woman for whatever period of time. It reminds me of the teachers’ strike when I was a child, were the teachers right for demanding more money? Yes, they deserved more especially back then, but that doesn’t mean my parents or I liked their methods.
November 16th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
I suppose I don’t like the idea that ultimately money is more important than the children or in this case, it’s more significant than the fans. The producers of Smallville said that nobody wanted a strike, but the matter of the fact is that they are doing it. And some of the writers are being so lame and pathetic about it. I’ve heard stories where they interrupt shows and chant so that they can’t film one more episode for the fans. That’s very disrespectful and immature of them so I don’t like these methods. How low can you go? Striking reminds me of children or teenagers whining until they get what they want from their parents. In this case, the parents are the producers and once again they are probably wrong. Oh and please, remember that the writers are causing crew members to lose their jobs and they make less than they do. I just don’t think people should say the producers are evil and the writers are angels. They may not want to cost people their jobs but they are still doing it by striking and not negotiating a new deal. I don’t understand strikes…everyone loses for the first few months and then they have to cut their losses. I’m just disappointed that Bionic Woman, Scrubs, Smallville, Supernatural, and Chuck are getting the short end of the stick. People say go read a book, and hey I read all the time but I have my favourite shows and they mean something to me. Finally, I have acted in a couple of plays and some people have said that actors would be nothing without good scripts which is true, but please if you don’t have a good actor to say your lines, they’ll sound like crap so it works both ways.
I suppose we’ll be debating about this for some time…I just wish they could solve the problem together. I apologize for the long posts Margie, but I liked your points and have to get this off my chest!
November 17th, 2007 at 6:49 am
[...] you might like to check out Margie and Ryan over at WatchingBionicWoman.com as they have some powerful views on the subject. [...]
November 17th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
[...] of the stars from Private Practice marched the picket lines this week in support of the writer’s strike. Amy Brenneman, Paul Adelstein, KaDee Strickland, Kate Walsh, Tim Daly, and Chris Lowell were all [...]
November 18th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Kel, it means a lot that you regularly visit the blog and you left such thoughtful comments. I have been out of the blogging world this weekend (it was my birthday
but want to think about what you said and continue our conversation on this important issue. I will post more when I get back to a better computer. Thank you again.