Even though we've made jokes (me more than most) about the current WGA strike, the truth is that a significant percentage of the writers participating live paycheck to paycheck and are only asking for a portion of profits that would help them to better support themselves and their families. Which is where schmoe Peter comes in. He's made a cool little documentary focusing on these every day working writers who only want what's rightfully theirs. Check it out below.
Extra Tidbit:At least these guys are keeping a sense of humor about the whole thing.
Well I am glad we agree that there are multiple parties to be blamed. And make no mistake, I realize, and I believe their are a handful but not nearly enough, people who realize people like you are in a tough position...
Well I am glad we agree that there are multiple parties to be blamed. And make no mistake, I realize, and I believe their are a handful but not nearly enough, people who realize people like you are in a tough position because you are getting screwed. Your jobs are at risk as well and that I can understand, the frustration that you may have. As to the last part, I too would work for less doing something I love over the opposite. But that does not mean you cant do what you love and fight for more money, if it is so deserved, which whatever you or I think, the writers believe they have a right to. Glad we could come to an understanding.
Thanks. I agree it is not just the writers. The studios are the greediest of them all not to mention the WGA. It is just that no one notices that the people who have nothing to do with the stike are the ones unempl...
Thanks. I agree it is not just the writers. The studios are the greediest of them all not to mention the WGA. It is just that no one notices that the people who have nothing to do with the stike are the ones unemployed for the holidays. The crews and hundreds of others who work the hardest are the ones getting screwed the most. And finally, I know you disagree, but I would rather work a job I love for peanuts than a job I hate for 7 figures. Peace.
Thanks. I agree it is not just the writers. The studios are the greediest of them all not to mention the WGA. It is just that no one notices that the people who have nothing to do with the stike are the ones unempl...
Thanks. I agree it is not just the writers. The studios are the greediest of them all not to mention the WGA. It is just that no one notices that the people who have nothing to do with the stike are the ones unemployed for the holidays. The crews and hundreds of others who work the hardest are the ones getting screwed the most. And finally, I know you disagree, but I would rather work a job I love for peanuts than a job I hate for 7 figures. Peace.
Ok, perhaps I raced to judgment too quickly. The problem is there are plenty of people who dont work in Hollywood and bitch and moan about some of these things. And so for that I apologize, but I still dont think you ...
Ok, perhaps I raced to judgment too quickly. The problem is there are plenty of people who dont work in Hollywood and bitch and moan about some of these things. And so for that I apologize, but I still dont think you can blame the writers for most of shit that is happening. You say you are about to lose your job because of the strike and that sucks, but still, the studio big wigs make more money than most writers, so perhaps their greed to buy their cars and houses should be questioned as well. So no, I dont work in Hollywood, but I can still inform myself as much as possible, and make some opinions. Mine is that I dont think the writers need to be getting the most of the blame over the studios.
But the biggest problem I had with your comment was that if people are happy doing their job, they should just live with it. That, to me, doesnt seem reasonable, because they may be happy but not getting a deal they feel is fair. It is their right to strike, and that is what they chose. And assuming the actors or directors contract ended first, they would be the ones striking and the situation would be the same. Either way, studios are banking money and the creative forces of these shows and movies want their fair cut, no matter how much they like their job. I could love cleaning shit out of toilets, but if I was not making the money I felt I deserved, and this feeling was shared with my shit cleaning enthusiast co-workers, I would make a call for more money, even if that meant striking. So I dont want to fight about it, but just point out that I disagree on some points, if that works.
FeedMeAStrayCat - That is funny that you think I have no clue. I happen to work in the Hollywood as a Production Assistant so I see first hand what these writers drive and where they live. And, yes directors make mo...
FeedMeAStrayCat - That is funny that you think I have no clue. I happen to work in the Hollywood as a Production Assistant so I see first hand what these writers drive and where they live. And, yes directors make more than writers, but that doesn't mean writers don't make a shitload of money. So maybe you are the one without a fucking clue. I am the one about to lose my job because of this strike and I am the one working my ass off to make sure these writers still have shows to come back to when this is over. And the shitty thing is that they still won't even remember my name when they get back. They want my support? No. And FeedMeAStrayCat, once you see this first hand and it effects you personally (and not just that you can't watch the latest episode of Desperate Housewives) then you can offer an informed opinion. Until you get a clue, keep your mouth shut.
Like ANY job there are those who succeed and plan accordingly, or maybe just come from money, and can afford the expensive houses and other luxuries. Then there are those who strive to make ends meet, which is more a...
Like ANY job there are those who succeed and plan accordingly, or maybe just come from money, and can afford the expensive houses and other luxuries. Then there are those who strive to make ends meet, which is more and more common in today's economy. I find it interesting that no one seems to complain about the $20 million plus a picture some actors get for a few weeks work, or the insane amount spent on CGI/digital effects charged by the SFX crew, but some writers want to make more bank a year and people get pissed off? Seriously? Are people that stupid? Every person involved in a movie plays their part and are all critical, but it should go without saying that without writers you cannot make a movie. How would you make a film without a story/script to shoot from? I'm not saying they should make millions per script, but yes they deserve more than what they get. I can't believe the amount of sheer ignorance I just read on here, not from all of you, but enough of you. If I offended you, oh well.
Fuzzyfoot - Okay, my comment wasnt supposed to sound overly angry or anything, but just that your comment didnt make any sense. These writers Im sure are happy, but they still live paycheck to paycheck but are doing s...
Fuzzyfoot - Okay, my comment wasnt supposed to sound overly angry or anything, but just that your comment didnt make any sense. These writers Im sure are happy, but they still live paycheck to paycheck but are doing something they love. They are striking to protect the work they do, so they are now complaining about the studios greed and not their situation. You watch their shows and movies, they deserve some money for that, even if they can enjoy the work they do and youre still looking.
MichaelAlan - I dont think you have a fucking clue what writers spend their money on. Dont assume they spend it on cars and extra homes, because despite your completely made up statistic, they do not make more money than 90% of the country. Dont confuse actors and directors with writers. And who cares if they are happy? They still need to make a living, because being happy with your job doesnt pay the bills.
So my point was simply that we should bitch and degrade these writers who we do not know. Bullying through some internet site is a futile sad attempt, not that you two necessarily are, but a little.
StrayCat - You shake your head at me? Really? I also, by the way, live my life paycheck to paycheck at barely have enough to make it in the end, but i'm happy. I also RECOGNIZE the situation I am in, that is why I ...
StrayCat - You shake your head at me? Really? I also, by the way, live my life paycheck to paycheck at barely have enough to make it in the end, but i'm happy. I also RECOGNIZE the situation I am in, that is why I am searching for a better to job so I can be better off.
Shake your head all you want, but until I am doing what I want, go on strike, and demand a better cushion of money, I could care less what these people think.
They live paycheck to paycheck because they choose to make BMW or Mercedes payments and live in Malibu. They make more than 90% of the country and we are supposed to feel bad for them? They are getting to do a job t...
They live paycheck to paycheck because they choose to make BMW or Mercedes payments and live in Malibu. They make more than 90% of the country and we are supposed to feel bad for them? They are getting to do a job they love while the rest of the country works at Wal-Mart or wherever. If you are doing what you love then just do it! You have fans, so make them happy! They put you where you are. No matter what happens, you are the lucky ones!
Why the hell do so many people have to get on the writers back and bitch so much, as if they had any clue what these writers lives are like. Just because some paper, blog, or video said it, doesnt make it true for all...
Why the hell do so many people have to get on the writers back and bitch so much, as if they had any clue what these writers lives are like. Just because some paper, blog, or video said it, doesnt make it true for all 12000 or so members of the WGA.
Fuck, they want some more money to make their lives a little easier, and you complain that they are complaining. Sure, wanting a new deal that rewards them for their work is stupid. Let the studios who approve programming and give them a station to air it on all the money, and let the creative base get jack shit. It doesnt make sense, and striking is an effective way to get it, but as a result money quits pouring in. Now writers and crewmen and women are out of work until the studios decide to accept that internet is a tool many people use for media and it does make money.
And silverload, sure the writers strike is no genocide or pointless war in the middle east, but it does effect real people with real problems who dont make more money than most people. And I dont think the writers made this video, so they arent making it a sympathetic doc, but the film maker might.
Fuzzyfoot, well, I'll just sigh and shake my head. its sad really.
Well I think it's very important. And I don't get why there are so many people convinced these people are whining over nothing. What's happening now is the sort of tragic thing when people go on strike, stop getting p...
Well I think it's very important. And I don't get why there are so many people convinced these people are whining over nothing. What's happening now is the sort of tragic thing when people go on strike, stop getting paychecks, and get bullied on both sides to either conform or sell out. What I can say, to some of those less fortunate writers who only have that as an income, but still don't sell that many scripts, it's always good to have a safety net. But I still honestly don't get why studios would have to think twice before opening negotiations with these people. For something so public it just seems like a no-brainer.
Oh, and P.S. Reality TV sucks so pay them their fucking money!
What makes me sick is how big of a deal this is becoming. I honestly agree with the reason they are complaining, but it’s not exactly a life devastating problem. Then I see this video that makes them look like homeles...
What makes me sick is how big of a deal this is becoming. I honestly agree with the reason they are complaining, but it’s not exactly a life devastating problem. Then I see this video that makes them look like homeless orphans wanting to be loved. Bullshit. They are better off than most people in this country. Show me someone with REAL problems, and then I’ll feel sympathetic towards them.
they're asking for a raise, dude. calm down. jesus christ. it's just like any other job...or are they not entitled to raises? you say you supported them in the beginning but now don't give a shit...what happened?
they're asking for a raise, dude. calm down. jesus christ. it's just like any other job...or are they not entitled to raises? you say you supported them in the beginning but now don't give a shit...what happened?
They decided to do what they felt is right, rather than to "just suck it up". They're getting screwed, so they're doing something about it.
I support these writers. They deserve what they are asking for because getting an idea for a story is hard enough, but putting it to paper is the hardest thing. They deserve the money that is owed to them. To those...
I support these writers. They deserve what they are asking for because getting an idea for a story is hard enough, but putting it to paper is the hardest thing. They deserve the money that is owed to them. To those who scream get a new job, this is their job. This is what they are good at and this is what they enjoy doing. It is easy enough to yell at people who work in Unions who go on strike and then complain about not having money. I am usually not a union supporter and at the beginning of this strike, I found it silly. But now I realize that these people are doing what they have to do.
Living paycheck to paycheck is not the responsible thing to do, but it happens. They are not asking for anything unreasonable. They are not losers.
These are the people who intentionally went on strike and are now crabbing about not having any money? Maybe you shouldn't have gone on strike then. Maybe you should have just sucked it up and renewed your contract ...
These are the people who intentionally went on strike and are now crabbing about not having any money? Maybe you shouldn't have gone on strike then. Maybe you should have just sucked it up and renewed your contract with no hassle.
I was supporting this strike in the beginning, I thought what these people were talking about ment something, but now, I don't give a shit. If this field was such a hard field for you to work in, FIND A NEW JOB! Don't pout over the fact that YOU are the reason YOU don't have money right now.
These people are no different than everyone else. What a bunch of losers. I hope they don't get their contracts renewed so then maybe we will have some decent original ideas floating up onto the big and little screens.
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5:28PM on 11/29/2007