Strike stuff
You might have noticed that I haven't weighed in yet on the writer's strike, although if it goes on for long it could have a direct affect on my own livelihood (no new TV shows or movies means there's nothing to cover). Obviously, being a writer myself, I completely support the WGA's efforts to get paid fairly for their work. The movie studios are just like any corporate entity. They're out to make as much money as they can get away with. I could go on for pages about how corporate greed is running and ruining this country, but that would distract me from the purpose of this entry. Which is to tell everyone out there that as fans, they can make a difference.
Just look at the fantastic campaigns that have been put together to save struggling shows and keep them on the air. Well, it's not just about one show anymore; it's about all the shows. We're talking about nothing less than the future of narrative television. The last time there was a writer's strike, we saw the advent of the reality television era. And while I love me some Project Runway and a select few other shows, they're just a side dish to the main entree of Heroes, Pushing Daisies, Chuck, The Office, 30 Rock. Yes, even Lost at its lowest point is still better than most of the crap they dish up as "reality."
If you're wondering why this strike is mainly about television, it's because that's where writers are most valued. Directors come and go in television, but the showrunners are almost always writers themselves. It's their voice that drives the project. It's not the same with films, where writers are disposable. Besides, the release schedule is planned so far in advance that it will be at least a year before the slate empties out. And even then, the studios have a stockpile of movie scripts ready to be filmed without rewrites.
So write those letters as fans and tell the studios you support the writers. We've seen that writing campaigns work. They've brought back shows from cancellation. The bottom line is, the studios care about money, and advertisers are paying for our eyeballs. We are the product of television, in more ways than one. No one talks about it, but the real purpose of a broadcast television network is to expose as many potential consumers to the products of their advertisers as possible. The shows are just a means to that end. It's why boycotts work. And it's why they'll listen when you say you're not going to watch whatever twaddle they put on in place of real shows because the writers aren't writing.
But don't just listen to me. Here's something Joss Whedon posted on Whedonesque just today:
"You guys are, after all, on the map. None of the writers - or anyone - I've spoken to have ever heard of fans organizing and supporting a strike the way you guys have. Supporting our right not to entertain you. Seriously, that's rare. When I showed my wife the banner that went with the pizza scheme, she just said, 'These people are gonna be running the world.' Man, I hope she's right."
We can make the difference here. And yes, I have an extra incentive because my job is on the line too, but I'm writing in to the studios to tell them that I support the writers and the longer this strike goes on, the more people will suffer.
What they're asking for isn't much. If you want a great background on the issues, here's an excellent video by the WGA that spells everything out in very clear terms.
And now I will step down from my soapbox. As you were.
Update: Okay, I liked. I've got one more video from the front lines. This was just too good not to share. The guys from The Office sum it up beautifully with an actual real-world example of how they've gotten screwed.
Just look at the fantastic campaigns that have been put together to save struggling shows and keep them on the air. Well, it's not just about one show anymore; it's about all the shows. We're talking about nothing less than the future of narrative television. The last time there was a writer's strike, we saw the advent of the reality television era. And while I love me some Project Runway and a select few other shows, they're just a side dish to the main entree of Heroes, Pushing Daisies, Chuck, The Office, 30 Rock. Yes, even Lost at its lowest point is still better than most of the crap they dish up as "reality."
If you're wondering why this strike is mainly about television, it's because that's where writers are most valued. Directors come and go in television, but the showrunners are almost always writers themselves. It's their voice that drives the project. It's not the same with films, where writers are disposable. Besides, the release schedule is planned so far in advance that it will be at least a year before the slate empties out. And even then, the studios have a stockpile of movie scripts ready to be filmed without rewrites.
So write those letters as fans and tell the studios you support the writers. We've seen that writing campaigns work. They've brought back shows from cancellation. The bottom line is, the studios care about money, and advertisers are paying for our eyeballs. We are the product of television, in more ways than one. No one talks about it, but the real purpose of a broadcast television network is to expose as many potential consumers to the products of their advertisers as possible. The shows are just a means to that end. It's why boycotts work. And it's why they'll listen when you say you're not going to watch whatever twaddle they put on in place of real shows because the writers aren't writing.
But don't just listen to me. Here's something Joss Whedon posted on Whedonesque just today:
"You guys are, after all, on the map. None of the writers - or anyone - I've spoken to have ever heard of fans organizing and supporting a strike the way you guys have. Supporting our right not to entertain you. Seriously, that's rare. When I showed my wife the banner that went with the pizza scheme, she just said, 'These people are gonna be running the world.' Man, I hope she's right."
We can make the difference here. And yes, I have an extra incentive because my job is on the line too, but I'm writing in to the studios to tell them that I support the writers and the longer this strike goes on, the more people will suffer.
What they're asking for isn't much. If you want a great background on the issues, here's an excellent video by the WGA that spells everything out in very clear terms.
Click to viewAnd now I will step down from my soapbox. As you were.
Update: Okay, I liked. I've got one more video from the front lines. This was just too good not to share. The guys from The Office sum it up beautifully with an actual real-world example of how they've gotten screwed.