hello LJ
I've been gone awhile, locked in basements and glass rooms with no internets. And I'll returning there soon. But for now, hello!
2 things:
1) It is amazing how detached I am from the election this time around. I know next to nothing about the candidates. I don't even know who all is running. Should I register Republican or Democrat? Which primary is more essential? And will Republicans really back Giuliani?
2) This WGA strike is pissing me off. I know that the writers deserve fair compensation for new forms of content distribution. And I know that the multi-nationals will do everything they can to screw the writers out of their due. But outside of iTunes, there aren't really clear revenue streams for new media yet. Yes there is money coming in, but how do you quantify it. How much goes to which episode of which show on the NBC website? What exactly constitutes a re-run in the context of video on demand? So it's not like it's cut and dried, where the writers are getting fucked out of a clear and definable revenue stream. They need to negotiate and work on things but the answers are not black and white and striking isn't going to make things easier. And while I haven't done in depth research on this, it appears that the writers are making unrealistic demands, trying to set their price before the market has set its price.
Also, when the WGA goes on strike they don't just fuck the corporations. They fuck every single working stiff crew member who works on their shows. The WGA has a warchest and plans for weathering the strike. What about the other unions? IATSE has stepped up and accused WGA management of ignorance and incompetence. What about the non-union coordintaors and assistants? I'm all for solidarity and all but come on. Writers are workers and management at once. And don't get me started on showrunners. What do you do when your boss goes on strike and lays you off?
And what is it about the WGA that makes them go on strike at the cusp of a recession?
Luckily, I'm okay so far. Reality TV and commercials are non-union so I'm doing alright. But I have friends who will be out of work shortly. Location scouts, post supers, accountants.
2 things:
1) It is amazing how detached I am from the election this time around. I know next to nothing about the candidates. I don't even know who all is running. Should I register Republican or Democrat? Which primary is more essential? And will Republicans really back Giuliani?
2) This WGA strike is pissing me off. I know that the writers deserve fair compensation for new forms of content distribution. And I know that the multi-nationals will do everything they can to screw the writers out of their due. But outside of iTunes, there aren't really clear revenue streams for new media yet. Yes there is money coming in, but how do you quantify it. How much goes to which episode of which show on the NBC website? What exactly constitutes a re-run in the context of video on demand? So it's not like it's cut and dried, where the writers are getting fucked out of a clear and definable revenue stream. They need to negotiate and work on things but the answers are not black and white and striking isn't going to make things easier. And while I haven't done in depth research on this, it appears that the writers are making unrealistic demands, trying to set their price before the market has set its price.
Also, when the WGA goes on strike they don't just fuck the corporations. They fuck every single working stiff crew member who works on their shows. The WGA has a warchest and plans for weathering the strike. What about the other unions? IATSE has stepped up and accused WGA management of ignorance and incompetence. What about the non-union coordintaors and assistants? I'm all for solidarity and all but come on. Writers are workers and management at once. And don't get me started on showrunners. What do you do when your boss goes on strike and lays you off?
And what is it about the WGA that makes them go on strike at the cusp of a recession?
Luckily, I'm okay so far. Reality TV and commercials are non-union so I'm doing alright. But I have friends who will be out of work shortly. Location scouts, post supers, accountants.