(no subject)
A lot of the time, I choose the more controversial side of an argument just to be contrary. Also, I like arguing. This isn't one of those times, though. I genuinely feel strongly about this. It's a very unpopular side to be on, but...
I think the WGA is in the wrong and am totally against their strike.
There.
I said it. I got it off my chest.
I know. As someone who someday wants to make some kind of living writing and directing films, I should naturally be for the writers, right? At first, I was. I thougt the writers deserved a better percentage of dvd residuals and new media profits. Fundamentally, I agree with all of their pleas to get paid better, because in the future, if I find a career in this industry, I want to be paid better. I don't think a modest renegotiation of the Minimum Basic Agreement is a bad thing.
I watch a lot of movies and recently, while watching one, I really read all of the names in the credits. I saw hundreds of named of people using their talents to make this art form that I love so much. Then I thought of the one writer...or sometimes two or three writers...and realized how uneven the film industry is.
A group of writers are demanding more money.
A group of stuio execs are refusing to give more money.
But what about the hundreds of people who help make both parties rich.
Consider the gaffer...the head of the electrical department...does he get 8 cents for every dvd sold? Does he receive any royalty check at all? If not, why not? Is the writer's job more important than the gaffer's? My point is that there are dozens of little jobs like this...facets of the art form...that do not get compensated (as far as I know) nearly as handsomely as writers..or studio heads.
Not only that, but whole crews are being sacked en masse because of this strike. The film industry is rallying around the WGA, but nobody seems to be looking beyond the concrete message of the strike. Nobody sees the latent statement that the WGA is making:
"We're more important than you."
I don't know. It just seems like both sides are kind of in the wrong.
I think the WGA is in the wrong and am totally against their strike.
There.
I said it. I got it off my chest.
I know. As someone who someday wants to make some kind of living writing and directing films, I should naturally be for the writers, right? At first, I was. I thougt the writers deserved a better percentage of dvd residuals and new media profits. Fundamentally, I agree with all of their pleas to get paid better, because in the future, if I find a career in this industry, I want to be paid better. I don't think a modest renegotiation of the Minimum Basic Agreement is a bad thing.
I watch a lot of movies and recently, while watching one, I really read all of the names in the credits. I saw hundreds of named of people using their talents to make this art form that I love so much. Then I thought of the one writer...or sometimes two or three writers...and realized how uneven the film industry is.
A group of writers are demanding more money.
A group of stuio execs are refusing to give more money.
But what about the hundreds of people who help make both parties rich.
Consider the gaffer...the head of the electrical department...does he get 8 cents for every dvd sold? Does he receive any royalty check at all? If not, why not? Is the writer's job more important than the gaffer's? My point is that there are dozens of little jobs like this...facets of the art form...that do not get compensated (as far as I know) nearly as handsomely as writers..or studio heads.
Not only that, but whole crews are being sacked en masse because of this strike. The film industry is rallying around the WGA, but nobody seems to be looking beyond the concrete message of the strike. Nobody sees the latent statement that the WGA is making:
"We're more important than you."
I don't know. It just seems like both sides are kind of in the wrong.