Once again, I'm proven to be very innocent about some things.

[qkellie]

I think I just assumed that most people involved in fandom (especially people who are also writers themselves, be it of fanfic or original work of whatever kind) were supportive of the WGA strike. As I found out this morning from randomly poking around some communities for shows I like, this is apparently false. Some people actually believe that

Comments

[sideofzen]

Wordy McWord. The tv season may start to suck ass in several months, but dammit, there are lots of shows I've never even seen. What a great time to catch up.

[qkellie]

Exactly. I'm not going to lose sleep over missing out on new episodes of new/current shows. I know they'll be back eventually, and until then there are plenty of things to catch up on. :)

[sideofzen]

From what I'm hearing, most shows have, or are wrapping this week, and unless something gets done soon, probably for the rest of the tv season. A lot of the studio decisions make sense now. Pushing BSG back to April (they've only completed 10 episodes), Lost's strange 16 episode order, etc. The studios seem content to make this season a wash from their behaviour to the WGA.

I just worry about the new shows and if any of them will be returning next year.

[qkellie]

I just worry about the new shows and if any of them will be returning next year.

That's troublesome, but I think a lot of shows that were doing okay before the strike will do okay after it. Networks would be even meaner than usual if they cancelled a pre-arranged order for a certain number of episodes.

[havocthecat]

Support the WGA strike: Write fanfic instead of watching reality tv?

Dude. Thank you for this post; it gave clear and coherent arguments that I'm totally swiping for the next time the husband and I get in our corners and argue debate this issue.

[qkellie]

Support the WGA strike: Write fanfic instead of watching reality tv?

Damn skippy. Sounds like a brilliant idea to me! NOBODY gets any money from fanfic, so the writers can enjoy the fact that the studio execs get nada from excess fic written during the strike. :D

I'm glad I could be of service in helping you debate your spouse. ;)

[qkellie]

you're not only beholden to demand for writers, but also the public's demand for certain material, styles, etc.

Excellent point! I'm glad you brought it up. And to that end, someone who would say, "Well, then, just write what's selling!" I would argue that that's how, some seasons, we wind up having ten "clones" of a type of show that's working (i.e. the year we had The Nine and Six Degrees just because Lost was a hit). That kind of notion breeds mediocrity and makes for depressed people who feel as if they've sold out.

One should write what they write and receive remuneration for it during the spells when what they write isn't the hot commodity. Doesn't mean it won't come back around, but that also doesn't mean a car mechanic should turn into an airplane pilot just because that's where the jobs are this year.

And I'm glad you enjoyed. :)

[airawyn]

Also, a big issue in this strike is "new media." Not only are the studios asking writers to forgo residuals on the existing work that's distributed online, but they're asking the writers to create entirely new material for no additional pay under the argument that it's "promotional" material for the show.

[qkellie]

Exactly. And that's bunk. If I watch a TV in streaming video online or downloaded from iTunes, I don't ALSO watch it on TV. I think a lot of people view downloadables and streaming video as a replacement for TV, not something normally done in addition to watching a show first-run.

[qkellie]

And the oft-promised, not-yet-delivered Lost mobisodes, too, I'd suspect. I wonder if something like the Heroes online graphic novels are covered, or if the people who write/draw that aren't affiliated with the rest of the writing staff?

[meallanmouse]

:: hearts ::

Ask me what it's like to write for the game industry sometime, or what the salary is compared to others in the field... yeah.

[qkellie]

I would imagine you're feeling some of this, too! Programmers get all the glory, when without a storyline, there'd be no game! *hugs*