The Writer’s Guild Strike: It may happen at midnight tonight. V/O Folks who don’t care or  may not be aware that it may some day impact them, either  positively or negatively. All I say is, it is a good thing to be educated and be aware.

I have been following negotiations closely in the trades, since  the acrimonious dialgolue began between the two parties began this past summer. This will be the Writer’s Guild first strike in nearly 20 years. It is likely all that’s left to figure out is not if, but how the strike will be carried out.

 
There are some pretty good articles on this topic at: Entertainment Weekly,  and at Daily Variety and a great listing of urls carrying the progress of talks at Google
l
Many of the studios have been stockpiling scripts for months. A strike could cost the industry $3 Billion, and viewers could start seeing re-runs of late night talk shows as early  as Tuesday.

What may affect voice talent in the long run is the impact of this strike when negotiation for the AFTRA-SAG contracts begin with the same producers next year. The key sticking point is a residuals formula, and the placement of new media into that mix. This point is the “centerpiece” of all the related industry unions in Hollywood and across the USA.

Plus, AFTRA/SAG will be staring down the AMPTP- the same producers alliance currently in battle with the writers. Who will blink first?

Strike is a very real option which could affect union and non-union members alike, but in very different ways.

Unfortunately, I’ll bet we’ll be watching a LOT of reality TV  and reruns next year.