According to this morning’s newspaper, no new negotiations are scheduled on the main sticking points between the Writer’s Guild and the AMPTP; residuals formula on DVD sales, and new media (internet distribution).
The scriptwriters aren’t asking for much, and most are middle class folks like the rest of us, supporting our families and paying our mortgages.
The losses to the LA economy are substantial, to the tune of about $80 million per day.
Also sitting idle are caterers, set builders, hair and set dressers, makeup artists, crew members, lighting directors, prop masters, set assistants and the show runners. Network and syndicated TV shows are shutting down production…..and the toll wil mount with no deal in sight. Even the talent agencies representing the writers are seeing cuts.
And with no shows in the can or ready to go live, there will be less for the networks to sell.
As work continues to slow, the effect will spread to non-entertainment industries, as there will be little to no discretionary income for dining out, travelling, and recreation.
Film production is OK for now, as material is stockpiled through 2008. But if this strike continues, and eventually involves the screen actors contract which is up next summer with the same producer’s alliance, the impact will go well-beyond LA and NY, since film and TV production has become a large part of many state’s economic bases.
The last writer’s walkout in 1988 lasted 22 weeks and cost the industry $500 million. The AMPTP is on record stating a lengthy standoff is expected. For the sake of so many, and their families, I hope that is not the case.
The scriptwriters aren’t asking for much, and most are middle class folks like the rest of us, supporting our families and paying our mortgages.
The losses to the LA economy are substantial, to the tune of about $80 million per day.
Also sitting idle are caterers, set builders, hair and set dressers, makeup artists, crew members, lighting directors, prop masters, set assistants and the show runners. Network and syndicated TV shows are shutting down production…..and the toll wil mount with no deal in sight. Even the talent agencies representing the writers are seeing cuts.
And with no shows in the can or ready to go live, there will be less for the networks to sell.
As work continues to slow, the effect will spread to non-entertainment industries, as there will be little to no discretionary income for dining out, travelling, and recreation.
Film production is OK for now, as material is stockpiled through 2008. But if this strike continues, and eventually involves the screen actors contract which is up next summer with the same producer’s alliance, the impact will go well-beyond LA and NY, since film and TV production has become a large part of many state’s economic bases.
The last writer’s walkout in 1988 lasted 22 weeks and cost the industry $500 million. The AMPTP is on record stating a lengthy standoff is expected. For the sake of so many, and their families, I hope that is not the case.
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