9 Responses to “Don’t Kill the Messenger”

1. Tom on Friday: 9 November 2007|0804

   As an amatuer writer, I’ve been wondering about the whole scab writer thing. And I didn’t watch all the youtube vidoes, so forgive me if my question is addressed in one of them. And I personally wouldn’t do anything to undermine the strike (I’d have to have something people want to buy for that to happen!), but was just wondering about this in general.

   Will studios look to amatuer writer (or writers not in the WGA) for scripts if the strike drags on? And what would be the consequences for any amatuer writer who sells a script during the strike? Would they not be allowed to join the WGA?

2. Fun Joel on Friday: 9 November 2007|1102

   I clearly give people too much credit. Whenever I see any of these videos that makes the creators look like an idiot, offering to scab or make Pat Robertson videos, I just assume they are meant sarcastically. I hope I’m not being naive, but if I am, please let me keep my dreams!

3. MaryAn on Friday: 9 November 2007|1207

   Tom poses a good question. There’s bad advice going around right now regarding non-Guild members using this opportunity to get scripts in the hands of readers at struck organizations and trying to negotiate deals. The idea is that as long as no official opt or purchase is in place until the strike is over, the non-Guild writer hasn’t run the risk of being barred from future Guild membership.

   Strike rules are very clear that the WGA will bar future Guild membership for writers who engage in behavior that could harm the Guild or its members during the strike period. While the rules don’t specifically warn against pitching or negotiating, it seems to me that professional writers on the picket line might perceive a writer as an opportunistic vulture undermining the point Guild members trying to make. That wouldn’t bode well for them later on.

   I’d err on the side of caution. Nobody wants to face the awful decision of turning down a dream opportunity if a studio comes knocking but is that really going to happen? Seriously. If we want to be professional writers, the time to start acting like one is now.

   My two cents.

4. Steve on Friday: 9 November 2007|1314

   Agreed, caution is a must. I too am wondering, however, what the sentiment is.

   I am currently writing a script for my friend’s production company. I am not a WGA member, and his company is not a WGA signatory. Do I have anything to worry about?

   I don’t want to step on the toes of the WGA, because ideally I’d be a WGA member at some point in the future and I agree with what the writers are doing.

   I guess I’m also not too concerned because this script will probably not be finished until long after the strike is over so I don’t anticipate and transaction ocurring in the meantime.

   Watching that Harlan Ellison video made me realize that I don’t want to be one of those newbie jackasses that make it harder for veteran writers to get paid.

   I’m not really sure what the exact question is here, maybe I’m looking to see what your (unk) thoughts are on the responsibilities of non-union writers who are in full support of the strike.

5. Enzio Pesta on Saturday: 10 November 2007|1132

   I’ve been following the strike and while watching the writers on the picket line, a thought came to me…

   If it’s a writers strike, shouldn’t their picket signs be blank?

6. Clive on Sunday: 11 November 2007|0606

   Thanks for these Unk.

   Tom nailed it… wannabee writers prepared to work for nothing, just to get a break have, turned the relationship between writer’s and producers into a fiasco.

   I’ve lost track of the number of producers who wanted a free option on my screenplays and thought they were doing ME a favor. The same assholes who will pay their line producer $2000 to run a three day shoot of a trailer, can’t find a penny in option money.

   I think the point Harlan didn’t raise, is this whole problem is fueled by producers who don’t have the script development skills to tell the difference between a great script and a bad one. They perceive the supply and demand of writing talent to work in their favor… “there are so many writers, so I’ve got the power,”… when in fact the reverse is true… there is actually a chronic shortage of great writing.

   I think the money issue is just one facet of a larger problem… and, I think the answer is for writers to stop acting like employees and to take a more pro-active role in developing their films. More and more I believe writer/producer is the way to go. Whether you’re an independent or a player.

   What I’ve learned in the last two years, is I’M more skilled as a screenwriter at nurturing writing talent and script development than any of the producer’s who”ve wanted to option me. Which is the reason I’m writing stuff I can spec out, some stuff to micro-budget produce myself… and, I’m developing my own stable of writers.

   On a personal level, I think anyone considering strike breaking as a career move, should think very carefully about the dynamic they are supporting. Tom’s right, wannabees who’ll do anything, including working for free, in order to get a break are both shooting themselves in the foot and ensuring that the power relationship remains biased against the writer.

7. just joe... on Monday: 12 November 2007|2124

   UNK has spoken…

   I can’t help but think of a football analogy right now; i.e. who’s more important the quarterback or receiver??? The fucking guy who drew/wrote the play! There’s a reason why the SUPER BOWL trophy is named after a head coach (VINCE LOMBARDI) and not some kid that kills dogs for fun. To all you writers-don’t give up.

   “And in truth, I’ve never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart, didn’t appreciate the grind, the discipline. There is something in good men that really yearns for discipline and the harsh reality of head to head combat…”
   -Vince Lombardi

8. dave on Thursday: 15 November 2007|0012

   jesus christ. it gets worse every year. greedy bastards don’t give a shit about sharing money, let alone helping anybody out.

   new writers. you want to do something professional? don’t cross the picket line. don’t work as a scab writer. you want it in real terms? why don’t you walk on down to your local McDonalds and offer to work for nothing. eight hours a day, 5 days a week. no money. maybe a promise of a hire if you do well. crossing the picket line is even dumber because what you’re doing is screwing every existing writer and every future writer.

   while i enjoy my tv shows, i’m all for this damn thing dragging out and *no writers* doing anything. let the damned executives pen some fucking shows and let’s see how well they rank for Nielsen.

   as a writer you always hear that TV/Film is a collaborative medium. everybody gets to chip in on what’s said and what’s written. yet when it comes time to split the proceeds, it’s “screw you writer”. everybody involved gets a slice of the pie. period.

   new writers do yourself a favor and don’t come off like the sycophantic idiots in some of these videos. just shut the hell up until the strike is over. try and have some self respect.

9. Julianne Lace on Tuesday: 1 January 2008|0259

   I agree completely with the sentiments being shared here. What writers are being paid is just ridiculous and I sincerely hope that every single writer in America stops working until the WGA’s demands are met.

   I also think that scab writers have to be among the lowest creatures on Earth. They make it more difficult for the issue to be resolved now because the studios don’t see how much they need the real writers. Instead the studios see an apparent abundance of writers, even if the scabs only write utter crap.

   As an amatuer writer (and one that hasn’t even finished high school yet), even I have the common sense not to take advantage of this strike. It will only lead to more problems in the future, just like Mr. Gould said.

   Frankly, I don’t know who to dislike more: the studio executives that think writers deserve to be paid such a penance, or the scabs that think this strike is an easy paycheck and a way to become known.

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