Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
All that's left at this point is for the membership of the Writer's Guild to vote to approve the contract that has been successfully negotiated, and then we're in the clear. After months and months and months of strike talk, the effect of which simply can't be imagined by anyone not working at ground zero, it appears that the Writer's Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has reached a settlement.
Thank you, Jesus.
The woeful ignorance displayed in the Talk Backs below my article a few days ago illustrates once again just how difficult it is for someone outside the industry to understand why these talks were significant. I'm shocked by the lack of basic empathy that was demonstrated as well. If it was any other business in America where this sort of dispute had been brewing, I'm fairly sure no one would have said these things. I don't recall a whole lot of people saying things like, "Screw the autoworkers. I hope they starve. Stupid babies." Then again, I can't believe the attention that was paid to this entire process by the media. I think in many ways, the specter of the strike that we've all to live with was created and perpetuated by the media, almost as if they were spoiling for a good fight.
There's still the possibility of the Screen Actor's Guild striking this summer when their contract expires, but I'd say the likelihood of that just dropped dramatically. Barring any unforeseen developments, it looks like Hollywood can finally release the collective breath they've been holding and get back to business, which is good for all of us... those who work in the industry, those who cover it, and those of you who make up the audience.
There were two major fronts being negotiated. On the financial side, some real progress was made. For the first time since its creation, the Fox network is being considered a "full network," meaning they now have to pay full fees. It looks like foreign TV residuals have had the cap removed, and they'll be paid in perpetuity now, with writers receiving a percentage of profits for the first time.
Then there's the creative rights issues, and honestly... we did okay. From now on, writers must be involved in things like premieres and press junkets and cast and crew events. More importantly, there's a new set of "preferred practices" in place that encourage directors to meet with writers before replacing them on a film, and writers are now supposed to be invited to script readings and allowed onto sets while production is in progress.
And the much discussed "a film by" credit? It's my opinion this was never going to be something that we made ground on. The DGA is a more powerful lobby in this town, and they want the possessory credit. It's that simple.
The WGAw calls these "ground-breaking" advances, and it certainly seems like we got a fair amount of what we went after. As further details of the settlement become available, we will update this coverage.
"Moriarty" out.
