TV, Film Writers On Strike

Noise And Other Disruptions From Picket Line Interrupt Filming Of "Cane"

(CBS/AP) 
2The Guild had been preparing for these negotiations for years, hiring staff with extensive labor union experience, and developing joint strategies and a harder line than producers have seen in decades.

"We haven't shown particular resolve in past negotiations," said Bowman, the WGA's chief negotiator.

"The sea change is that this is an enormously galvanizing issue, and that the new regime at the guild actually has a plan, has an organization and a structure to respond to something."

The writers are the first Hollywood union to bargain for a new deal this year. Their contract expired Wednesday.

In past years, actors have almost always gone first, although the Directors Guild of America, which is seen as the least aggressive of the three guilds, has sometimes taken the lead. Whatever deal was struck first was usually accepted by the others.

The guilds are aware that if writers fail to win concessions involving DVDs and the Internet, actors may have to take up the fight.

"This is an issue that touches every member of this guild and every member of the Screen Actors Guild as well," said Carlton Cuse, executive producer of the ABC drama "Lost."

One key factor that could determine the damage caused by the strike is whether members of a powerful Hollywood Teamsters local honor the picket lines.

Local 399, which represents truck drivers, casting directors and location managers, had told its members that as a union, it has a legal obligation to honor its contracts with producers.

But the clause does not apply to individuals, who are protected by federal law from employer retribution if they decide to honor picket lines, the local said.

Consumers are expected to spend $16.4 billion on DVDs this year, according to Adams Media Research.

By contrast, studios could generate only $158 million from selling movies online and about $194 million from selling TV shows over the Web, although those numbers are expected to skyrocket in coming years.

Writers only get about 3 cents on a typical DVD retailing for $20.

Studios argue that it is too early to know how much money they can make from offering entertainment on the Internet, cell phones, iPods and other devices.

Hollywood unions have long regretted a decision made in 1984 to accept a small percentage of home video sales because studios said the technology was untested and that costs were high.

The guilds have tried and failed for two decades to increase video payments, even as DVDs have become more profitable for studios than box office receipts.

[kmariek]

The thought of losing Moonlight makes me physically sick. At last, a show has been created that makes me look forward to each episode each week. These actors are starting their careers in the US and it''s devastating to think that their show could be stopped because of this strike. Look on the internet%u2026there are thousands of Moonlight fans out here writing and reading about the show. If there%u2019s a way to plead to Joel Silver to do everything to keep this show on the air (and not cancelled)%u2026please do it.

[misssuzq]

I do not understand why Letterman, Leno, etc. have to go to reruns.

Half the time their monologues are boring anyway, so why not just toss in an extra guest or two?

They are why I watch in the first place, not the stuff at the beginning or sprinkled here and there during the show.