An End To The Billion Dollar Strike?

(CBS)  Finally, in the third month of a bitter strike by TV and screen writers, there's something in the air.

"I think that there's a cautious optimism out there right now," one writer told CBS News correspondent Sandra Hughes. "The general mood is pretty hopeful," said another.

The Writers Guild and the studios have started talking again, the ice broken after the Directors Guild reached a deal first.

The big issue, how much directors, actors, and writers earn when their work is downloaded from the internet.

At the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, industry observers say time is running out, because the actor's contract is expiring soon. And if they strike, too?

"That would really bring the industry into a state of full-on civil war, entertainment attorney Jonathan Handel tells CBS News, "if the strike doesn't settle by the Oscars, we're facing a potential nightmare scenario."

So the pressure to settle is huge, the writer's strike already costing Hollywood more than a billion dollars.

High-profile movies, like the daVinci code sequel, have shut down.

Except for the few shows with fresh episodes like "Lost", TV is running on re-runs and reality ... as studios watch audiences slowly switching to computers, maybe forever.

The pressure is on writers, too, from colleagues who want their union to accept the directors' deal as is and others who want their union to hang tough for more.

There has been softening on both sides. The writers have given up demanding jurisdiction over reality shows and animation. The studios, in talks with directors, gave in on new media, doubling the fee when movies and shows are bought online - a good sign to many writers.

"I think this is the time when the deal will be made," said Matt Weiner, executive producer of the drama "Mad Men". "I think everyone feels that."

And like writers do, he's plotting the pathos of the picket-line.

"A lot of the emotional experience of the strike," said Weiner, "both the powerlessness and the power and unity and feeling part of things with other writers, because we're very isolated a lot of the time, it's been amazing."

All in all, it sounds like a screen play in the making.

[edufur]

I think the networks should take this opportunity to accept scripts from the public for trial. Maybe they could even create a new reality show where would-be writers compete.

[tmittelstaed]

*** *** ***! Virtually everything on TV today is written like c^ap, and what isn''t is drowned in a sea of commercials. I was hoping if TV remained in reruns long enough, people would get used to watching movies and when TV finally came back on, the consumers would demand better. I guess the studios caught on to this which motivated them to settle.

[feelfree1]

Update:

The NIKKEI (Japanese) stock index is down another 541 points in recent trading.

A 700+ point daily drop led last week''s market meltdown.

The wheels are coming off.

[feelfree1]

The NIKKEI (Japanese) stock index is down another 413 points in recent trading.

Should be an interesting day for the U.S. stock exchange dimwits tomorrow.

[vincan-2009]

I just want Chuck to come back with new shows. I love that show. It is so great. For the benefit of everyone on strike and us tv viewers I hope they will reach a deal soon.

[julialily]

Hope the president support GLBT more. If they are still discriminated by the society, their health may be a big problem in the nation. Although there are many online service for them currently, like bimatching c o m. They need the ackonwlegement from the society. Mwanwhile, the leader also can get more support from more ppl.

[slindsey001]

The over lengthly duration of this strike has caused damage to each side. After 3 months if everyone hasn''t purchased or began watching all their $5 videos and found enjoyment through other means; entertainment may not be what they really need. Writers, or actors have a job to do. If they chose not to do the work, eliminate the need. I''ve already forgotten or lost interest in all the shows now anyway.

[jerr11]

Billion dollars?

That''s spare change.

We spend more than that in Iraq every day.

Thanks to our great leader in George W Bush.

Can''t wait to hear his STATE OF THE UNION, or as we call it, ANOTHER EVENING OF LIES AND CRA*P.

[blancadebree]

Thank God! Now perhaps we can have some mindless entertainments to take our minds off of all the war, economy, and that general malaise we are feeling. This way, with people properly distracted by 24, Lost, and Desperate Housewives, no one will notice how awful everything is, and we Republicans can steal yet another election. Can anyone say President Huckabee?

http://blancadebree.blogspot.com
Come into the Blancasphere

[cbsblogger]

I''d like to see the little guy win for a change in our greed infested corporate entertainment industry.

If the writers guild gets a 50% increase it won''t cost Americans, but it might level the field between them and the moguls who already earn multi-billions too much.