As we near the two month mark for the Writers Guild of America strike, I thought it was important to let my ten readers (ok… ok… I’m exaggerating) know why the writers are on strike in the first place.
First of all the writers do not want to be on strike. They have been forced into this position by the multinational corporations that own the studios and networks. Back in July the WGA began to see a better agreement as their contract was nearing it’s end. In response to their efforts, the companies offered rollbacks affecting every gain writers have made since 1960 and proposed a restructuring of the industry that would end their ability to support themselves and their families. Writers are not filthy rich. Most writers are middle class; 46% did not even work last year. Over a five year period of employment and unemployment, a writer’s average income is $62,000 per year.
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They are attempting to change their contract with The Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP). AMPTP is a group of large media companies that have interests in all facets of the film, television and theatrical business. The past decade has seen enormous consolidation in the entertainment industry. The acquisitions and mergers of the 1990s have left just a handful of entertainment industry giants. Five companies (GE, Disney, Viacom, News Corp. and Time Warner) now control over 80% of television viewing and motion picture box office. This consolidation has steadily eroded the bargaining power of writers and other members of Hollywood’s creative community.
Writers want to go back to work and will do so as soon as the AMPTP returns to the negotiating table and bargains a fair deal. So far, all of their offers to negotiate have been rejected by the AMPTP. The major studios and networks made $95 billion in revenues last year alone. And they expect that number to increase with the advent of the Internet and digital broadcasting. When it comes to some new media distribution, the conglomerates are proposing to pay writers nothing.. On permanent downloads or “electronic sell-through” they’re offering less than 1/3 of a penny for every dollar they make; the same amount they currently make on DVDs. Would YOU accept that offer?
This “new media” is so important because industry experts agree that in the next 2-5 years most American televisions will be connected to the Internet and the shows and movies you watch will be transmitted via an Internet connection. Corporate revenue from video downloading is estimated to be $1 billion for the next three years; proceeds from video streaming will be $3 billion during the next two years.
For instance, last year, “The Office” aired ten “webisodes” one of which was nominated for an Emmy. But since the writers had no agreement in place for this new media the writers of the show never saw a penny of the profits made from the ads shown before and during those “webisodes.”
As an aspiring writer and lover of all things entertainment I urge you to support the writers, even if it means some of your favorite shows will have their premiers pushed back into the Summer. And support those who have been willing to enter into fair agreements with writers. Worldwide Pants’ David Letterman and Craig Ferguson will both resume filming with the support of their full writing staff while others, though they may agree with the writers, are forced to return without them under pressure from their industry producers.
Hang in there writers, try your hand at some screen writing while you are waiting for the money grubbing conglomerates to listen to your collective voices. We stand behind you.
