Strike, day thirteen
I spent four hours at WGA headquarters this afternoon, working with a crew of about 20 on new picket signs for the rally on Tuesday. (1 p.m. at the intersection Hollywood and Ivar. A perfect outing with visiting family members. More info here.)
I was on duct tape duty, wrapping sticks before the signs get stapled.1 Joining me were Craig Mazin, Al Gough and Robin Swicord, among many other writers who I can’t link to because I didn’t get their last names.
Interestingly, the topic of the re-opened negotiations came up for less than five minutes. I wouldn’t characterize that as pessimism, but rather pragmatism. As the WGAw president said in the member email…
Now it is equally important that we now prove that good news won’t slow us down, either. We must remember that returning to the bargaining table is only a start. Our work is not done until we achieve a good contract and that is by no means assured. Accordingly, what we achieve in negotiations will be a direct result of how successfully we can keep up our determination and resolve.
Thus, 3,000 new picket signs. The new ones are cool, very much in keeping with the gray shirts introduced the first week. If it were a battle of logos, the WGA would win. Because this is the official AMPTP logo: 
Wow. It’s…friendly?
Designed by a teenager in the 1970’s?
I won’t get a chance to carry one of the new signs on Tuesday, because I’ll be out of town for Thanksgiving. But I look forward to reports from readers.
- Note that way back on day one, picket signs came “raw,” and it was up to individual picketeers to wrap the handles. Now they come pre-wrapped. While I’d like the strike to be over, part of me is curious what other innovations might occur. ↩
Articles
November 17th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Maybe someone could hack the AMPTP’s website and replace all their logos and slogans with:
“We Support the WGA Writer’s Strike”
November 17th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
John I really commend you man. Some people talk and some people walk. You’re definitely a walker. No pun intended. Thanks for ensuring that the writers of the future will be able to feed their families. Just thought you should know it does not go unappreciated.
November 17th, 2007 at 9:19 pm
John, thanks for your coverage of the strike. And I also thank you for what you’re doing for future writers, such as myself.
By the way, don’t forget to plug United Hollywood’s Pencils2MedialMoguls campaign. Great way for fans to make their voice heard.
November 18th, 2007 at 1:10 am
John, thanks for the updates. I’ve been spending my time at the Fox and Universal pickets. I had a lot of fun at both and got to meet some really great people. It’s given me an opportunity to interact with established writers and support my own future in this industry. I’ve even made a contact or two.
In the innovation department, there are a lot of signs that have two hand grips. I think this is due to the wind and to keep from bashing people in the head with your sign. Sadly, mine have only had one handle and I now have badges of honor to wear (i.e. splinters). Ah well, there’s always Monday.
November 18th, 2007 at 2:26 am
Will there be any striking on the Thursday and Friday of next week, traditional Thanksgiving vacation time?
November 18th, 2007 at 7:27 am
I’m on sign duty today. Any pointers?
November 18th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Alex (#5):
There is apparently picketing during normal hours on Monday. Tuesday is the Hollywood event. Wednesday through Sunday is off for the holidays. (There may be specific location picketing.)
Dan (#6):
I think all the duct taping is done. (Not to brag, but I was pretty awesome at it.) So what’s left is stapling: cardboard to cardboard, and sign-to-stick. The latter is probably more fun, because it involves power tools.
November 18th, 2007 at 8:35 am
I think I’m going to picket at Universal on Monday. Although Paramount’s Van Ness gate offers a lot of excitement, a change of venue would be nice. Also, I can take the Red Line there and skip the whole parking issue.
The WGAw has further updated their strike locations page to give daily schedule information, instead of generic week 1, week 2 schedules.
Have a safe trip John.
November 18th, 2007 at 9:02 am
John, do you anything about The Young and the Restless writer(s) going FiCore?
November 18th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Marco,
None of the R&R writers have gone Fi-Core.
Broadcasting & Cable article
United Hollywood Blog
Another Broadcasting & Cable article
November 18th, 2007 at 11:11 am
If I designed a logo like this, I’d fire myself and disappear.
November 18th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Happpy Thanksgiving, John. Have a safe trip!
November 18th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
So is Craig Mazin picketing now that he’s done directing his movie or what?
November 18th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
Small correction to my post (#10):
Y&R writers, not R&R.
November 18th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Francine:
Not done with the movie yet.
But I figured I could come in on a Saturday and try and get some service in. We don’t shoot on the weekends.
We wrap at the end of the month.
November 18th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Glad you commented on the AMPTP logo. While reading their recent ad in the NY Times with fellow design-conscious students, it was decided that, aside from its deceptive content, the page could not be taken seriously with such a childish stamp.
November 19th, 2007 at 1:48 am
Thanks Craig… we appreciate it. Looking forward to the new signs.
Seeya at van ness tomorrow, whomever..
AYAAW
November 19th, 2007 at 2:13 am
Thank you, Tom!
November 19th, 2007 at 9:25 am
“Designed by a teenager in the 1970’s?”
Classic!
November 20th, 2007 at 2:46 am
That logo is… priceless. Seriously, when I first saw it somewhere (I think on Craigs site next to an article) I thought the site owner had painted a really bad mock with Photoshop Elements as he didn´t want to risk copyright troubles when showing the “real” logo.
Turns out I was wrong.
I keep asking myself - who nods something like this through?
November 20th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
The AMPTP logo looks like it belongs somewhere I would take my car for an oil change.
November 21st, 2007 at 10:56 pm
“The AMPTP logo looks like it belongs somewhere I would take my car for an oil change.”
– like that? http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=billyrayvs4.jpg
November 26th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Just found your blog. Very interesting. I was at WGA headquarters on Sunday before the rally. I was one of the rope cutting girls for the sandwich boards. Made a few of the sandwich boards but basically spent the afternoon cutting rope strips for the others to attach.