Strike, day twelve
Last night, a bunch striking feature writers gathered for drinks and conversation at EAT on Sunset, just feet from where I picketed way back on day one. Although I didn’t realize it, I was apparently a host for the event. So I’m glad I didn’t listen to my exhaustion and bail on it.
It was a good chance to put more faces with names, and while I had to duck out early-ish to buy milk and sleep, here’s hoping such events become more frequent — even when the strike’s resolved.
Today’s picketing at Paramount was straightforward, with familiar faces and little drama. J.J. Abrams brought doughnuts. Jordan Mechner filled me in on details about the graphic novel I’ve been pestering him for years to finish. Four hours went quickly.
Today in Things I’ve Bought That I Love, Mindy Kaling (the writer-actress who plays Kelly Kapoor on The Office) worries that the strike might deter her from buying lawn ornaments. I tried to leave the following comment on the blog, but it’s limited to cool kids, so I thought I’d make this pledge here for all the internet to witness:
Mindy,
I will buy you all the holographic lawn ornaments you can stand. All I ask is that you please just stage an “Office, Live!” performance somewhere in town before the holidays. Because that would be awesome.
Thanks.
Articles
November 16th, 2007 at 4:18 pm
My Mom is in the lawn ornament business, so I would encourage everyone to buy lawn ornaments this holiday season.
November 16th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
It’s nice to see a little bit of Kumbaya flowing across the ranks. Do you think the writer solidarity will continue after the strike is resolved?
November 16th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Hey John,
That was JJ Abrams? I feel like such a dope! Without his glasses, I totally didn’t recognize him.
Great to meet you and the other people on the line this morning. I’m going to try to keep making the Friday mornings there or maybe Sunset Gower too for the duration.
November 16th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
If anyone missed it, the AMPTP has agreed to resume negotiations on 11/16!!
http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/11/amptp-promises-to-come-back-to-table.html
November 16th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Many of the writers from the office including Mindy and Ryan did a show at the Upright Citizens Brigade theater on Franklin a while back and it was awesome. I second the call for an Office live!
November 16th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
How ’bout “Office on Ice”?
November 16th, 2007 at 11:11 pm
This is seriously awesome picketing. I usually refrain from commenting because I am so completely removed from what’s happening, but damn if the Jordan Mechner mention didn’t tip me over the edge. I just watched the latest Cloverfield trailer today too. Fuckin’ JJ Abrams. And Mindy Kaling… I mean… seriously. I could not possibly laugh more at the written word than I do at her blog, and I’m a sour (or is it dour?) English person. Just amazing. I’m in awe.
Double your asking price.
November 17th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Just a thought on all of that food that is brought to striking writers:
How do you know it’s not laced with some ingredient that will sap your resolve – sort of a saltpeter for backbone?
November 17th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Hey John, I just read the feature on The Nines in Empire magazine. Two full pages, not bad.
What do you think about their summary, “It’s like Todd Solondz meets The Matrix, only weirder”?
November 17th, 2007 at 11:47 am
I also hope the fellowship that has developed during the strike continues after it is resolved. What we do (unless you’re writing with a partner or on sitcom) is such a solitary thing. It’s nice to see writers come together in the way they have during the strike. I’m hoping to get down there to walk the picket soon. Having this resolved to the writer’s satisfaction would be better.
November 20th, 2007 at 10:04 am
Yeah, if anybody sees Mindy on the picket lines, tell her an Office, Live! would bring much comfort.
November 20th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Here is a lawn ornament you might like!
http://www.cafepress.com/strikestuff.189948833
November 20th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
oops typo! Can you please fix the spelling of “Asipring” in my prior comment! Thank you!
November 20th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Here is a lawn ornament that you might like!
http://www.cafepress.com/strikestuff.189948833