Strike, day 93; Production, day 2
With all eyes on yesterday’s primaries, the announcement of the big, bi-coastal WGA membership meeting this Saturday was easy to overlook. But it’s certainly a welcome development. It’s widely expected that the WGA boards will discuss the status of the agreement with the AMPTP, and outline the steps needed to get back to work.
I anticipate some uncomfortable questions and awkward moments. That’s almost a given at a meeting with 1,000+ people and open microphones. But I can plead for a little decorum. Specifically:
- Dissent does not equal treason. You can disagree with anyone in the room or on the stage, but that doesn’t mean they’re a villain or a sell-out.
- If someone else asks your question, or makes your point, sit down. Yes, you waited in line 20 minutes to get to the mic. But let someone else say something new.
- The future takes precedence over the past. There are a lot of histories to be written about the strike, including alternate scenarios. These make interesting message-board discussions, but don’t play well as one-sided polemics.
In Los Angeles, the meeting is at the Shrine Auditorium — often home to awards shows, but also the stage where I got my USC diploma. I’m planning on working the phone banks at the WGA mothership on Friday, so if you’re a member, there’s a chance I may be calling you to encourage you to come to the pow-wow.
Much of yesterday’s shooting on the web pilot was constrained to a narrow kitchen, which reminded me again why traditional TV comedies have unrealistically-sized rooms. Another challenge: this show has a lot more characters in a scene than The Nines did, which inevitably slows down the work as you connect eye-lines and coverage. But it went smoothly, and we got our last shots just as the sun went down.
Today, we have a late call — 11:30 a.m. — and wrap production after dark.
Articles
February 6th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Congrats, John. Can’t wait to see it when finished. Love shooting low budget (partially because I’ve never shot big budget…).
Great Scriptland article in the Calendar today about Tom Epperson’s journey as a screen/novel writer. Very good to hear the peregrinations of other writers. At least I know I’m not alone!
February 6th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Man I’m nervous about this Saturday meeting. I want this strike over, but really don’t want to have a bad deal shoved down our throats… Call me pessimistic, but I’m totally ready to vote “no”, even if a work stoppage is called off.. if the deal isn’t at least DECENT.
PLEASE PLEASE… let the variety “preview” of the deal be totally bogus… Now that the AMPTP has gotten the “exploit the strike” phase out of the way, FINALLY we’re in a position of leverage… so let’s not cave on a shitty offer.
(deep breath) Okay.. well, see ya’all Sat.
February 6th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Hey John, just found your site, very helpful especially for someone like me in their early years in the industry. Couple questions: What’s the best way to go the route of becoming a director without doing a master’s?
Also, as a screenwriter/master’s in history/Persian actor I was interested in working on Prince of Persia as a creative consultant or other role that may require my background. Please get back to me if you have info on this, thanks.
February 7th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Hi John,
Where/when will you be picketing on Friday? I’m finally in LA and would like to show my support.
February 7th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Can non-WGA members go to the meeting just to listen? You know, in case we don’t have anything else to do on a Saturday.
February 7th, 2008 at 8:54 am
emily –
Nope. The big meeting is WGA-only, with photo ID required.
February 7th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Actually it’s WGA “active member” only… not that big a distinction, but though I should point it out anyway..
February 7th, 2008 at 11:44 am
JA, I’m not sure if you watch Bill Maher, but I was wondering what you thought of his analogy, comparing the strike to the Iraq war. He said that he didn’t think the leadership had a good plan out. More than that, he felt like people weren’t allowed to criticize the leadership, in the same way critics of the war were blasted as being unpatriotic.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Finally some sense talk given. Thank you for the reverb Brad. A salute to Bill Maher. A wave to the Guild. A breath of fresh air toward John August who for some reason thinks he knows everything. Go figure. Go fast. Go forward.
February 7th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
please note Not anti-John August at all. I honestly believe he means well on the majority of his rants and raves. A screenwriter he indeed is(maybe, possibly a brilliant one at that). It’s just that even though this blog he has created, is for the most part about him the world he lives in the bigger world, the larger screen he is supported by and from, has nothing at all to do, with him or his agenda. I wish him luck. I wish for him success. I trust he finds himself amid all the drama. That which he writes as well as the writhe that he does not. Worthy always makes its way to the top; unworthy, nah.
February 7th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
The best thing in the world for the flu is alka-seltzer plus cold tablet take one and you’ll feel 100% improved in less than 20 minutes. The stuff really works and its relatively inexpensive. Guaranteed. I’m not a doctor but if I were I would know this as such and in knowing not tell. As I would want to make money on prescribing something I could make money on as well.
February 7th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Sidney– my post wasn’t meant as anti-August. In fact, I mentioned it because his “Dissent does not equal treason” line made me think he’d agree with Maher.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:25 am
To John (and any WGA writers who may be reading), apologies if I’m wasting comment space, but have been following the whole strike from here in the UK. Just want to send all best wishes and support for the meeting tomorrow. I hope that any proposed agreement is positive and allows you to get back to doing what you love as soon as possible – you’d be surprised how much support you’ve got from all corners of the globe.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:15 am
thanks David! The support means a lot to us!
A WGA Writer (not looking foward to Saturday but we’ll see…)
February 9th, 2008 at 7:27 am
I just wanted to drop a note of support to you, and your fellow writers. I hope that your deal is better than ‘decent’.