This week’s picketing
Circumstances have left me a single dad this week, so it’s unlikely I’ll make it out to the picket line for more than a brief visit. (Toddlers enjoy signs and lines, but not for three hours at a stretch.)
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. Go, and report back what you see.
Monday’s picketing is all centered at Fox, with SAG joining in solidarity. Any time you have actors on the picket line, the number of photographers increases exponentially, so it’s a good opportunity to get your face on the news — standing behind that guy from Desperate Housewives.a1a Your mom will save it on the DVR for years, like my Mom did with the Broadcast Film Critics Awards, until the machine finally expired.
Can I just say I love SAG?
Throughout the strike, the media has had fun portraying a Good Cop/Bad Cop thing between the DGA and WGA. It’s not accurate at all, but here it goes: the DGA is reasonable and calm and polite (Good Cop), while the WGA is trashing the room and making threats (Bad Cop). The suspect (in this case, the AMPTP) would naturally prefer to deal with Good Cop, who professes to be on his side against the bully waiting out in the hall. “Just give me something I can use,” says Good Cop.
Extending this analogy, SAG is that wild-eyed guy you have locked up down the hall. Both Good Cop and Bad Cop are happy to point out that unless they can make some progress, the alternative is sharing a cell with That Guy. And he’s effing crazy. He’ll light his arm on fire.
For the record, I don’t think SAG is crazy or pyromaniac. I think they’re smart to point out that they have many of the same concerns about new media, along with other actor-specific issues. I suspect they’ll be out in force on Monday, not because they want to strike, but because they want to let everyone know they would and could.
Me? I’ll be explaining to a toddler why sofas aren’t for jumping, blocks aren’t for throwing, and blueberry pancakes aren’t the only food to eat.
- Just don’t do that two-finger antenna thing; James Denton could kick your ass. aaa
Articles
January 27th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I would just like to point out that it is absolutely baffling to me that anybody can have kids and write at the same time. I have trouble finding the time to sit down every day with my only distractions being work and friends, I can only imagine how difficult it would be with children around the apartment.
Unrelated, I know, but interesting to me none the less. I suppose it all comes down to learning how to budget one’s time…
January 27th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
You make very astute observations, John, yet you are so very wrong about blueberry pancakes. They are the only food to eat.
January 27th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
That was a pretty hilarious analogy.
January 27th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Well, not all actors are in solidarity.
Case in point: Earlier this week, I was at my local Starbucks and ran into an actor who yanks down some 6 mil a film and who has (I’ll not name her, that would be impolite) been in three of the giant blockbusters over the last ten years. Anyway, I side up to her and we chat for a few minutes and then I ask if she’s been out to the lines in support of the cause.
Her reply?
First a blank stare. Then:
“I’m not a writer, I’m an actor.”
“I get that, I saw the car you drive. But surely you’ve heard of the solidarity pact between SAG and the WGA, right?”
More blank stares.
“Nice talking with you.”
“Ummmm…yeah.”
Guess we’re all not together in this after all.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Guess we’re all not together in this after all.
I wouldn’t comment on this specifically, save to gently remind that ignorance builds fences comradery can’t climb.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
John, you’re wrong.
Blueberry pancakes ARE the only food to eat.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:40 am
That’s a really smart, funny metaphor. “He’s effing crazy. He’ll light his arm on fire.” Hahaha.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Had blueberry pancakes (the commissary “special” at $3.79) this morning. Delish!
January 29th, 2008 at 1:04 am
So the SAG is Vik Mackey?