It's too bad that Hollywood doesn't have the balls to break the strike and bring in new writers. Likewise it's too bad that these writers, some of whom are very rich, don't have the balls to start their own studio and risk their own money to produce their scripts.

More to the point, Mel Gibson already proved that one good movie produced outside the studio system can generate half a billion dollars or so in profit. If these writers are really as good as they think they are, it should be no problem to raise the capital to film one or two great movies that would essentially bankroll a new studio freed from the oppression of the current studio bosses.

yeah.

fuck no!.

It's damn near impossible to make it out here without being in a union, and it's hard to get into a union without getting some experience. It can be really frustrating, which makes it hard to sympathize.

And what about all the crew out of work now cuz of these guys striking? 22 weeks is a long time with no job. I'm torn. I just want my shows back. But hey, maybe this will mean Richard returns to LOST!

Also, Moore can picket his ass off. BSG doesn't come back for like 5 years anyway, so we've got time.

It sort of makes you wonder how creatively invested these people are in their shows if they're willing to kill them over getting residual payment down the line...

But by all means, you keep striking. Maybe you can add a clause to your contract that guarantees lattes will be delivered to you on a silver platter by naked, well-muscled slaves.

Me? I've got to go in to work tomorrow night (my day off) and move an entire holiday kiosk (which includes a few thousand pounds of metal, wood, and merchandise) because some schmuck gave us the wrong lot designation. Since you're all out of work for the time being, how'd you like to come and help me out? I was going to sit at home and write, but I've got bills to pay and can't get paid for writing like some people.

Keep looking that gift horse in the mouth, guys. The rest of us admire your work, but can't really sympathize with your angst. We're all busting our balls in jobs that make yours look like a vacation, and getting paid a LOT less to do it.

"They deserve to be paid for what they do" -- Yeah, and they ARE paid. They sell a script, and they cash some SERIOUS checks. What they're saying here is "The studios found a way to make more money off the project I worked on, and I want a piece of that pie, too." -- Nevermind that you've already been paid for the job (writing the script), but now you want a paycheck every time they put it on a different form of media?

I don't know how it is for other people, but when I get paid for a job, there's no option for me to get a second paycheck for the same job just because it's later found to be more far-reaching than initially believed.

And for the record, I am a writer and a musician. A paid one. I've been published, and the understanding is that once the publisher buys my work, they can reprint it in whatever format they desire-- I already got paid for it when they bought it. I'm not famous enough to get a sweet royalty deal, so like most non-famous artists who just want to be paid for their art, I have to take a freelance, work-for-hire deal. Frankly, I'd be THRILLED if something of mine made more money for the publisher than originally expected-- because that means my NEXT project could be a lot better for my pocketbook.

I'm sorry, but if NBC slaps old episodes of Knight Rider on iTunes, that doesn't mean that the writers who penned those scripts 25 years ago should automatically get another payday-- Unless they specifically worked out a royalty deal that allows those kinds of residuals.

Again-- I'll gladly trade situations with ANY writer working on a television show. I'll even take a PAY CUT from what they're making, and it will probably still be more than what I can make in any other job. I respect them, but they really need to see that what they do, and the amount they already get paid, is pretty fucking awesome. There are millions of talented writers who would love to just make what we're making now in our normal jobs, but for writing.

As it stands, you can either get the big bucks as a writer, or not get paid at all. There doesn't seem to be very much in-between. Show me a writer's guild member who works for minimum wage. They. Don't. Exist.

Specifically, how will this affect my beloved Dexter?

Take money entirely out of the equation. Then you'll see who's right in this argument.

Me. Kring/NBC, call me baby, we'll do lunch.

Turn off your tv, stop going to the movies, end your Netflix subscription, and go hole up in a shack in the woods with a large tome of books.

But just shut the fuck up with your pitiful whining. Bite the hand that feeds indeed.

Now, I'm not one to personally attack people, other than my catchphrase "You're an idiot", but come on Zero. You've done more bitching here about your job than any writer has during this strike. They're not complaning about their job- they're complaining about being screwed, people making money off their intellectual property.

There IS a difference there, you know?

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

http://tinyurl.com/2ep6k6

They must be sports fans.

I'm simply pointing out what those who complain are failing to note: the writers are getting screwed out of what's owed them. The studio heads are practically stealing money from them by selling their intellectual property and not compensating those who created it.

If you're in favor of a redistribution of wealth, you don't belong in America. And I have plenty of right to speak- I belong in America. And try to have your posts make a lil more sense, IGoToCollege. At one point you're calling me anti-corporate, at another point you seem to be decrying the WGA haters and defending them at the same time.

And I work on sets you ignorant dipshit.

Come one, these things come in threes you know.