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Due to the magnitude of this event I felt it was worthy of our pop cents. First, it is important to realize what is at stake here
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Personally the thought of getting cut off from the pop-culture we hold dear is a disturbing one. It is a thought that can keep fanatics, such as ourselves, awake at night. Who the hell do these screenwriters think they are anyways? If they have to make sacrifices so that we can continue to receive our daily dose of pop culture, then so be it. What's the big deal anyways? Sure the entire landscape in which consumers view television is changing. And, yes, the new distribution methods almost completely ignore the rights of those writing the material.
But how much money do these greedy writers need? Even George and Jerry received at least 8 grand for their script about nothing. I would take that in a heartbeat. What's that you say? The basic television set as a portal for television shows is dying? Television ratings and total viewership has been in decline for years? Alright, so what? They are still making money hand over fist. Right now they are doing fantastic. Yeah maybe unions are supposed to look out for the future interests of its members. But the needs of the future are so far off. Wait... you say that television shows are the fastest growing sector of DVD sales? And viewership of shows online and through programs such as ITunes is increasing constantly? Hmmmm.
All kidding aside, it seems pretty clear to me that the studios are realizing that in the future standard television viewing as we know it will be obsolete. They are trying to set themselves up in the new system without having to pay due diligence. Did they really feel they could sneak past the writers the new profits from DVDs and the internet? Screenwriters deserve much more credit than they currently receive. While directors and actors get all of the credit, the writers are often times, the true geniuses at work. They deserve a fair percentage of the new innovations in television and film viewing. Hopefully the federal mediator that arrived today will see that and make the right decision. Otherwise, we could be in for a long winter.
1 comment:
It is a truly horrifying thought to consider missing out on Conan's glorious program. (Jay...eh, not so much.) I'd also like to give you props for that Conan photo...amazing.
While I cannot imagine a world without new non-reality programming, I do agree that writers need to be given more credit. Good writing is a lot tougher to come by than it seems *coughAccordingtoJimcough*. I have real issues with the bigwigs making money while the people that do the hardest work (and seem to expend the most creativity) never get what they deserve. I suppose I feel that way about every industry, though...
Anyway, definitely something to think about. Thanks for bringing it to the forefront!
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