Tuesday, December 11, 2007

by Sean Chercover

As I’m sure you’ve heard, the Writers Guild of America is still on strike. Even though I have personal financial reasons to want this strike over, I stand firm on the side of the WGA.

In case you haven’t been following the story, here’s a video that explains the basic WGA position (which is extremely reasonable, in my opinion):



If that was too compliated, here’s the WGA position, as explained by a five-year-old:




Just to be fair, let's listen to some voices of uncertainty from the other side of the bargaining table:



Okay, now it’s all clear as . . . (not "mud", because that would be a cliché . . . something else that isn’t mud, but also isn't clear . . . something that the reader doesn't expect, but that makes perfect sense . . . damn, I wish the writers weren’t on strike; they could give me a great simile):

Speaking of a world without writers, check out these classic movie lines, revised:



But seriously, we realize that this strike is hard on everyone. Here’s a look at how the strike is harming others in Hollywood (WARNING: offensive language):




Okay, maybe that was harsh. But you know, despite the acrimony, we all want to see a happy ending to this thing, and the next video should warm your cockles:



And finally, there’s the "Writers Strike Dance" guy (if anyone can explain this, please send me an email. And if the Writers Strike Dance Guy is reading this, can you hook me up?):



So what can you do to help?

Well, you can visit www.unitedhollywood.com to learn more and get involved. You can give things other than DVDs for Christmas (or whatever) this year.

Or, you can just surf around YouTube and enjoy more entertaining videos about the strike. It beats the hell of whatever's left on television these days.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Writers certainly should be paid for their creativity, not being opted by technology, robbing them of their art at their expense.

I think such conflicts will continue to raise that ugly head of confrontation, for the sense of fairness is in questioned.

The artist cannot sell out against new media techniques and its ability to deliver.

Any kind copy cannot exist without the reality of the art itself. The artist has to stick up for his creativity, as no one else will!

Libby Hellmann said...

Re: The Love Story.."Love means never having to say you're sorry..." Guess the producers are taking that seriously.

Awesome post, Sean.

Anonymous said...

Or you could turn off the television, go to the library or your local independent book store and pick out a book to read.

Bobby Mangahas said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I am reminded the preface to the second edition of Thomas Carlyle’s “The Life of Friedrich Schiller,” published by Willis P Hazard of Philadelphia.

“The excuse for reprinting this somewhat insignificant Book, is, that certain parties, of the pirate-species were preparing to reprint it for me. There are books, as there are horses, which a judicious owner, on fair survey of them, might prefer to adjust by a once shooting through the head: but in the case of books, owing to the pirate-species, that is not possible.”

Anonymous said...

Sean, I knew what the issues were, but not the numbers--how depressing. Thanks for doing the essential work to keep us all informed, and of course, I WILL NOT SCAB!!!

Bobby Mangahas said...

I think it's getting messy, but at least you did take time to acknowledge the others that this strike is affecting.

I also loved the re-done lines to famous movies.

Anonymous said...

Books are the best gifts.

Sean Chercover said...

No question - books make the best gifts.

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -Groucho Marx