What the writers' strike means to me...

Sure -- we hear about the writers' picketing. We hear about the production staff being either laid off (like SNL -- way to go, Lorne!) or being supported by the star (like The David Letterman Show) and we're told about the cost increase. We hear the producer's side. What about the writers' point of view? Why are they doing this?

Simple: when you watch the show, you're seeing something that the writers, producers, staff and actors are getting paid for. When you buy a DVD (or VCR tape for all you older people out there), the writers, producers, staff and actors gets something out of that, too. However, when you watch something on a website, or even download it for your own use -- the producers get paid, I'm sure the actors get something, maybe even the staff gets something thrown their way. The writer gets nothing. Zip. Zero. Nada. What does mean to anyone? A writer doesn't write all the time. Some places only have their writers on 13 week contracts. At the end of the 13 weeks, the producers decide whether or not to renew the contract at that time, for another 13 weeks. These residuals can keep a writer going when there is no work. When an actor has no work, he can fall back on the residuals of a good (or even a not-so-good) show. When a producer has no work, they can fall back on residuals (and you bet they're going to have residuals...). Why shouldn't the writers have that sort of safety net? Let's not forget where the writer falls in all of this. No writer means no work for a producer. No writer means no lines for the actor. No writer means no show. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. The writer is God. Amen.

Now -- no doubt the producers are going to play the cost card. You know what the cost is going to amount to? I'm going to warn you. It's extravagant. It's enormous. It's unfathomable.

It's 4 cents. On top of another 4 cents. 8 cents total. 8 cents out of every production dollar goes to the writer. I know what you're saying to yourself right now. "8 cents? 8 cents! This is about [censored] pocket change?!" No. It's about the producers protecting themselves while letting everyone else out to hang. Writer's don't make much money -- but at least they get to do something that they love.


The obligatory disclaimer: I am a writer. I love writing. There is no day that passes in which I am not writing. I've finished a novel, and I am working on a second one. My talents are in prose. I am not a script writer -- although when I write, I see it like a movie. However, when one suffers, we all do. This isn't completely about money. This is about changing technology and solidarity. Whether you write novels, sit-coms, hard copy or bawdy limericks -- we all need to watch this and watch it carefully. Next up on the proverbial chopping block could be you.


Current Project: Valentina's Feast (6769 words)
Current Read: Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Current TV: Dexter "Morning Comes"