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Post by lyvanna on Nov 3, 2007 21:47:17 GMT 10
John Wells and David Zabel are listed on the Writers Guild website as being two of the writers striking (strike expected to start Monday-ish). How do we think this could change ER? Dunno if it's just scaremongering but I've heard that some shows, if it goes on for a long time, will just film all the scripts they have and put out shortened seasons - it would be a real shame if this happened to ER in its final year.
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Post by cece2087 on Nov 3, 2007 23:55:45 GMT 10
The strike will affect all television shows, including ER. Because they knew it might be coming, some shows have tried to get ahead of schedule in terms of producing scripts so they can continue shooting. Heroes just announced that they have done a last minute rewrite on the December finale that could serve as a season finale if the strike affects production that much.
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Post by luby2534 on Nov 4, 2007 2:58:43 GMT 10
I heard about this on the radio the other day !!
It will affect ER, but am i right in thinking that they are ahead of schedule with regards to filming(they knew this was going to happen).
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Post by manduu ♥ on Nov 4, 2007 3:56:56 GMT 10
My mom read it in the newspaper! they better not do this season shorter.
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Post by larue on Nov 4, 2007 4:33:09 GMT 10
They will do what they have to do. NO one wants a strike. It's going to put a tremendous number of people out of work eventually...and at what cost? I am still a bit curious about what they are striking about. Most of the news I have gleaned states issues regarding wanting percentages of DVD sales and such. Trickle down issues. Sheesh. I would love a percentage of the earnings for every kid I have taught in school. I have a couple of Wall Street bankers, several doctors/nurses, a couple of teachers, engineers, a magazine writer and several others that probably should kick in a few bucks toward my retirement. Heh.
I am also kind of wondering how these writers who are producers and directors are going to deal. Will they cross their own picket lines to direct/produce episodes that are yet to be filmed?? Does Wells already have '300 Patients' in the can? He was supposed to direct it, right?
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Post by cece2087 on Nov 5, 2007 0:44:39 GMT 10
The WGA's contracts expired on Oct 31st and the guild members want a revision that will give members residuals from DVD and home video sales along with internet and other forms of downloading. At the moment, producers are the only ones who get profits from these markets and it's becoming so big that the writers don't think it's fair. I am on the side of the writers, especially those on television shows.
Since John Wills and David Zabel are on that large list of writers who will not work, I think they will follow that. However, Wells being on strike doesn't prevent him from directing. Production can continue as long as the scripts are done. The Writers are just not going to story break or write anymore scripts until their contracts are negotiated.
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Post by hinkydoodle on Nov 5, 2007 18:14:52 GMT 10
Since we are spoiled for episode 11, I think that's all ER has written. That's half the season, right? 22 episodes.
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Post by larue on Nov 7, 2007 4:06:47 GMT 10
Tere are supposed to be 13 shows written. 11 of them are spoiled... Hoping to hear about the other two soon....
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Post by cece2087 on Nov 7, 2007 4:54:58 GMT 10
It's good that they have that many scripts completed. However, even if they do get to shoot them, they might not seem terribly polished or as good as we expect from the show. All television shows, sitcoms more than dramas, constantly rewrite scripts. So even though the scripts are completed they might not be up to par.
I can't believe how after one day so much has already happened affecting schedules and production. TVGuide had a little thing saying that Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson didn't show up to the set for "The Office" and only two scenes were able to be completed.
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Post by manduu ♥ on Nov 7, 2007 5:13:33 GMT 10
It's good that they have that many scripts completed. However, even if they do get to shoot them, they might not seem terribly polished or as good as we expect from the show. All television shows, sitcoms more than dramas, constantly rewrite scripts. So even though the scripts are completed they might not be up to par. I can't believe how after one day so much has already happened affecting schedules and production. TVGuide had a little thing saying that Steve Carell and Rainn Wilson didn't show up to the set for "The Office" and only two scenes were able to be completed. ALREADY? i heard it wouldnt affect any show, just if the strike continued to january because its seems like every show has scripts to dec. and i agree with you cece they wouldnt be as good as they would if the strike wouldnt have ruined everything.
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Post by viviclooney on Nov 7, 2007 14:09:37 GMT 10
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Post by hinkydoodle on Nov 7, 2007 14:45:48 GMT 10
Good for them but I guess this means if the actors are striking it doesn't matter how many scripts are left. There won't be any new episodes soon if the strike lasts a long time.
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Post by larue on Nov 7, 2007 20:14:15 GMT 10
Wonder what kind of fair compensation they want??? Is it fair to want dibs on something forever? Wish I understood ths issues more. My internet buddy is walking the picket line, even though she is a retired writer. Says she still belongs to the Guild in order to get her insuance benefits through them. She says the main issues for ALL of the unions are DVD and internet residuals. The writers just happened to be the first union contract to expire. We may going through this for a while as all of the unions fall into line. Seems like they will be getting what they DON'T want as more people will be invested in the DVD collection at their local Wal-Mart or NetFlix or Blockbuster to fill in the blanks. I am SURE not going to be watching any more reality shows. Lost interest in those a while ago...well except for 'Little People, Big World'...but don't tell anyone...shhh.
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Post by hinkydoodle on Nov 7, 2007 22:45:04 GMT 10
From what I have gotten by reading a few articles, the WGA wants to be paid a bit more for dvd sales and to actually get paid for internet downloads. Right now, the networks are getting all the proceeds from things like iTunes downloads and Amazon Unbox. The writers and actors aren't getting money for this. Even worse are some networks (NBC) having writers and actors write/perform online exclusive content (Like The Office Webisodes) and they air commercial ads during this content. That means the network makes money from the ads, but the writers and actors are not paid for this either.
They really aren't asking for a lot, one of the figures is $0.08 per DVD (instead of the $0.04 they get now).
I remember earlier this year NBC wanted to double the price of downloading it's shows from iTunes and Apple told them to stuff it, so they went to Amazon instead. The Network executives are being greedy and now the writers and everyone else wants their fair share.
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Post by annita on Nov 8, 2007 0:36:52 GMT 10
The actors aren't actually striking, but showing support for union members by not crossing the picket lines. Wells may be able to direct, but to show his support should not cross the line. Eva Longoria of DH was really trashed by the strikers for crossing the line.
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