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Halloween could bring a mixed bag of tricks and treats. The Writers Guild appears to be getting ready to go on strike at the end of the month which means that many shows might be affected in serious ways, while some might not even see the light of day.
By Nov. 1, nets will have enough episodes of current shows in the can to get them through mid-January. But the February sweeps would be decimated [by a strike], and new shows would halt production well before they'd filled their initial 13 episode orders.Now the new Bionic Woman getting her plug pulled is one thing, but sticking it to Mr. Jimmy Smits? Say it aint so, CBS.As a result, an early strike could spell doom for some newer shows struggling in the ratings.
"If Fox has to shut down a show like 'K-Ville' in the middle of filming the seventh episode, they might just decide it makes more sense to simply cancel it," one agent said.
That's because keeping the "K-Ville" sets in place and its cast together would be costly. If the show were a hit, keeping the skein in a holding pattern would make sense, but given its weak early numbers, Fox might simply decide it makes sense to cut and run.
That decision would have a cost, too. TV shows generally need to produce 13 episodes to earn international coin. If shows such as "K-Ville" -- or CBS' ratings-challenged "Cane" or NBC's "Bionic Woman" -- wrap before they get to 13 segs, they'll likely end up a total loss for both the network and the studio that produces the show. - Variety
Variety goes on to say that the writers might show mercy on the industry and wait until January to make their stand. However if they choose to strike in a few weeks there's always work for them in animated features, as, for some reason, that type of writing isn't part of the writers' union.
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nice nipples!
Just as studios are starting to put out decent dramas and sitcoms instead of all the "reality" crap the writers are going to strike and grind all this to a stop? What the hell? Don't take away my blue eyed brunettes!
Well, maybe they could just pay the talent that creates these shows. Most people work and get paid for it.
Studios always want something for nothing, and they have been bleeding the writers, who create what we all watch for years now. SAG is probably striking this summer too. Don't blame the talent...follow the money.
Variety is and has always been the Studios tool.
#3 has it right. Studios are pretty much in favor of squeezing every last penny out of the people who make their films and TV shows - right down to the people that it really hurts like the PAs and non-union background. And these people don't have anyone to stand up for them.
It's crazy that union performers, writers and crew (of which I am one) have to put up with the studios' shit. Then when they decide to call them out, people complain.
I hear ya. I'm a PA and while the overtime is great, its just not a job for people who actually enjoy some free time. sigh.
Sorry #3 and #5 but I have seen first hand what "writers", "producers" and above the line staff do on a top running sitcom for 5 seasons. If they took half of what they spent on extravagant meals and other extras and used it to pay others then there would be no strike. Granted not all productions are like that but I'll bet 95% of the top running shows have a huge budget that can be trimmed down if really looked at.
#3 and 5 you two seem like the rational, genuine, nice people in the industry and I hope you 2 stick to the way you feel as you move up in the industry, it will be a nice change of attitude and environment for the industry, but for right now there are some real waste and excess occurring in production.
No matter the industry it's a struggle for the people that do the actual work,only difference is the amount of zeroes. Quietly, we in the film industry overlook basic labor regulations simply because
of the unrealistic production schedules we have to meet to keep our jobs.Our unions really don't protect us from the dangers resulting from the absurd producer demands.Money isn't adequate compensation for destorying our health and quality of life.
Yes, #7, People at the top do indulge. I have seen some stunning waste myself. But not all writers are in that league, and there is excess on the studios side as well (private jet anyone?)Just as every actor doesn't pull down 20 mil a pic like Julia Roberts, not every writer is swimming in cash.
What is really at stake is the studios not paying for work - in a word, residuals. Read the positions by both sides and see who is being the bully here.