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Today went fast. I reported to Warner Brothers Gate 2 for the “late shift”. Even though I had heard that all of the strikers were going to mobilize at Gate 2, there are writers and supporters stationed at all the gates around the studio.
Unlike Gate 7, Gate 2 is bustling with activity. The sign in table here is covered with an amazing variety of snacks. Cartons of donuts from Krispy Kreme and Winchells are stacked three feet high. There’s a non-stop parade of honking cars, and well-wishers shouting their support. After 4 days, I’m able to make the observation that 100% of hybrid owners honk. Seriously.
Stepping out of the Gate 7 comfort zone is rejuvenating, but I wonder how some of my fellow 7-ers are doing. A few of us are here, and we smile, chat, and high-five with our picket signs. I meet a lot of great new people today. There’s a strong sense of unity and camaraderie.
Every day there are more and more people marching alongside us who are not in the Guild. Today, besides a noticeably larger showing of SAG members, and writers’ assistants, there are several kids, pets, and actual television fans! There are some better known actors, and most of them are here with little fanfare - they are here to show there support whether the media notices or not.
I can’t stress enough how much this support means, and especially, how much it is going to mean if/when the strike extends into the coming weeks.
All day there is a steady stream of friendly faces delivering pizzas, sandwiches, candy, and waters. Two fans of the show Moonlight, dressed all in black, arrive with several pizzas, and happily hand them to marchers. (I’m standing near one of the writers for Moonlight, and she’s ecstatic). One IATSE member on the way to his car quietly walks up and sets down a pizza. “Good luck”, he mumbles as he walks off.
A girl shows up with a giant box of candy labeled “Some ‘Sweet’ Support”. Another girl pulls up in a car and hands some candy out the passenger window. Attached to each is a small letter explaining that she is just out of college and wants to be a screenwriter. “So when the strike is over, PLEASE remember me and my FREE SNACKS!!!”
Late in the day, one of the strike captains relays the breaking story of a disabled Iraq war vet who was offered $20,000 by the studios to do a rewrite on a war movie. The man turned down the offer because of the strike.
On the flipside, there is chatter about the soaps hiring scabs, and about Vince Vaughn ignoring the picket lines to do a rewrite on an upcoming film. That’s so money of you Vince.
A “whistle-blower” pulls up to let us know that her son auditioned for a movie earlier this week, and that when they went to the callback today, the scenes had been rewritten.
Speaking of people showing their true colors, I want to give a special shout out to the IATSE members who tossed dollar bills out their windows to us yesterday. Your sarcastic bills are still sitting in front of Gate 7 on Forest Lawn if you want them back.
Tomorrow, the WGA is holding a huge rally at Fox at 10am. Police are closing off Avenue of the Stars, and all Guild members are going to report there instead of their usual posts. WGA West president Patric Verrone and SAG president Alan Rosenberg are going to speak. And if that’s not enough, Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine, AudioSlave) is going to perform an acoustic set.
photo of "Tyro - Scribe on Strike" by Greg Fields, photo of Sarcastic Dollar by Heath Biter/LAist
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Wait, where are those dollar bills (Revs up car)???
My friend left Fox Studios at 3:30 today & said there wasn't a picketer in sight...lazy bastards..it's only day 4.
Not true. I was there at Fox at 3:30pm and there were still plenty of people.
My son, another Moonlight fan, and I had a great time being able to bring the pizzas and support the writers. I also wanted to mention that donations for the pizza were made by members of the online group www.moonlightfans.com (currently undergoing a server upgrade due to the sheer number of visiting and registered Moonlight fans).
We plan to do this on a weekly basis, until the strike is resolved.
Vampire solidarity!! Rah rah rah!
As someone who supports the writers can I humbly ask that you stop using phrases like "front lines" when talking about this strike? I find that it belittles issues where there are ACTUAL front lines, like oh I dunno, the war this country is in.
And I realize you're being metaphorical, but come on. Y'all aren't worried about people shooting at you or, say, dying. Some perspective is important to keep people humble, I think.
Also, try to have some compassion for the IATSE members who are all losing their jobs very very soon. And they don't get residuals, but do have mortgages and kids to feed.
All that being said, keep up the good work.
All due respect to you, kittycatty, but the IATSE members who behave so bitterly and immaturely as this article suggests have lost their right to my sympathy. I understand that times are going to be rough for everyone in this industry for the next few months, but the writers are striking for all of us. It's not just about residuals - it's about respect and fair treatment and all union members of whatever discipline reap the rewards of that. It's about keeping jobs in this business filled by professionals and not just hobbyists.
Anyone losing their jobs should not be blaming the writers for that - the blame is solely on the shoulders of the AMPTP.
Wait, people are going to lose their jobs should be patting the writers on the back?
I think if you're going to lose your job over this strike, you're allowed to be bitter. The writers have some good points, but they are striking for themselves, not for anyone else.
No one should have to cheer for people that are causing that person to get fired.