Writers Strike - Day 92
a writer's perspective
With rumors flying fast and furious that The End Is Near, picketing resumed this morning with increased media scrutiny, and with healthy skepticism amongst the writers.
I know everybody is anxious for this thing to be over, but there’s no point in listening to the rumors before they become a reality.
I know Fox CEO Peter Chernin allegedly told his buddies at the Superbowl yesterday that “the strike is over”, but I'm pretty sure he also told them that The Patriots were gonna kick the Giants asses.
As I told one journalist who asked me today to comment on the End of the Strike, the only thing I can say for sure is that the strike will end. You may have to reassess your definition of the word “end”, but one day, who knows when, it will end. Other than that, there is nothing anyone can say with absolute certainty.
It seems like the media has been trying to pressure the writers into accepting the DGA deal since the day it was negotiatied. There is nothing to lose by being cautious.
Buying into the rumors can only empower the producers. If they are not true, then once again, morale is devastated. In frustration, writers could begin to question their leadership. The public, who have been largely supportive thus far, could begin to lose compassion for the writers – especially if there is a horrible deal on the table that the writers don’t want to sign.
If the rumors are true, writers might let down their resolve and give the producers leverage when drafting the actual final agreement. Even if there is a tentative reasonable deal close to being in place, the writers could feel the pressure to get this done quickly, and settle for something less than mediocre.
Everybody needs to hang tight and take a deep breath.
Thankfully, despite the hysteria, that is exactly what most of the writers are doing. Maybe if the AMPTP hadn’t played us right before Christmas we’d all be real excited right now. It’s just hard not to feel like Charlie Brown, and picture the producers as Lucy holding the football.
Amidst the media frenzy, I spent much of today trying to avoid speaking to the press. I did get trapped into talking to a lady who was writing an article for a British magazine, and somehow got corralled into answering some questions for a TV reporter. When I told her I didn’t want to talk to her, she told me “It’s just for Mexican TV. No one will see it.”
I’m always skeptical when I’m approached by a journalist. I never know their motives, and I always suspect that maybe they’re undercover shills for the producers. In this case, I’m sure the reporter was legit. The questions sounded translated into English, and the people being interviewed were often confused as to how to answer. For example, what is a good response to “Tomorrow is Super Tuesday, what would you be entitled?”
I was asked if the strike would make a good movie. I answered “no” because it would be too long and boring. I added that a lot of our strike experiences would seem unbelievable to an average audience.
Thinking about it now, perhaps I spoke to soon. Looking at the big picture, there is still a chance for a last minute third act happy ending – the kind Hollywood specializes in. And what movie fan wouldn’t want to see that?
Hope to see you all tomorrow night at the Seven Grand.
photo by Heath Biter for LAist