As I’m sure everyone knows now, the Writers Guild of America is striking, which means no new Daily Show or talk show episodes now and, in a few months, no new drama or sitcom episodes. For a good look at things from the WGA side, check out this site, United Hollywood. For a look at the corporations’ side, check any main stream media outlet (since they own them all).
- The keys facts to know:
- Residuals are paid to cover the re-use of creative work, either in an ad-supported form (such as TV) or for pay (such as home video) and are not a bonus
- Right now writers receive 0.3% residual on home video sales thanks to a contract set up back in 1988
- Most writers only make about the same as a school teacher (or less)
- That amount was set as a concession to the studios who said they needed it due to home video being an uncertain new market
- Many or most films now make more money on home video than they do in the theater
- The studios don’t want to negotiate an increase in home video residuals and the WGA even pulled the request for an increase in the latest talks
- The WGA is presently asking for a 2.5% residual on electronic sales (meaning iTunes and Amazon downloads) and the same TV re-run residual rate for online streaming
- The studios only offers are no residuals for electronic media (the status quo) or the same 0.3% home video residual figure and refuse to negotiate unless the WGA accepts one of those
That final bit is the real sticking point, not DVDs as most media outlets report. The studios are helping that mis-information by admittedly using the term “DVD” to refer to DVDs and electronic distribution so when reference is made to DVDs, keep in mind that’s not really what they mean. So basically, the writers want to be sure that they don’t get stuck with a very low residual for 20 years for electronic distribution the way they did for home video.
Not being a member of the Guild, I can’t help by not writing. Not living in L.A. means I can’t go picketing. They already get residuals for movies and TV, so not going out or switching off my set won’t help. Then I realized I do have a way to show support and something everyone I know can do too. So I suggest the following and ask that you spread the word:
Boycott studio-produced content on new media. Don’t buy any TV shows or movies off of iTunes or Amazon. Don’t watch shows streamed off network websites (including the massive Daily Show archive) or Joost or the new Hulu site.