All Writers Should Support the Writer's Guild of America Strike

I spent a little while on the net this morning, trying to find out as much as I could about the ongoing Writer's Guild Strike. I'm not a member of the Writer's Guild of America, but maybe I should be. This next spring I am going to join the National Writers Union. (for more information, check out their web site : http://www.nwu.org/nwu/index.php?cmd=Homepage )

Independent authors also own the rights to their material, and while most of us don't think that far, there is a possibility some one will stumble onto our work and want us to write the screen play for it. This strike and the contract negotiations afterward will affect many generations of screen and print writers for years to come. I think back to the Greats in the early days of MoTown, some who may of never received royalties for their music; the great Peggy Lee, who never received monies owed to her from "Lady and The Tramp' while she was alive. I also think about the recent move by record companies and musicians against some of the music download sites.

Writers deserve to be paid for their services due to the sale of the DVD's and downloads from network shows and movies. Especially if there are commercials slipped into the programs and the network is making money in diverse ways. It would be nice for me and my heirs to be able to receive residual incomes from the sale of DVDs and downloads if any of my work was to be translated into a screen play. In my estimation, it would kind of be like a 401 (k) rolling over time and again for a writer. Nice concept, eh?

Actors and other crew are paid differently from what I understand. Speaking of the actors, I applaud those who are refusing to cross the picket lines, bringing food, etc, or stand in the picket lines showing their support. I empathize for the newer shows though. They have either yet to find their niche, or are exceptional pieces of drama. I hope the networks will make it up to them somehow. Which is only right.

As our television, movie, and print media realities change, those who reap the benefits our labors need to change as well. I can handle reruns for as long as it takes---remember the last couple of seasons of "Lost" and other shows? That was just to draw in publicity for the shows. Will the writers be paid for the shows that are now in reruns as well? Only time will tell.

I think all of us in this industry, be it Independent, Traditional, or Screen Writers need to support each other at this time. When one segment of our colleagues make break through in the industry, there is a trickle down effect which benefits us all.

So, my only remaining question is, how do I sign up?