WGA Strike: What It's All About and Why it Hurts You

For many following the news, the WGA, or the Writer's Guild of America has joined in solidarity and decided to strike. What does that mean? Basically, all writing has stopped. No more Tonight Show. No more Dave Letterman. No more scripts going into production. The consequences of the strike however have far more implications than those directly affecting writers.

What many people do not realize is how many people's livelihood is vested in the entertainment industry. In Los Angeles, almost every family is either directly or indirectly involved in the "industry." As teamsters, who consist of casting directors, electricians, truck drivers, etc, they are weary of crossing picket lines no matter who is striking.

If a prolonged strike occurs and studios run out of episodic scripts for television shows, and film scripts, all production will cease. What does that mean for the economy? It means California's economy will self implode.

Countless hourly workers work for the studios doing security, in the food stations, cleaning, doing onsite catering, chauffeuring, personal security, not to mention the thousands of individuals who are production assistants, grips (electricians and lighting), cameramen, and all the other various jobs behind the camera. Educators hired as on set teachers will be out of work. Stunts and stunt coordinators will be left jobless. Directors, producers, even assistants will be sent home.

Think of all the outside restaurant and catering companies that supply food for production. Think of the outside drivers hired to get actors from one location to the other. Think of all the companies that survive based on prop rentals, camera and lighting rentals, costume rentals. Think of all the make up artists, costume designers, messenger services delivering headshots to casting. There are thousands of talent agencies that consist of dozens of agents, assistants and associates. Hundreds of casting directors, associates, and assistants will be left without work.

There will be no more power lunches at local restaurants. No more coffee runs. No more take out deliveries. Mailrooms, and entire productions buildings will shut down.

What does it mean for individuals all across America? You get no new TV shows. Once studios run through your favorite TV show scripts and pre-taped shows you will be left with reruns and reality shows.

Many studios have stockpiled scripts over the past few months and worked through hiatus filming television episodes back to back to remain equipped in the event that the Writer's Guild went on strike. Movies, normally shot months, if not years in advance will take longer to feel the effect of the strike, but for many whose lives revolve around the entertainment industry, this strike is hitting close to home.

As a member of SAG, or the Screen Actors Guild, I have been watching in intrigue as the strike has unraveled. SAG is talking striking at the end of their contractual term, so my livelihood is vested in WGA's outcome. Standing firm with the WGA, SAG hopes that they will lay the foundation for our upcoming contract negotiation.

Reviewing the WGA's proposal, it doesn't seem too unrealistic. According to www.wga.org here is an overview of what the 2007 proposal entails:

Currently, the writers get 0.3% for the gross under $1 million for a DVD and 0.36% thereafter. That is less that five cents per DVD sold. They would like to raise that to 0.6% for the gross under $1 million and 0.72% over $1 million. Basically, ten cents of your $19.99 DVD purchase.

The other hot topic in the negotiations is for content that is used in non-traditional uses, such as the Internet and cellular phone downloads. Because these medias are so new, there are no defined terms for residual income. Currently, writers are getting varied rates depending on when content was filmed and if the video stream is free or paid. Writers would like their rights to be contractually defined as getting a set residual rate of 2.5% for non-traditional media use.

For a complete list of proposals, visit http://wga.org/contract_07/proposalsfull2.pdf

I don't know what these negotiations will bring. I do not know how long the strike will last, or if it will have any effect "long term effect" on the film industry. I do not pretend to know all the "ins and outs" of the entertainment industry, but speaking as an actor who sometimes relies on residual's checks to buy groceries, or pay my rent, I can certainly empathize with the writers as they set out to strike.

I hope the entertainment executives and studios that rake in millions of dollars a year will find a little room in their budgets to give writers, and yes actors as our contract negotiations come up for renewal, simply a fraction more of a percentage on residual income. Will a 0.3% raise on DVD sales really put these studios out of business?