Writers' strike end imminent, and an online vid is worth $1200.
Reports are circulating that a tentative deal has been reached in the WGA strike. Snip from NYT:
The agreement would let writers claim to have bettered a similar deal achieved last month between the production companies and the Directors Guild of America. In the third year of the Writers Guild deal, writers will be paid a percentage of the distributor’s revenue rather than the flat fee for Web-streamed television shows granted to the directors. The writers had insisted on this issue to ensure they not lose out on any new-media windfall the studios and networks may get from Web video. The producers yielded on this point — and the directors did not push it —arguing that Internet distribution is unlikely to become a significant business during the length of these contracts.In the fine print, this detail:
In their message to members, [Michael Winship, president of WGA East,] and [Writers Guild of America West President Patric Verrone] focused on the WGA's contract gains, which include the studios' agreement to pay a percentage of distributors' gross on streamed online product in the third year of the deal; writers will receive a flat fee of $1,200 for the first two years, for content that airs after the promotional periods.
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Thank you writers for ending this strike... I was getting tired of hearing about it. BTW - I'm expecting to see some pretty good writing since you have had all this time to think about it...
Aw, come on. The unpaid material that was posted on YouTube and various blogs during the strike was hugely better than the written-by-committee gruel that we usually get to enjoy.
You know, I have really discovered youtube and other online video websites during the strike. In fact I don't watch TV anymore.
"arguing that Internet distribution is unlikely to become a significant business during the length of these contracts."
Can anyone say Shortsighted?
"An online vid is worth $1200" to the WRITERS. Clearly the studios consider them to be worth a great deal more.
"The producers yielded on this point — and the directors did not push it —arguing that Internet distribution is unlikely to become a significant business during the length of these contracts..."
Read as:
The producers are likely to fight even harder AGAINST Internet distribution becoming a significant business(for as much good as it will do them).
It makes me a bit nervous as for what might be coming down the technology and/or legislative rivers in the next 3 years. The Industry now has 3 years to get their act together and either move online(HA!) and/or restrict the crap out of online distribution(HA HA!).
Aww. I was looking forward to the prospect of the world at large looking to sources other than Hollywood for their daily drivel. At least there' be variety...
I'm glad the writers got a halfway decent deal, even if it doesn't add up financially to all the money they lost in striking for 3 months. I think it was important for them to take the stand they took, since if they had caved in this time, they could have looked forward to an even worse deal next time.
The WGA success in setting the floor for what writers will get paid by Hollywood for web content (2% of the sponsor's ad revenue) will prove to be a pyrrhic victory for newbie writers. A flat fee may have been better. As usual, the powerful writers craft their own deals and do little to make it easier for writers for the web to get into their cabal, sorry, union. Instead of leaving the web to the free market they handcuff their members with the least bargaining power. I doubt it was worth all the agony those writers lowest on the totem pole had to endure during the strike. I hope the rank and file writers come to their senses and vote our Verrone and company and install a leadership that really understands how to work with Hollywood to the true benefit of newbie writers.