The WGA Strike

[Dogasu]

Kinda surprised a thread for this hasn't shown up before since it affects a LOT of everyone's favorite shows...

Futoncritic.com


TODAY'S QUESTION: What's the deal with the WGA strike?

1. Okay, what's basically going on?

The Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA) between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) expired today, Thursday, November 1. This contract sets the minimum standards for everything from compensation to arbitration between "the writers" (the WGA) and "the studios" (the AMPTP). The previous version was signed three years ago (click here to read it).

2. What's preventing a new MBA from being signed?

Both the WGA and AMPTP have submitted MBA proposals to each other (click here to read the AMPTP's, click here to read the WGA's) however obviously a consensus has yet to be reached.

Each proposal highlights their group's inherent philosophy. For the writers, it's that they aren't being compensated sufficiently for the work they're currently doing. For the studios, it's that they can't afford to pay any more than they already do.

3. So what are the specific points of contention?

In total there's about two dozen areas being negotiated however the focus seems to be on three major issues:

a. The home video residual formula. WGA members currently receive 0.3% of the distributors' gross for the first $1 million and 0.36% thereafter. This translates to about 5 cents per unit in most cases. The WGA is seeking to double that rate. The often mentioned rationale is that novelists receive up to 15% of the publisher's gross, literally 500 times that of TV and film writers.

b. Non-traditional media residuals. WGA members are not compensated for use of their work on cell phones, online streaming, etc. when the user doesn't pay for them. If they do (pay-per-view, video-on-demand, etc.), the residual rate is the same as the home video one - 0.3%. The guild is pressing for the following: "1.2% for features whether streamed or downloaded, 1.2% for TV product when the viewer pays, and 2.0% for post-1984 TV product or 2.5% for pre-1984 TV product when it is free to the viewer."

c. Jurisdiction and terms for made-for new technology. Writers working on content specifically created for the internet or other non-traditional media aren't subject to the same MBA standards as those who work on traditional media. The WGA hopes to close the gap.

4. Why then would the WGA go on strike?

Like all union-related disputes, a strike is designed as a bargaining ploy to force an agreement. Prior to Wednesday's deadline, WGA members passed a resolution - to record turnout - that the gives the guild's negotiating party the power to call a strike should they see it fit. 90.3% of the 5,507 votes cast were in favor of the resolution (read the story).

5. What then does it mean that the WGA is "on strike?"

According to the guild's strike rules, there's essentially one basic principle:

You (and your agent or other representative on your behalf) may not pitch to or negotiate with a struck company, and you may not provide writing services, sell or option literary material to a struck company.

In addition, members are expected to ask the struck companies to return any "spec" material (i.e. work that was completed in the hopes of being sold) as well as adhere to basic strike etiquette (don't cross picket lines, report any strike breaking activity, etc.).

Furthermore, members are allowed to continue in any non-writing capacity (actor, director, producer, etc.) as long as those activities do not involve writing in any way.

6. Does that mean primetime television production as a whole will be shut down?

Yes and no. Actors, directors and producers will continue to work on any completed scripts however considering that most shows work a month or so ahead of their air dates, that pool will dry up rather quickly. As of this writing most series currently on the air are filming their 9th-11th episodes while scripts have been delivered through their 13th-17th episodes (depending upon how many were ordered in the case of new series). Additionally, midseason offerings like "24" and "Lost" work on a production schedule several weeks behind their fall counterparts leaving even less episodes and scripts completed.

7. So when will this start affecting my viewing habits?

For the most part, networks are expected to continue as normal through the November sweeps period meaning December would be the earliest you'd see any changes. Not that you'd necessarily notice at that point - last year less than 28% of the broadcast networks' schedules consisted of first-run programming during the last two weeks of December (read the story). January then realistically would be the first time you'd see any substantive changes.

8. What could happen then if the strike lasts longer than a few months?

Industry insiders have speculated all sorts of scenarios but no one has gone on record with any prolonged strike contingency plans. Nevertheless, reality series and game shows will undoubtedly be heavily featured. Nearly 20 new reality series and game shows are already in various stages of production at ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and the CW in addition to such returning fare as "American Idol," "Wife Swap," "Supernanny," "The Apprentice" and so on.

9. How long did the last strike last?

The previous WGA strike - nearly 20 years ago - lasted 22 weeks, from March 7, 1988 through August 7, 1988. It's estimated the five-month strike cost the TV and film industry a collective $500 million. A prolonged strike in today's marketplace could double, triple or even quadruple that number.

10. So what happens next?

The reality is at some point an agreement will have to be reached. Whether that's in two days or two months is anyone's guess. Regardless, stay tuned to The Futon Critic for the latest news.

Since this article was printed, the strike has become official. So looks like all your favorite TV shows will be going into reruns pretty soon.


Luckily, anime dubs aren't covered by the Writer's Guild (they're covered by the Animation Guild), so those won't be affected. Primetime animated programs, like The Simpsons and Family Guy, however, WILL be affected.

 

[Dogasu]

Aaaaaaaaaand I just saw Zeta's thread. Damn.