tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post1449341155497715802..comments2024-02-04T20:57:58.093-08:00Comments on Sex In A Submarine: WGA Strike Stuff For Writers Trying To Break Inwcmartellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18075242897910568801noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-88536489216221934202008-01-06T04:01:00.000-08:002008-01-06T04:01:00.000-08:00Hi Bill, Though I haven't posted earlier, I've bee...Hi Bill, <BR/><BR/>Though I haven't posted earlier, I've been following this post and it's comments a while now. It's been very insightful and a made me knowledgeable enough to argue the cause of writers.<BR/><BR/>A subset of the average audience doesn't know all this, they simply see the lack of product (TV-shows) at the moment & jump to the conclusion, well it's if they're striking, it's their fault. Anyway, I do have a question:<BR/><BR/>You mentioned that negotiations occur once every 3 years. How come DVD's haven't been raised previously? It would seem the WGA have already had 3 opportunities.<BR/><BR/>I understand there may have been time constraints & higher priorities, but perhaps there's a story to tell here?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-25924513163547187922007-12-23T12:29:00.000-08:002007-12-23T12:29:00.000-08:00In case there are unestablished screenwriters who ...In case there are unestablished screenwriters who want to try to use the one advantage they have during the strike, I found a page where someone compiled the names and addresses of a lot of non-signatory production companies. If there does happen to be a good writer out there who isn't in the WGA, this could be a good time to pitch: <A HREF="http://www.ideaprovince.com/2007/12/list-of-non-str.html" REL="nofollow"> List of non-signatory production companies</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-48890813701820506262007-11-17T08:51:00.000-08:002007-11-17T08:51:00.000-08:00Just a point.$0.39/disk is for burnt disks not sta...Just a point.<BR/>$0.39/disk is for burnt disks not stamped disks (which is what pros use).<BR/><BR/>But even so, it is still under a dollar at the number they print. So you figure it probably takes a couple bucks to print and pay the costs for writers/directors/stars/etc. then they sell it to wholesalers for about $10 over that. The rest is what the wholesalers & retailers price it up to.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-14266261564483339302007-11-13T18:08:00.000-08:002007-11-13T18:08:00.000-08:00Bill,Thanks so much for taking the time to answer ...Bill,<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for taking the time to answer questions here, and on your website, and on the various message boards and newsgroups. If I may impose on you by asking one more:<BR/><BR/>Since you've been to Raindance a few times, what's your impression of the folks across the pond? Do you think any of them might be receptive to a script from a WGA member? (I ask because it's been noted elsewhere that the Brits pay 5.6%, which is actually better than what the WGA is asking for.)<BR/><BR/>Thanks - MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-81953277126153771922007-11-12T20:08:00.000-08:002007-11-12T20:08:00.000-08:00Maestro,Many of the AFM companies are non-sigs... ...Maestro,<BR/><BR/>Many of the AFM companies are non-sigs... and my Talent Shortage posts kind of sum it up... most of these companies are making sausages. They don't seem to care much about quality. <BR/><BR/>Not all non-sigs are like this, but I'll bet the majority would rather hire some writer for $1,000 than hire a great writer for $1,001 To them, all scripts are the same... and all screenwriters are the same.<BR/><BR/>I think if you could show them that spending the extra money really does mean the film sells better, they might spend the extra money. So far, they'd rather spend less on the writer and more on the "star".<BR/><BR/>- Billwcmartellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18075242897910568801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-85190421439356693002007-11-11T18:37:00.000-08:002007-11-11T18:37:00.000-08:00>"The non-sigs? Bad wages and bad working conditio...>"The non-sigs? Bad wages and bad working conditions."<BR/><BR/>Yes, but is that because the non-sigs can't do any better or because they don't have a reason to do any better? In other words, would the non-sigs be able to up the ante if they could get a script written by a WGA member?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-80671705299542846632007-11-11T12:30:00.000-08:002007-11-11T12:30:00.000-08:00Hey Bill,I suppose I do have a weird and unorthodo...Hey Bill,<BR/><BR/>I suppose I do have a weird and unorthodox way with the compliments; however, that was my intentions.<BR/><BR/>In the future I will simply post... <BR/>"We nonProfessionals diligently study your websites."<BR/><BR/>In response to:<BR/><BR/>"Don't understand your point. Are you Steve Zaillian's equal?"<BR/><BR/>I suppose that could depend quite heavily on "Marketing".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-27515925809950077762007-11-10T21:58:00.000-08:002007-11-10T21:58:00.000-08:00Anon,Don't understand your point. Are you Steve Za...Anon,<BR/><BR/>Don't understand your point. Are you Steve Zaillian's equal? <BR/><BR/>I had 2 films come out on DVD this year - one from Lions Gate, one from Sony. I've spent close to 18 years earning a living as a screenwriter. For every film that got made (poorly) there's at least one more script sitting on some producer's shelf somewhere that I was paid for... and will *never* be made. I have a column in a screenwriting magazine (for which I get paid $600 a year - thank God I sell a script now and then). Heck, David Fincher was attached to direct my first Hollywood sale... before it was shelved forever. And I'm nowhere near as talented as Steve Zaillian. Three Oscar nominations, one win. No one is ever going to hire me to replace Zaillian - and no one is going to hire me to do those high level on set production rewrites on a $200 million film. Just not going to happen. <BR/><BR/>"It's still about the talent. If you have it, you're going to break in... if you don't, the strike isn't going to help you."<BR/><BR/>Nothing there says you don't have talent... unless that's how you want to take it. <BR/><BR/>- Billwcmartellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18075242897910568801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-45908000744979729152007-11-10T14:14:00.000-08:002007-11-10T14:14:00.000-08:00"- so even if you tried to get a job, there'd be n..."- so even if you tried to get a job, there'd be no one there to hire you.<BR/><BR/>A studio isn't going to hire someone off the street to replace Steve Zaillian. If you are as good as Zaillian you have the same chance of breaking in during the strike as you had before (and as you'll have after). Actually - a worse chance during the strike, because they aren't looking for scripts. It's still about the talent. If you have it, you're going to break in... if you don't, the strike isn't going to help you."<BR/><BR/><BR/>TAKING the audacity to speak for all of us "off-the-streeters" out here...<BR/><BR/>I think you PROs should be a bit more thoughtful whilst you strike. <BR/><BR/>We "off-the-streeters" study your websites, and literally hang on to every word...trying to learn the fine art of structuring a screenplay from our daunters (oops I mean our cyber-mentors :~)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-91516584929722072512007-11-10T01:22:00.000-08:002007-11-10T01:22:00.000-08:00If non-sig companies paid sig prices (or even clos...If non-sig companies paid sig prices (or even close) that would be a strategy... but they don't. The whole reason for the WGA is the first place is to raise wages and improve working conditions. The non-sigs? Bad wages and bad working conditions. <BR/><BR/>- Billwcmartellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18075242897910568801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-61812922357597291142007-11-09T21:56:00.000-08:002007-11-09T21:56:00.000-08:00>"a non-WGA writer can do one thing that a WGA wri...>"a non-WGA writer can do one thing that a WGA writer can not do... sell a script to a non-signatory producer."<BR/><BR/>This is where the WGA is shooting themselves in the foot. The contract expired, so the only thing stopping WGA members from selling to non-sigs is the WGA. And that, not a strike, is your biggest weapon.<BR/><BR/>Start selling your revenue generating content to the AMPTP's competition!<BR/><BR/>M<BR/><BR/>P.S. Lion's Gate (TV) is on the list of struck companies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-3198976197457413032007-11-09T10:17:00.000-08:002007-11-09T10:17:00.000-08:00Bill,LionsGate is infamous for the negative pickup...Bill,<BR/><BR/>LionsGate is infamous for the negative pickup, particularly in the horror genre.<BR/><BR/>If you can put together anything with the slightest hook that can be shot for 100k, you'll probably get a deal.<BR/><BR/>I had friends that got this, the real problem was that they wanted three named stars, and on that kind of cash ... good luck. <BR/><BR/>P.S. I'm not saying my situation is unique or anything. I'm just saying that there's still opportunities out there, and in terms of networking, it's probably the easiest it is ever going to be.<BR/><BR/>For guys used to getting paid, its a graveyard. But for networking, you can actually get face time with showrunners just by showing up to a picket line.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16897402622057966364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-62452893631059544352007-11-09T07:58:00.000-08:002007-11-09T07:58:00.000-08:00You know something you said is why I never really ...You know something you said is why I never really got serious about this.<BR/>Ownership. It's a real stickler for me.<BR/><BR/>I actually decided that I would write two different types fo movies, the passion project that would have to be pried from my cold dead hands and the fluff projects that - hopefully - will finance the passion projects.<BR/><BR/>I just hate the fact that when you do sell, that's exactly what it means, you no longer have any rights to do anything with the movie, characters or story.<BR/><BR/>And now they're wanting to stop paying until a film is profitable?<BR/><BR/>But the studio mentality is, only worry about tentpoles and let some creative director destroy lots of what could be good films.<BR/><BR/>I guess there's some kind of write-off for a flop that is too tempting to trade for profit.<BR/><BR/>BTW, where did you find that consulting company that does earnings estimates?Christian H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16847810167041864292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-25937578078858978762007-11-08T18:21:00.000-08:002007-11-08T18:21:00.000-08:00Say if the strike is still going on two to three m...Say if the strike is still going on two to three months from now,(and I presume it will) how do you tell someone like James not to talk with producers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-33554781202336092952007-11-08T17:19:00.000-08:002007-11-08T17:19:00.000-08:00Another great post and thanks!I do want to mention...Another great post and thanks!<BR/><BR/>I do want to mention that Jared Wynn from InkTip mentioned in an email that he's been talking with a lot of agents and managers who are saying that they're looking for stuff to keep busy, and reading is high on their list. So perhaps it's not such a bad time to seek representation.Steve Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00379811212810268091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-25559980988758381362007-11-08T16:22:00.000-08:002007-11-08T16:22:00.000-08:00Chris - Correct! Hey, maybe I should mention that....Chris - Correct! Hey, maybe I should mention that. <BR/><BR/>"Negative pick ups" aren't just a description of my love life, it's a loophole studios often use to bypass unions. How it works: the studio buys a completed film... that hasn't even started shooting. The studio isn't *making* the movie, they are just buying a piece of property - a movie someone else has made. But they pay up front - basically funding the film. The rules say the studio can not give notes or be involved in the production of the film... even though it's their money.<BR/><BR/>And these deals may be springing up more if the strike continues.<BR/><BR/>That may even account for James (the 2nd)'s flurry of meetings. <BR/><BR/>Fun Joel - I've ammended the post to make it clear I was talking about profit on the individual DVD, not profit on the film.<BR/><BR/>Then I added a bunch of stuff about movie profits.<BR/><BR/>- Billwcmartellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18075242897910568801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-70343625559014203992007-11-08T16:09:00.000-08:002007-11-08T16:09:00.000-08:00Also, with people looking for non-sigs, many of th...Also, with people looking for non-sigs, many of them have deals with the struck companies.<BR/><BR/>For all in the NYC area, if you want to shmooze with stars and writers you've never heard of, come out and join the line.<BR/><BR/>I got to serve coffee to Tim Robbins, Patti D'Arbanville, Holly Hunter, and actors from the Wire, Law and Order and several others whose names escape me.<BR/><BR/>I'm just glad I was able to do it. Maybe I'll come to LA if this lasts awhile. It's cold here.<BR/><BR/><BR/>To the second James, I'd say don't take any calls. Or at least don't try to make a deal.Christian H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16847810167041864292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-14421846744259741042007-11-08T15:43:00.000-08:002007-11-08T15:43:00.000-08:00This is a diff James than the one above...I comple...This is a diff James than the one above...<BR/><BR/>I completely agree.<BR/><BR/>However, I've been getting more meetings and callbacks than ever before since this past Monday. Maybe it's just coincidence. Maybe it's just bored producers with nothing better to do.<BR/><BR/>I just wanted to point out, it's not all bad. Everything being scattered and up in the air, the normal lock-out "I'm too busy to even blink" attitude of Hollywood has dissapated, slightly.<BR/><BR/>Granted, producers on successful TV shows are stressing like never before, but people seem more willing to talk about what is going on and the future... and for me the future is writing, and my projects.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16897402622057966364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-12486354985508119972007-11-08T09:19:00.000-08:002007-11-08T09:19:00.000-08:00Now I feel very moronic for having had the positio...Now I feel very moronic for having had the position I've had for years as an emerging writer.<BR/><BR/>I still dislike unions, but health benefits (obviously are important), but I had no idea that residuals for TV-play were no go for writers.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for this post Bill. (feels so inappropriate calling someone you don't know by their first name. But I guess its better than 'Sex In A Submarine' ... wait ...)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05183490207015301855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-85157986784845612392007-11-08T09:04:00.000-08:002007-11-08T09:04:00.000-08:00A fascinating and enlightening read for someone wh...A fascinating and enlightening read for someone who's completely outside of the industry. My hat off to anyone who's principled enough to lay so much of their livelihood on the line for something they believe in so strong.<BR/><BR/>As someone who's had a 9-5, non-unionised job for his entire career, your description of how writers earn their money and actually work so hard to then <B>start</B> earning money is massively alien to me. I'm truly boggled how an industry that works like that can pay people enough to live. Do many writers have jobs besides writing?<BR/><BR/>Oh, and I'm 100% behind you all on the issues of the strike. I'm really fascinated by how this all will work out in the end.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04106999377992510255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20291006.post-52549688079215980112007-11-08T02:36:00.000-08:002007-11-08T02:36:00.000-08:00Hey Bill! I agree with almost everything you have...Hey Bill! I agree with almost everything you have to say here, but I would like to clarify/qualify two points.<BR/><BR/>First, what is left over to the studios after paying for DVD manufacture and residuals should not be considered "profit" but rather as "revenue." The truth is that some of the money the producers make on DVDs is covering marketing and advertising, distribution and even (yes) production. Is it still highly disproportionate and ridiculously unfair to writers to give them a mere 4 cents per $20 DVD? Yes, of course. But at the same time, we should be fair and honest about what the studios are making.<BR/><BR/>Secondly, as you know, I'm a reader as well. And while I'm not getting scripts to read (which is your key point anyway), I have been getting a few books/manuscripts to read for option purposes.Fun Joelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15864299581418165834noreply@blogger.com