Directors/Writers/SAG Contracts & The Effects

SunsetBoulevard

SunsetBoulevard

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Top41 said:
Since I've seen a lot of discussion about this pop up in recent days, I figured we should try to consolidate it to one thread and centralize discussion, since the writers' strike will potentially have a huge impact on CSI: NY--and all of network TV, really.

What is the writers' strike?
As of 12:01am on Monday morning, the writers in the Writers' Guild of America will officially be on strike. That means that no writers will go to work, and no new scripts will be produced. This will affect all writers in the WGA, meaning everyone working on CSI: NY.

Why are the writers doing this?
In short, because since the last time they signed a contract, the landscape of television has changed dramatically. DVDs and the internet are a huge part of how TV shows are seen, and also provide significant revenue (in sales and advertising respectively) for the studios. The writers, whose work is being aired in these new mediums, want a cut of that.

CSI: NY showrunner Anthony Zuiker put it really well in his latest CSI Files interview:

Zuiker:It's a very complicated topic. There's two sides to the argument. The one side is: if the networks pick up the risk, they should get the reward. If the networks get involved and an expensive TV show doesn't go, they don't go back and charge the writers. All the risk for the reward. The other side is: television is changing and content is being aired on different devices and being monetized and the writers are taking the position that if the network is making something from that, so should the writers. The writers are creating new content for one device but it's being used for multiple devices and being monetized and one can argue that the writers will be part of that also. There's a compelling argument on both sides.
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Can't they just hire other writers to do the show while the WGA writers are on strike?
They could, but generally that doesn't happen. Anyone who accepts a writing job during a strike is considered a 'scab' (someone who crosses the picket lines) and once the strike is settled, won't be able to get into the WGA, and therefore won't find work after the strike.

How far along is CSI: NY in their season?
Episode 406 just aired; as of last week, work had been completed on 411 and they were heading into 412. The last completed script that we know of is for 413.

Will those episodes that have already been written be filmed?
Unless the crew walks out, too, yes, they will. The SGA is still planning to work during the strike, meaning the actors will be reporting to film their scenes.

When will those episodes air?
That's up to the networks. They could keep to their regularly planned schedules--presumably, new eps in November, and a smattering here and there in December and January--or they could air new eps in November and hold the rest until February sweeps. Either way, it's likely new eps will dry out just before or in February.

What happens when the episodes run out?
Reruns and reality TV.

How long will the strike last?
There's really no way of knowing. It all depends on whether the two sides can reach an agreement or one side caves. Most reports seem to indicate it could last a while, but there are no guarantees.

Hope that helps answer some questions--if you have any further ones, please ask them here! However, as upsetting as this all is to TV fans, please try to avoid flaming either side (the writers or the studios). I think we can have a civil discussion of the issue here. :)
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This is what Top41 posted in the NY board. I think it'd be interesting to discuss what you think will happen to your favourite TV shows now that the Writers' Guild of America is on strike (beginning in a few hours). Post your thoughts!
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

Writers Strike Could Cost Actors Jobs

As wildfires raged throughout Southern California last week, entertainment-industry professionals fretted and strategized about what many perceive as another potential catastrophe: an increasingly likely Writers Guild of America strike that would shut down hundreds of productions indefinitely, and the possibility that actors and directors may also strike when their contracts expire next summer.

Full article (thanks to EricaSJ)
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

I really hope it does not last long. I hate the thought of our TV screens being all reality TV shows. I am not a fan overall of reality TV shows. I like diving into my non-reality TV world every night.
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

I just died a little on the inside. I really hope it's not very long, fore I do not watch TV when it is reruns and the only reality show I watch is Kid Nation (I know, I'm cool aren't I? :lol:) My life seems like a dramatic reality show already, why watch one when I'm living one? I just hope they reach an agreement...
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

Well the last one in '89 lasted 22 weeks. I was too young to remember it but I know the family watched a lot of movies.

From what I've read the writers aren't getting anything for the sale of the eps on DVDs, reruns, or on sites like ITunes. Which to me seems a bit out there, contracts can be amended at any time. Clauses and rewrites have been popular since the writing of the constitution.

The thought of the channels filling up with reality shows makes me wonder what direction tv is really going in. Have the days of sitcoms and dramas been replaced with people fighting and throwing things because they didn't win a challenge or the love of someone? Or do people like reality shows because they can live life though someone else who wants to get their 15 minutes of fame for standing on a log in the middle of the jungle?

I really hope that some sort of agreement can be made, everyone can get along, and go back to making awesome scripted tv shows.
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

The problem is we live in such a greedy world. The people who make all the big money do not want to give any of it up. It is the same everywhere. I work for a huge company and we get paid squat and we make that company tons of money in our jobs.
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

Here's an ad called Pencils Down Means Pencils Down. It's basically a list of show runners that are also writers and while they will still be doing their other duties they will not be writing. Both CSI and CSI New York are on the list. CSI Miami is not and I guess that means that none of their show runners are writers?

On another note do the writers realize that if the strike goes on long enough that they are going to drive us to buying DVD's, the very medium they want residuals from, before they have a contract. Then when shows do finally come up with new episodes those DVD sales will probably go down.

Susan
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

Either way it seems no one side is going to be happy, sadly we are the ones stuck with the reality that we might not have new eps after January.

Perhaps splitting everything right down the middle is something they could look into. But then again there might be an issue with that. I just hope they reach peace soon, or like blackflag said we'll go out and buy the DVDs to feed out minds until eps return.
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

I do hope that this strike is not a long one. Without knowing all the details there has to be a happy medium that the two sides could come up with. Instead of a whole penny try half a penny. I have heard that the actors are watching this very closely because their contract is up next June. It's not fair that we the fans have to suffer through this work stoppage. Don't the writers etc realize that the fans in the long run pay their salaries. We can fun other ways of entertaining ourselves. I guess you can tell I'm not a lover of unions.
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

I am so worried about scrubs. This is the last season of the show, and it is already a shortened season. They were going to do 18 episodes to wrap up the series, and they were planning on some great stuff. It would be really crappy if they just ended it as is.
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

For those who remember (or have the DVDs), the second season of Star Trek TNG had a rather lackluster second year (but some individual episodes were wonderful) due to the writer's strike. The producers had to break out some old scripts from the never-produced Star Trek Phase 2 series and the season ended with a clip show. So that's why this current strike has me worried.
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

blackflag said:
On another note do the writers realize that if the strike goes on long enough that they are going to drive us to buying DVD's, the very medium they want residuals from, before they have a contract. Then when shows do finally come up with new episodes those DVD sales will probably go down.
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That's a good point. Another thing I also posted in the NY forum is that the AMPTP (producers) are gonna lose a lot more money by not negotiating with the writers and giving up a cut of the profit than if they were just to give them a cut of the DVD revenue.

Silly people.
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

Thanks for the article, Hormiga. Wow, they didn't list Private Practice. I wonder why. It's a brand new show, yeah, but still... :rolleyes: Nor they listed CSI:LV. This is sort of a disaster to American TV, I mean, continued in January and February? Oh dear.
 
Re: Writers Strike - Is it going to have an effect on TV sho

I noticed they missed CSI:LV also. The list also missed CSI:NY and NCIS. I think all I watch these days are shows that are listed as initials only :D. But seriously I wonder what will happen to the shows. I've already seen that 24 will not start filming in January. Things are not looking good and it's only day 4 :( Come on people you don't want to drag this out like you did in 1988.
 
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