Why I Support the WGA

object height=”355″ width=”425″param name=”movie” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/beMNePzqpzQamp;rel=1amp;border=0″param name=”wmode” value=”transparent”embed src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/beMNePzqpzQamp;rel=1amp;border=0″ type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” wmode=”transparent” height=”355″ width=”425″/embed/objectbr /br /I feel the need to show solidarity with the Writers Guild of America West and East during this time of strike. Above is a very cogent speech about why this strike is important as writers in film and television go forward in this age of new media.br /br /As a former journalist, I’ve been incensed about the articles and blogs that talk about how the writers wanted 40% more residuals for DVD sales without mentioning that writers are currently paid 5 cents — yes, that’s right, CENTS — for every $19 DVD sold. That’s 0.26%. Production companies make $9 per DVD (see the a href=”http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/business/la-fi-writersguild-sg,0,7341750.storygallery”LA Times graphic/a). Even so, the WGA took DVD residuals off the table in order to talk new media. And the AMPTP still left the table.br /br /Here’s the thing: Currently, you can watch television streaming on ABC.com, NBC.com, CBS.com, and Fox if you’re willing to click through a commercial. Guess how much writers make from each one of those showings. ZERO. BUPKISS. ZILCH. That’s right, they’re paid NOTHING of that ad revenue. Furthermore, because shows are rerun on the web, the number of times they’re rerun on the telly has gone down, which means writers miss out on those residuals. Your physician may also give you specific instructions levitra on line wouroud.com on how to use Kamagra. Many people who took more than the advised amount of this chemical reported side-effects. viagra no The working of Lovegra is quite simple for the men. online purchase of cialis If you are a sports person, order generic viagra wouroud.com you will be delighted to know that there are many specialized sports injury clinics West London. That is what’s at issue here. The lack of revenue sharing in new media, which any high school student could tell you is how they watch their shows now.br /br /Yeah, you could argue that television and film writers make good money. Well, some do and some don’t. It’s the same in any creative field where there are some people who make millions and others (majority) who do it for closer to the minimum. And like any field based on creativity, there are times when things are good and you’re hot and times when the pickings get lean. It’s not like other jobs where you get a steady paycheck until you retire. That only happens if you’re one of the lucky ones.br /br /Now I’m not saying the WGA doesn’t have its issues. I, for one, would love to see the guild do a hell of a lot more to encourage women, minorities and their older members. But come December (must finish NaNoWriMo), if the strike is still raging, I’ll be driving up to LA to join in solidarity on the picket line even though I’m not a member.br /br /And I think all writers, whether you’re published, unpublished, a screenwriter, a television writer or a wannabe, should show their support. Show up at a picket line if you’re in NY or SoCal (especially as the strike drags on), send the picketers pizza (as the members of Wheedonesque did yesterday), blog about it, go on writers blogs and send them a hurrah.br /br /I think this is going to be a long, hard fight. But it’s necessary because if the writers don’t stand up now, it will be worse for the next generation.