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« WGA Post-Strike Watch: News About Returning Shows
Writers, Producers Resume Talks Wednesday; WGA Takes Two Issues Off Table
A joint statement from the WGA and AMPTP confirms that which was reported days ago: the two sides, whose stalemate began on Nov. 5, and who have not confabbed since Dec. 6, are set to resume talks. "On Wednesday, January 23rd, the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will begin informal discussions to determine if there is a basis for both parties to return to formal negotiations," reads the statement. "Both the AMPTP and the WGA have agreed to make no public comments about the informal discussions until those discussions have concluded."
All signs indicate that the guild is ready to talk brass tacks, with the WGA West and East presidents telling members in a letter, "In order to make absolutely clear our commitment to bringing a speedy conclusion to negotiations we have decided to withdraw our proposals on reality and animation," two of the six stumbling blocks which ultimately led the AMPTP to leave the table. — Matt Mitovich
More WGA strike coverage:
• Female Writers May Lose Chance to Shine at Oscars
• Music to Grammys' Ears: WGA Won't Picket
• Oscars to Go On, As Execs Downplay Strike Impact
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Jan 22, 2008 10:32 PM
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This sounds like some good news
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Jan 22, 2008 11:28 PM
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I figured they would. Reality especially. That's what the producers hold over everybody's head and they won't give up that leverage. I realize even those shows have writers but it's hard to garner public sympathy when most folks go 'you mean that crap isn't spontaneous?' Animation I wish they could've gotten but oh well. I think increased dvd residuals should be on the table but I didn't hear if they put it back on or not.
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Jan 22, 2008 11:38 PM
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Maybe they only put that reality and animation stuff in so they could "give it up" and make it seem more like they were negotiating. Smart negotiators always ask for things they know in advance they'll back down on.
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Jan 22, 2008 11:59 PM
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Surrender. That's what the WGA just did and it's about time. This whole strike was a pretext for trying to expand the WGA's membership (and so their money and power). The studios were always willing to work out some kind of arrangement on new media. And no one, not even the most radical WGA member, thought the WGA was serious when they called for the right to sympathy strike.
What the WGA did here was make an ill-advised power grab that simply cost hundreds, maybe thousands, of people their jobs and perhaps careers. There was never a doubt that a deal would be worked out on new media. But Verrone and his cronies sold all the writers a bill of goods.
I wonder how the rank and file members feel about their negotiating team now. All those miles walking the lines, for what? Can you seriously believe anything they tell you now? Don't you wish now that the writing side of Hollywood wasn't being strangled by unions?
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Jan 23, 2008 2:12 AM
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Actually Alexis I don't wish that the writing side of Hollywood wasn't being strangled by unions.
I don't see it the way you do and that's ok. We're all entitled.
AriGato I agree with you. Perhaps reality and animation was always intended to be used as things to give up during negotiations.
Hopefully we'll have our favorite shows to argue about soon instead of taking sides during this nightmare.
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Jan 23, 2008 8:51 AM
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Hopefully we'll have our favorite shows to argue about soon instead of taking sides during this nightmare.
I couldn't agree more KAD!!!!
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Jan 23, 2008 10:00 AM
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This move is purely strategic. I don't think anyone really expected that they'd get reality or animation this time around - like AriGato said, it's just a case of asking for more than you expect to get so you can meet halfway. And if anyone "surrendered" it was the studios, who insisted that six items be taken off the table...then agreed to come back to the table anyway. If the writers can get the other four, it will be a huge victory for them.
The biggest stumbling block is still streaming, since the writers would be nuts to take a deal that isn't tied to revenues (especially if it would be the 90%+ cut in pay the directors agreed to). And I agree that DVD needs to stay on the table as well, even doubling the rate is still an extremely low number.
The writers have shown that they're willing to compromise and negotiate. Now the ball is in the studios' court, if they aren't willing to budge on streaming or DVD, they look like the bad guys.
I'd love to see the strike end soon, but if it has to continue for the writers to get what they deserve, so be it.
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Jan 23, 2008 11:50 AM
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It's about time these two sides got together and worked this out. I firmly believe that the settlement between AMPTP and the DGA forced the WGA to rethink some of its strategies. They've(the WGA)have already announced that they won't picket the Grammys as they had said they would. The Oscars are still iffy,but I have a feeling we will see them in all their glitz & glory. Anyway,my problem is this:why didn't the WGA take the jurisdiction demand off the table back in December when the producers asked them to? If they had done it then,this strike would have been over already.
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Jan 23, 2008 11:56 AM
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"why didn't the WGA take the jurisdiction demand off the table back in December when the producers asked them to?"
Because the studios offered nothing in return for it.
Hell, why didn't the studios take their ultimatums off the table in December and get this damn thing over with sooner? After all this time, they've given in on many of the sticking points.
At this point, the producers have already given in on a number of things that the WGA is asking for in the DGA deal. It's not enough, but it's a step in the right direction. Also, the studios have withdrawn their ultimatum and refusal to negotiate.
Even if the WGA would have withdrawn those two back in december (which would have been stupid at that point), it wouldn't have accomplished anything since the studios refused to even talk until SIX items were withdrawn.
The studios have since backed down and withdrawn that ultimatum (and given the directors some of the things they said they'd never give), so now the WGA can start negotiating.
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Jan 23, 2008 12:56 PM
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"All signs indicate that the guild is ready to talk brass tacks, with the WGA West and East presidents telling members in a letter, "In order to make absolutely clear our commitment to bringing a speedy conclusion to negotiations we have decided to withdraw our proposals on reality and animation," two of the six stumbling blocks which ultimately led the AMPTP to leave the table. — Matt Mitovich"
Actually Matt, the WGA has been ready to talk brass tacks since the AMPTP walked away from the table more than a month ago.
Alexis 1997=AMPTP shill
The AMPTP didn't surrender when they made their 6 demands or would walk. That's not a surrender. That's bully tactics and it didn't work. The Guild remained strong and united.
It was clear all along that the AMPTP planned to walk out and meet with the DGA before resuming fairly with the WGA. Well they met with the DGA and worked out a deal, which may or may not be beneficial to the WGA. Since the deal hasn't been posted anywhere, no one knows what's actually in it.
What exactly has the AMPTP given in on MinderBinder? They have given nothing but unrealistic demands.
IMHO, the AMPTP is staring the throat of the Oscars and doesn't want another star-less award show turned into another "annoucement". Who will want to watch the Academy Award Show with no stars? The general public likes to see their favorite stars walk down the red carpet and be interviewed. But without stars, why bother watching?
Yes, the DGA deal smoothed the path a bit. Yes, the WGA took reality and Animation off the table. Yes, the AMPTP opened the negotiation room door a crack to ease its way into negotiations again. But they could have done that a month ago. Truth is, the AMPTP planned the last 40 something days hoping to divide the WGA. And it didn't work.
I don't expect my favorite shows to be back on the air with new episodes until late Feb or March, if at all.
Only time will tell.
Roobaby
www.theunithq.com
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Jan 24, 2008 9:05 AM
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I love you too, roobaby 
Of course, you know I'm right, which is where the emotion comes from, so in a way I appreciate the effort. I do find it interesting that anyone who disagrees with you is a shill, but that fact does not make you one. With logic like that do you wonder why the WGA is in the trouble it is?
You may want to go back and read your own post, as you make the inconceivable point that getting something for nothing is a bad thing. Remember, the WGA said they would not talk unless reality and animation was part of the new deal. The studios said no. Weeks later and weaker than ever, the WGA gives up animation and reality, FOR NOTHING. If that's your definition of victory, you're going to pleased with this deal overall when it is done.
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Jan 25, 2008 1:57 AM
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Y'know, as much as I'm wanting this strike over and my shows back in production (obviously after the writers are given the deal they want and not before) there is a small part of me that will miss these strike related threads.
Where else will I be able to read opinions like those of Alexis1997, that can be so wrong and yet so incredibly amusing in their absolute wrongness that you actually want to read more of them, despite never having agreed with a single thing they have said. Impressive.
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Jan 28, 2008 6:38 AM
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