I am wondering that too, Devilz. I understand why it is very difficult to find writers and to work it all out, but when millions are involved, difficult problems get solved. Or not, apparently.
Knowing writers, there must be ones who'd do just about anything for their chance to write for hit shows. Some popular and well written shows have diff. writers, House for example, and I've seen some fanfic writers who got "voice" of characters increadibly well. So pros must be able to do it. Some shows are very special, but for some, character interaction can take a step back for awhile, esp. detectives. And yeah, I agree that some of the shows are on the level that is not at all unreachable for moderately talented person to duplicate or sometimes even improve. Daytime in particular can't be doing much worse than it is doing now. They might as well take in people from the streets. I also wonder - what's about foreign writers? I understand about "the mark", but I can't see Australian/Latino American publishers rejecting future best seller because the author went against USA TV writers. If something can sell, it will be published. You don't even need a script in English, it can be translated. So I gather there must be some laws against it. Otherwise, money would talk. But what really baffles me is the "changes" thing. Just how difficult it is to change the text?
Actually if you read the whole article - or at least did it in its print version (I don't know if the online version included this) - it says that ABC licensed PD at 1.65 million dollars per episode. The rest is paid by Disney's rival company Warner Bros. So unlike Lost or Heroes etc etc which are fully paid by their networks and their parent companies, PD's budget isn't really ABC's concern.
1)License fees go up when shows are renewed. A lot. And most of all when the budget for the show is high.
2)If PD were produced by ABC, you'd be talking about how this meant they wouldn't cancel it, right? See, it's true WB helps shoulder the costs, but that means ABC and its parent company get no DVD money, no syndication money, no overseas money. So if they keep the show on, they're only benefiting to the extent that the show makes money for them in primetime. Which right now, it probably is--but after November sweeps, they'll have to charge less per 30 second spot--the ad rates now are based on expectations, not results. Heaven help PD when its ad rates are based on results.
3)Looking forward to the strike--I know it sucks for a lot of people, but this obviously has to be settled sooner or later, and I've got a lot of stuff to catch up on.
Have you ever seen the fan-fic that gets generated? Most people can't write and even those that can usually don't have the vision to avoid destroying entire shows just to churn out one 'amazing' short term plotline.
right, so only the 10000 members of WGA are the only ones that are talented enough to write for a tv show, while the rest of the world are not talented enough, as I said before, I think even I can write better than most writers for shows like moonlight, journeyman, etc..., and if I can write for a show, then alot of people also can
and whats the deal with nonunion writers being called scabs, and that that others in the industry dont want to work for them, I mean just because they dont belong to a union does not mean they are not talented
For some shows i think even the actors, the producres or the directors would be able to script some episodes I mean how difficult is to write an episode for Gossip Girl?
Originally posted by robert: For some shows i think even the actors, the producres or the directors would be able to script some episodes I mean how difficult is to write an episode for Gossip Girl?
Have you ever seen the fan-fic that gets generated? Most people can't write and even those that can usually don't have the vision to avoid destroying entire shows just to churn out one 'amazing' short term plotline.
right, so only the 10000 members of WGA are the only ones that are talented enough to write for a tv show, while the rest of the world are not talented enough, as I said before, I think even I can write better than most writers for shows like moonlight, journeyman, etc..., and if I can write for a show, then alot of people also can
and whats the deal with nonunion writers being called scabs, and that that others in the industry dont want to work for them, I mean just because they dont belong to a union does not mean they are not talented
It seems i wrote the previous post at the same time with you. I cpmpletely agree. Why all the TV shows must shut down beacause the union writers go on strike is beyond me
Originally posted by mushu_jj: Probably more difficult than you think.
quote:
Originally posted by robert: For some shows i think even the actors, the producres or the directors would be able to script some episodes I mean how difficult is to write an episode for Gossip Girl?
Yeah right my school essays were harder to write than a GG script
Originally posted by Devilz_0: well, there must be some writers who dont give a sh** about what the union thinks, I mean this is hollywood, there has to be some writers who will be begging for a chance to work on tv shows
You should consider the possibility that many actors, directors, etc... don't want to work with scabs. Trying to hire in scab writers would not be a good way to keep everyone else involved with the industry happy. Likely, a large number of other people in the industry would refuse to work with those scab writers during the strike if push came to shove.
quote:
seriously, anyone can write for most shows,
Have you ever seen the fan-fic that gets generated? Most people can't write and even those that can usually don't have the vision to avoid destroying entire shows just to churn out one 'amazing' short term plotline.
Agreed. It would probably only hurt things more by churning out pathetic episodes.
Originally posted by Cruella: I also wonder - what's about foreign writers? I understand about "the mark", but I can't see Australian/Latino American publishers rejecting future best seller because the author went against USA TV writers. If something can sell, it will be published. You don't even need a script in English, it can be translated.
I've wondered about foreign product, too. The studios don't even need to hire the writers to create new work, they can just buy the rights to existing scripts/shows and shoot an American version. For example, NBC bought the rights to reformulate a telenova about a prostitute trying to save money for breast implants so that she can charge more for her 'work'. Couldn't NBC just directly translate the foreign scripts for the show, refilm them with a new cast, and air that telenova 2,3,or even 5 nights a week during the writer's strike?
Originally posted by mushu_jj: Probably more difficult than you think.
quote:
Originally posted by robert: For some shows i think even the actors, the producres or the directors would be able to script some episodes I mean how difficult is to write an episode for Gossip Girl?
Yeah right my school essays were harder to write than a GG script
Personal vendetta's against shows are no reason to bash them and say that their scripts are lazy or easy to write. Even Cavemen would probably be worse.
Originally posted by robert: Thursday 11/01/07 Note: The following results are based on the metered market ratings.
Second was NBC’s needs-to-be retired ER (6.8/11),
marc says this every week. I'd love to see him list all the NBC shows and put them in order from most deserving of another season to least deserving of another season. Is Marc really ready to commit to getting rid of ER if it means renewing a show like Journeyman, Life, Friday Night Lights, Scrubs, 20 Rock, etc...? Exactly how many viewers is he willing to give away in exchange for this quest for preserving legacy?
Yes, I agree. I am not sure why he feels the need to repeat this old line EVERY WEEK. Even if his opinion is that the show should be canceled, can't he come up with some fresh ways of telling us?
That being said, ER is still one of NBC's most solid performers, especially in the demo. Yes, if you compare the ratings to 10 years ago, yes obviously it is easy to say the show should be canned. But NBC is really not in a position these days to cancel one of their most solid performers.
Originally posted by robert: For some shows i think even the actors, the producres or the directors would be able to script some episodes I mean how difficult is to write an episode for Gossip Girl?
If those actors, producers, and directors have written anything before, they are already members of the writer's guild. So, only the 'complete novices' will be able to start writing for their shows.
If you think that anyone can write for these shows, why aren't you doing it? The pay is no doubt higher than what you currently make.
Meanwhile, the point remains that even if you wrote a great script, the actors, directors, stage hands, etc... might not want to work with you for the simple reason that they would see it as 'crossing the picket lines'. Union workers tend to stick together to support their fellow Unions.
I'm sorry, but this whole thing irks me to a tee! It really does. So, everyone else who works in the entertainment industry is going to be screwed because these parties, the writers, studios, and network cannot come up with a reasonable agreement. With one of the issues being about an increase in DVD payment, instead an .04 increase, why not a .02 cent increase. That would mean...the writers would get .06 cents for the DVD's being sold. I just do not get this at all.
Obviously there are some greedy self-centered people on both sides of the conflict. But the issues being discussed here are not trivial. Right now, getting what they ask for would mean very little in financial terms to most screenwriters--but the industry is changing. If they don't stake out a claim on the new revenue streams, they can be marginalized the way they once were.
The ones I really feel sorry for are the screenwriters who haven't made it big yet--they're the ones going to bear the brunt of it, from both sides.
If you want a very informed, intelligent, and deeply opinionated take on this, check out this rank and file scripter's blog--
