Okay. Here’s a few thoughts.
1. The amount the writers are asking for does not come close to the amount that will be lost during this strike. It won’t even come near that amount in 20 years.
2. The amount the writers are asking for does not equal the salary of a CEO.
3. The producers and studios WANT this strike. After a certain amount of time they can (and will) negate all contracts. Directors, writers, ADs, assistants. This strike represents a reboot for the studios. That will save them millions.
The studios will give the writers something for the Internet. They have to, they are not stupid. But they will save a lot of money by letting this action play itself out. everyone will be hired back. Perhaps at slightly lower wages and a lot of waste will be terminated.
But, the issue I take umbrage with is the sentiment that because of the strike the union is causing the layoffs of many below the line players.
That’s fine because it is, in a sense, true.
What I have a problem with is that no one seems to ahve a problem when the networks cancel the shows rendering the same result.
Story: I have a friend who was on Drake and Josh. He had a good job. They ran for 4 years. Then they were cancelled and EVERYONE was unemployed. But, here’s the thing: Drake and Josh didn’t need to be cancelled. It’s still the top show on cable. So, why end a popular show at it’s height? because the target demographic is tweeners who are no longer interested in the show after they get past, say, 14. There is a new crop of 10 year olds every year for whom the show is new.
When Nick cancelled the show they laid off dozens of employees. No one bitches about that. And they should.
