Friday, February 1, 2008

"Writers Strike Taking Toll on TV Shows and Workers"~2007


Andrew Wilder, writer for Criminal Minds, talks about the Writers Strike (2007).

BURBANK, Nov. 7, 2007 (KABC-TV) -- As we move into day three of the movie and television writers strike, there are no talks scheduled and virtually no hope the walkout will end anytime soon.
Pizza and pickets, the writers continue to get big support from the stars of their shows.
The cast of "Grey's Anatomy" showed up on their lunch break to pick up signs and walk the streets.

"This is our last show. This could be it for the season. This puts a lot of people out of work and its a real shame here and obviously you cannot do it without the writers. It is very important that the writers get a piece of the pie," said actor
Patrick Dempsey.

"It's their name, their product, their creativity and I think everybody puts something into this to make it a success," says actress Katherine Heigle.

Mark Wilding an Executive Producer on "Grey's Anatomy," who is also a writer supports the writers, but worries how this will effect his job in the future.

"This is such a huge issue for us that it's sorta let the chips fall where they may, said Wilding.

Meanwhile striking writers tried to disrupt filming of the show "Big Shots" on location in downtown L.A.

One of the stars of the show shared his thoughts.

"Nothing gets done without the writer. And although I'm still working on my SAG contract as an actor I'm still working," said actor Christopher Titus.

The writers say they will continue to picket at every major studio for as long as it takes.

They are fighting over who gets money when shows are sold or viewed online. They are also worried about a proposal they say could destroy all residuals.

"They call it airing promotional and they can show it beginning to end, the entire thing. They can have paid advertising in it, they can charge viewing online and we don't get paid anything. That would keep us out forever," says writer Andrew Wilder.

Many writers expect that this strike will be longer than the 1988 strike that lasted 22 weeks.

The chief negotiator with the producers union says he expects a long standoff. No new talks are scheduled.

Eyewitness News reporters Lisa Hernandez and Carlos Granda contributed to this report.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=entertainment&id=5748028