Writers on Strike!

I'm sure many are following the WGA strike, but I found it quite interesting and relevant to new media because here I thought that the age of the mass worker was over.

The WGA is striking namely over their stake in new media. If you read the WGA's announcements to is members: "The Companies insisted on the following:

• No jurisdiction for most of new media writing.
• No economic proposal for the part of new media writing where they do propose to give coverage.
• Internet downloads at the DVD rate.
• No residual for streaming video of theatrical product.
• A "promotional" proposal that allows them to reuse even complete movies or TV shows on any platform with no residual. This proposal alone destroys residuals.
• A "window” of free reuse on the Internet that makes a mockery of any residual."

The WGA commented on the economics of new media production, sloughing off human labor seems to be the best way to gain profit: "Digital has no hard media costs, no boxes, no marginal extra shipping and handling. The only substantial economic issue for Internet reuse is the residual payment to directors, actors, and writers."

Perhaps it's most interesting to read those criticizing the strike and the disparity within the union ranks, with comments such as those from the Guardian's David Thomson, "Writing - like all creative work - is its own reward."

Read the Times article, Screenwriters on Strike over Stake in New Media
The WGA contract bulletin and latest news