WGA Deals

"Today the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced two new interim deals, one with Marvel Studios and another with Lionsgate. This is very good news for comic book fans as films as Marvel Studios Chairman David Maisel says, "We're very excited about our summer releases, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, and look forward to resuming work with writers on our future projects including Captain America, Thor, Ant-Man, and The Avengers."

From what I understand, Iron Man was finished prior to the strike, but I wouldn't be surprised if Louis Letterier took the opportunity to go back and reshoot some scenes from The Incredible Hulk had there been some that just didn't quite work, but couldn't be changed due to the strike. This is just speculation of course, but it shows the importance of such interim deals and why people are anxious to see the AMPTP and WGA come to an agreement and end this strike."

Need A Lobotomy ?

"The Directors Guild of America has reached a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), after only six days of negotiations. The agreement puts an enormous amount of pressure on the WGA — whose ongoing strike has effectively ground Hollywood to a stop — to resolve its disputes with the studios."



"The Lobotomist” — airing at 9 p.m. Monday on PBS’ “American Experience”is America’s need for the quick fix taken to a horrific extreme. It’s the story of Dr. Walter J. Freeman who is perhaps most famous today for supervising the frontal lobotomy that rendered the mentally challenged Rosemary Kennedy — sister of the late president — severely incapacitated. She, however, was one of thousands who underwent the crude procedure, which often robbed people suffering from anxiety, depression, dementia and psychosis of their personalities and cognitive abilities."

WGA: Call Blitz

"On Monday the WGA and AMPTP will recommence negotiations. The FFWGA wishes them Godspeed. However, our support cannot waver. I must stress: we will not stop campaigning on the writers’ behalf until the contract is signed, sealed, delivered, and serenaded by Stevie Wonder.

That is why on Monday and Tuesday, during normal business hours (9AM to 5PM) we are asking EVERY ONE of our members to call one or all of the following numbers:

1.818.560.1000
Anne Sweeny, ABC

1.310.369.1000
Kevin Reilly, Fox

1.818.954.6000
Bruce Rosenblum, Warner Bros.

1.212.258.6000
Phillippe Dauma, Viacom

1.818.777.1000
Jeff Zucker, NBC Universal

1.212.975.4321
1.212.975.4545 (This is a direct line)
Les Moonves, CBS


For the entire article please go here.

Strike Talks Resume

"In the first sign of optimism since the writers' strike began Nov. 5, the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers mutually agreed to resume formal talks Monday, Nov. 26.

The WGA will, however, continue to picket next week.

That is of interest because when talks broke down the night before the strike began, it was because the AMPTP did not want to continue talks once the WGA East went on strike at midnight Eastern time.

Whatever the case, the announcement will come as a pleasant pre-Thanksgiving surprise for what had become an entirely pessimistic television industry."



Review of Fresh Blood(Supernatural)

Spoilers included.

Picket Lines

"It’s been touching to see all of those pretty actors on the picket lines showing face and muttering the word “solidarity” out of the kindness of their hearts, but the truth is they too have a lot at stake. You see, whatever the writers get in their negotiation with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will set the precedent for what the actors and directors guilds will expect the AMPTP to pony up for their own contracts next June."



"Writers from around the world -- including Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, English and French Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico and France -- will take part in an International Day of Solidarity on November 28 in support of their striking WGA counterparts. The action was announced at the annual International Affiliation of Writers Guilds' meeting in Montreal, Canada."


"I’m guessing that a prolonged strike may be good news for Jericho. After the big nut protest last spring, Jericho was renewed, but only for a brief seven episode season. If the writer’s strike continues then Jericho will likely be in a very strong position when it airs, with very little competition. Let’s just hope that CBS doesn’t do something stupid, like air it opposite an unscripted, reality TV powerhouse like “American Idol”.