The Writers Guild contract with the Hollywood studios expires in October but negotiations as set to begin on Monday 23 July and there is already an enpasse. The central issue: how writers should be compensated when their work appears on the Web. According to an article in Forbes magazine both sides are starting out far apart.
This week the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) called on the Writers Guild to extend the current deal, allowing them time to revamp the now-outdated compensation system, particularly as it pertains to the residuals structure. “The way the AMPTP sees it, a much-needed overhaul would require a study, which could not be completed by an October deadline,’ explains Forbes.
The guild responded. “We don’t need a study, we need a fair share for writers of the revenue our work generates,” said John Bowman, chair of the guild’s negotiating committee, in a statement.
“Our members can’t rely on Hollywood accounting.” The guild is also looking to make up for ground it lost in an unfavourable deal struck in the 1980s regarding ancillary revenue such as home-video sales.
It makes sense that the only group which would not be concerned about a US writers strike is producers of reality television.
If a strike should take place, the reality genre stands to win. Most reality shows aren’t covered under the current contracts, making them attractive programming options and providing networks leverage at the bargaining table.
The last US industry strike was in 1988, when a bitter five-month work stoppage not only delayed the television season but also crippled the industry. “This time around the stakes are even greater,’ according to Forbes. Apparently audiences are shrinking and a strike would see viewer’s favourite shows go off the air. Past experience shows that it is hard to win viewers back after an extended period.
Source: www.forbes.com
