The
television industry
has always been regarded
as a producer's medium,
and with 70% of
current programming
being "reality-based"
it's easy to see why
the AMPTP let the Writers
strike. We're not only
seeing re-runs, and
increased reality programming,
but programming being
swapped between cable
networks and their parent/cousin
Networks to air. The
Nets are not short on
shows and can draw this
out beyond a point of
repair.
Some people are actually
swirling in despair
to discover that "GAMESHOWS
HAVE WRITERS??!! And
newscasters too??
Amazing! "I
thought the contestants
were competing to
see if they're as
smart as Alex Trebeck!
I'm just as frustrated
as my wife that we
haven't seen a new
episode of The Office
(I didn't say
Desperate Housewives,
did I?). Us normal
folk want some entertainment,
and advertisers want
to present that to
us. So what's the
rub today? The WGA
and AMPTP are back
to the table talking, with
offers going
back and forth with
offers exchanged to compensate
the Writers for multi-media
revenue, BUT they're
in disagreement of
how to quantify the
actual projected revenues.
In other words, they're
not even speaking
the same language.
This may be more complicated
than past stikes simply
due to the fact that
they're dealing with
a whole new beast
in multi-media.
On Friday (Dec.7)
the WGA will strike
Fremantle Media, one
of the globes largest
producers and distributors
of reality-based programming.
For years I only imagined
the WGA striking reality
TV producers simply
because they're "reality
TV producers",
but Friday's strike
is an "informational gathering"
to disclose sub-standard
working conditions
for WRITERS of reality
TV. Yep, the people
who formulate ideas
and formats for reality
TV are Writers too,
and the WGA is making
it official.
As the strike
marches on, we have
to celebrate the change
that is to come in
the way of more clearly
defined roles within
the process of creating
shows, and a more
lucrative result for
those who beat the
odds and are part
of a show that gets
distributed.
We're excited
to see more companies
joining the
TV Writers Vault
discovering new talent,
and more writers getting
projects developed.
I'm committed to bringing
you new production companies
every month to expand our
slate of producers
seeking new projects.
Stay committed to
your writing
and challenge yourself
to improve your projects.
Find that one element
that makes your concept
a "must do"
for any producer reading
it. Question your
own creation and ask
yourself, "what
are we really watching,
and is this compelling?"
Your success is completely
reliant on the amount
of attention you dedicate
to your writing, and
a willingness to overcome
countless hurdles
to get to that one
single "yes".
In a business
that is often perceived
as one of chance,
I've witnessed something
astounding... Those
who work harder tend
to be more lucky.
