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.
