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Will Streaming Media Lead To A Massive Writer's Strike? (latimes.com)
"A decade ago, Hollywood writers brought the entertainment industry to a standstill when they walked off the job for three months in a dispute over pay for movies and TV shows distributed online," writes the Los Angeles Times. But they're reporting that it may happen again, with the Writers Guild of America now seeking a strike authorization vote from its members.
Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon have transformed Hollywood and contributed to an unprecedented number of quality series being produced -- a phenomenon often described as the new Golden Age of TV. But times haven't been golden for many writers for whom more is now less. Shorter seasons are the new norm, with many series consisting of 10 or fewer episodes on cable and streaming -- less than half the length of traditional seasons on network shows. That has put writers in a financial crunch since many have exclusivity clauses that prevent them from working on multiple shows per season...
"It's getting more and more difficult to make a living as a writer," said John Bowman, a TV writer-producer, and former head of the WGA negotiating committee. Studios are equally dug in as more customers cut the cable cord in favor of streaming options. They're also grappling with a dramatic fall-off in once-lucrative DVD sales and a flattening of attendance at the multiplex. They are releasing fewer titles a year, meaning fewer opportunities for screenwriters... Complicating matters is a lack of transparency. Streaming services operate on subscription models and don't release viewer data, making it difficult to devise a formula for residuals (fees for reruns).
Amazon is a member of the studio alliance, while Netflix "is expected to sign on to an eventual contract." (Though streaming also seems to be hurting the popularity of reruns, which is also reducing the residuals writers receive.) But underscoring the impact of online media, Slashdot reader JustAnotherOldGuy asks, "with all the alternative content available, does anyone care...? Would the writer's strike have any serious impact on your life?"
"It's getting more and more difficult to make a living as a writer," said John Bowman, a TV writer-producer, and former head of the WGA negotiating committee. Studios are equally dug in as more customers cut the cable cord in favor of streaming options. They're also grappling with a dramatic fall-off in once-lucrative DVD sales and a flattening of attendance at the multiplex. They are releasing fewer titles a year, meaning fewer opportunities for screenwriters... Complicating matters is a lack of transparency. Streaming services operate on subscription models and don't release viewer data, making it difficult to devise a formula for residuals (fees for reruns).
Amazon is a member of the studio alliance, while Netflix "is expected to sign on to an eventual contract." (Though streaming also seems to be hurting the popularity of reruns, which is also reducing the residuals writers receive.) But underscoring the impact of online media, Slashdot reader JustAnotherOldGuy asks, "with all the alternative content available, does anyone care...? Would the writer's strike have any serious impact on your life?"
So, if you're a TV writer, why not negotiate a contract which takes into account the new reality of streaming and shorter seasons?
What's the big deal? Business conditions change all the time in all sorts of industries and small businesses (which is what most writers should be if they're working via contract and for various rights) adjust to it.
I mean, if they had some sort of big bureaucratic organization which they were forced to belong to and which controlled standard contract terms they might be screwed over while they waited and hoped for it to adjust to the new reality, but if they are free and work for themselves, then it's just business as usual.
The party of stupid and the party of evil get together and do something both stupid and evil, then call it bipartisan.
2007 writers strike started the unplug movement.
If they try it again in 2017, it will definitely end the unplug movement -- by causing everyone to unplug and switch to streaming-only.
You seem to be blaming the writers for the stream of remakes and copies. Why? Surely, it's the producers and buyers who control what gets written?
The real "Libtards" are the Libertarians!
I haven't turned on a "television" in over 7 years, and haven't missed it.
Now, I do confess to watching Netflix content with my wife.
Was visiting a family member at the hospital recently, and the individual turned this "television" on to see what it was all about. "Channel" after "channel" of strange annoying things called "commercials". We didn't like it and turned it off. Grabbed the laptop and fired up Netflix. Much better.
What is wrong with Slashdot?!
Movies with original content are few and far between. I just saw commercials for remakes of The Mummy and then King Arthur tonight.
Only the State obtains its revenue by coercion. - Murray Rothbard
Bully for you. If that keeps you happy, go fer it. And I mean that seriously, not sarcastically.
When winter arrives and the birds fly south, there are awesome shows like Downton Abbey, House of Cards, The Expanse, Man In the High Castle, and on and on. I just finished Jessica Jones and Luke Cage and thought they were fabulous. David Tennant as an evil psychopath, woo-hoo!
You certainly don't have to watch any of it but recognize there is more available than news and reality shows.
Now anyone can write a script and submit it to any new streaming company.
The once needed access to a select few staff in TV stations or broadcasters is over.
Creative pay at a broadcaster will slip down to that of an editorial assistant and stay low.
Make a fuss and a lot of very skilled people are waiting for that job for even lower wages.
Writers should have done more to protect their profession during the good decades.
Ensured that only US universities can offer the needed academic standing for the creative professions.
Some sort of accreditation to ensure only people in the profession now can be allowed to write for broadcasters.
That would have reduced the competition of writers allowed to interact with the wider public. Wages stay up and good existing jobs are protected.
Ensure only a qualified writer can offer work, sign a contract and a have a script accepted. Make "arts" and "english" a profession again.
Consider how aspiring talent is entering the profession. They are competing to lower wages and take jobs.
Dont go the way of newspapers in the online world. Learn from past errors in other areas of the arts and secure a profession as a professional writer.
Study who else is submitting scripts to streaming and broadcasting companies.
If the work submitted is not from the USA, suggest a strong Russian influence in their past work or education or friends?
Use existing contacts to ensure only existing authors are considered.
Also use the US government, big US brands and mil to further your own work. Plots have always been friendly, supportive or never mentioned complex issues.
Consider the new owners of broadcasters. Tiananmen square an issue? A theocracy? Monarchy? Human rights issues and weapons sales? A cult or faith wants some good fiction about their past?
Why risk a new writer with ideals and ideas? Listen to the people who are now in control of the streaming brand and broadcasters, work within the owners branding needs. Once the owners know who can be trusted and will write what they consider quality, become a no bid contractor.
Never be afraid to report new gifted authors to the correct authorities if they have equal skills or better talent.
They present a good rural script? Thats hidden nationalism and a Russian topic of influence.
An inner city story? Thats Russia trying to get poor consumers to lose faith in US brands and the US mil.
Any enviromental aspects to the plot? Thats an ag gag issue trying to sneak around local laws. Report that author to their home state and the feds
Given the vast amount of work submitted is junk with poor grammer and spelling, a professional work can quickly move to the top once some other authors have lost their professional standing.
Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"
I can't stand people like you.
You think not owning a TV makes you an enlightened superhero above everyone else .You're not.
You pick crap to watch then blame the idiot box for your choices. You can be watching documentaries and current events. It's not anyone else's fault you are or were stuck on bad sitcoms and reality TV drivel.
These days you have the Internet and can spend the time watching video that teaches you about the world around you or teaches you a skill. You can do university and trade school learning that use to require a lot of money for the price of your Internet subscription and a working machine. What's the bet you blame the Internet for being full of lolcats instead.
You're acting like the writers get final say in what is filmed and eventually broadcast. And you are acting like the entertainment industry is a merit-driven business.
Both of these are false assumptions.
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