Posted by
SquiddyPopPerkyJean on Thursday, November 29, 2007 2:49:18 PM
A lot of people might not be concerned over losing current TV shows (for good reason), but the recent writers' strike in Hollywood actually does affect MANY others. On every television program or movie, there are hundreds of people employed by the show. Writers are one small (although important) part. You've got the editing department, grips, gaffers, lighting, wardrobe, makeup, sound, camera crew, caterers and people you've never heard of, like the Telecine colorist.
My husband is one of those Telecine colorists. With the Writers' Guild taking to the streets to ask for more money (on things that don't even really exist yet, like internet-shown pay TV) when they already are making enough to afford $3000-4000 per month for homes in the Hollywood Hills, hundreds of others are LOSING THEIR JOBS ENTIRELY! And obviously the writers can afford to stop working for a few months so they can hang out on the street corners begging sympathy.
Would you go on strike if it meant losing your home or starving your family?
All but my husband and one other freelance colorist were laid off from his company. Certainly editors, lighting, sound and other professionals have been sent home without work as well. (For some reason the Lord has seen fit to provide some work each week for my husband even when colorists more skilled have been let go. However, we have stopped plans to move back to L.A. because his job is so iffy now.)
We do not live in the time or place of 16-hour sweatshop conditions where you cannot even stop to eat. The writers are not being abused. They are making a living as writers!! I know a lot of people who would love to be writers full-time and make a living at it. And I realize the fat cats at the top of the entertainment industry make more than seems fair, but c'mon, guys, you are making everyone else lose their jobs, NOT THE BIG GUYS!!!
My husband drove by a hoard of writers protesting last week and yelled at them, "Get to work, you lazy bums!" (or something to that effect).
Meanwhile, California's economy goes to pot even more than usual. Thanks, writers. Love ya.
I don't care so much about watching 24. But I care about people being able to make a living for themselves and their families. I guess the Writers' Guild does not.
(Rumor has it that in June, the actors will also go on strike. Yeah, poor, underpaid Hollywood actors...)