[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: HP & DH Movi

[kemper mentor]

                               > Kemper earlier:

 > The union fights for the creative rights of the writers.

 > Writers can break the picket lines if they choose. As they haven't, it suggests they are choosing to stand up for what they feel is fair and right.

 >

 

 Ali:

 Crossing that line in Hollywood would be career suicide.  Yes, the

 writers should stand up for their rights and demand their [very fair]

 share of the profits.  However, I don't think that it's far to say

 that everyone who isn't crossing the picket line is necessarily doing

 it as a matter of belief.  

Kemper now:
The writer does not have to write at the studio.  They can cross lines clandestinely from home or a cafe.
It may be suicide if the Writer's Guild discovers the treachery, but that's the choice the writer needs to make.



Ali:
Moreover, it's also not fair to say that

 those who have "crossed" the picket line do it out of disrespect.

 Shows like Letterman have come back on air and have had to explain the

 reasons why they had to do what they did - in cases like Letterman, it

 was a combo of network pressures and the need to keep the rest of the

 staff paid and not fired.

 


Kemper now:
Letterman is the owner/producer of Late Night with David Letterman.  He, as an owner/producer made a deal with the Guild.

Leno, O'Brien, Stewart and Colbert (in 'O8!) do not own their shows and were required to come back.  They write for themselves which is allowed.  No one writes for them, which is not allowed during the strike.

So, it was not network pressure of CBS that got the writers back, it was David Letterman owner/producer of the show and also a writer.


> Kemper earlier:

 > Rights and freedoms are never given freely without a fight of some kind.

 

 Ali:

 I agree with this in theory, but in practice, you have to pick your

 battles and know when to fight them.  In the midst of reality tv being

 ever so popular, is now really the right time for a strike?  

Kemper now:
Yes.  You must choose your battles.
Reality tv is popular because there is something wrong with our (US) culture.
It is not the writer's fault.  Nor is it the producers.  They want to make money.  Who doesn't?

Ali:
How much

 are they asking for, and is that reasonable under the circumstances?


Kemper now:
>From what I understand, I think so.  From about $0.04/DVD sold to about $0.08
They currently get nothing from iTune sales and from streamed shows.

You can buy an episode of The Office on iTunes for cheap but the writer sees none of it.
You can stream The Office for free but it has paid advertisement, the writer sees none of it.

Ali:
 Is there no temporary solution that can be arrived at so that not so

 many in the industry are affected?  

Kemper now:
I'm sure there is, but I don't know what it is.

Ali:
How do you deal with folks who

 appear on tv and write their own materials?  

Kemper now:
My understanding is that is cool (see Leno, O'Brien, Stewart and Colbert (in '08!).

Kemper




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