Normally I don’t take sides when it comes to Hollywood squabbles—I mean, who really cares?—but this writers’ strike is different. In the end it comes down to the very simple fact that the writers, anticipating that the Internet may be the future of entertainment, want a cut of the action. A very, very small cut: 2.5 percent.
It works out like this: If the Internet is the next big thing like, say, VHS and then DVDs were in the ’80s and ’90s, respectively, then the writers would get a very small and fair share of the action. If the Internet turns out to be the equivolent of Laserdisc or Betamax, they’d get 2.5 percent of nothing. It should be a win-win situation.
So what’s the problem? Greed on the part of the studios, that’s the problem. Massive, enornmous, all-encompassing GREED (yes, all caps). Greed is going to keep Hollywood at a standstill for weeks or, more likely, months and months.
And that really ticks me off, because I was really looking forward to seeing Joss Whedon’s return to TV sooner rather than later. (And not just because it also features Eliza Dushku, contrary to what Penny may tell you.) But I can wait—because the writers are on the side of truth and justice this time. Or, at the very least, they’re on the side of fairness.
So yes, I support their right to not write. After all, I’m a writer and I haven’t written in months. Laziness? Maybe. Or maybe it’s just solidarity, brother.
Glad you “took sides.” and you’re right, it’s a very, very small cut. Have you seen what the writers make now? Unbelievable. http://writerspay.hollywoodstrikes.com