How Will the Writer’s Strike Impact Lost
I’m one of the last Lost bloggers to chime in on this because, frankly, I’m not that worried about. The fact is, a WGA strike means the studios won’t be making much money, so they are going to do everything in their power to avoid that happening.
A lot of alarmists are looking at the 90%+ approval from strike like a weather forecast, it’s not. That number is a clear message to the studios that the writers mean business and that they need to be ready to make concessions when negotiations begin.
The contract expiration date, as many have pointed out, is NOT the date the writers would strike. It is the date they would typically return to negotiations with the studios. If they don’t like what they are offered, then they may strike.
The awesome thing is this is all about new media, and Lost’s co-producer Carlton Cuse is a member of the negotiating committee. What uniquely qualifies Cuse to negotiate is the fact that Lost being the multi-branded property it is, they have already tackled most of the new media challenges internally. Lost is essentially a model for how to end the disagreement.
Another thing that is helpful for Lost fans, is that production has been rolling full steam ahead and there is enough slack time for Lost to stay on its repeat free schedule by the time any strike issues rear their head. As I write this they are, I believe, wrapping episode 7. That’ a lot of episodes folks. If anything, the strike would impact shows currently on the air and isolate Lost and it’s mid-season brothers and sisters as the only thing ‘new’ on television. It could be a good thing.
But personally, I trust the forward thinking of Cuse will shine through at the negotiating table. Look at all the innovations that have occurred with Lost’s production.
We’ve chatted about this Doc, and hopefully your contacts are right– that the strong authorization means the AMPTP will bend. The WGA has wiggle-room too, by retracting on its reality-show demands. Of course they could wait to triple-strike in June with SAG & DGA, which is another story.
I’ll spam my Lostpedia blog entry explaining this topic here; if you don’t want links just delete this line.
Anyways I agree with you: How apropos that Cuse in on the negotiating committee– who else would be as knowledgeable about the role of new media in what is nominally television and film?
Comment by Santa — October 27, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
They all make enough money already. I guess they’re too greedy to let things stand as they are.
Comment by zetaprime — October 27, 2007 @ 10:38 pm
Zeta, it’s not the writers that are greedy. And it’s all proportionate. The producers (studios) are the greedy ones. While some writers make good money, ie Carlton and Damon, many do not. Hollywood is not full of equals and the WGA contains many of those lower level writers who still need roomates to make the rent each month. Most people make the misconception of thinking only of the top end writers of Lost or other popular shows however in reality they make up the minorty of the writers in the union. I think the writers are definitely on the right track here and I like most people believe the producers will fold. The writers have already shown their stuborness by not going to scheduled negoitating dates in the last month because they didn’t believe anything would get done. I’ve done a lot of research on this for the LP blog (which Santa has already spammed) and the networks are screwed. See what most people don’t realise because back in the last strike there were no reality shows is that the editors are reality shows are in the WGA. It comes as a surprise to many people but in fact many reality shows would also be forced to stop filming, also talk shows such as The View uses writers (yes some of what they say is scripted), or comedy shows such as the Colbert Report and popular late night talk shows such as Letterman, etc. There really will not be a lot of original content on TV if this strike goes through. And unfortunately I think it will. While I’ve said the producer/networks will fold IMO it will take a strike and the ratings drop to make them. I wouldn’t imagine it being over a month but thats just my opinion. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
And Doc regarding your comment about it being the end of free online tv shows, I disagree. i think more and more networks will be forced to do what ABC is doing on AOL. Put embedded ads into their videos. If you go watch a video there you have to watch commercials, there is no way around it. This is how ABC makes money on those free videos. They might have to step it up, ie more ads but i don’t think it will be the end.
Comment by Mr.Leaf — October 28, 2007 @ 9:11 am
For those interested, Pajiba has an article on the main issues of the strike and some of the background.
http://www.pajiba.com/the-looming-hollywood-strike.htm
Comment by S. A. Bonasi — October 28, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
Doc, I love this website but I get the impression that your busy with other things.. There hasnt been anything we can get our teeth into in days, if you want people to keep visiting your site, give us something ! Anything ! How about a clever clue, one you can get away with without giving it too us on a platter.
Just trying to help
Comment by Joey — November 2, 2007 @ 1:29 am
http://tv.ign.com/articles/832/832938p1.html
WELL THIS IS BADDDD NEWS!
Comment by Jame$ Ford — November 6, 2007 @ 9:07 am