October 31, 2007: Excerpting the Blacklist

This morning on PJ we are publishing a roughly 2000 word excerpt from the book I am writing for Encounter Books, which as yet has no title. The title of the chapter from which the excerpt is drawn is "The New Blacklist," so that should give you a hint of the subject.

It's ironic and a little sobering to be publishing something on this topic on the eve of what may be another Writers' Strike in Hollywood. The last was in 1988. This one could be more serious because the issues are. We are at an historical point in media where the system is no longer holding. No one knows what to do.

With film and television increasingly Internet phenomena, the WGA wants a foothold there. This may be the nub of the disagreement between the producers (MPAA) and the writers. In the early nineties I could say more positively because I was the on the negotiating committee for the WGA. I'm far from that now, sitting on the other side of the fence as employer of writers at PJM. The manner is quite different from the entertainment industry as I knew. But still I could be accused of having dual loyalties now.

Of course, that's a common problem for the Writers Guild where, particularly in television, writers have been employing writers for decades. Everyone says they are a "writer first," but perhaps that's only sentimental. In any case the lines between executive and staff are blurry to say the least.

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Decades (if not generations) of "Hollywood accounting" have made this area bereft of trust.

Otherwise, one solution might be for creative staff such a writer to take part of their compensation in stock. I.e., residuals = dividends. But who could trust Hollywood studios now? Especially with a lot of films being made by "independents" who might not be around in five years.

Posted by: LarryD at November 1, 2007 8:32 AM

As usual, a well thought out and presented piece. Thanx. Something you miss is the fact that WGA and the rest of the film unions exist to freeze new people out, not to be inclusive. Talent means nothing. The initiation fee of $2,500 is like rubbing everyone's nose in it. What kid has $2,500 unless it comes from daddy? It costs tops, $100 to process a new member. So why the $2,500? To keep people out. My very first job in this business was a very large part in a movie that paid less than my SAG initiation dues. I've carried resentment about this for decades. The internet is the first real bastion of freedom I've ever experienced. Anything can get on. A kid can now use Apple equipment and make a movie, a real movie, for $300. I saw one in a large screening room in town and was amazed at the technical stuff, cameral angles, dolly shots and so on that his guy put into 65 minutes...note that I didn't say the script was good. I emphasize that the projection on the screen was crystal clear, the colors balanced, and the acting bad. Youth will be served, Roger, and no union or unions will keep the next band of movie makers out.

Posted by: Howard at November 1, 2007 1:54 PM

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