Next time i’m in a TV pitch and am asked where the series goes, I’m going to respond “Oh, I’ve only really thought through how I’ll start two, crippling industry wide strikes. Getting out of those strikes…I can wing that 100 days from now. AmIright?!?!”
12:49 PM - Aug 25, 2023
Surreal to watch extremely rich people bristle and dither when asked to compromise with those they perceive as not being part of their class of economic elites.
09:58 AM - Aug 23, 2023
Mine arrives next week.
Proceeds go to the Entertainment Community Fund, which provides support for people in crisis based on the current strike.
So, you look cool, do a good thing & your shirt say FUCK, which is all you ever wanted when you were 9.
wgastrikeshirts.com
Proceeds go to the Entertainment Community Fund, which provides support for people in crisis based on the current strike.
So, you look cool, do a good thing & your shirt say FUCK, which is all you ever wanted when you were 9.
wgastrikeshirts.com
12:54 PM - May 15, 2023
It’s the weekend; a concept that didn’t exist before unions created them.
Just saying…
Just saying…
08:19 PM - May 14, 2023
(1of4) Why shutting down productions is the best (FASTEST) way to get us all back to work.
The cost of a shut down production day starts at $100,000. Could be more. Much more. It's never less.
And these are right now costs that hit the books today.
Shut downs also mean...
The cost of a shut down production day starts at $100,000. Could be more. Much more. It's never less.
And these are right now costs that hit the books today.
Shut downs also mean...
03:20 PM - May 13, 2023
In response to Jeffrey Lieber.
Is there any way that we, the public, can help? I'm not trying to wait an extra several months or more for S2 of The Diplomat... Or watch repeats of SNL. Let alone the fact that the writers deserve everything for which they are asking! #istandwiththeWGA
01:54 PM - May 13, 2023
Keep it simple.
-If you write, you’re a writer,
-If you show up on a picket line with the intention of helping keep writing a profession…you’re one of us.
-The quicker we shut down productions; the shorter the work stoppage; the better for working people.
#WGAStrong
-If you write, you’re a writer,
-If you show up on a picket line with the intention of helping keep writing a profession…you’re one of us.
-The quicker we shut down productions; the shorter the work stoppage; the better for working people.
#WGAStrong
01:49 PM - May 13, 2023
(1of2) If you think the AMTPT really means it when they suggest they’re "fine" with a strike and uncertainty, ask yourself if that’s the way business works. Do beer companies make money when they are not selling beer? Are car companies “cool” when factories randomly shut down…
12:03 PM - May 10, 2023
So imagine you get paid pretty well, but for only 12 weeks a year. And that “pretty well” is 50% what you worked for 5 years ago. And you can’t get a job in the other 40 weeks, because the 12 week job has rights to your services…without paying you more.
This is why we strike.
This is why we strike.
06:03 PM - May 09, 2023
So imagine you get paid pretty well, but for only 12 weeks a year. And that “pretty well” is 50% what you worked for 5 years ago. And you can’t get job in the other 40 weeks, because the 12 week job has rights to your services…without paying you more.
This is why we strike.
This is why we strike.
05:00 PM - May 09, 2023
(1of2) “We succeed (make money), you succeed,” has been the covenant that made the industry work…until mini rooms broke it (on the TV side). What was intended as way of learning more about projects turned into a way of getting scripts on the cheap and then firing writers…
01:05 PM - May 09, 2023
When, in coming weeks, you see the argument "times have changed," the answer is YES. How we get jobs has changed. What mid/lower level writers get paid has changed. How long between jobs has changed. What HASN'T changed: PROFITS, which have gone up.
That's why we're striking.
That's why we're striking.
03:45 PM - May 08, 2023
(1of2) My economic well-being was secured through gains from previous #WGA work actions.
Self-determination of credits. Health care (two thriving kids, thank you). Pension (somewhere in the future). Residuals (just got two).
For a writer who started 25 years ago, it was...
Self-determination of credits. Health care (two thriving kids, thank you). Pension (somewhere in the future). Residuals (just got two).
For a writer who started 25 years ago, it was...
03:26 PM - May 05, 2023
(Edited)
(1of2) The #WGA wants EVERYONE to go back to work as soon as possible. At fair rates. With safe conditions. And profits for all. The only way to get there is to return to the bargaining table and the only way for that to happen is for workers to stay united. It's how we got...
08:43 PM - May 04, 2023
I — and others — are going to start to do early morning strike lines so that we are there when our sympathetic IATSE sisters and brothers arrive with trucks.
If this is a thing you’d be up for, please let you strike captain/lot organizers know. And if you would…pass this on.
If this is a thing you’d be up for, please let you strike captain/lot organizers know. And if you would…pass this on.
02:28 PM - May 04, 2023
I’m striking for economic sanity.
People who create profit for shareholders should be compensated such that they feel secure in their person, can raise their family and know, when they get sick, they will be cared for. My generation of writer had that. This generation does not.
People who create profit for shareholders should be compensated such that they feel secure in their person, can raise their family and know, when they get sick, they will be cared for. My generation of writer had that. This generation does not.
12:07 PM - May 03, 2023
We answer to our staff, our cast, our crew and our assistants.
We are responsible for negotiating a contact that sets a template for how we all get paid.
Gains we’ve won, have redounded to them.
They answer to real world Gordon Gekko, who a union writer created.
We are responsible for negotiating a contact that sets a template for how we all get paid.
Gains we’ve won, have redounded to them.
They answer to real world Gordon Gekko, who a union writer created.
12:52 PM - May 02, 2023
Every single thing that makes TV/Film writing economically feasible was won through labor action.
Health insurance.
Pension.
Control over credits.
Basic minimums.
"I'm sorry. It's too expensive," is always the response.
Fine. We'll do it again.
Health insurance.
Pension.
Control over credits.
Basic minimums.
"I'm sorry. It's too expensive," is always the response.
Fine. We'll do it again.
12:16 AM - May 02, 2023
We do a version of this every three years. The press makes it out to be cataclysmic, but it’s more just part of the ecosystem. If there’s a strike, come join us on the picket line. You’ll meet lots of people. If there’s not a strike, it means we got a good deal.
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Ashley Cook @ashlovestvI'm a new WGA member. Any words of encouragement as we wait to see if there will be a strike? (I'll keep thinking about a #)10:04 PM - May 01, 2023
10:15 PM - May 01, 2023
What here appeals to people?
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Hadji Writes @HadjiWrites@JeffLieber @Nevslin here's some hashtag suggestions...10:12 PM - May 01, 2023
{#id:374932#}
#AskNevs
{#id:374946#}
#KeepOnWriting
#WritersGonnaWrite
#TVWritersSpout
#ScriptWritersSpout
#SpoutAboutWriting
#TVWriterTalk
#WorkingWritersTalk
{#id:374995#}
#WritersHelpingWriters
#WGASpout
#TVWriterSpout
10:13 PM - May 01, 2023
Yes. Those preemptions are SUPER helpful and are factored into making air.
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Steve Kimura @stevekimuraLet’s say the show you’re working on is preempted for the NBA playoffs or some other thing. Does that give you an extra week(s) to either catch up or get ahead?09:58 PM - May 01, 2023
09:58 PM - May 01, 2023
Alright, I have to run and pick up dinner...and then await news on "what's next" (which won't come until morning). That said, keep firing away and I'll answer as I see questions come up. I'm on call until 6PM tomorrow...when @Nevslin takes over. Also, what should our # be? Also, this is fun.
09:53 PM - May 01, 2023
Sure. You write what you write and what interests you. Producers/Networks just want shows with big ideas that can garner an audience. If yours all gravitate to a theme or a space...great. That's your thing.
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Steve Kimura @stevekimuraI have a pilot idea that could be a spin off of another pilot I’ve already written. Is it okay to have two pilots that share the same universe?09:44 PM - May 01, 2023
09:48 PM - May 01, 2023
Yes! And #. We're looking for as good one. Thoughts?
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Ramsey, Queen of Popcorn® @strawberigrl12I'm just seeing this now & I follow you. Thank you for being willing to share your experience with other writers. I think it would be helpful to have a #, so that we can all know what's happening. Maybe you can pin the spout next time you host. Also, for the other hosts of Q&As this week? Thank you!09:39 PM - May 01, 2023
09:41 PM - May 01, 2023
Three people who can write the crap out of anything. One person who is tireless with ideas. One person who knows all the history. The social emotional connective person. The life's stories person; aka the one who has lived it. The wildcard, who always goes the other way.
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Rus McLaughlin @RusMcLaughlinI've got one for ya. Walk me through putting together a really good Writer's Room.09:33 PM - May 01, 2023
09:35 PM - May 01, 2023
I have a complicated relationship with Lost (I'll let you look it up), but that aside...the key is to have simple definable characters that are easy to recognize. The one who needs. The one who fears. The one who leads with her heart. If you know who your people ar, you'll be able to access...
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Seantelle White @SeantelleWhat was your strategy for managing so many dynamic characters when working on Lost? I am trying to incorporate an abundance of characters into a series that takes place during the Harlem Renaissance and civil rights movement on parallel timelines. I am attempting to "sing the unsung"09:20 PM - May 01, 2023
09:25 PM - May 01, 2023
Um...maybe?
But seriously write what compels you to write and makes you happy and the rest will fall into place.
But seriously write what compels you to write and makes you happy and the rest will fall into place.
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Eleanor @EleanorIf I write a script treatment (or is it just a treatment?), will you read it, and if so, will I become rich and famous?
(I'm just messing with you)09:20 PM - May 01, 2023![GIF-Image]()
09:23 PM - May 01, 2023
This moment...is part of the natural order of the industry. Every 3 years we get here. Sometimes it's easy. Sometimes it's not. This time it's not, but don't look it as something strange. To that end, the rules of asking for a read are the same. Establish a connection, be OK if the answer is no.
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Marc Price @TheRealMarcPriceAny final thoughts as we (maybe) sail into the abyss?09:19 PM - May 01, 2023
Without trying to put any labor on you but for those who might be too nervous to ask, would it be impolite to ask someone for a read?
09:22 PM - May 01, 2023
Well done!
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Ty Leisher @tyleisher@JeffLieber I made it here!07:24 PM - May 01, 2023![GIF-Image]()
09:18 PM - May 01, 2023
