Hollywood braces for another costly labor dispute
I know. If you're like me, you're thinking "Didn't they learn anything from the writers' strike? The one that dragged on for 100 days and cost jobs and millions and millions of dollars? The one that totally messed up the TV season?"
For those who thrive on entertainment, you should know that the actors' contracts expire at midnight -- with no resolution in sight. It could mean the "S" word re-enters the La-La Land lexicon for another go-around. Before you start criticizing big-cashed stars and studio heads for being greedy (and, yes, there's plenty of that) don't forget that crippled productions throw barely-making-it actors and other industry workers out of jobs, too.
It also means that you can expect more dreadful reality sludge, like "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" and "Wipeout."
I won't regurgitate all the details, but, if you want to know what's happening, read these links: Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily (in fact, if you really want to keep up on this ugly fight, bookmark this blog), a Los Angeles Times' story on the Tom Hanks vs. Jack Nicholson factions, this one from the Associated Press and this one from Variety.
And, if you don't want to know, I don't blame you. Why not read a good book instead?
Comments:
I swear if 24 gets canceled for another season I'm gonna be seriously pissed.
Posted by: Michael at June 30, 2008 4:06 PM
Michael, that's how I feel about shows like "Ugly Betty." They got thrown totally off stride by the last strike. And, darn,I was just getting excited about a new show called "The Mentalist" starring Simon Baker.
Posted by: felicia matlosz at June 30, 2008 4:18 PM
my kodak theater tour guide told me a couple of weeks ago that 75 percent of actors make something like $5,000 a year or less, and they need their medical benefits, or something. (i really should have written those numbers down -- but i was on vacation.)
anyway, he's an actor (but he says he enjoys giving tours) and he was on the side of his union, and it got me thinking:
here is this dude, one of (what?) thousands, hundreds of thousands(?), who get to actually do what even more people only dream about. (he says he had a recurring role on "will and grace.")
so, he's an artist, right? so what if he doesnt get paid a lot. i mean, he's doing what he wants to do. isnt that called sacrifice? so, one day, maybe he'll break it big and not have to worry about things like how he's gonna pay the medical bill for his broken ego, er, leg. (he was super nice and funny, btw -- this isnt an attack on him.)
now the people who build the sets, assist the cinematographers, and drive actors around -- they deserve a union. they deserve benefits.
im all about helping out the little guy, and making sure people are treated fairly, and unions have a longer history of doing that than "the man," but -- they dont have to be actors. even the writers dont have to be writers. they are lucky to be in professions and fields of creative work that pay them to do what they love.
go create some art, already.
anyway, thats where i am right now. but im still torn. after all, im in a union, too.
Posted by: will at July 1, 2008 2:17 PM
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