Category Archives: 2007 WGA Strike

WGA deal details emerge

Negotiators for the WGA have unanimously recommended the Writer’s Guild of America accept the latest proposal worked out via informal discussions between the entertainment writers’ union and Hollywood producers represented by the AMPTP. A general membership meeting to inform writers of the details of the deal was held Saturday, and on Sunday union leaders held …

February 11, 2008 – 12:03 AM | By Craig Hansen | Posted in 2007 WGA Strike | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Striking writers target Disney on Thursday

What some are hoping will become the last major picket line of the strike – though that’s far from certain at this point – has the WGA targeting Disney/ABC on Thursday. But I wouldn’t invest in the marketing pens just yet. While strike weariness is setting in on several fronts, the simple facts are that …

February 7, 2008 – 12:06 AM | By Craig Hansen | Posted in 2007 WGA Strike | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)

WGA Strike: Deal this week?

Ease yourself into your home theater chairs before reading this, but TV Guide.com is reporting there is a possibility – just a slim one at the moment – that the WGA Writer’s Strike could end this week. According to the site’s Ask Ausiello, at least two sources have said a deal is in place and …

January 31, 2008 – 12:25 AM | By Craig Hansen | Posted in 2007 WGA Strike | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Strike could end by Oscars?

TV Guide.com is predicting, based on talks on strike lines with striking writers, that the WGA Strike could be over in time for the Oscars, which are scheduled to air on February 24. That’s about four weeks away. While a bold prediction, there is evidence both in favor of, and against, such a resolution, so …

January 28, 2008 – 1:28 AM | By Craig Hansen | Posted in 2007 WGA Strike | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

An old friend returns … tone-deaf!

An old friend has returned to television, still as tone-deaf as ever. That’s right, American Idol is back on the air and since it’s a reality show that doesn’t use writers, we can at least look forward to a full season of that! Even in a fully programmed season, American Idol is a ratings winner. …

January 17, 2008 – 11:52 PM | By Craig Hansen | Posted in 2007 WGA Strike | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Writers and studios need the Love Boat

The WGA is trying to strike individual deals with studios since Hollywood producers aren’t willing to come to the table and negotiate; now studios are striking back by canceling contracts with a large number of writer-producers who are no longer producing any writing. The writer’s strike is getting ugly, especially in light of the fact …

January 17, 2008 – 11:45 PM | By Craig Hansen | Posted in 2007 WGA Strike | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Settle the WGA strike … now!

The 2007-08 WGA writer’s strike has officially become a migraine-inducing problem. While both the producers and the writers are part of the problem, the main losers in the whole fracas has expanded from production and tech crew and is now affecting audiences. Sure, the networks are scrambling to pull together enough reality shows and short-run …

January 4, 2008 – 4:24 PM | By Craig Hansen | Posted in 2007 WGA Strike | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

New media matters…

Right between movies and TV stands the new electronic media market, from cell phones to wireless devices to PCs and MP3 players, including iPods. All of them have made decent splashes as new markets for TV shows, movies and other entertainment content to be displayed and sold to the public. Now, I’ve never understood the …

December 17, 2007 – 2:02 AM | By Craig Hansen | Posted in 2007 WGA Strike | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Relax … don’t to it … when you wanna strike

Perhaps one way to solve the differences between Hollywood producers and WGA writers is to put them all into a better mood; maybe the best way to do this would be a change of scenery. I’d like to suggest setting both sides up in hotels in Las Vegas; negotiate by day, do the nightlife by …

December 9, 2007 – 4:35 PM | By Craig Hansen | Posted in 2007 WGA Strike | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Writers walk away from strike talks

Late last week, the WGA walked away from strike negotiations with Hollywood TV and film producers after the WGA noted what they felt was a lack of serious effort to reach a resolution. In addition to the financial considerations previously made public, it appears writers and producers are still far apart on several other “below …

December 9, 2007 – 4:26 PM | By Craig Hansen | Posted in 2007 WGA Strike | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Disappointing programming decisions

One of the benefits of the 2007 WGA Writers Strike is that some shows that may have had the cancellation axe fall on them prematurely have at least had more of a chance to find an audience. However, such opportunities don’t always reap the expected benefits of series survival. Witness NBC’s fascinating SciFi Lite drama, …

December 2, 2007 – 7:55 PM | By Craig Hansen | Posted in 2007 WGA Strike, writing | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Blue collar writers

Currently, I’m not making enough from my writing career to browse ads for condos for sale with any realistic expectation that I could ever afford one. So if anyone wants to see the 2007 WGA strike end successfully for writers, it’s me. However, like so many strikes these days, it seems the unions that kick …

November 29, 2007 – 1:19 AM | By Craig Hansen | Posted in 2007 WGA Strike, writing | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)