Wednesday, November 14, 2007

I Have No New Content

This is, I think, probably the best explanation of why the writers are striking that I've seen to date.



That's the nice part about the writers' strike. They known how to write some nice propaganda pieces in support of their cause. There's a reason they get paid so well for what they do, after all.

Before I go, though, a word to those who think that because successful writers happen to make a decent living wage that they shouldn't be striking: shut up. That's two words isn't it? Oh, well, blame it on the NaNo flow. Yes, the script writer on an established show is probably bringing home six figures a year. And, no, this isn't another post pointing out that's not the case for those struggling writers trying to break into the market or the middling ones who don't go on to success who earn far, far less.

This is a post saying that it doesn't matter just how much the writers are making. Only that they're paid fairly for that work (This is why I don't feel like a hypocrite here when I've made similar points in the past about athletes in regards to their own strikes. The difference here is that the WGA actually works in a system that makes sense. It's not a monopoly, it's not bloated and vastly overvalued, it's roughly about where it should be. And it really does seem like they're not getting their rightful share of it.). No one's arguing that because the executives involved bring home millions that they should just be quiet and cave in to the union's demands, are they? Then why do the writers' bank accounts matter? The writers are just as involved in churning out that product that actors, directors, and executives get paid a lot for. And what they're asking is that the industry, the market recognize their contributions with the proper compensation. Writers should be paid well. It's a tough job that not everyone can do. And one that adds a lot of value to everyone else's life through the entertainment they provide. Is it really wrong for them to want to be comfortably in the upper middle class considering just how much money they make for these companies and how hard it is to find a good writer?

No comments: