Writers Coming in from Cold as WGA Strike (Almost) Ends

I have it on very good authority that the Writers Strike is steadily building to a much anticipated climax. Details to follow, although this excellent piece from Mashable provides a fairly detailed account. Thanks, guys and gals, for doing the hard leg work and making slackers like me look good.

Truthfully, I had more than inkling this last round of talks was the real deal. Former Sun reporter turned HBO The Wire script writer, Rafael Alvarez, spoke to my daughter's class this past Friday, then left abruptly for the left coast, ostensibly on word of the strike's imminent demise. Drat. If I had only known he was in town, I would have pestered him for an interview. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. Still hoping to connect though he probably won't respond. Alvarez is an inspiration to any writer with a dream, but understandably occupied with bigger and better things.

Did possible cancellation of their biggest cash cow bring profit crazed producers to their knees? Reality TV and award shows turn awfully old fast. Finally, those greedy so-and-so's get a pinch of the same reality suffered by the people who make their livelihoods possible.

Can't want until Medium goes back into production. What shows have you been salivating for?

Impressive Sixty Second Videos from the 2008 Orange British Academy Film Awards

I'm a sucker for awards events. The swirl of glitterati, red carpet bursting in a thousand bulbs of flash, paps shouting "Over here! Turn left! Give me a smile!", stars gently nudging along at the behest of their nondescript handlers with an occasional entourage in tow, wannabes clamoring for interview crumbs. When awards season hits the scene, so does my inner stalker. Luckily for all involved, a big screen TV and cable are more than enough to send my demons packing.

Of course with all the Hollywood upheaval, this awards season is shaping up to be a hot steaming bath of dung. Case in point: The 65th Annual Golden Globes. I don't know about you, but if I glanced away from the screen just to scratch my foot, Mary Hart and whats-his-name had already announced a category winner and were racing on to the next. Yes, there is something to be said for condensing what used to be at least a three hour telecast into thirty or less minutes, but if I had my druthers I'd take fashion and glitz.

No wonder the announcement of 2008 nominees for the Orange BAFTAs left me pinging with excitement. The name itself is rather intriguing...don't you think? Orange? Is there a Purple BAFTAs too (as a Ravens fan I had to ask)? The event's location in the UK is huge! No striking writers or picket lines and unlike the Oscars, fans will not have to contemplate possible letdown.

Normally, I would not give the Orange BAFTAs a second thought, but now everything is different. Now, stars are hungry to walk a red carpet in glam. Now, gobs of people need a celebrity stalker fix. Now, plenty troll videos of last year's award shows just to gossip about Jack and Johnny. If I had known last summer what I know today I would have paid far more attention to the MTV Movie Awards. Bring back the snark!

Over to BAFTA's website I traveled.

Since my modus stalkerendi is not the Orange BAFTAs, I have no idea whether their traditional format includes an award for Short Film Making Iniative. If not, it should. This is an amazingly cool category tailor made for the web. Aspiring film makers submit sixty second videos embodying a pre-chosen theme. This year's theme is "unite." Visitors can rate and vote for their favorites. The Academy chooses fifteen regional winners to rub elbows with real tinsel at the February 10th telecast. A grand prize winner is announced at the ceremony.

There's even something for the little people. More Magazine is running a contest with Nicky Clarke to style one lucky winner's hair. Benefits include grazing with the A-list on the day of the show.

I don't know how many sixty second shorts the British Academy received. Probably thousands. Could be millions. At sixty seconds a clip, I could afford to view some. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending upon one's point of view, new job responsibilities prevent me from fully devouring this cinemagraphic cornucopia. If you have a lot of time on your hands, I strongly urge you to run -- not walk -- to their website and begin watching. Online voting starts on January 28, 2008 and ends midnight on February 3, 2008. You may need the January 28th lead time just to view all the entries.

While you're there, don't forget to vote for the Orange Rising Star Award. My spyware program popped a phishing warning, so you may not want to divulge your true e-mail address with your vote. Don't tell anyone, but I made something up and voted anyway.

If you don't have time to kill on videos, here are ten fairly impressive film shorts with something for everyone in no particular order:

The Photo Man - Clever use of cinematography reaffirms the power of love.

Santa's Unite - Engaging mockumentary on the herding rituals of Santas.

Lady Peaceful - Horror noir lives happily ever after.

Love Hurts - A brief encounter between a robot and cactus produces something beautiful.

Common Ground – A single photograph unites the heartbreak of women.

Peek-A-Boom - Worlds play cat and mouse, then collide in a burst of brilliance. My nomination for best make-up.

Directions - Souls collide in an unexpected manner.

Hound(ed) - A man struggles to understand why society seems united against him.

Red Herring - Excellent use of the color red leaves much to the imagination.

number 88 – Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Jonathan Ross will host this year's Orange BAFTAs at London's Royal Opera House on Sunday, February 10, 2008.

Writers Strike Kicks Golden Globe Awards in the Teeth

The entertainment industry is in trouble when my children begin complaining about the current wasteland that is television.

For more than ten weeks, the Writers Guild of America has taken its cause to the streets, going head to head with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, giving the evil eye to late night TV hosts, putting the kibosh on sexy award shows, and digging their heels in for the long haul. ABC Studios recently ratcheted things up a notch by terminating writer development agreements and work contracts. Things seem to be going south fast.

The reasons behind all this misery are not difficult to understand. For anyone still in the dark, a humorous explanation from former SNL alumna Tim Kazurinsky should clear up any misconceptions.



Last night, one of the premiere award shows, the Golden Globes, was reduced to a press conference with video clips. Tinseltown continues to mourn. Calling the format entertaining would be a stretch, although seeing the whole program in under an hour definitely had its advantages. Sure, I missed the red carpet, the glitz, the dresses, and all the interviews, don’t get me wrong. However, I can’t remember the last time I didn’t spend an entire evening glued to a television set just to find out the names of the winners. There's something to be said for streamlined viewing.

Sadly, the Academy Awards may fall victim to the same fate. Advertisers are scouting alternatives. Things have gotten so precarious, the cavalry is headed for Dodge. All around nice guys Tom Hanks and George Clooney have offered to mediate. No word on whether the feuding Hatfields and McCoys have decided to come in from the rain.

As a writer myself, it’s hard not to sympathize with the WGA. They just want their piece of the pie, not a kick in the crack. Writers suffer stints of unemployment like everyone else and need residuals to help carry them through. Studio heads insist they aren’t turning a profit on the Internet, yet they’ve been whistling a different tune to their shareholders. Writers deserve better.

Offering a cut of net profits is not the solution. Creative accounting techniques can make profits look like deficits. No, the studios must cough up a percentage of gross advertising revenue to end the strike. The Guild recently negotiated similar deals with Worldwide Pants, David Letterman’s production company, United Artists, and The Weinstein Company.

If it’s too much to ask fat cat media conglomerates to follow their lead, then conglomerates will have to suffer the consequences. Just like when television exploded in the 1950’s, thereby relegating radio to a back seat, so too will the Internet explode. Television could then head into a tailspin from which it may never recover. Public viewing preferences will change.

When the dust settles, I have a feeling the writers will land on their feet. They can jump ship to the Internet if that’s where the audience lands. But studio heads may not be as lucky. Their ships may become empty vessels.

Mitt Romney Attack Ads Against Huckabee are Downright Creepy

Not watching much television these days. The writers strike has seen to that. Never did watch much to begin with, but with sorry repeat episodes, even CSI is not worth the time.

Did read The Kite Runner after seeing the movie first. Would love to sit and pen a beautiful soul searching post about both, but there's not enough time in a day to do everything I need and want to do. Usually, I end up picking what I need to do, although, this week went by in a blur. Here it is almost Friday and I'm barely going to make it to the bank (they close at 3:00 p.m.). Lately this crunch for time has been short changing my ability to adequately express myself and successfully update the blog. Blogging is a challenge, it's not all fun and games. But, I love what I do and wouldn't have it any other way. Would you?

Mike Huckabee on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The premiere episode without writers. I had to watch. Jay was funny. Huckabee? The man blew me away. No wonder he is so well liked in Iowa. I'm not sure if he could top Dodd as my choice for President, but this is a guy I certainly would like to have as a my friend.

He's cool. Very funny. Yes, I know the banter was scripted, but without writers, it had to be Huckabee's own staff. Jay played along so well, one could barely detect the inherent phoniness. Plus, for all you celebrity politician people, Huckabee is a true rock star. The man plays a mean bass guitar. Oh, he's the real deal, people. I think the Republicans have found themselves a winner.

Problem with the Republicans is they want a true conservative. This is going to be tight, but I'm going to go on the record again by saying, if the Republicans nominate him, Huckabee will win. He's one of the few -- if the only -- Republican candidate Democrats will be able to stomach.

Yes, the caucuses play on. As do the political advertisements. I came across two about Huckabee that really bring the message of celebrity politics home. It's bad enough using celebrity endorsements to win votes, as Huckabee and many others in this campaign have done. I can't really blame Huckabee for succumbing to a pack mentality.



On the other hand, this Mitt Romney attack ad leaves me speechless.



I know it's because I have to get to the bank, running out of time, and can't really put what I'm thinking into words.

The Romney campaign looks like it's slipping into a downward spiral. If this is the work of his biggest and brightest, Romney has trouble - BIG TROUBLE - in River City.

Come on. Are we stupid? Cartoon Chuck knocking out two dimensional Mike? Is this what the presidency boils down to? Yes, the roundhouse kick is creepy. It's not just the perception of certain bloggers who, from what I can glean, don't support Huckabee. The Romney ad is a whole new level of idiot politics. It may be the first time a candidate attacked a rival by referring to the rival's celebrity endorsement.

I'm creeped out just by writing about it.

An Ashton Kutcher Christmas Card

These holiday spoofs are too funny. If the "no end in sight" WGA strike could be reduced to a video postcard, we suspect it might look something like this.

WARNING: Video contains strong material that might be unsuitable for children. Parental guidance suggested.

Hillary Clinton Rouses Heiffer Sympathies and Other Undigested Blips

Undigested news items gleaned and overheard while out and about...

"We've had the freedom to do whatever we want, if we're fortunate enough to know what that is." Rush Limbaugh discussing the allure of socialism and communism to the current generation of Americans.

"Barring any imminent settlement of the WGA strike, the 2007 Golden Globes Awards will be held at my apartment on the Westside of Manhattan this year." Alec Baldwin reacting to rumblings of cancellation of the popular awards show.

"My husband paid for those tires, and there was no reason for that man to come and steal them." Tearful outcry of Baltimore City, Maryland resident, Daphne Brockington, after husband, Charles, received a five year prison sentence for killing a man who stole his $1,500.00 Mercedes-Benz tire rims.

"I know you're going to inspect me. You can look inside my mouth if you want." Hillary Clinton stumping from a livestock auction barn in Dunlap, Iowa.

"To think that I would just be in support of somebody because of the color of their skin would mean we hadn't moved very far from Dr. King's speech in 1963, saying that we want people to be judged by the content of their character, and not by the color of their skin." Facing criticism of celebrity endorsement for Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey defends stirring support for black presidential candidate.

Happy birthday to all who share December 18th with these famous celebs: Keith Richards,64; Steven Spielberg, 61; Ray Liotta, 53; Brad Pitt, 44; Katie Holmes, 29; Christina Aguilera, 27.

Writers Guild Impasse Gives John Stamos Reason to Smile

Refusing to follow the lead of the Broadway Stagehands Union who reopened New York plays by ending their strike in time for the holidays, members of the Writers Guild of America remain on the picket line. Talks to end the “no end in sight” strike broke down last week after production companies and studio heads refused to cede an acceptable share of the pie.

The strike resulted in cancellation of yesterday’s planned Democratic debate in Los Angeles. Hollywood employees who depend upon ongoing productions for income also are feeling scrooged for the holidays.

But at least one Hollywood hottie is jazzed over the writers’ hard line response: Former Full House star and current E.R. hunk, John Stamos.

"The writers strike will mean that a lot of pilots won't be made,” Stamos told the New York Daily News.

"That will help us because we're tried and true and have enough episodes stockpiled to remain on-air well into February (08), which is getting to be pilot time.”

Although E.R. doesn’t appear destined for imminent cancellation, persistent industry rumors suggest this season may be its last. Stamos landed the cushy recurring role as medical student and paramedic, Tony Gates, only a short while ago. With mid-season replacements almost certainly out of the prime time competition, however, Stamos can continue to relax and savor the moment.

Politicelebritopia Roundup for November 19, 2007

The line separating politicians and celebrities so often becomes blurred. Mongrel spawn litter the planet as they cross each others' realms. Roundup from this past week includes:

1. Former Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Al Gore accepts the Founders Award from the International Emmys in New York City tonight. His trophy case must be getting mighty crowded...[more]

2. After six months of random testing and community service, prosecutors dropped misdemeanor marijuana charges against Anna Nicole celebrity judge, Lawrence Korda...[more]

3. U2 activist Bono gives a tell all interview in Rolling Stone magazine. Wasn't Bono one of the original movers and shakers of the politicelebritopia movement...[more]

4. Former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev now shills for Louis Vuitton. Guess the economy's not so great in Russia either...[more]

5. Analysts are back to ranking candidate follicles to determine lead indicators in election 2008...[more]

6. Speaking of the 2008 election, Jackson Browne offered his expertise in woman bullying to the John Edwards campaign...[more]

7. Meanwhile, Edwards is too busy picketing NBC than to care about lackluster support on his own campaign trail...[more]

8. Last, but not least, Paris Hilton practiced bump and grind defense and public speaking in preparation for her delayed mission to Rwanda...[more]

That concludes this week's issue of Bastard Child. Tune in again for more mongrel spawn from around the globe.

Writers Strike Ignores Devastating Consequences of Continued Impasse

Film and television writers and studio bigwigs continue their game of chicken on the picket lines. Variety and late night talk shows, Saturday Night Live, the Daily Show, and the Tonight Show have already ceased production. The popular TV show, 24 recently declared an indefinite hiatus. Soon, crown jewels such as Two and a Half Men and Desperate Housewives will grind to an excruciating halt.

It comes as no surprise that money lies at the heart of this dispute. Writers want more for distribution of their material through the Internet and mobile broadcasting. Producers would rather wait and see how much revenue is generated. Sadly, both sides are missing the big picture.

The viewing public is fickle. One day, a celebrity is a rising star. The following year, washed up. Fans change allegiances like clothing and hairstyles. Everything today is disposable.

The movie and television industry would be wise to heed the fickle nature of its lifeblood. Each passing day of impasse draws the industry closer to demise. By way of explanation, take a look at the following hypothetical breakdown of television and movie viewers:

a. The Mindless
People who rely upon television to unwind and/or escape. They will generally continue watching no matter what type of shows are available. Although easily influenced, not a good group for advertisers because they have little disposable income. More likely to rent or have cable than to watch movies in theatres.

b. The Distracted
Channel flippers who land on programs of interest, they are just as likely to tune in as tune out. Television is used as background noise for multi-tasking or a brief respite between tasks. A good group for advertisers, but difficult to capture. Prefer to see movies in theatres, but frequency of attendance varies.

c. The Obsessed
Fans of the highest order who schedule activities around certain television programs, TiVo, on demand, etc. Can be influenced by product endorsement, but wide disparity in disposable income. Spend heavily on DVD rentals and purchases, as well as first run movies in theatres.

d. The Engaged
Destination television and movie watchers. Tend to be intellectual movers and shakers or those with active busy lives focusing on activities other than movies and television. Viewing is pre-planned for shows of interest. Extremely busy schedules and high level of disposable income make this set an advertising dream.

Of course, other categories and subsets may exist. Additionally, the foregoing categories are based upon unproven generalizations. Still, I believe the breakdown is illustrative.

The Engaged and Distracted will tune out quickly, if they haven’t already. The longer the strike continues, the less likely these viewers will return to old habits when it ends. Such was the case to some extent when the industry went on strike back in 1988. At that time, however, free entertainment on the Internet was not widely available. Millions of viewers now flock to independent video productions and cyber networks. Serious advertising dollars are beginning to follow. Revenue generated from the Engaged and Distracted will begin to flow elsewhere.

The movie and television industry is crazy to risk losing all this advertising revenue. That’s why continued impasse is a descent into madness.

The Mindless, of course, will remain loyal viewing subjects, but with little disposable income, their future behavior is inconsequential. That leaves the television and movie industry with two real choices: (1) find a mutually agreeable way to quickly end the strike; or (2) bank on the Obsessed to stay viable.

Is there another alternative that will help this industry emerge unscathed? If so, speak out. Your opinion could help an industry hell bent on killing itself in the name of greed.