Instead of tapping away on computer keyboards, screen and television writers began pounding the pavement on picket lines last week.
A tough choice for creative people who had to leave scripts, shows, deals, and other related projects behind when they went 'pencils down' at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Nov. 5.
The talks between the studios and the scriptwriters broke down over issues surrounding payments and residuals from new media - like DVDs and the Internet. Nowhere is the strike more obvious than here in Burbank the anointed 'entertainment/media capital of the world.'
On Wednesday, Nov. 7, more than 100 of the powerful television show runners, the writer-producers who guide some of the highest rated programs picketed Walt Disney Studios at West Alameda Avenue and South Buena Vista Street to demonstrate support for the WGA work stoppage. This picket line got a lot of media attention and rightly so.
However, on the same day, I spent some time with another group of WGA picketers who do not have high-profile positions and hefty bank accounts. They are members of the rank and file of the 12,000 member WGA.
They are the ones who will probably be hit hardest by the strike because many live paycheck to paycheck. The average WGA member reportedly earns about $50,000 a year. So on the third day of the strike, I watched a diverse group of about a dozen or so picketers march in front of NBC's D-lot on West Alameda.
They were being led by a young take-charge strike captain in a number of spirited chants like, 'Hey, hey. Hey, ho. We're the ones who write the shows,' and 'One, two, three, four, we just want to write some more,' and 'five, six, seven, eight, why won't you negotiate?'
Politely, I was given directions to a picket location where an official WGA spokesperson would give me a statement. I chose to hang with these strikers for a bit, watching them wave picket signs at employees going in and out of the lot as well as at vehicles driving back.
Quite a few motorists honked their horns in support. One woman stopped to drop-off a load of Pepsi and some beer. I was told the soda would be passed around, but the strikers were not allowed to drink beer on the picket line.
While I was there, I heard un-official comments that seemed to be on the same page with remarks made by WGA leaders in the media. Here's a small sampling.
We're striking for, "future generations."
"The reason for the picketing, people did it for us with residuals." Those payments for reruns were won during the 1960 WGA strike. Also, there was a strike by the WGA in 1988, which went 22 weeks and cost an estimated $500 million.
"We only want a percentage." Referring to Internet profits present and future.
"I'm losing 12 episodes (deal)."
"I have a pilot (deal) at Fox."
"We will get some fit writers from having to march."
"Day three, we're more determined than day one."
Also, these strikers had nothing but praise for the show runners who put their jobs and careers at risk by joining the walkout. As for talk show host and WGA member
Ellen DeGeneres' decision to go back to work after a one-day boycott, there was disappointment and some anger, but the phrase I heard most from these strikers was "very hurt."
When I left these picketers it was late in the afternoon, but they were still marching and chanting. As a freelance writer, I feel a certain camaraderie with the WGA members and support their fight for a fair contract.
Also, the chatter I have heard around town over the past few days indicates there is a lot of support from the public for these striking writers as well. Therefore, I say to the picketers, march on!!