Writers, Networks, and the fallout

Posted on January 4, 2008
Filed Under Politics, Rants |

Now I don’t know the ins and outs of the whole writer’s strike which is devastating the entertainment industry in the US, what I do know is the effect its having on my viewing pleasure.

images.jpgI’m talking about the curtailment of the second season of Heroes. Originally meant to be 24 episodes NBC aired the last one on the 12th of December last year, it was the 11th chapter. (Note: Yes I know I’m not supposed to be able to watch them but I have, live with it. I’m going to buy them on DVD anyway.)

One side in this strike has to give way, a compromise has to be reached. I demand it.

This is yet another example of how unions (for all the good that they can do) can be a force for evil in the world. The studios in Hollywood are over a barrel. You’d think that they would be inundated by wannabe screenwriters (and they probably are) but this is not going to help them. They can only employ writers who are members of the union, by law. The writers have them over a barrel and are denying the thousands of couch potatoes like myself the pleasure of watching their work.

Heroes is by far the best US drama I’ve seen in a very long time. The series, more than any of the big comicbook movies of recent years, has all the depth and intricacies of all but the most convoluted Marvel or DC comic book saga. And no one in it is anything more than an average Joe who happens to have special powers. Its dark, funny, moving, gripping, warm, and above all human. Its a comicbook story for those of us that grew up with them.

I want more, and I want it now.

To the writers I say: Get a grip and remember what is important here, yes I know you have to eat and such, but surely the residuals from TV re-reruns and DVD sales are enough to keep you going until you can iron out a deal regarding internet distribution? Your art is nothing if it is not appreciated by people like me who watch it.

To the studios I say: Cave, cave now. Give the writers their dues or people will no longer watch your products. You are going to lose because the Internet could break you so easily. If you persist in clinging to your outmoded way of doing things then others will come along who are willing to make what you make for the love of doing it and they will pay the writers. This content will be available to download (for a modest fee) or watch via a stream (supported by ads) and uyou will have no place in the industry anymore other than to buy the rights to show these programs on TV from the new boys, and believe me they will make you pay.

I could be wrong, I could be misunderstanding the whole thing. I just want more Heroes (and Battlestar Galactica, Bionic Woman, 24, Lost, Family Guy, Simpsons, etc. etc.)

If I could set up a way to get the writers, crew, and cast to do what they do for me, instead of for the studios then I would. But I am merely a humble viewer and fan and have no pull with them at all. I have a vision of a website, served from the backbone of the internet where not only can the viewing public gain access to the material we so love, but writers, actors, advertisers, and everyone else involved gets their fair share of the revenues. If anyone has any ideas as to how this can be done…

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One Response to “Writers, Networks, and the fallout”

  1. The Writers Are No Longer Revolting : UC2 on February 12th, 2008 10:49 pm

    [...] the writers strike I wrote about is now over, screenwriters will be returning to work tomorrow. It seems that the threat of [...]

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