We have to wonder -- what's the point? In this time of financial and creative turmoil, would waivers to two shows honoring the achievements of the past year's entertainment REALLY undermine what the guild is trying to do??
Honestly, wouldn't more good than harm come from allowing writers to work on these two telecasts?
This latest move merely demonstrates further the ultra-militant stance taken by the current Guild leadership. To dig in your heels to this extreme is further proof that Verrone and gang are out of touch with reality and completely lost in their own power.
I still believe that a compromise may still be reached between the WGA and the AMPTP in the next few months.
But I also believe, quite seriously, that if things break down completely; if, 6 months from now, this strike is still bitterly ongoing; if a real fissure occurs both within and outside of the WGA;
Then we may look back at this rally, at this day when the WGA symbolically turned its back on celebrations of our talents and livelihoods;
And we will remember it as the day when it all went wrong, when the Writers went too far.
You may accuse me of overreacting, but I really can't believe that the Guild took this action -- that they didn't see the underlying symbolism in what they were doing.
It's a slap in the face. Not to the AMPTP -- they don't care. But to working Hollywood.
But I also believe, quite seriously, that if things break down completely; if, 6 months from now, this strike is still bitterly ongoing; if a real fissure occurs both within and outside of the WGA;
Then we may look back at this rally, at this day when the WGA symbolically turned its back on celebrations of our talents and livelihoods;
And we will remember it as the day when it all went wrong, when the Writers went too far.
You may accuse me of overreacting, but I really can't believe that the Guild took this action -- that they didn't see the underlying symbolism in what they were doing.
It's a slap in the face. Not to the AMPTP -- they don't care. But to working Hollywood.
1 comment:
At this point, the WGA feels it is more important to make the point that the awards can't go on as successfully without them. And with the picket lines in place, the Golden Globes are very possibly on the verge of cancellation as an event. The Oscars will still go forward, no matter what, but the real issue will be to see who really shows up and crosses the picket line. When Powers Boothe did this at the 1980 Emmy Awards, the act had consequences. On the other hand, we're guaranteed to see an Oscar show that comes in on time or early.
It is likely that the WGA leadership has not fully considered what the reaction will be to the picketing of the Oscars, but you are correct that it will not be positive.
The greater problem will come in the summertime, when this strike finally ends. If the WGA doesn't gain something tremendous for all that time on the picket line, there's going to be heck to pay.
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