Writers Guarantee Audiences
Didn't mean to let this go dormant for so long, but busy.... as always. You guys know about the writer's strike, right? I mean, I hope so. Via Brian of 8-bit Theatre, here are some tips if you support the WGA (and if you don't, I certainly hope you're not a friend of mine/a writer killed your puppy once):
1. Write- write your newspaper, write a major newspaper/magazine, call into a radio show, and say what you think. The media conglomerates that the writers are striking AGAINST are the ones who control the news... guess the coverage they are getting.
2. Postpone your DVD purchases, iTunes downloads, movie going experiences until AFTER the strike is settled. Find the other stuff to do, (say, buy and read a book- THOSE writers get something...)
3. Kinda like #1 - write in your webspaces- got a Myspace page? Post a blog about it. GOt a blog? Well, this one is pretty self-explanatory... Other messageboards you visit, let them know! Post a YouTube video... You get the gist, (no spamming though- we know that's a quickie backfire)
4. Let people know- the news coverage this is getting is insulting- most of the reports are so biased that the presidential coverage on Fox looks fair and balanced in comparison... When you hear random person 6 talking about how the writers are greedy fraks, let them know the truth, about how little they are asking for, (a quarter of a percent for "new media" residuals), instead of the talking points the conglomerates are putting out on their news-mouthpieces...
5. DON'T watch their online versions- those ads, the ones you can't fast forward through, are the cashey-money they "aren't" getting to pay the writers... Yeah, let's NOT give them more free money like that.
6. WRITE the writers on your favorite shows- let them know you support them and appreciate the work they do, (heck, that'd make their day anyways, you know?)
7. WRITE (and/or phone) the networks/studios/conglomerates- tell them you support the union, that they should settle & BARGAIN IN GOOD FAITH, and that you're boycotting them (and in the conglomerate's cases, feel free to add in their other divisions...)
8. Revise your Holiday plans/shopping lists to reflect #7 & #2...
9. Print a little "Support the WGA" sign and stick it on your officespace/window... Maybe with a sheet elaborating on the demands of the WGA, (helps promote #4)
10. Write the sponsors & boycott them as well.
11. Contact Nick Counter at the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) with your complaints about the strike, and where you stand and that you WILL be boycotting them and their sponsors. BUT KEEP IT CLEAN, if firm...
Nick Counter
15503 Ventura Boulevard
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 995-3600. (Call them when your cell minutes are free if need be- voicemail)
http://www.amptp.org/contactus.html
LA & NYC people...
A. THIS in the BIG ONE- IF YOU CAN DO IT, BIG PROPS- COME to a picket line and join- they've got extra signs at most any picket, and welcome supporters. If you've got picket experience, for the love of the Lords, come down- they NEED it...
B. Bring some grub... the little picket I marched at most of today, we got chili dogs from John Wayne's grandson- if that doesn't say Hollywood, nothing does- donuts, pizza, water, soda... just make sure it can be one-hand eating food usually- salad, fried rice, not as good.
C. HONK! Honk you're horn in support when you see the people with the signs!!! (Especially at the lines where there are the corporate offices, like the big black Universal tower- causing a helluva ruckus for the executives, apparently) Man, people out here need lessons in that...
I'm going to be doing one or two of these, for sure, despite being in Canada (we consume plenty of American media, of course). A small part (5%, maybe?) of my reaction here might be because I'm a writer myself, but honestly most of it is just because the whole thing is just so manifestly unjust. If you're not sure what this is about, this is what you need to read. And even if you do know the score, John Rogers is incredibly entertaining/inspiring on the subject, as always.
1. Write- write your newspaper, write a major newspaper/magazine, call into a radio show, and say what you think. The media conglomerates that the writers are striking AGAINST are the ones who control the news... guess the coverage they are getting.
2. Postpone your DVD purchases, iTunes downloads, movie going experiences until AFTER the strike is settled. Find the other stuff to do, (say, buy and read a book- THOSE writers get something...)
3. Kinda like #1 - write in your webspaces- got a Myspace page? Post a blog about it. GOt a blog? Well, this one is pretty self-explanatory... Other messageboards you visit, let them know! Post a YouTube video... You get the gist, (no spamming though- we know that's a quickie backfire)
4. Let people know- the news coverage this is getting is insulting- most of the reports are so biased that the presidential coverage on Fox looks fair and balanced in comparison... When you hear random person 6 talking about how the writers are greedy fraks, let them know the truth, about how little they are asking for, (a quarter of a percent for "new media" residuals), instead of the talking points the conglomerates are putting out on their news-mouthpieces...
5. DON'T watch their online versions- those ads, the ones you can't fast forward through, are the cashey-money they "aren't" getting to pay the writers... Yeah, let's NOT give them more free money like that.
6. WRITE the writers on your favorite shows- let them know you support them and appreciate the work they do, (heck, that'd make their day anyways, you know?)
7. WRITE (and/or phone) the networks/studios/conglomerates- tell them you support the union, that they should settle & BARGAIN IN GOOD FAITH, and that you're boycotting them (and in the conglomerate's cases, feel free to add in their other divisions...)
8. Revise your Holiday plans/shopping lists to reflect #7 & #2...
9. Print a little "Support the WGA" sign and stick it on your officespace/window... Maybe with a sheet elaborating on the demands of the WGA, (helps promote #4)
10. Write the sponsors & boycott them as well.
11. Contact Nick Counter at the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) with your complaints about the strike, and where you stand and that you WILL be boycotting them and their sponsors. BUT KEEP IT CLEAN, if firm...
Nick Counter
15503 Ventura Boulevard
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 995-3600. (Call them when your cell minutes are free if need be- voicemail)
http://www.amptp.org/contactus.html
LA & NYC people...
A. THIS in the BIG ONE- IF YOU CAN DO IT, BIG PROPS- COME to a picket line and join- they've got extra signs at most any picket, and welcome supporters. If you've got picket experience, for the love of the Lords, come down- they NEED it...
B. Bring some grub... the little picket I marched at most of today, we got chili dogs from John Wayne's grandson- if that doesn't say Hollywood, nothing does- donuts, pizza, water, soda... just make sure it can be one-hand eating food usually- salad, fried rice, not as good.
C. HONK! Honk you're horn in support when you see the people with the signs!!! (Especially at the lines where there are the corporate offices, like the big black Universal tower- causing a helluva ruckus for the executives, apparently) Man, people out here need lessons in that...
I'm going to be doing one or two of these, for sure, despite being in Canada (we consume plenty of American media, of course). A small part (5%, maybe?) of my reaction here might be because I'm a writer myself, but honestly most of it is just because the whole thing is just so manifestly unjust. If you're not sure what this is about, this is what you need to read. And even if you do know the score, John Rogers is incredibly entertaining/inspiring on the subject, as always.
