Posts Tagged ‘writers strike’

One year ago today, I was marching in a circle with many of my television heroes and an awful lot of people I had previously only known as screennames. Me and some friends managed to organize a gathering of 450+ people to picket FOX Studios during the writers strike, and Joss Whedon and Jane Espenson helped make it a themed strike by inviting writers (and stars) from their various shows to come out. Here's what I posted at SerenityStuff afterward.

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Sorry for the delay in reporting. I've been recuperating from being, in QuoterGal's perfect phrase, "blissed out."

So. When last we left our hero, he was taking off for Los Angeles to attend Mutant Enemy Day when fans from the four corners of the globe would be gathering to show their support for the writers' strike by marching along with writers and actors from Mutant Enemy, Joss Whedon's former TV production company. Oh, and some Joss fellow.

The flight was uneventful, aside from the med student in the seat next to me who spent the time studying descriptions and full color images of surgeries and some extremely unfortunate man with a rather spectacular genital-based disorder.

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The writers' strike has affected a lot of people besides the writers and the studios. And after three months the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, created to help actors in need, is running out of funds.

Unfortunately, Marcia Smith, executive director of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, said the organization's ability to help actors like (Brenda) Ricci is in danger. "If this [rate of giving] continues for even another two weeks, we will have really made a huge dent in our budget," said Smith. "If we use up all of our money by February, then we're in trouble."

And in a few months, if the new WGA contract isn't to the actors' liking, they may be going on strike when their contract runs out in June. I know a lot of you have donated to the various writers' funds, and good on you for doing so. I don't think any of our BDHs are hurting, but all of them can speak about lean times and the unknown actors from shows we have yet to obsess over may be out there somewhere…

Smith encouraged those who can afford to do so to donate to the SAG Foundation. One hundred percent of donations go to members in need, with no money going to administration costs. Unless the strike ends soon or some major A-list celebrity donors step in, the Foundation will be hard-pressed to continue helping actors. "It's a difficult time," she said.

To make a donation or inquire about assistance, contact the SAG Foundation at (323) 549-6708, or visit www.sagfoundation.org. The Actors Fund can be contacted at (323) 933-9244, ext. 55, or online at http://www.actorsfund.org/

The writers' strike may or may not be almost over, depending on which rumor you like. The WGA is meeting this weekend to go over the proposed deal worked out between the WGA negotiators and the AMPTP representatives, and the writers will decide Saturday night if they think it's worth dropping the strike for. Doesn't mean the strike is over yet: Joss himself reminded everyone not to relax yet.

However, funds are still needed for people – writers and others in the industry – who have been financially hurt by the strike. The WGA set up the Writers Guild Foundation Industry Support Fund for just that, and you're welcome to donate to it. Or, you could buy some Strike Swag.

They've had shirts available for months, but they recently added something I was glad to see: a WGA strike sign poster (pictured). When I attended the Mutant Enemy Day in front of FOX Studios in December, my one regret (besides completely forgetting to stuff Summer Glau into my carry on bag) was not getting to keep my strike sign. I wanted one, dammit! But we were the organizers, and we wanted to set an example and not swipe anything, so we stacked our signs neatly in the back of their van. Grumble, grumble, grumble…

Well, I'm getting one now, and I didn't even have to mug a smaller writer to get it! Heavy cardboard, 18"x24". And proceeds go towards the Industry Support Fund. Or you can buy United Hollywood shirts and caps to help support the soon-to-come new UnitedHollywood.com which sounds seriously cool. "Soon, you'll be able to create your very own page on U.H. to express yourself and share the industry news that matters to you. We'll also be adding forums to discuss all aspects of the entertainment business. Writers, actors, below-the-line crew members, musicians, directors, computer programmers and fans will all have places to interact on our site."

So, this isn't really a Serenity thing, but it is a "respecting the writers, including and especially Joss" thing, and that's close enough. And now you can show off your sign and tell the woman you just picked up in a bar that yeah, you were there. It won't work, but it's classier than etchings.

FADE FROM BLACK TO: A man in an expensive suit, straightening his tie and looking out a window at a line of people below. The people are marching back and forth in front of the building, holding picket signs that say different versions of "Writers on Strike." The man opens the window and heaves a bucket of water out at the line, then slams the window shut and turns to the camera. We can hear distant screams, and a car wreck.

CROWE: Hi, I'm Mick Crowe. And this is my job.

CUT TO: Opening sequence shows CROWE performing different disgusting jobs: sewage pumping, collecting soil samples in a swamp as an alligator approaches, greasing up competitive bodybuilders, working in a high school cafeteria, etc. Over this is the show logo: "FILTHY JOBS with Mick Crowe."

CROWE (V.O.): I travel the world to find hard-working men and women who do the jobs that make life easier for the rest of us. Now get ready… to get filthy.

CUT TO: CROWE walking through an elegantly-appointed hallway. He talks to the camera as we follow him past offices and busy employees.

CROWE: You may be noticing I look a little different today. Usually I'd be in old jeans, a T-shirt, and a baseball cap bearing the name of whatever hapless company whose productivity I would be ruining that day for our show. This job has a different dress code, but trust me, it's one of the filthiest jobs I've ever taken on.

CROWE arrives at a polished oak door. On it is a small gold sign: "MIGHTY MOGUL ENTERTAINMENT, CEO."

CROWE: Today, I'm a studio executive.

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Gonna have to wait for tomorrow for a detailed description of the day – not near a computer for long enough – but you can see my photos of the strike here – http://flickr.com/photos/cabridges/sets/72157603406521671/

More to come!

Updates will be spotty for the next few days, as I'm off to LA for Mutant Enemy Day, where tons of fans will show up to picket FOX Studios for the writers' strike, accompanied by tons of ME writers and actors and some Joss guy who keeps hanging around.

If you can make it, look for me wandering around with a camera and a glazed expression, much like this one. Be forewarned I take no responsibility for any amount of money you've spent on Serenity items on my say-so. Mostly I talk about this stuff because I've already bought it myself.

Speaking of which, look for a review of BenBella Books newest versy release, "The Psychology of Joss Whedon," by Joy Davidson. Just came out this week, and I'm taking my copy along on the plane to study my prey, so a review will be forthcoming when I get back. In the meantime you can get it at Amazon and at BenBella Books.

Below is the press release for Mutant Enemy Day. You can get more up to date information at the Fans4Writers.com forums under "Joss Whedon fans".

MUTANT FANS DESCEND ON FOX
Fans of writer/creator Joss Whedon come together to show their support for the WGA.

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – Joss Whedon's fans have become legendary for their enthusiasm, activism and outspoken support. This Friday they'll exhibit all three as they gather together to join the picket lines of the writers' strike.

From the very first day of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, fans of writer/creator Joss Whedon have been supporting the writers in their struggle for fair compensation. Within the first week Fans4Writers (F4W), an outreach program for fans of all movies and shows, was created to coordinate efforts to support WGA writers with "Food 4 Thought" food drops to strike lines and morale-boosting campaigns.

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The fourth and fifth entries in my eBay sale: one of the rare misprint Blue Sun Travel Poster sets from QMx, the one with the original "Londinum" poster that was later changed after Joss himself pointed it out, and a resin Firefly communicator replica prop I realized I was never going to actually build.

These items join the QMx Serenity Blueprints and the Serenity comics I've already put on auction. You can find all my Serenity auctions here. Bid high, and bid often!

(Many thanks to everyone who bid on the autograph cards, and congratulations to the winners!)

Recap: there’s a Mutant Enemy Fan Day coming up this Friday with Joss and Jane and Tim Minear and Marti Noxon and Steven DeKnight and more writers from Buffy, Angel, and Firefly getting together with about a hundred fans (so far) and striking in front of FOX studios. Come and join us! More details.

The third entry in my eBay sale: a hard-to-find set of QMx's Official Serenity Blueprints. This is the original set of 10 18"x24" heavyweight prints. Only 750 were made, and they sold out quickly. Bid on this one now!

This set joins the Serenity comics and Inkworks autograph cards I've already put on auction. You can find all my Serenity auctions here. Bid high, and bid often!

Recap: there’s a Mutant Enemy Fan Day coming up next Friday with Joss and Jane and Tim Minear and Marti Noxon and Steven DeKnight and more writers from Buffy, Angel, and Firefly getting together with about a hundred fans (so far) and striking in front of FOX studios. Come and join us! More details.

The next item in my Mutant Enemy Day event personal fundraiser is up: four of the Dark Horse Serenity comics, all first printing: Mal cover, Inara cover, River cover, Book cover.

My auctions will all be three days long. Short notice, I know, but the event is next Friday. Still up for grabs are some hard-to-find autographed cards from the sold out Inkworks Firefly and Serenity sets.

Check back, more items will be added in the next couple days. Bid high, and bid often!

Recap: there’s a Mutant Enemy Fan Day coming up next Friday with Joss and Jane and Tim Minear and Marti Noxon and Steven DeKnight and more writers from Buffy, Angel, and Firefly getting together with about a hundred fans (so far) and striking in front of FOX studios. Come and join us! More details.

As I mentioned, there's a Mutant Enemy Fan Day coming up next Friday with Joss and Jane and Tim Minear and Marti Noxon and Steven DeKnight and more writers from Buffy, Angel, and Firefly getting together with about a hundred fans (so far) and striking in front of FOX studios. And I'm hopping on a plane to join in.

Problem is, I ain't got a lot of extra cash for something like this, especially before the holidays. So to raise a few bucks, I'm digging through my horde of Serenity Stuff and offering it up on eBay. First up, just posted, are some hard-to-find autographed cards from the sold out Inkworks Firefly and Serenity sets.

Check back, more items will be added in the next couple days. Bid high, and bid often!