Friday, November 23, 2007

Swingtown...down for the strike

This past Tuesday was our last day of photography due to the current dispute between the AMPTP and the WGA. We had high hopes of continuing production, but we were cut short due to lack of prepared scripts. At lunch on Tuesday, lay off letters were issued to each crew member. We knew it was coming, but I've never actually received an official lay off letter. That's a first.

This coming Monday, November 26, the two sides have reported that they will begin negotiations again. Many things could happen, so I will reserve my predictions. My hopes however, are the swift end to this strike, a compromise and agreement to return back to work. Thousands will suffer the consequences of this strike this holiday season, which is tough already due to the economy.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday. Cross your fingers and lets send good wishes to the negotiators, in hopes that an agreement will be made.

~PWP

Thursday, November 15, 2007

A short ending

We are now mid way through shooting episode 103 of Swingtown, and due to the current WGA writers strike we will be shutting down production next week. We got off to a pretty good start, but alas...the disagreement between the studios and the writers will put a quick end to our production schedule. This will put some 140 or more of us out of work.

Let's all hope cooler heads will prevail, and the negotiating will begin again. It seems there is no talking at this point...which many of us do not understand. It seems, at least to me, that if you want a contract that you like...you must negotiate to get it. There is so much more at play than I or any of those I work with understand, but now we are out of work because of it. We are now the casualties. Many of us in the industry cannot afford a long lay off, as we do not make the salaries of the executives or the select few writers who make most of the money. We are the working class, the labor, the engine that keeps the shows on the air, in the theaters and I guess now on the web.

Please, lets get back together and hammer out a deal!

~PWP