Hollyweird Update

[lagilman]

WGA has just announced that United Artists has signed an independent agreement, following the footsteps of Letterman.

Little surprise, since UA is headed up by Tom Cruise, who -- whatever else one may and does crack about him -- understands that Actors need Writers.

It's not a strike-resolver. It may not even get the WGA what they want, in the long run. But it's a crack in the studio bloc, which I can't help but think is a good thing.

Now to see who else makes their own agreement...

Comments

[ex-fashioni.livejournal.com]

You mean since UA is headed up by Cruise, right? Or has something vitally important flitted in and out of the transom of my brain again?

[lagilman]

ooops. fixed.

[thecityofdis.livejournal.com]

I'm not quite certain I understand - what does this entail? What does it mean if there's an agreement between UA and the WGA? Sorry for being a little slow.

[lagilman]

Disclaimer: I'm neither a WGA member nor an entertainment lawyer, just an interested and tertially involved observer.

I don't know the specifics of the agreement, but basically it means that UA (a studio-entity) has come to an agreement with the WGA (writers' guild), ending the strike against UA specifically. Which means that WGA-member writers can work on UA projects.

Worldwide Pants, David Letterman's production company, came to a similar side deal with the WGA last month, allowing him to go back on-air with his writers. Leno, whose show is owned by NBC, has no such agreement and so is crossing picket lines (and, since he's listed as a writer on his own show and is, I think, a WGA member, is technically a scab. That's why I won't watch his show)

The studios were counting on standing strong against the WGA and breaking the strike. As I said, I'm not sure these side agreements are going to win the WGA what they wanted, but it shows the studios that they are not the monolith power they wanted to present to the world.

[thecityofdis.livejournal.com]

Ah, okay, I didn't realize Cruise headed up a studio entity. Also, interesting to know about Letterman. Thanks for the mini lesson! :)

(PS, was in Barnes & Noble today and saw Burning Bridges. Thought you should know!)