WGA Strike - Joss Whedon Comments

[vacantlook]

I don't know which forum this truly belongs in, but I'll post it here.

I know there are a few other fans of Joss Whedon on this site, so I thought you too might enjoy reading some of his thoughts about the WGA strike.

FROM THE FRONT LINES!

More Joss Strike Talk.

[KoshFan]

I was wondering whether or not to launch a WGA strike thread. This'll do nicely.

At first I was all, "Labor negotiations, whatever," but Joss explained it all fairly well, and now I'm decidedly pro-union. Or pro-guild, in this case.

[Alluveal]

I think that last time they negotiated, they weren't considering what an impact the internet would have on the entertainment industry. Things have to evolve on every level, including giving the writers what they deserve. Considering that some of these stars get paid millions and millions of dollars, I see nothing wrong with the writers (the real HEART behind a story) getting to enjoy some of that success.

I am glad to see some celebrities out there supporting the strike, people like Jay Leno and Tina Fey.

[AntonyF]

I think the writers are right to strike... but I don't like the hero worship that is forming around the strikers. http://www.fans4writers.com/ has cropped up (got an email about it today, expect a post about it in the forums soon) which offers to support the strikes, including food shipments for them.

These writers are not poor. I'm not saying their rights aren't valid, but they are hardly so poor that they can't eat. Firefighters, police officers, doctors, soliders... they all do a hell of a lot more for a hell of a lot less. Yet these writers have got the cult of hero worship going on, so the strike has rallied fans.

Joss Whedon sticking in his oar in and going "to the "front lines" (again, like it's some war, I'd like them to really go to the proper front lines) and he doesn't even write for TV. After Firefly he broke off (or suspended) his deal with Fox and has done nothing for years. But now, as a way to rally the troops, he says things like "I want to work. I have this idea, for a show about a girl… I even have the actress for it." Well ain't that great, now there's a strike you want to do a show.

Fine get on with your strike, but must they be treated like brave heroes who deserve medals?

[KoshFan]

Originally Posted by AntonyF

I think the writers are right to strike... but I don't like the hero worship that is forming around the strikers. http://www.fans4writers.com/ has cropped up (got an email about it today, expect a post about it in the forums soon) which offers to support the strikes, including food shipments for them.

These writers are not poor. I'm not saying their rights aren't valid, but they are hardly so poor that they can't eat. Firefighters, police officers, doctors, soliders... they all do a hell of a lot more for a hell of a lot less. Yet these writers have got the cult of hero worship going on, so the strike has rallied fans.

I don't think it's exactly "Help the starving artists," it's more a show of support. Strikes can get rather disheartening for the strikers, so having fans show up and show their appreciation might help them hang in there. It's also a smack at the companies.

Joss Whedon sticking in his oar in and going "to the "front lines" (again, like it's some war, I'd like them to really go to the proper front lines) and he doesn't even write for TV. After Firefly he broke off (or suspended) his deal with Fox and has done nothing for years.

Hardly nothing -- just nothing on the small screen. But that's a nitpick.

But now, as a way to rally the troops, he says things like "I want to work. I have this idea, for a show about a girl… I even have the actress for it." Well ain't that great, now there's a strike you want to do a show.

Well, if you'd read my "New Joss Whedon thread" you'd know that the idea is quite genuine, not something he's pulling out of his ass to rally support.

Fine get on with your strike, but must they be treated like brave heroes who deserve medals?

Maybe I'm biased because I'm a lover of stories, a writer of stories, and someone whose life has been immeasurably improved by stories... but stories matter. Seriously. Joss is a hero to me because he says good things and says them brilliantly, and uses what influence he has to do good work. It's also not a stretch to say that he's saved lives, possibly including mine. Yes, it's not as dramatic as when firefighters do it, but he does do it.

Plus I'm growing discontent enough (and hypocritical enough) to be happy whenever anyone pokes Corporate America in the eye.

[kurya]

Hey there.
I was the one that messaged AntonyF, and I would like to thank him for allowing me to leave a message here about the site, even though he may disagree with our methods, I appreciate that.

Before I post the blurb below, I just would like to stress that the "Food for Thought" program is meant as a gesture of support for the strikers and not meant to actually feed the "starving" writers. Also any leftover money from the food for thought campaigns will be given to WGA foundation and its associated charities.

Another important component of the campaign is to send postcards and letters to the studios and the companies that advertise on the newtorks. I invite people to check out the site now since it has been revamped with new additions and clarifications over the past weekend.

It should be noted that while this particular site has started out from whedonesque.com, numerous efforts are underway among various fandoms, and this site is just an attempt as a one stop shop to exchange information and coordinate these efforts. People in the Supernatural, Colbert Report, The Office, and other fandoms are doing similar initiatives.

Thank you for your time!
Prakash

Fans4Writers is a movement of fans – fans of TV shows and movies, actors, directors, producers, crewmembers and everyone involved in the team effort of crafting wonder. But most of all we are fans of writers, because they are where the wonder begins. They write the words we remember, they create the characters we love, they think up the lines that stay with us forever.

As supporters of the people who develop and write the stories that have meant so much to so many, we wanted to do something tangible to show them that we support the Writers Guild of America strike.

And so we are proud to bring you - our fellow fans - Fans4Writers.com

Fans4Writers.com is a rallying point for all fans. We are supporting the strike through morale boosting activities, protests to networks and advertisers, spreading the word and educating the curious.

Originally conceived by fans of Joss Whedon, Fans4Writers.com has evolved to encompass fans of all writers. And we are committed to providing ongoing support for the duration of the strike.

So, what are we doing?

Our “Food for Thought” program delivers sustenance to those on the picket lines. Our “Postcard Protest” is a simple way to get your message to where it’s needed most. Our media campaign will tell the industry -- and the public -- in no uncertain terms that we support the writers' right to a fair deal. And if that weren’t enough, we have lots of goodies available to help you spread the word.

To find out more about what you can do to support the WGA strike, go to Fans4Writers.com

You can also help by donating to our “Food for Thought” and other programs. At the conclusion of the strike, any remaining funds will be donated to the Writers Guild Foundation to support its charitable and educational activities.

Remember, without the writers, there would be no fandoms. And without us, there would be no studios.

Yours in solidarity,

Fans4Writers.com

fans4writers@gmail.com

[Recoil]

Originally Posted by AntonyF

I think the writers are right to strike... but I don't like the hero worship that is forming around the strikers. http://www.fans4writers.com/ has cropped up (got an email about it today, expect a post about it in the forums soon) which offers to support the strikes, including food shipments for them.

These writers are not poor. I'm not saying their rights aren't valid, but they are hardly so poor that they can't eat. Firefighters, police officers, doctors, soliders... they all do a hell of a lot more for a hell of a lot less. Yet these writers have got the cult of hero worship going on, so the strike has rallied fans.

Joss Whedon sticking in his oar in and going "to the "front lines" (again, like it's some war, I'd like them to really go to the proper front lines) and he doesn't even write for TV. After Firefly he broke off (or suspended) his deal with Fox and has done nothing for years. But now, as a way to rally the troops, he says things like "I want to work. I have this idea, for a show about a girl… I even have the actress for it." Well ain't that great, now there's a strike you want to do a show.

Fine get on with your strike, but must they be treated like brave heroes who deserve medals?

Finer words have not been said, and I agree 100%. I think they are entitled too. But as someone who drops by Whedonesque.com every couple of days, I can tell you the "hero worship" is exactly the problem, and Whedon and the rest are TAKING ADVANTAGE of it. Joss is known to post on his own site/blog once in a blue moon. But since the strike he has had SEVERAL posts drumming up support from his fanatic fans and follows. This is to be expected I guess, but I really was disappointed to see how much of it he is doing. Posting a blog about your thoughts and the issues and leaving it at that is fine, but he has come back several times stirring things up a bit, and that is in poor taste in my opinion. So much so I find it detracts from my caring about the entire issue.

Sure there are some poor "starving artist" writers out there who need every penny they can get, and THEY are the ones suffering right now....but they aren't the ones who likely caused this strike in the first place, and Whedon and the rest are clearly not "suffering on the lines" as they would have everyone believe.

Lots of people are cashing in on this, from stars pubically saying they will pay the fees of their writers so they don't "suffer" (which is clearly a PR stunt) to Whedon and some of the rest drumming up fan support.

The whole thing is unsavory to me, and I can't ignore it enough anymore.

[Jade Jaguar]

For every successful, wealthy writer there are probably ten, or more, that don't sell a lot, and are barely making it. I don't blame them for wanting a cut of later iterations of their work, such as DVDs. Without the writers, these works would not exist. The actors, producers, directors, all get theirs, so why not the writers?

On the other hand, I miss the Daily Show!
It's hard to watch the news, without something to counteract it.

[GKarsEye]

I think worrying about "starving writers" vs successful ones is kind of beside the point. The real issue is the future of entertainment distribution. The strike is based on the logical conclusion that less and less revenue will be generated from television broadcasts in favor of other outlets, for which the producers refuse to compensate the writers.

Sometimes unions strike to prevent future mistreatment, not just to rectify current wrongs.

Though I haven't really been following the details, I have seen a couple of clips of The Office writer-actors (because they're funny even on strike) and I don't see them complaining that they're starving or whatever.

As for Whedon and his fans- I'm not into that scene but remember when Farscape was canceled and fans were literally picketing that? I made fun of it and everyone jumped down my throat. At least fans showing some kind of support to striking writers might be somewhat selfless. Hardcore fans are, by definition, lamewads with no life (yes I include myself) and while I'd rather have people their energy into voting, community service, charity, etc, if they're gonna fan-wank anyway, better to at least do it this way.

[Jade Jaguar]

Originally Posted by GKarsEye

I think worrying about "starving writers" vs successful ones is kind of beside the point. The real issue is the future of entertainment distribution. The strike is based on the logical conclusion that less and less revenue will be generated from television broadcasts in favor of other outlets, for which the producers refuse to compensate the writers.

EXACTLY