The Cost Of The Strike

Much will be written about the 2007/2008 writers strike. One of the key questions to come out of this strike: was it worth it?

Granted, the writers won a cut of the internet/DVD/new media pie. Under the new contract, writers would get a maximum flat fee of about $1,200 for online streamed programs in the deal's first two years. Then, they would get 2 percent of a distributor's gross in year three.

However, in terms of the internet, shows get the most downloads in the one to two week period after their initial airing. The writers were unsuccessful in their efforts to shorten the 17 to 24 day window that studios have to stream their shows for promotional purposes without paying residuals.

Studios also used this time for cutbacks. There are going to be many writers that won’t be back to work or will unlikely return to the same big money contracts that they once held. In addition to this, some studios laid off entire production staffs and cut back on the pilots they will be ordering for the upcoming fall season.

You also have to think about the overall economy of Los Angeles. It took something in the neighborhood of a $3.2 billion toll in lost revenue during the strike. Restaurants, limo companies, carpenters, electricians, make-up artists all took big hits.

While the strike “only” lasted three months, it will take at least an additional month to write scripts, approve them, and gather production staff for filming.

Finally, there are some writers and production staffers that have lost the income of an entire season. Fox’s “24” won’t be back on until next winter. Other shows, such as “Heroes,” “Pushing Daisies” won’t be back on until the fall.

For information on returning CBS shows, go to: http://www.wusa9.com/news/watercooler/story.aspx?storyid=68508

As I end this, I leave you with the same question that I started out with:

Was it worth it?