Pencils Down!
What makes an effective strike? When the work can’t get done.
From the beginning of the WGA strike, one of the things that has been generally understood is that even a strike doesn’t stop writers from writing. No under-the-table deals were expected (and any such will be punished by the WGA if discovered), but it was largely understood that once this strike was done with, there would be a miraculous “appearance” of completed and revised scripts just ready for production.
It’s an understanding that – even if it is essentially honest – can really hurt a strike. After all, if the work is getting done no matter what, it’s just a matter of waiting out the strike and then you’re good to go.
Which makes this move by the WGA a nice addition to the strike. [link via The Artful Writer].
We won’t weaken our own position, or let down our supporters, by doing any writing during a strike. We know that any writing, outlining, even meetings with executives could serve to prolong a strike.So, just to be absolutely clear: we, the following screenwriters, will do no writing — until all writers get a fair and reasonable deal.
A writer’s strike can halt production for as long as the strike continues.
Writers putting down their pens and turning off their laptops for the duration of the strike can mean consequences beyond the duration of the strike – and the longer the strike continues, the farther the consequences can reach.
That, my friends, is a strike.
November 10th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
I hope the strike ends as soon as possible, but really, the WGA’s demands are so reasonable (and the opposition’s arguments against them so ridiculous) that they have my support however long it takes.