In the midst of the continuing battle between the WGA and AMPTP (the writer’s and the producers), the struggling newly re-launched studio “United Artists” (being run by Tom Cruise) has signed an interim deal with the Writer’s Guild so that writer’s can start working on United Artist projects.
United Artists needs all the help they can get, as their first major project, “Lions for Lambs” only managed to make under $15 million despite having major stars such as Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep and Robert Redford on the poster.
No real details are being given about the deal, other than the fact that it’s a “INTERIM” deal, which essentially means the deal is only in place until a new deal with the AMPTP is struck. That means this agreement really isn’t that big of a deal, but it is nonetheless a positive thing for all involved.
First, and most importantly, it means some writers can get back to work. That’s a good thing. Secondly, it give United Artists the opportunity to keep the doors open. That’s a good thing. Thirdly, it’s only an interim deal, which means each side only have to live with it until a new binding deal between the WGA and AMPTP can be struck (whenever the hell that is, since both sides are acting like ignorant asses).
I do hope this can set some sort of model. If the WGA and AMPTP can’t reach a deal NOW… then how about some sort of non-bindind 1 year maximum interim deal just for the time being for everyone??? Get both sides to make some concessions, knowing that it’s only for a year (or less) and keep people working while you try to sort your shit out!
It’s not hard. Just say for the next 6 months:
PRODUCERS: “Ok, just for the next 6 months, we’ll give the WGA everything they want in terms of royalties and digital rights on stuff that is produced in that time frame. BUT… that’s off the table in 6 months while we work out our permanent deal.
WGA: “Ok, for just the next 6 months we’ll forget about reality TV, Animation and the right to sympathy strike in the future. BUT… we still want that in the permanent deal that we’ll work on in the next 6 months”
See??? Each side gives up a little something that’s not permanent… they still get to yell and scream at each other and make cute little propaganda videos and act like children… but all while writer’s get to write and producers get to produce with temporary interim deals in place.
Here’s hoping the United Artists interim deal sparks these kinds of thoughts.
