Comments on: Fight the Power http://dfmamea.com/blog/2007/11/09/fight-the-power/ A New Zealand screenwriter. A blank screen. And an internet connection. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:23:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: steve webber http://dfmamea.com/blog/2007/11/09/fight-the-power/#comment-3956 steve webber Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:50:20 +0000 http://dfmamea.com/blog/2007/11/09/fight-the-power/#comment-3956 I wish them luck. I would agree that writers generally struggle to get paid a reasonable amount of remuneration for their part of the creative process. Although, given the parties and issues involved, I do not imagine a quick or simple solution. Certainly, writers seemed to have missed out on a cut of residuals from the DVD format. The “reality” based entertainment format has also cut into the earnings of the writers. As for the Internet, well this seems to be a can of worms. For example, just ask the musicians about what they think of illegal copying. Or more generally, how many businesses are making money from the net? The entertainment industry may have to be truthful about what they actually earn from the net. The reality may not match the hype. Of course, I have not even mentioned the peculiar practice of “Hollywood” accounting. Of side interest is the relationship between the writers and the other trades in the entertainment industry. Some of the stars in front of the camera do find themselves in awkward positions. For example, one radio commentator mentioned that the residual earnings from a number of the top earning film stars outnumber the total residuals of all writers. Maybe, the dispute could be resolved by some of the actors-producers taking a small pay cut?........not? Speaking of writers, on a lighter note the following link from Imdb.com may prove to be of interest: The Most Memorable Screenwriter Characters from Cinematical.com http://www.cinematical.com/2007/11/09/cinematical-seven-most-memorable-screenwriter-characters/ and it was sad to hear of the recent passing of a great writer: Norman Mailer http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/books/11/10/mailer.obit/index.html ttfn I wish them luck. I would agree that writers generally struggle to get paid a reasonable amount of remuneration for their part of the creative process.

Although, given the parties and issues involved, I do not imagine a quick or simple solution.

Certainly, writers seemed to have missed out on a cut of residuals from the DVD format. The “reality” based entertainment format has also cut into the earnings of the writers. As for the Internet, well this seems to be a can of worms. For example, just ask the musicians about what they think of illegal copying. Or more generally, how many businesses are making money from the net? The entertainment industry may have to be truthful about what they actually earn from the net. The reality may not match the hype. Of course, I have not even mentioned the peculiar practice of “Hollywood” accounting.

Of side interest is the relationship between the writers and the other trades in the entertainment industry. Some of the stars in front of the camera do find themselves in awkward positions. For example, one radio commentator mentioned that the residual earnings from a number of the top earning film stars outnumber the total residuals of all writers. Maybe, the dispute could be resolved by some of the actors-producers taking a small pay cut?……..not?

Speaking of writers, on a lighter note the following link from Imdb.com may prove to be of interest:

The Most Memorable Screenwriter Characters from Cinematical.com
http://www.cinematical.com/2007/11/09/cinematical-seven-most-memorable-screenwriter-characters/

and it was sad to hear of the recent passing of a great writer:

Norman Mailer
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/books/11/10/mailer.obit/index.html

ttfn

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