Yeah, I'm doing a doc so the strike doesn't effect me in that sense. However, I'm also developing a reality series (flame me, I know) that I'm hoping to sell. The strike would effect me there, but I'm only at the beginning stages so not really,.

Now is a great time to write scripts fun.  Just write whatever you want and try not to over think it.  Break the rules and have a great time.  Just don't try to sell.  We have to respect these writers on strike.

tweak

Keep in mind that Hollywod has enough movie scripts to keep itself busy for a long long time.


Phil

As a long term writer, I respect the industry and a lot of you older members on this site may remember me!! Some for a big problem I faced not so long ago with a twisted member who no longer comes here!! But I have to say I have no backing for these striking writers, I mean they get paid enough as is!! And new talent, Hollywood always say they need new blood and talent, all us here on SS are IT!! we are that talent and new blood, so where is our chance? We have to make it on our own like any other writer, so these striking writers have to do this alone... And lets face it to the bone and truth!! How many of us would rock our boat if we sold scripts? or wrote for a tv show? I think just as postal strikes the writers should be thankful they are even in a position to GO ON STRIKE!! as all of us could only hope we had the chance to sell a script for a mere $5 let alone 1 mil...

Although I do have a certain degree of support for the writers, but not a great deal as they get paid a lot as is!! And this sort of action TO ME kind of rubs it in my face!! I hope other writers here feel the same, I mean they are getting paid, and we could only wish to sell a script!!! I mean this is MOP, I am not saying all of you should feel the same, but we all have our own view on things!! to me this rubs my face in the dirt, how they can complain about their pay and yet any of us here on SS wouldn't mind what these guys/girls are being paid... It's more than what we are being paid now for our regular jobs and from script sales Right?

Quoted from Combichrist ...I mean they get paid enough as is!!

You said this a couple times in your post, and I feel the need to graciously disagree with you.

Right now, the WGA minimum for a script with a budget over 5 million dollars is approximately $103,000.  Take that, and cut it in half immediately due to taxes and other misc expenses.

$51,500.

If a writer sells one script a year, he will effectively make $51,500.  Not horrible money by any means, but nothing off the charts that would cause anyone to be jealous, and certainly not enough to say that someone "gets paid enough as it is".

The cost of a script budgeted under 5 mil is even less, about $53,000 before taxes.

Rewrites and Polishes, where most writers earn the bulk of their living?  You guessed it.  Even less than spec.

Quoted from Combichrist It's more than what we are being paid now for our regular jobs and from script sales Right?

Not necessarily.  See above.

If you take out the rare writer that gets those lucrative deals for millions of dollars, a screenwriter's tax bracket isn't that much different than the regular blue collar worker.  

I agree with you shelton, but my Opinion is... How can these writers complain when they are in the industry and being paid? I mean everyone on here has the same talent they do!! Only difference is we are don't have the chance they have... Either way you slice the cake they are still getting paid fair amounts for a script... The re-writes well, I am afraid after you sold your work thats it. Your no longer involved unless it's agreed you are whereas you may be paid more or not!! Point being after you sell a script it's no longer your choice what the said script ends up being!! After several re-writes... unless the production comapny keep you on!! therefor you shall be paid more... This is my point, but only my opinion... LOL... If I sold a script a year for what $51,000 I know I'd be happy... Not only for the money but because it also progresses my career that little bit more. So with these writer on strike over pay I find very stupid, I mean ask anyone here...I Am sure they shall agree with either one of us... But I know the point your making... Still, it is a lot of cash and if a writer is not used more than once a year then he cannot blame his pay but his agent or his skill... these are the two main things that'll earn you year round cash... And they have the audacity to complain about it? IMO this is how I feel, I am not saying I am right mate LOL... This is just how I feel LOL...

Quoted from Combichrist I agree with you shelton, but my Opinion is... How can these writers complain when they are in the industry and being paid? I mean everyone on here has the same talent they do!! Only difference is we are don't have the chance they have...

I don't think that's true. Not even close. There are very few writers here who right now have the chops to compete with Hollywood A-writers. If any.

51,000 sounds like a lot of money, but if what you wrote is making millions and millions in DVD and online sales, you deserve a piece of the pie.

You're basically saying: how can they complain when they are working, and thousands upon thousands of screenwriters are not. Well the reason why these writers are working, for the most part, is that they have extraordinary talent. They shouldn't be punished for being better than the rest.

I'm starting to wonder if there isn't a correlation between intellect and position regarding this issue.

How difficult is it to understand that four cents, per DVD, isn't a "fair amount"?

Seth

Quoted from Seth I'm starting to wonder if there isn't a correlation between intellect and position regarding this issue. How difficult is it to understand that four cents, per DVD, isn't a "fair amount"? Seth

I'm inclined to agree.

It's like unemployed people saying people with jobs should never complain no matter how  unfairly they're treated 'cause at least they have a job.

Quoted from Combichrist If I sold a script a year for what $51,000 I know I'd be happy...

You would if you still lived at home and your parents took care of your expenses.  $51K is not a lot of money otherwise.  Look at it this way:

Salary:  $51,000.
Taxes <20,000>     and that's being conservative.
Rent  <12,000>        and that's being conservative.
Insurance <4,000>

And that leaves you less than 15K a year for things like food, utilities, clothes, a car, and a social life, etc.

Not very much.  You may need a second job to be a successful writer in Hollywood.


Phil

Yeah I guess. I see it all differently now actually!! I agree then, it is not that much. As soon as all these things are taken care off you really are left with not a lot!!

This might not be in fashion but what I want as a reward for writing that 'great' story, is to watch my mothers face in the theater while she is experiencing my story. I want to see that glow from her face from when I was a kid and jumped out of the hallway in my 'Captain Sticky' costume that I made. I recited to her where Captain Sticky came from and... The joy was boundless. I want to see her tear as she watches my lifelong dream come true on screen for everyone to see. It's not the money, it's not the fame. It is the dream of seeing,feeling and witnessing a creation unfold into something meaningful and wonderous.

With that said, I feel writers are entitled to their just rewards, and if they have to strike to get them, then let them, maybe it will open some doors for us dreamers.

--Kotton

Quoted from Seth I'm starting to wonder if there isn't a correlation between intellect and position regarding this issue.

While you may be right I would hope that the level of discourse here might be above calling people who disagree with us stupid.

After reading what I have here and from other sources it does seem to be the case that 4 cents is unfair, however I'm still, in general, against striking. It effects more then just people in the entertainment industry, there are a lot of other people that are being effected around LA and I'm sure other places that won't be able to get their kids what they want for Christmas or make mortgage payments.

That said, like I said before, if the producers left the writers with no other choice then the writers have to do what the writers have to do.

sheepwalker

Quoted from Kotton This might not be in fashion but what I want as a reward for writing that 'great' story, is to watch my mothers face in the theater while she is experiencing my story. I want to see that glow from her face from when I was a kid and jumped out of the hallway in my 'Captain Sticky' costume that I made. I recited to her where Captain Sticky came from and... The joy was boundless. I want to see her tear as she watches my lifelong dream come true on screen for everyone to see. It's not the money, it's not the fame. It is the dream of seeing,feeling and witnessing a creation unfold into something meaningful and wonderous. With that said, I feel writers are entitled to their just rewards, and if they have to strike to get them, then let them, maybe it will open some doors for us dreamers. --Kotton

Unfortunately you can't pay your mortgage with "boundless joy". If screenwriting is your carreer and not just a hobby you can't afford to be in it just for the tears on your mothers face. Unless they're deemed a viable currency.

Screenwriters have families to provide for as well.

As a WGA member living in Los Angeles here is a summary of life:

The poverty line is $25,000
The average rent for a one bedroom apartment is $1200.00
The average price for a one bedroom condo:$400,000
A two-bedroom house: $1,000,000
Sales tax is 8.25%
A gallon of gas this morning - $3.56

Someone mentioned this up thread so here is the actual run of what a Guild minimum feature will probably get you:

$103,000 is the starting price.  You get an increment of that up front.  I'm being generous and saying you get half up front so it's $51,500.

Agent/legal fees - 10% so you’re at $46,350
State and Federal lands you at $23,175

And then the project folds and you end up getting a penalty fee of about $1000.00.

So, for nine months of work, phone calls and meetings you get $24,175.

Keep in mind the poverty line is $25,000.

I'm on strike for the future of my union, for my health insurance and my pension.  Right now, it's sadly not about the writing which I love but about the business of writing which always plays like black comedy.  

The speculation around town is that the media companies want to systematically  squeeze out all the unions and to make all internet production non-union (like reality tv) so we can go back to the glory days of Hollywood -- of people working 20 hour days without overtime or health insurance.