Hollywood Writers Strike: A Chance For Millions Online To Bloom

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1. Ben Werdmuller
   

   November 5th, 2007 at 4:36 am

   The key will be to emphasise the strengths of TV (simplicity; easy-to-find content, living room status) and marry it to the strengths of the Internet (content without borders, view on demand). Things like Joost are great, but only for people with bandwidth to burn; I don’t think it’s about to spread to your average living room any time soon. On the other hand, if someone can create a better variation on Youtube optimised for longer-form viewing through a streamed player, they could be onto a winner.

   It’s tempting to try and make something ambitious - simple in budget and technology, but great in scope. Does anyone have any pointers to any online film school like resources?

2. Duncan Riley
   

   November 5th, 2007 at 4:38 am

   I didn’t add this, but its interesting to note that the last strike resulted in a 10% decline in the number of American’s watching tv after the strike finished…and that in an age without a lot of alternatives. If it does go long term imagine the switch off factor today.

3. Su Yuen
   

   November 5th, 2007 at 4:56 am

   @Ben: Yea, one thing I miss ever since I switched to streaming everything I want to watch online is the living room feel and comfort.

   I dunno about in the US, but internet TV came to Asia many years ago and died. Maybe now its time to bring back this concept?

4. Steve Ballmer
   

   November 5th, 2007 at 5:01 am

   Sheesh!
   Who couldn’t write that drivel I see on TV today?
   Where do I sign up?
   I’ve always wanted to see:
   “Ballmer-Crest”
   “One Mac to Live”
   “Survivor, Redmond!”

   http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com

5. Ben Werdmuller
   

   November 5th, 2007 at 5:38 am

   “Property Developers, Property Developers, Property Developers”?

   (If the web video boom - and there will be one - gives rise to yet more property porn, I’m going to be so pissed …)

6. Hyder
   

   November 5th, 2007 at 5:42 am

   I don’t think the producers cared this time around since it’s their content which people will turn to on sites like Hulu. So either way they still have {most of} the eyeballs.

7. Duncan Riley
   

   November 5th, 2007 at 5:45 am

   Hyder
   Hulu only keeps content up for 5 weeks, if they run out of fresh content to play Hulu has a life span of the end of the fresh content + 5 weeks

8. Dillon
   

   November 5th, 2007 at 5:53 am

   I think one of the shows could get a bit creative and take advantage of the writers strike and run a one off live show anyway. Maybe have the audience/viewers write the show!

9. Dave R.
   

   November 5th, 2007 at 6:16 am

   Hey who are they getting to write the picket signs?

10. Mr. Stanley Russell Dudek
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 6:33 am

    This benefits only free online distribution, and independent film makers.

    I see this doing nothing for either the writers or the studios. Possibly being the cause of severe changes in modern television programming if an agreement is ever reached.

    Regardless, I hope the strike lasts long enough to make a point, long enough so that there is a permanent change in the way people get their visual media. I personally don’t even turn the TV on much anymore, because the Interweb is infinitely more satisfying.

    I see new television channels on TV sets being your Youtube channel list, rather than channel 02 channel 05 et cetera.

    A strike in the industry causes people to look for creative alternatives.

11. Jim
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 6:42 am

    What’s really different this time, from 1988, is that the writers could create online content themselves and scare the heck out of the producers. Image having dozens of 60 second smash hit YouTube videos posted during negotiations. They couldn’t do that 20 years ago.

12. Dan Schawbel
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 6:50 am

    WOW. This is a huge opportunity, but I liked watching those shows on TV.

13. Tory
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 7:08 am

    Wouldn’t be surprised if the studios try using some online communities to try and collaboratively write some shows in an “open source” sort of way, with the likely only compensation a listing in the credits. If it works at all, it should scare the hell out of the writers union…

14. Danielle
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 7:11 am

    It is also a chance for people to read more books.

15. Amanda Mooney
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 7:35 am

    It’s interesting that this comes at a time when online media has moved past the early adopter and innovator crowd and mainstream consumers are warming up to the idea of streaming content through YouTube, iTunes, Joost, Abc.com, Cbs.com, Nbc.com… and reading news via outlets like TechCrunch.

    As a media junkie, I like a rounded mix of on and offline content; but in wake of this strike I’ll be relying on my favorite bloggers, vidcasters and podcasters more than ever to get fresh content.

    Best of luck to both the writers and the networks affected by the strike.

16. Ramon
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 7:54 am

    The real question is - will this affect Heroes?

17. Fabian Schonholz
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 7:59 am

    There is nothing good to watch on TV anyway.

18. RyanB
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 8:05 am

    I don’t see how this strike will in any way further my writing career… if anything taking advantage of this would just make me feel like a sellout

19. Mr. Recycle
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 8:26 am

    It’s a mistake to frame this as TV/film vs Online video (e.g. Hulu, YouTube), it is rally TV/film vs. the internet as a platform. People who bail on TV aren’t just going to bittorrent, they are spending time tweaking their MySpace profile, playing Hearts on Yahoo, looking at Perez Hilton’s blog, etc… A strike is a lose lose for writers and studios, but it is only accelerating the inevitable, so bring it on.

20. skylights
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 9:25 am

    Yes, it will affect Heroes. If the strike continues, Heroes will go off the air.

21. Josh On
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 9:35 am

    A far better way to take advantage of the strike would be to show solidarity with it. I think we should have free culture, but there has to be a way to make sure that content producers live as well as anyone else. To blame the writers for the contradictions between the socialised means of production and distribution (becoming ever more so today with the internet) and the privatized ownership is a clear case of blaming the victim. The best way to move technology forward is to back strikes such as these, show solidarity with working people fighting for their wages and for control in their work. This is the sort of action that prevents a global race to the bottom. Shame on you for calling on people to take advantage of their situation. We should be thinking of creative ways to support them, not further exploit the situation.

22. James
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 9:54 am

    If HULU recieves lowest rating… It would be huge problem. TV and actors will lose their jobs.

23. No good show
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 9:58 am

    TV networks and Viacom blame Youtube and startup videos.

24. KirkH
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 10:25 am

    Sort of feels like UAW. Like the writers don’t understand that they’re now competing with everybody with a blog and crappy digital camera. Like they’re unable to see past the us vs. them mentality, blaming the suits instead of the competition.

    I’m not saying unions are always bad but man, talk about picking a bad time to strike.

25. Magglio
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 10:33 am

    Time for some fresh blood…Let’s figure out how to get these guys writing for TV.

    http://applesandmoustaches.blogspot.com/

26. MarkII
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 10:39 am

    What the producers should really be afraid of is if the writers take their talents online and start producing their own stuff. Then they have a serious problem.

27. PJ Brunet
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 10:45 am

    I guess they will need part-time jobs and Blogger accounts

28. PJ Brunet
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 10:52 am

    #18 Ha!!!

29. Daniel Gibbons
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 11:08 am

    “These eyeballs present a real opportunity for online content creators at all levels; from the VC funded video startups through to the DIY part timers. The trends in viewer numbers have all been headed online to this point, this strike could well accelerate this trend, particularly if it lasts over the long term.”

    Yes, but what are people watching online? A huge amount of content is simply illegally uploaded content created by the very people who are going on strike. The notion that the average YouTube user with a webcam suddenly has an opportunity to shine is laughable. It takes money, talent and training to produce good content (which may not be apparent if one watches idiotic sitcoms, but still…), not to mention an editorial filter more robust than users awarding star ratings to online videos. You really think the next Mad Men, 30 Rock or Curb Your Enthusiasm is going to be user-generated?

    Most of the online video startups I assume you’re thinking of are about distribution, not necessarily content creation. If there’s nothing to distribute I fail to see how they’ll flourish.

30. jon burg
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 11:12 am

    Blogged about this over at http://jburg.typepad.com/futur.....thout.html

    Highlights include:
    Digital Trends

    * This was a long time coming.

    * This will happen again in other channels and in other industries.

    * BitTorrent and other P2P file sharing networks will see a spike.

    * Video gaming and other new media channel usage will grow.

    * Hulu’s nostalgia focussed programming may become their biggest hit.

    * The recent launched Daily Show website will take a hit.

    Content Trends

    * Unscripted/Reality TV may grow.

    * US networks should begin licensing content English language content from overseas.

    * It’s a good thing Steven Colbert didn’t make the Democratic Ticket.

    * There is a WIDE OPEN DOOR for emerging writers.

    * It may take a while for network television to regain their audience.

31. roger jones
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 11:19 am

    posts like these by mr. riley are the reason that techcrunch is becoming a parody of itself. next up: “strike averted at ford motor co, millions of online would-be-carmakers post emo responses to twittersphere”

32. Tombomb
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 11:39 am

    10 Things to Watch During the Writers Strike: http://tombomb.typepad.com/tom.....to-wa.html

33. Slappenstance
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 12:09 pm

    I agree with poster #29. It’s hard to create good content, and average joe with his webcam won’t cut it. Youtube succeeded inititally mainly because it allowed copyrighted content. People end up watching clips of big media online more than anything else.

34. Simon
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 12:10 pm

    this is bad news for Hollywood but great news for our particular brand of online video production.

35. Ted Spock
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 12:23 pm

    Duncan - where the hell did you get the data about internet usage surpassing TV viewership? All the data from jupiter/gartners/veronis says household internet usage isn’t even at 10% of tv viewership - the average household still watches over 7 hours of TV a day.

36. techguy
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 12:24 pm

    This will be interesting to watch. I wonder how this affects people like Jimmy Kimmel who write a lot of their own stuff.

    Also, does this mean we’ll have more reality TV? Reality TV shouldn’t have writers.

37. Free Voicemail
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 12:29 pm

    just when we thought reality tv might be winding down, this happens. great.

38. Carl
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 1:51 pm

    We should just import some shows over then. There are tons of great shows in Europe and Asia.

39. Brian Wilson
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 2:54 pm

    This is all great food for thought, and it will be very interesting to see what transpires over the next few months. In the meantime, the lack of new late night TV ain’t nothing the Lifetime Movie Network can’t fix…

    Brian Wilson, Zolve.com

40. Rex Dixon
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 4:43 pm

    If you positioned yourself by hard work up to this time, you might strike some gold. Or you could be called and beaten because you are a scab!

    Rex

41. Wil Schroter
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 5:12 pm

    Reality isn’t just “Real World” anymore. It’s anything non-scripted in general terms.

    We were running around last week in Hollywood pitching GotCast.com - we are casting for TV shows on-line - particularly non-scripted shows that can you fresh faced talent.

    Talk about incredible timing!

42. rick
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 5:26 pm

    Please, the only things worth watching online are either pirated or reality. There is nothing good online that is scripted. In fact, there isn’t even anything scripted that isn’t incredibly painful to watch, nevermind good.

43. MadMortigan
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 10:01 pm

    hahaha good thank god the writers are on strike. maybe SNL, the tonight show and late night with conan will actually be funny now.

44. MadMortigan
    

    November 5th, 2007 at 10:01 pm

    hahaha good thank god the writers are on strike. maybe SNL, the tonight show and late night with conan will actually be funny now.

45. vsulmgc
    

    November 6th, 2007 at 12:29 am

    The unions are supposed to watch out for their members, and perhaps the WGA is doing this. However, with production fleeing the country, viewers fleeing television, and television becoming an ever greater wasteland of lowest common denominators, it is disconcerting to see the writers walk right now. For the rest of us who will suffer while they hammer out their raises, I will be promoting all new forms of entertainment online from games, to filmed entertainment.

    The democratization of the internet is the path to the masses supplanting the studios as the key supplier of entertainment. I think the move is beyond selfish on the part of the writers and while I see their point, the rest of us have everything to lose and nothing to gain in seeing them prevail.

    I think breaking the unions is a wise next move. The last WGA strike almost cost me my home and my business. I respect writers, am one myself, but I also have watched many of my friends lose everything during the strikes. I hope the unions go under. As a producer, I feel they have been more instrumental to the downfall of our industry than the 10 percentaries making Jim Carey hit the 20 million dollar payday that would supposedly never be topped. Do the math folks, the inverted pyramid is about to fall, leaving real estate from Malibu to Beverly Hills selling in more than one fire sale.

    Cest La Vie

46. elisalucia
    

    November 16th, 2007 at 1:09 pm

    Vsulmgc,

    If you supported writers in anyway, or were an actual writer yourself- you would understand the necessity of the strike - and fully support them and the efforts they took (almost delaying the strike for a year!) to ensure that they wouldn’t have to do this.

    They have been waiting since 1988 for residuals that are due to them. And yes, it is unfortunate, extremely unfortunate that non-writers are losing their jobs over this aswell but you are blaming the wrong crowd.

    Surely, everyone must realize how important it is that unions stand up for the rights of their members. If we don’t support the writers, then we give Producers and companies the Green light to abuse all portions of the entertainment industry.

    This is not simply an issue of overdue compensation, free labor and intellectual property rights, but additionally about standing up in an industry where Producers don’t give a damn about those that work for them. An attitude which severly dampens the quality of the product produced.

    HBO is consistantly praised for the quality of writing in their shows. They are also the network that gives the creative talent (writers/directors/actors) the most freedom in their work (aka less Producer involvement). Is this a coincidence? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

    Does this mean that writers can just go off an create great work for the “love of writing’? Um.. no more than a grip can run off and grip for the love of gripping, when they too have a family to support.

    HBO pays less than most major networks, yet many writers prefer to work there. Because their work isn’t turned into horrid drivel. And these writers and money-hungry bastards. They have spent a long long time waiting for a fair compensation for their work. And now, after much deliberation and years and years and years of waiting - they are standing up for a wider cause- one that should be embraced by those who have any respect for the moral issues involved.

    Or perhaps, you’d prefer a world where there is no union, where producers don’t have to pay a living wage for writing and “where lowest-cost programming will rule; reality TV and UGC.” ( http://www.internetevolution.c....._id=138492 )

    I can’t wait. That’d be great fun.

47. wizzie
    

    November 28th, 2007 at 11:29 am

    Remember the Air Traffic Controllers strike? Reagan Fired all of them.

    Hollywood needs to rid itself of the over bloated Unions and Guilds and everything else that sucks the dollars out of creating shows.

    GET RID OF ALL OF THE UNIONS and we will see a brighter and leaner Hollywood.

48. rj
    

    November 28th, 2007 at 11:46 am

    If writers want a bigger piece of the pie then they should share in the cost of shows that tank when their ideas are not so great.

    I agree with a previous poster in getting rid of unions.

    Make the writers free agents and then give the writers what they want.

    Studios could negotiate based on the writers track record. They could give a really decent percentage to the writer IF the show or movie is a HIT. If it tanks (meaning the public does not like what you have written) then you don’t get squat!

    Studios are not THAT GREEDY to not see the logic here.

49. pensive
    

    November 30th, 2007 at 3:08 am

    TV is an outlet at the end of a crazy day at work and with the kids.
    Sometimes, it allows us to open our minds and hearts.
    Sometimes, it allows us to be mindless and veg out.
    Sometimes, it is like visiting old friends at the end a rough day.

    I am all for the writers and hope they get what they want.

    But, I also believe at some point they are going to start to bite the hand that feeds them - the viewers!

    The tide is turning and the viewers are starting to get annoyed, not supportive, of their cause.

    The writer’s strike (and the strike back here on the east coast on Broadway) almost feels like we the viewers are being held hostage.

    Can you imagine no new tv from February until September?

    I will tell you this- viewers will turn their attentions elsewhere. Smart video game and dvd distributors should gearing up to flood the market the “new” materials to keep people busy.

    Anyone have an “unscripted” reality show they want to peddle? Nows the time.

    Musical Artists should start their tours early- don’t wait for summer.

    People will find a way to amuse themselves at night, and, frankly, they might not return in the same numbers in the Fall.

    Then, what happens to the residuals and other numbers they are all fighting over?

50. Susan Mahan
    

    December 1st, 2007 at 9:20 pm

    It is time for the writers to be paid what they deserve. I have read about what they are paid, as opposed to what the studios, actors, and management are paid. Do the studios not realize that they would be NOWHERE without the writers??? Yes, some shows on today are krap, but SOME are awesome and the writers are GENIUS (eg: Grey’s Anatomy, CSI, Without a Trace, Pushing Daisies) and they deserve to be paid for what they do! These actors/actresses and studio executives would be NOTHING without the writers! Get off your collective checkbooks and GIVE THE WRITERS WHAT THEY DESERVE!!!!!!!!!!!