22 November, 2007
Make Art, Not Content
Scotto Moore gave this talk at Ignite Seattle, a monthly geek event that combines on-site geekery, sharing and innovation.
The way I see it, disruptive technologies are changing the business model for music, television, radio and many other forms of media. I'm on the same page with the writers in that all artists must and should make a sustainable living for their art and performance. May all artists learn to adapt and survive in the new business model emerging from new media. Also, may we always remember that we are indeed artists of a new millenium and to that end: make art, not content.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Yours in solidarity,
Tanja Barnes
21 November, 2007
WGA-East President Michael Winship On Democracy Now
Cut and pasted from today's Democracy Now:
Writers Strike Enters Third Week in Divide Over Online Content
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The strike has been felt across the entertainment industry, putting daily talk shows, sitcoms and dramas on hiatus due to a lack of scripts. The Writers Guild of America has called the strike over paying writers for online reruns and original work written for the Internet. We speak with WGA-East President Michael Winship.
Striking writers staged a last rally in central Hollywood Tuesday before contracts talks resume next week between their union and studios and major producers.
Some 4,000 people marched down Hollywood Boulevard. The writers were joined by TV and film actors and other union members. The rally comes 16 days into the strike that has been felt across the industry, with daily talk shows canceled and shooting on top-rated dramas postponed due to a lack of scripts.On Monday, about 500 television and radio writers working for CBS News also voted to strike following their own contract dispute with the network. Here in New York, writers have walked a daily picket line in various locations across the city. Democracy Now! went to Sony Plaza yesterday and spoke to some of the writers on strike.
The Writers Guild of America will meet next Monday with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for the first time since they went on strike. The two sides have clashed over paying writers for reruns of their work online and for original work written for the Internet. Michael Winship is the President of the Writers Guild of America, East. He joins me in the firehouse studio. Welcome to Democracy Now.
- Interviews with striking writers.
To purchase an audio or video copy of this entire program, click here for our new online ordering or call 1 (888) 999-3877.
- Michael Winship. President of the Writers Guild of America, East.
WSC Show #14 - Interview with B. Mark Seabrooks
In this episode, we talk to B. Mark Seabrooks. Following his interview we’ll hear Alicia Keys kick off the Labor Solidarity with Writers March and Rally that took place on Hollywood Boulevard yesterday.
Credits
Producer/Host: Tanja Barnes
Music: "Ay Mambo" by Falik
available on Magnatune.com
Producer/Host: Tanja Barnes
Music: "Ay Mambo" by Falik
available on Magnatune.com
20 November, 2007
UnitedHollywood Puts A Shout Out For Media Coverage
United Hollywood just posted a shout out to let the news media know where to find them today. They also lamented how the rally two weeks ago went under reported.
I'm like: what do you expect? Are they really calling upon the Mainstream Media, which is owned by the media conglomerates of which they are striking against, to give them fair and balanced coverage? They freakin' control the flow of news and information. It's people like me: bloggers, podcasters, and vidcasters that are telling the story from the bottom up, not the top down.
It's worth noting that I just read in a NY Times blog that as the writers strike enters its third week, the studios are fretting about their public images. Here's a snippet:
I'm like: what do you expect? Are they really calling upon the Mainstream Media, which is owned by the media conglomerates of which they are striking against, to give them fair and balanced coverage? They freakin' control the flow of news and information. It's people like me: bloggers, podcasters, and vidcasters that are telling the story from the bottom up, not the top down.
It's worth noting that I just read in a NY Times blog that as the writers strike enters its third week, the studios are fretting about their public images. Here's a snippet:
As Brooks Barnes wrote in Sunday’s New York Times: “Executives at studios like CBS, Fox and NBC Universal have said privately that their side was losing the public relations battle because they were not responding to union claims. Some were concerned that the union, using blogs and YouTube to publish its message, was succeeding in painting them as greedy.”Read the entire article here.
WSC Show #13 - Interview with Diane Saltzberg and David Titcher
In today's episode I talk to Diane Saltzberg and David Titcher in front of the picket lines of NBC Studios. Recorded Friday, 16 November 2007.
Regrettably, I will be unable to cover today's rally on Hollywood Boulevard due to work, but thank God I have a job! I'm with you in solidarity!
Credits
Producer/Host: Tanja Barnes
Music: "Ay Mambo" by Falik
available on Magnatune.com
Producer/Host: Tanja Barnes
Music: "Ay Mambo" by Falik
available on Magnatune.com
19 November, 2007
Tomorrow: Labor Solidarity with Writers March and Rally
Hey there... the good news: I got booked to do background on a commercial tomorrow. The bad news: I'll miss the rally (see below) and will be unable to cover it. I'll proly be hitting the picket lines before my call time (2:00 p.m. in downtown) so if you see me, step up to the mike and let's have a chat.
Labor Solidarity with Writers
March and Rally on Tuesday, Nov. 20Help write a new chapter in Hollywood history. Join thousands of members of the Writers Guild of America as the WGA begins week three of its strike against the media conglomerates of the AMPTP. March down Hollywood Boulevard with film and TV writers, actors, musicians, Teamsters, Service Employees and other unions in this fight for justice.
More than 10,000 writers are on the front lines of the fight to preserve decent working standards against corporate power.
1:00 pm: Assemble at Hollywood Blvd. and Ivar Ave.
1:30 pm: March down Hollywood Blvd.For more information, contact the WGA at (323) 782-4574.
Bill Moyers Journal
The latest from Bill Moyers Journal.
We blogged about Bill Moyers earlier this month. Check it here.
More importantly: Stop Big Media Now!
Now Available on iTunes!
Yo, all you Writers' Strike Chronicles readers, just a shout to say that accompanying podcast is now available in iTunes for FREE. Just go to the store, search for the "Writers' Strike Chronicles" and subscribe. It really is that simple. Please be sure to leave us some positive reviews!
But, on the back end, it wasn't that simple for me to set up. Consequently I had to resubmit the first two episodes, so those of you who have already subscribed and downloaded them again, you're not crazy. I had some issues on my end.
But it's all good now. Enjoy!
But, on the back end, it wasn't that simple for me to set up. Consequently I had to resubmit the first two episodes, so those of you who have already subscribed and downloaded them again, you're not crazy. I had some issues on my end.
But it's all good now. Enjoy!
WSC # 12 - Interview with Jill Condon
In today’s episode I speak with writer Jill Condon and her son Owen Wadsworth -- the WGA's youngest striker -- down on the picket lines at NBC about how the strike is affecting the families of writers. Recorded Monday, 12 November 2007.
18 November, 2007
Now On Crackle.com
From Crackle:
What, never heard of Crackle?
Tsk. Check it:
Crackle, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company formerly known as Grouper, is a multi-platform video entertainment network and studio that distributes the hottest emerging talent on the web and beyond. Crackle's addictive channels and shows reach a global audience across the Internet, in the living room, and on devices including a broad range of Sony electronics. Crackle, in on-going collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment and other leading partners, discovers and promotes the stars of tomorrow.
What, never heard of Crackle?
Tsk. Check it:
Crackle, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company formerly known as Grouper, is a multi-platform video entertainment network and studio that distributes the hottest emerging talent on the web and beyond. Crackle's addictive channels and shows reach a global audience across the Internet, in the living room, and on devices including a broad range of Sony electronics. Crackle, in on-going collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment and other leading partners, discovers and promotes the stars of tomorrow.WGA Strike Memes
Scrivener's Error is a blog by LawShark. In a recent posting, he talks about memes coming out of the writers' strike.
A quote:
A quote:
The current dispute between the WGA and the studio/production system is based on a number of memes that are not getting much, if any, attention. These memes all have implications for writers in all media and forms, so pay attention!I got your memes right here, buddy.
Web 2.0, New Media and Social Networking
OK...been you've reading this blog, but still don't get the concept of web 2.0? Here's a viral video from Nokia. It's...it's...meh...it's okay...
But I think the video below that came out earlier this year. I think it explains it mucho better...
But I think the video below that came out earlier this year. I think it explains it mucho better...
WSC # 11: Interview with Takara Ketton
powered by ODEO
In today’s episode I speak to Takara Ketton, a graduate student at Emerson College Los Angeles. Takara voices her thoughts on the writers strike from the perspective of an aspiring future member of the WGA. Recorded Monday, 12 November 2007.
17 November, 2007
WGA Writers Strike - Jump Parties - iProduction Blow-up
As the host wraps it up, he says "you probably cut off half way through this" and yeah, I almost did because his pre-amble was a little belabored. But then he got my attention with jump parties and asking questions like who moved my cheese (cuz like I read that book) and he wrapped it up pretty well in the end. Worth slogging through. You might learn something here.
From MusicTalkBiz.
WSC #10 - Interview with Maria Elena Rodriguez
In today’s episode I speak to writer Maria Elena Rodriguez on the picket lines at the rally in front of NBC studios. While I was there, I run into comedy writer Marvin Silbermintz of the Tonight Show. Recorded Friday, 16 November 2007.
NBC picks up 'quarterlife' series
From the Hollywood Reporter:
NBC has picked up Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick's critically praised Internet and social network series "quarterlife." The network will premiere the show as an hour-long drama series midseason after it concludes its run on the Internet early in 2008 and will also stream it on nbc.com.
Read the entire article here.
16 November, 2007
Joost in the news
Yesterday in CNET, Joost announced it was launching new widgets with Coca Cola. Here's a snippet:
Online video start-up Joost, which focuses on ad-supported professional content, made a few headlines (and raised a few eyebrows) for inking some big advertising deals with major corporations before the downloadable software was even open to the public. Until this point, most of those advertisements were traditional video advertisements that popped up before and in between clips on Joost.
That's no longer the case. On Thursday, Joost announced that Coca-Cola's European division has created the first "commercial widget" for the software. Called "Coke Bubbles," the downloadable advertising widget lets you choose a clip on Joost and then send it to fellow Joost users, appended with a note in the form of a "bubble."
Read the entire article here.
There's More To The Internet Than Just YouTube (Part 2) - Metacafe
In attempt to school folks on alternate sources of new media other than YouTube, I blogged about the internet TV distribution site called Joost.
Today we're going to talk about Metacafe. So now you can add another new media outlet to the list. Metacafe differs slightly from Joost in that it, like YouTube, strives to create an on-line community by implementing social networking concepts and Web 2.0 innovations. It's the kinds of ideas that drive sites MySpace and Facebook and makes them so popular.
Here's what Metacafe is all about, Alfie. Cut and pasted right from their little website:
About Us
Metacafe is one of the world's largest video sites, attracting more than 25 million unique viewers each month (comScore Media Metrix). We specialize in short-form original content - from new, emerging talents and established Hollywood heavyweights alike. We're committed to delivering an exceptional entertainment experience, and we do so by engaging and empowering our audience every step of the way.
Since 2003 Metacafe has been one of the top independent online video sites, and we're a leader in the evolution of digital entertainment. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with offices in Tel Aviv and New York. Metacafe is privately held and investors include Accel Partners, Benchmark Capital, DAG Ventures and Highland Capital Partners.
How is Metacafe different?
Metacafe is not a video sharing and hosting site that allows any and every video to be posted. Instead, Metacafe is a video entertainment site that focuses on:
Short-form - Metacafe specializes in short-form original video - content that is made for the interactive Internet medium. We don't have full-length television episodes or movies chopped into pieces. The average video on our site is just over 90 seconds long. People come to Metacafe looking for an entertainment break in their day - and we deliver.
Entertainment - We're all about entertaining a large audience by featuring only those videos that amaze, inspire and make viewers laugh. This means you won't find hard news stories, personal videos or webcam chatter on Metacafe.
Audience-driven - The Metacafe experience is determined entirely by our community. Videos are user-generated, user-selected, user-reviewed and user-rewarded. At Metacafe, we put the audience in the driver's seat, empowering viewers in a much more meaningful way than other video sites.
Community Auditions - A community review panel of more than 80,000 volunteers takes a first look at each of the thousands of videos submitted to the site every day.
Community Rankings - Our VideoRank™ system identifies and exposes the most popular videos by automatically gauging every interaction each viewer has with a video.
Community Rewards - Our Producer Rewards™ program pays video creators for their best original work, as determined by the viewers.
What does this all add up to? A better entertainment experience. We consistently hear from our viewers that it's easier to find videos they like on our site as compared to others - and that keeps them coming back for more.
WSC Show #9 - Interview with Steve Chivers and Amy Meek
Today I joined the picket lines in front of NBC Studios and spoke to writer Steve Chivers. I also spoke to a television-viewing fan Amy Meek who was walking the picket lines with her girlfriends. And finally, we’ll hear a little bit of the audio I was able to capture when presidential candidate John Edwards spoke. Recorded Friday, 16 November 2007.
WGA And AMPTP Agree To Come Back To The Table
This official press release from UnitedHollywood:
AMPTP PROMISES TO COME BACK TO THE TABLE
AMPTP PROMISES TO COME BACK TO THE TABLE
(Breaking news from the WGA - the AMPTP has agreed to come back to the table on November 26th. Now, let's hope they are prepared to make a fair deal. This is progress. Everyone wants to go back to work. Everyone wants fair compensation for their work.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2007
CONTRACT 2007 NEGOTIATIONS STATEMENT
LOS ANGELES – The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have issued the following statement today:
Leaders from the WGA and the AMPTP have mutually agreed to resume formal negotiations on November 26. No other details or press statements will be issued.
For more information about the Writers Guild of America, West, please visit www.wga.org. For more information about the Writers Guild of America, East, please visit: www.wgaeast.org.
The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) represent writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable, and new media industries in both entertainment and news. The unions conduct numerous programs, seminars, and events throughout the world on issues of interest to, and on behalf of, writers.
(Also, this message just sent to our strike captains:)
The effort and energy and resolve of the strike captains and teams, on the line, in headquarters, on location, and out in the community including the blogosphere has had a tremendous impact, and been instrumental in bringing the companies back to the bargaining table. Congratulations! Of course, going back to the table is an important step; but we must not allow our effort and creativity to wane. The strike must continue and we must continue to increase our impact and message to get the best possible deal for writers and for others who will benefit from our struggle, including actors, directors, drivers, crew, etc.
Cross-posted from Daily Kos
The Daily Kos is weblog with political analysis on US current events from a liberal perspective. Earlier this fall, on September 4, 2007, the Federal Election Commission announced that it has unanimously resolved two complaints alleging that Internet blog activity is subject to Commission regulation, finding that the activity is exempt from regulation under the media or volunteer exemption. The Daily Kos was one of those blogs filed against in the complaint.
Today on Daily Kos came a blog post I thought was worth cross-posting.
Writers Strike Continues by MissLaura
Fri Nov 16, 2007 at 04:22:34 PM PSTAs the second week of the WGA strike comes to a close, United Hollywood has a post explaining when the strike will end. When is that? When it is in the financial interest of the studios for it to do so:
The studios have forecasted how much they will lose, how much they will save, what offer they will come back to the table with and what date that offer will be presented.
This strike comes down to a pro forma income statement, and clearly the majority of studios or at least the most powerful studios have decided that from a financial standpoint, it is not yet time to end this strike.
But we can be making it hurt them. We can make them watch people across the country come to a greater understanding of the way corporations work to amass their own profits by denying their employees a fair share. And Jonathan Tasini has information on how to help:
Anne Sweeney, President, Disney-ABC Television Group: 818-560-1000
Kevin Reilly, President, Fox Entertainment: 310-369-1000
The Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank CA 91521
Fox Broadcasting, 10201 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064Bruce Rosenblum, President, Warner Bros. Television Group: 818-954-6000
Philippe Dauman, President/CEO, Viacom: 212-258-6000
Warner Bros Studios, 3400 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91505
1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036Leslie Moonves, President/CEO, CBS Corporation: 212-975-4321
Jeff Zucker, President/CEO, NBC Universal: 818-777-1000
CBS, 51 West 52nd St. New York, NY 10019
100 Universal City PlazaUniversal City, CA 91608And after you've made the calls, SEND THIS LIST TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!
Points to make:
- Writers are asking for fair compensation when content is streamed or downloaded on the Internet. Right now, writers are getting ZERO. Publishers claims that everything on-line is only promotional are just bogus--they are selling advertising on-line!!!
- The media business is healthy. CEOs brag to Wall Street that they are making money from new media--all the better to raise money and keep the share price going up (which helps CEOs profit from generous stock options they are given) but they are hypocritically crying poverty when it comes to paying writers.
- If you need to, you can use these statistics to show how profitable media companies are and how well the CEOs are being compensated.
If you need more background, you can go to the website of either the Writers Guild of America west or the Writers Guild of America east.
WGA Day 11: New Shane Audio, NBC Rally Preview
From the blog of Shane's proud papa, Lee, comes the following post:
WGA Strike on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Shane did a great new interview with Tonight Show Head Writer Joe Medeiros today. I think he does a great job of covering some new ground in this nearly two week old strike and Shane’s production chops are improving, too. It’s about five minutes long.
Shane will also be covering tomorrow’s rally at NBC since it’s walking distance for him. There could be video involved, too. It was also just announced that Democratic Presidential Candidate John Edwards will be there…
The WGA just announced that Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards will join striking writers on the poicket line Friday. ” Following his public statement of solidarity with the Writers Guild of America last week, former U.S. Senator John Edwards will join striking writers on the picket line tomorrow to support the WGA in its ongoing fight to secure a fair and reasonable deal.” He will join the picket line at 2 PM at NBC Entertainment, 3000 W. Alameda Avenue in Burbank at the NBC sign on the corner. This absolutely one-ups all previous political activity on the line where Barack Obama’s LA staff and volunteers joined the strikers but not the candidate himself.
Deadline Hollywood Daily » Bring On The Pols: Edwards To Picket
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