Even before negotiations begin, and months before the guild contracts end, pessimism has invaded Hollywood. Some producers are trying to coax extra scripts out of TV writers and studios are fast-tracking films as safeguards. The WGA contract, which covers 11,000 writers, expires May 1 and the guild contracts, covering 135,000 actors, expire July 1. Among key issues for the writers are increases in residual fees for TV shows and movies, and changes in screen credits. For actors, issues include cable TV residuals and compensation for foreign usage.
Talks are unlikely to begin before next year.
A strike would be a tragedy, CBS Entertainment president Nancy Tellem told a recent industry gathering. The University Daily Kansan 1996-2000. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reused, repurposed, framed, relabeled or otherwise used without prior written consent. Privacy Policy is applicable to all content within this site.