Chapter 498

American writers' Union (hereinafter referred to as WGA) has more than 30000 members, covering writers of various types of entertainment programs such as films, TV dramas and talk shows. According to the statistics of the producers' Union, the average annual income of the members of the writers' Union is $200000, which is much higher than the average annual income of residents in Los Angeles and most Americans. According to government data, the average annual income of Los Angeles County last year The per capita annual income is 52600 US dollars, while the average annual income of the entire population of the United States is about 25000 US dollars.

However, this does not mean that all professional screenwriters are "rich". In fact, there are still many screenwriters whose income is only for living. For example, seanda Larry, the creator of the popular TV series "intern gray", has an annual income of up to $10 million (he is also the producer of the play in addition to the screenwriter) However, many novice screenwriters earn less than $50000 a year. The screenwriter Union says that 48% of the members of its West Coast branch are often unemployed.

Hollywood film and television industry has always implemented the "producer centered system". Professional trade unions such as directors' trade union, writers' trade union and actors' trade union in the United States maintain their respective interests through contracts with producers' trade unions.

According to the old contract signed between the writers' Association and the producers' Association in 2001, the six major Hollywood film companies (Warner, Disney, paramount, sonny, Fox and universal) The minimum fee for original screenplays is US $106000, and the price offered by major television networks for TV screenplays is about US $21000 for prime time comedy and US $31000 for prime time plot. Many screenwriters actually earn much more than this figure. The screenplays produced by major film companies cost at least US $1 million, and the screenplays of well-known screenwriters also get us $400 More than ten thousand dollars.

On the surface, these figures seem too high to be believed, but considering that the production cost of Hollywood blockbusters now often exceeds US $100 million, and the average production cost is US $40 million, the screenwriting cost of American films actually accounts for only 3% ~ 5% of its total investment.

Therefore, writers compare their income with that of actors, directors and directors of film and television companies, and find the need for a substantial salary increase. According to the writers' Union, the income increase rate of writers is less than half of the profit increase rate of the whole entertainment industry.

If any industry wants to operate normally, both employers and employees must abide by the "rules of the game" of mutual recognition and fairness , the writers' strike was because they felt that the rules of the game were unfair to them. The old three-year contract signed between the writers' Union and the producers' Association expired on October 31 this year. As early as July this year, the two sides had started negotiations on the renewal of the contract. The main difference was that the producers demanded to pay the balance after recovering the cost of films and TV programs, while the screenwriters did not It is required to improve the treatment of writers of reality shows and other TV programs, and ask producers to double the share of DVD sales to writers, from the current 0.3% to 0.6%. In addition, the share of income from downloading programs on the Internet has changed from 0% to 0.6%. Unfortunately, the negotiation between the two sides broke down, and the writers' Association officially announced a strike.

However, the counterattack of the production unions and film companies hit their vital point, which introduced hundreds of foreign screenwriters, making the situation of more monks and fewer people more serious and more unemployed.

The breach of contract lawsuit accurately hits individuals. These are the backbone members of the trade union. If these people go bankrupt, it will have a great impact on their morale. The closure of the giant company means that they can't get a good job. Only the big company can afford to buy a script at a high price. These independent film companies are far lower than the giant company, which makes them never appear.

These people are in a hurry. They find the chairman of the screenwriter's Union and let them be responsible for it. They don't want to strike. It is forced by the Union and the union must be responsible for it.

In this regard, the trade union had no choice but to organize lawyers to deal with the lawsuit on the one hand. They thought it was a legitimate right protection. The company retaliated and asked the court to rule that the lawsuit was invalid.

On the other hand, organize greater demonstrations and call on trade union members to boycott all awards in the award season, including local film critic awards and various trade union awards.

This award season is a busy sales season for film companies. Its ultimate goal is to make more money through more exposure and publicity. It is a grand event benefiting the whole industry. A large number of parties and activities are essential for drinks, food, flowers and venues, which greatly stimulate consumption and benefit the service industry.

But now a large number of activities have decreased. In previous years, the third is the peak sales season for drinks, but now business has greatly reduced. The business of various hotels has decreased by 50% in the same period. Now the strike is beginning to show its power, and many people are beginning to complain, hoping that the strike will end as soon as possible.

No, the rich and powerful film companies can bear this loss. They can't stand it. If they let their employees coerce them to increase their wages, they will lose face and money. No boss will agree. They won't cry until they see the coffin.

As for the impact of the award season, it is more than two months away from the Golden Globe Award and the Oscar. Maybe at that time, these people surrendered long ago. The series of awards in the outpost of the award season are just the self hi of various industries and the labor unions squeeze out a share. It does not stimulate the film box office, and the film companies do not value it.

The boycott of various trade union awards has made more people dissatisfied. They put their anger on the producers' meeting and hope they can reach an agreement. Anyway, there is not much more money. Isn't it better for everyone to be friendly?

The producers' Union is dissatisfied. What nonsense do you say? We have the right to have money, but this right and money belong to the boss of the film company. If we abuse it, it will be a dereliction of duty. They are no longer qualified to be the producer on behalf of the investor. They have made some concessions, but they have not made any concessions in terms of unemployment insurance, medical insurance, pension and online on-demand sharing, which are most concerned by the writers' Union.

Now film companies are also angry. As a content production company, they pay people to make every work, and they have to spend money there. The new Internet has a huge impact on the industry. There are many online resources, and piracy is rampant. They use both soft and hard, and try their best to make video websites pay. Before they get much, someone comes to tiger's mouth to grab food, This is stealing money.

If you don't do this job, naturally someone will do it. The capitalists hate the trade union naturally. It is the existence of the trade union that gives the screenwriters the confidence to work against them, so they decided to start now and recruit more people outside the trade union to ensure that their interests are maximized.

They control the country's major television networks. As long as they are willing, the information about writers' strikes and demonstrations at the gate of film companies has not been included in the mainstream media. Even if there is, it has been taken in a lump sum. Perhaps it is only displayed in some tabloids and small television stations, and has little influence.

As for the change in the attitude of the actors' Union, it doesn't matter. The bosses of major film companies went out to meet these superstars and warned them against the film companies. It's no good at all. The wages and salaries of actors have risen so much that they have to pull writers. Do you want to force the investors to death? Without the investment of the investor, do we eat the northwest wind?

The last strike in 2001 was supported by Tom Cruise. He took to the streets to support the writers, which caused great repercussions and made the strike win quickly, which made him have an excellent relationship with the writers' Union. This time, the writers' Union hopes liangtang to stand up again and cry for the working people.

However, Liang Tang declined this time and expressed his support for the writers' strike, but only mentally, he would not take to the streets for this. Now Liang Tang is very stiff with his old owner Viacom. He changed to MGM in the original version, which can be regarded as a place to stay, with a tile covering his head. However, Liang Tang did not cooperate with the giant company at this time, so he had to pay for the film himself, which is not very confident, These giant companies can strangle him at any time in the distribution and publicity link. This beautiful soup Lianyi brand was founded by Chaplin. It has long been cancelled by the Distribution Department. It is just an empty shell and a simple production company.

In Hollywood, there are many production companies. Many superstars and celebrities have opened production companies to reasonably avoid taxes. They participate in making movies in the name of the company, which can pay a lot of taxes less.

People who work in Hollywood know that people who participate in making films can make money. Only nine out of ten who invest in films lose money, so many directors and superstars will never invest money in their own films, because they know how deep this industry is. Of course, many superstars invest in film remuneration and strive for share, but few of them take real money, Unless the number is small.

So now the beautiful soup looks beautiful. He works alone and works as the boss. In fact, he is a donkey dung egg, but his appearance is bright. On the contrary, he is in a greater embarrassment. It is only a matter of one sentence for these giant companies to punish him.

Of course, the writers' Union will not hang from a tree. Some of the celebrities born as writers are the king of the world, James Cameron, Stallone, George Clooney, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and so on. Even mark is a guy, but he forgets himself and refuses to stand out for his peers.

However, the attitude of these celebrities is the same. Few of them are willing to take to the streets and cheer for it. They think that taking to the streets is not a glorious thing and will affect their image in the public and advertisers. Of course, they are more afraid of angering these giant companies. If they are unhappy, they will suffer.

For example, the more than 200 writers sued by the giant company, why so many famous and prestigious writers have not been sued, but they, who are generally medium-sized, have been sued. It must be because they are too active and have attracted the displeasure of the film company. Even if they do not compensate the losses of the film company, there will be no cooperation in the future. The competition in this industry is so fierce, Some are substitutes. Being on the blacklist means losing their jobs.