WRITER'S STRIKE END IN SITE!!

Josephine Marcus · WRITER'S STRIKE END IN SITE!!

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stor...SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Breakthrough in Striking Writers Talks

By LYNN ELBER
AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A breakthrough in contract talks has been reached between Hollywood studios and striking writers and could lead to a tentative deal as early as next week, a person close to the ongoing negotiations said Saturday.

The two sides breached the gap Friday on the thorniest issues, those concerning compensation for projects distributed via the Internet, said the person, who requested anonymity because he were not authorized to speak publicly.

A second person familiar with the talks, also speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to comment publicly, said that significant progress had been made and a deal might be announced within a week.

The people did not provide specific details on the possible agreement. Major points of contention include how much and when writers are paid for projects delivered online after they've been broadcast on TV.

The studios have been insisting that programs be streamed online for a certain period, deemed promotional, during which writers would forgo residuals. When payment kicked in, the companies sought to limit it to a flat $1,200 fee, while the guild wanted a percentage of a distributor's revenue.

The Writers Guild of America did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the trade group representing the studios, declined comment, citing a news blackout agreed to by both sides during the talks.

Guild leaders have said they are fighting for a piece of the future, reflecting the widespread belief that Internet-delivered entertainment fare would inevitably claim an increasing and perhaps even dominant market share.

Although work remains to be done on elements of the agreement, prospects for a deal appeared solid, said those close to the situation. The tentative agreement would have to be approved by a majority of guild members.

The guild, whose 3-month-old strike has brought the entertainment industry to a standstill, began informal talks with top media company executives Jan. 23 in an attempt to reach a new deal covering governing work for film, TV and digital media.

Negotiations between the guild and alliance negotiators collapsed Dec. 7 after the alliance demanded that proposals for unionization of animation and reality shows be taken off the table. The guild refused.

During the negotiations impasse, the Directors Guild of America began its own talks with studio chiefs and swiftly reached a tentative deal that was announced Jan. 17 and covered some of the digital media issues key to the writers guild.

Major studio executives called on the writers guild to begin informal talks, which essentially are standing in for formal negotiations, according to those familiar with the situation.

The guild extended its own olive branch before the informal talks started by withdrawing the reality-animation unionization proposal and by deciding to keep pickets away from the Grammy Awards. It has since decided to allow the music ceremony to proceed with full union support.

However, the fate of the Feb. 24 Academy Awards has remained in question, with the guild so far declining to grant its blessing to the show. A union refusal to cooperate with the Golden Globes decimated the ceremony, which was boycotted by supportive actors.

Oscar organizers and producers have vowed they will stage some type of show, with or without union support - but a writers guild deal would allow this ceremony to proceed in its full, star-studded glory, providing an invaluable promotional showcase for movie studios and their films.

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.

DSi

Wow... this is fantastic! Bring us back our 24!!! Very Happy

slade

If it resolved next week when could we expect 24 back?

Haven't they already filmed a number of episodes? Would they air it straight away or wait for a few more episodes to be filmed?

whycantkimdie?

They'd probably start filming ASAP.

slade

I know that, but what i was saying was how long before they air it?

Since they've already filmed some of it, they need to write and film the rest. So when could we expect it to be aired?

whycantkimdie?

I want it to at leasted be aired by the end of the year.

Josephine Marcus

I hope they can get everything straightened out and filmed in time to air it in the fall.

whycantkimdie?

Yeah and I dont have sky so I'd only see it a few months after that.

Josephine Marcus

I don't when it is, I just want them to give us an ETA on this who situation!

whycantkimdie?

Yeah I've stopped caring what time it starts, I just wanna know!

Josephine Marcus

As long as it's when, and not if. Cause I've heard it both ways

whycantkimdie?

I cnat see it being cancelled after its already part made and written.

Josephine Marcus

I know, but one of my saddle customer's brother-in-law works in the business, and he said that because some shows have broken their contracts they are being canceled indifinatley. But hopefully 24 isn't one of them.

whycantkimdie?

Yeah, reliable source.

Josephine Marcus

He's been really reliable in the past, but I hope this time he isn't

whycantkimdie?

What's he been reliable on?

Josephine Marcus

Well, he told me what would happen in the 3rd Pirates movie, like Will getting killed. He also told me about the Eragon movie (he does the special affects on movies). And he gives me details on movies not out yet! (A lot of which I have to keep quite Wink

)

whycantkimdie?

Does Will get killed in Pirates 3?

Josephine Marcus

Yes. Davy Jones pins him to the deck of the Black Pearl with a sword through his chest. The he dies in Elizabeth's arms. Sparrow even had a look on his face like Shocked

whycantkimdie?

But the film ends with Will ten years later on land dosen't it?

Josephine Marcus

Yeah, because Jack Sparrow saves him by getting him to use the last of his strength to stab Davy Jones' heart from the chest. So Will kills Jones, and then they cut Will's heart out and put it in the chest, making him the Captain of the Flying Dutchman. So now he is undead. If they had let him die, they never would have seen him again. This way, they can see him every 10 years when he can come to shore. And he still kept his promise of freeing his father.

whycantkimdie?

Oh, I get it now!

I didn't like that fim as much as the other 2.

Josephine Marcus

The end was good, but the beginning was too slow

And we are REALLY off topic. Lol

whycantkimdie?

Yeah I was thinking that!

Josephine Marcus

Anyways, let's get back on topic somehow before DSi yells at us!

I want 24 back on now!

whycantkimdie?

Yeah!!!!

24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!24!

Happy DSi?

Josephine Marcus

AH! Confusing...

whycantkimdie?

Yeah lol

Josephine Marcus

Lol, I was just thinking a whole season of 24 where everyone just sits at their desks and complains that it's boring cause of the strike... random, I know...

whycantkimdie?

At least it'd be on quicker.

Josephine Marcus

Lol, but not quite as amusing.

whycantkimdie?

I'd still watch it lol just to see Tony even if he was sitting at a desk

slade

IT'S OVER!!!!........almost Razz

Josephine Marcus

I'm almost on the edge of my seat over this as I am with the damn show!

slade

Even if the strike ends tomorrow the chances of seeing 24 relatively soon is pretty slim.

whycantkimdie?

And? It means we'll have it before next year hopefully!

artur2060

Wait a minute. If the plan was January, and the strike was 3 months. So how come it can't be around april or may?

Josephine Marcus

I don't think they start shows in the spring like that. It's either a fall or new year start, but maybe we'll get lucky and they'll make an exception for this time, but either way, I'll just be happy to have a date to look forward to.

slade

I don't live in America so i don't know but i assume it's because of the ratings. That time of year would be their non rating times where'd they shove out a bunch of crap to pass the time over.

artur2060

That's too bad... I think that 24 would be awesomme to watch any time of the year

whycantkimdie?

Yaeh I dont care coz I only see it on dvd.

DSi

I'm going away for the summer, so I hope it doesn't air while I'm away.

slade

That's probably why it's the non ratings period. People go away on holiday and don't care about TV.

Josephine Marcus

I'm leaving for the summer too...

ATTENTION!! I JUST HEARD ON THE RADIO TODAY THAT THEY HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT ON THE STRIKE AND IT WILL BE ENDING NEXT WEEK!! EVERYBODY JUMP FOR JOY!!

slade

artur2060

I'm sorry to say but just like Lenny Kravitz said: "It aint over till it's over..."

Josephine Marcus

whycantkimdie?

slade

"The beautiful Mary Lynn Rajskub from 24 is having a baby. It's good to see the cast of 24 has found something to do during the writers strike"

Watching Leno Razz

artur2060

Next year is bad... I have waited so long and now wait another year...

Josephine Marcus

But at least it will be on eventually

artur2060

So, does anyone know what's going on with the strike?

Terri

whycantkimdie?

Speaking of which, YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

artur2060

Really? Officially over? So what's with season 7?

whycantkimdie?

Back in production soon, hopefully.

artur2060

Do they have a date?

whycantkimdie?

nope.

Josephine Marcus

Does anyone know what site would be the most up to date on things like that? It would be good to have a reliable, up-to-date source to look at.

slade

Try the 24 site or whatever network it's on.

Sandervs

I hope it will begin soon

Josephine Marcus

Looks like it's not gonna be till Jan 09'... Sad

whycantkimdie?

I can't see any other way they'd do it.

Josephine Marcus

Well, they could show it NOW

DSi

I think they should air 24 in September, this way everyone will be home to watch since summer will be over, and it would air sooner.

Josephine Marcus

I would like that. I'm not gonna be home much come summer! So I hope they don't show it then!

DSi

Josephine Marcus

I'll be riding all summer, and thats gotta be one of the few things that will actual come before 24!

whycantkimdie?

Nothing comes before 24 for me. But then again, I have a sad life.

Josephine Marcus

Aww... Lol. There isn't too much for me, mostly just my horse.

whycantkimdie?

I've got the dog lol

Josephine Marcus

That's great. Do you talk to him about 24?

whycantkimdie?

Of course. He's a big fan.He sits on the bed and watches it with me and his fav season is season 3 and his middle name is Tony after Almieda.

Josephine Marcus

... no comment.

whycantkimdie?

LMAO!

artur2060

Sandervs

If you like horses Wink

slade

I've never been on a horse Razz

Sandervs

you're not the only one

Terri

Can we get back on topic please.

whycantkimdie?

This topic is a bit pointless now coz its about the strike almost being over when it now is.

Josephine Marcus

IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT HORSES, I'LL BE WAITING IN THE TOPIC I MADE IN THE SPORTS SECTION! LOL!

Sandervs