Yesterday
we posted an article here on KryptonSite about
writers of television and movies now being
on strike. Now, we can report on this with
added clarity, as we received the following
statement from Smallville's executive
producers and creators, Alfred Gough and Miles
Millar.
As
of 12:01 am yesterday, our entire writing
staff is on strike. That means that the pencils
went down and there won't be any more scripts
until our guild, the WGA, receives a fair
deal from the studios and networks. The biggest
sticking point is residuals on the internet
and new media. Residuals are the amount a
writer gets paid every time an episode or
movie they wrote is rebroadcast. Right now
there is no formula in place for internet
downloads. So any episode of any show that
you download on iTunes or other such services,
or watch for free at one of the network's
ad-supported websites, the writer gets nothing.
I think we can all agree that is unfair.
Screenwriting isn't like other professions.
There is no guarantee of employment week to
week or year to year. It is a feast or famine
business, and when the music stops, you may
not still have a chair. As a film school teacher
once described it -- you can't make a living,
but you can make a killing. It is those times
when you are working that you have to plan
for the future, because it doesn't last forever.
Miles and I have been writing together for
15 years now. Each year I wonder if this is
when it all comes crashing down.
I know that if most people have even heard
of a screen or television writer, it is usually
someone high profile and rich. However, the
majority of writers in our guild are middle
class. They live paycheck to paycheck. Residuals
are what get you through the lean times, so
that you can continue doing what you love
for as long as you can, and still support
your family.
Please understand that no writer wanted a
strike, but the issues we are fighting for
will determine not only our future in the
digital age, but the future of generations
of writers to come. If we don't take a stand
now, that future will look pretty bleak.
We were able to complete scripts for 15 episodes.
Episode 15 is a cliffhanger. To the best of
my knowledge, the studio plans to produce
all of them. If there isn't a quick resolution,
then the season ends in February. It is our
wish that this strike will be resolved quickly
so that we can get back to doing what we love
-- writing.
From the entire writing staff, thank you for
your continued support.
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Statement
From Gough & Millar On The Writers' Strike