Well said, young writer! I was able to build a career and raise a family (one might argue, badly, since my son decided to become a writer) but the industry I worked in has changed so dramatically that the kind of upward mobility I could aspire to has become almost impossible. If this strike doesn't succeed, every union will join ours in a downward spiral. So fists up, pencils down, LA is a union town!
Full support here, Will. The magic sentence in your piece for me is “ This goes for every worker in every industry, if they could replace you they would.” Welcome to the capitalist world where PROFIT is master of the land and the worker be damned.
You have all my sympathy, support, and empathy. I share your anger over the greed in this business. I lived through the last writers’ strike and I can verify it was difficult an painful for all of us. And so unnecessary!!! Thankfully I am now retired and hope to escape most of the pain this time, except for the pain and frustration I will now see in my friend who are still trying to work in this business. Good luck!! I hope and pray this is a shore one!!
Thank you, and if it isn't a short strike, it's an even more important one. The less they're willing to bargain, the more imperative it is that we grind things to a halt.
I think writers should start making comments about the other guilds truly supporting the WGA with an immediate and total work stoppage, and not just talk about the writers. We all need to get beyond that and concentrate on being united. Only thing that will save the creative community.
Maybe your dumb brain is rubbing off on my dumb brain but I can't find out the subscription amount and I'd like to know it before I pound the subscribe button.
Aww thank you so much! There's the option to pledge a yearly amount in the event that I do eventually add a paid option but for now, reading, liking, and commenting are wonderful! And if you really love it, sharing WDB on social media or recommending it to others is absolutely massive and helps me grows this thing more than money ever could!
As a former union member and site rep. I salute your dedication to keeping your union active and effective. It's a sad commentary on the current state of affairs that unions are still having to struggle for membership, and for the power to counteract big money and influence wielded by THE BOSSES. I hope you succeed in winning a fair contract that brings your compensation into line with your contribution to your industry. Like you say, without writers, there aren't any stories, and without stories there's noting to sell detergent and laxatives to the general public. Without those sales, the economy swirls down the big toilet, and we all suffer. "But screw your courage to the sticking place and we'll not fail." Macbeth/Shakespeare.
Bottom line, I believe, is that the actors and directors must immediately back the writers. The only real power we have to truly influence the companies is if we all withhold our creativity at the same time immediately. Scripts, AI included, are useless to the companies if there is no one to direct or act. It is about time all guilds worked together. Please God, this time, all three will actually do what is right for ALL involved, and not just for each guild individually. It is the creative community's only true power. Writers are indeed the engine room, but writers, actors and directors are the BIG CREATIVE THREE.
I agree with almost everything you say, Will, and with the comments as well. My only quibble is to make the point that this strike will not only "be hard on everyone in the industry" - the trickledown will be felt in every corner of the community, from the people who cut hair, or work in restaurants, or babysit kids, or sell cars or even wash cars. This is important, but it's going to be hard.
Well said, young writer! I was able to build a career and raise a family (one might argue, badly, since my son decided to become a writer) but the industry I worked in has changed so dramatically that the kind of upward mobility I could aspire to has become almost impossible. If this strike doesn't succeed, every union will join ours in a downward spiral. So fists up, pencils down, LA is a union town!
Workers of the world, unite!
Full support here, Will. The magic sentence in your piece for me is “ This goes for every worker in every industry, if they could replace you they would.” Welcome to the capitalist world where PROFIT is master of the land and the worker be damned.
STRIKE! ✊🏻
Amen, Rick! Capitalism only works if employers pay their workers less than the value they generate. Unions are the only way to bridge that gap!
Your fight is a just one. Hold your ground and stay united. Power to the people!
United we bargain. Divided we beg!
here, here, Will!
You have all my sympathy, support, and empathy. I share your anger over the greed in this business. I lived through the last writers’ strike and I can verify it was difficult an painful for all of us. And so unnecessary!!! Thankfully I am now retired and hope to escape most of the pain this time, except for the pain and frustration I will now see in my friend who are still trying to work in this business. Good luck!! I hope and pray this is a shore one!!
Thank you, and if it isn't a short strike, it's an even more important one. The less they're willing to bargain, the more imperative it is that we grind things to a halt.
I think writers should start making comments about the other guilds truly supporting the WGA with an immediate and total work stoppage, and not just talk about the writers. We all need to get beyond that and concentrate on being united. Only thing that will save the creative community.
Maybe your dumb brain is rubbing off on my dumb brain but I can't find out the subscription amount and I'd like to know it before I pound the subscribe button.
Hi Susan, it's your lucky day because Will's Dumb Brain is free to subscribe to!
Oh see I make myself laugh out loud. I’m already subscribed! What I’m TRYING to do is give you money! How can I do that?
Aww thank you so much! There's the option to pledge a yearly amount in the event that I do eventually add a paid option but for now, reading, liking, and commenting are wonderful! And if you really love it, sharing WDB on social media or recommending it to others is absolutely massive and helps me grows this thing more than money ever could!
As a former union member and site rep. I salute your dedication to keeping your union active and effective. It's a sad commentary on the current state of affairs that unions are still having to struggle for membership, and for the power to counteract big money and influence wielded by THE BOSSES. I hope you succeed in winning a fair contract that brings your compensation into line with your contribution to your industry. Like you say, without writers, there aren't any stories, and without stories there's noting to sell detergent and laxatives to the general public. Without those sales, the economy swirls down the big toilet, and we all suffer. "But screw your courage to the sticking place and we'll not fail." Macbeth/Shakespeare.
Well said!
Bottom line, I believe, is that the actors and directors must immediately back the writers. The only real power we have to truly influence the companies is if we all withhold our creativity at the same time immediately. Scripts, AI included, are useless to the companies if there is no one to direct or act. It is about time all guilds worked together. Please God, this time, all three will actually do what is right for ALL involved, and not just for each guild individually. It is the creative community's only true power. Writers are indeed the engine room, but writers, actors and directors are the BIG CREATIVE THREE.
Well, that seems more likely than I've seen in the past and if it happens this could be a historic strike. So, I'll keep my fingers crossed!
Sorry for the typos. Can’t edit
I agree with almost everything you say, Will, and with the comments as well. My only quibble is to make the point that this strike will not only "be hard on everyone in the industry" - the trickledown will be felt in every corner of the community, from the people who cut hair, or work in restaurants, or babysit kids, or sell cars or even wash cars. This is important, but it's going to be hard.
This is a great point. This kind of collective action is tough on everyone which shows how important it is!
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