The WGA Tries New Tactics

With the holidays approaching, the strike is still in full-swing.

While negotiations between the Writers Guild Of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) are going nowhere fast, the WGA has come up with an alternative. The guild announced to its members that it would seek to schedule individual bargaining meetings with the different networks. The guild hopes these negotiations will help to end the stalemate between themselves and the AMPTP, but there is no word on whether any of the networks will actually make an individual deal with the WGA.

Alan Rosenberg, president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), issued a statement to WGA members on Sunday asserting that the actors continue to support the writers. "I am writing to you on behalf of 120,000 proud members of Screen Actors Guild who stand with you in solidarity as your strike continues," he said. "We believe that now more than ever, we must remain strong and even more committed to achieving our common objectives. We are proud to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with you and SAG will be there for as long as it takes. Your fight is our fight."

As negotiations between the WGA and the AMPTP remain at an impasse, the Directors Guild of America (DGA) announced that they plan to start their negotiations with the producers at the beginning of the year if the WGA has not come to an agreement by that time. The DGA contract runs out in June. The WGA agreed to meet with the directors to discuss new media (such as internet revenues), but it was announced that "[n]either the WGA nor the DGA will have any further comment on the meeting or any of the information shared in the meeting."

The new year will mark the return of some of the big names in latenight programming. Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien will begin airing new episodes of their shows on January 2. The programmes will not contain scripted content, but both celebrities wish to keep their non-writing staff members employed. "I will make clear, on the program, my support for the writers, and I'll do the best version of Late Night I can under the circumstances," O'Brien said. "Of course, my show will not be as good. In fact, in moments it may very well be terrible. My sincerest hope is that all of my writers are back soon, working under a contract that provides them everything they deserve."

Information on the move to bargain with individual networks, the SAG's continued support of the writers, the discussions between the WGA and the DGA and the return of latenight can be found at Variety, or check out Deadline Hollywood Daily.

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