Writer's Cramp

Some of you may be aware of the recent strike that is on from the writer's union in Hollywood. In a very rough nutshell, the writer's only get 1% of DVD and other sales and they'd like it to increase to 2%. Producers and studio execs say "no way" and the war is on. Who is right? Should writers get more bling for their efforts?

Part of me says yes. These guys are the creative guts and heart behind every movie and TV show. Many people can produce and many can act, however good writing is very difficult to come by (at least in my opinion and I'm no English major/minor). If I'm a producer, and I got results from a talented writing team, I'd pay them well so they would continue to work hard. Word of mouth would spread that top writers work for me and I'd have the best competing to work with me. Pay people what they're worth and it will come back to better business for yourself.

But this herein lies the problem. What are good writers worth? I suppose I could start to quantify it with revenue from ratings or ticket and DVD sales, but that would be boring and not get to the heart of the matter. Writers get treated like dirt because they are seen as idealistic, passionate communists who will suffer for their art (the same could be said about most actors too) at any cost. Shouldn't these guys be living underneath some brothel on the Sunset strip with a scratchy wool blanket and concrete block for a pillow? Just make sure there is a power outlet for their Apple Laptop to plug into. Let them live on Top Ramen, cigarettes and caffinate them with cheap black coffee to keep them producing. If they die, it is a good tragic death that will fuel more good writing. No sense in paying an idealist a ton of money.

These guys collectively got sick of their bohemian lifestyle and decided they wanted more. I recently read an article from Rabbi Bourch Leff where he quotes the following from George Bernard Shaw:

"If at age 20 you are not a Communist then you have no heart. If at age 30 you are not a Capitalist then you have no brains."

It appears that writers collectively gave up communism and decided to become capitalists. IN YOUR FACE MARX!!! ADAM SMITH WINS! Ha ha!

Frankly, I'm ashamed for these writers. All TV and movies are about to go to crap. But my guess is that if one asked a truly socialistic person, they'd say this has already happened. Then again, ask any right-wing nut job like me, and I'll tell you its all gone to crap too. So if everyone hates your work, you may as well get paid more for it right?

This is the part where I say NO!!! I predict that several writers will die under their scratchy blankets after the Ramen runs out and the coffee goes cold. Well connected ones may make more dough, and consumers will get hosed with higher movie ticket, cable and dvd prices. Why? The guys with the money have certain things called "investment goals". Let's say their criteria is that they get a 10% return on their investments. If writers get their 1% increase, the cost will be passed on to us so the producers can continue to get 10%. That's what people with the $$$ do. They don't eat costs, they pass them on or write them off. If they don't, they need to get a new CPA.

So enjoy the hike in prices America. I sure won't.