Date: 16th January 2001

Writers: "It's Not Just About Money"


Nonmonetary issues are at the heart of the demands by the Writers Guild of America in the guild's upcoming negotiations with producers, the New York Times observed today (Tuesday). "What the writers demand would create nothing less than a sea change in the culture of Hollywood," the newspaper commented in a lengthy article examining the complicated grievances that the WGA plans to present in advance of the expiration of its current industry contract on May 1. Former WGA-West president Daniel M. Petrie told the Times: "The major issue is about respect. ... There's a culture in Hollywood that devalues the contribution of the writer to a film." Warner Brothers chief Barry Meyer remarked: "I don't think we can have a resolution of the creative issues without the full consultation of the Directors Guild. ... Is it complicated? Of course it is." Meanwhile today's Daily Variety is reporting that divisions within the WGA over the guild's demands are becoming more apparent. It quoted one unnamed "A-list" writer as saying that "no one gives a s**t" about the creative rights issues.

Source: Studio Briefing