On Friday, October 3, 1997 at 12:00:00 AM UTC-7, Topos wrote:

Well, it looks like it's a sad day for writers. I cannot speak as a Guild
member, and I'm sure my knowledge of the issues is less than perfect (everyone
should read the arguments posted at wga.org), but I can say that the
negotiating power of all writers has suffered a blow. If I were on the other
side, I'd be laughing right now. A union splitting in two because many of
them are happy with the status quo? I'd personally offer even less. Without
a united front, writers will be treated worse than they are now.

To help ease the pain, I've written a top ten list for comic relief:

TOP TEN CONCESSIONS OF THE NEW CONTRACT

10. Alicia Silverstone only gets final cut and rewriting power on her own
movies. The rest are Alicia free!

9. The producers have allowed the continued use of #2 pencils by writers. If
they can't afford a #2 pencil, one will be provided for them (cost deducted
from health contributions).

8. Writers may still break the thumb rule, although in The Hustler provision,
writers may subsequently have their own thumbs broken.

7. For the first time ever, writers will see a significant portion of
eight-track residuals (which we have been assured are making a comeback)

6. Changing the writer's credit to read "Words filled in by" has been narrowly
rejected, although the issue may be revisited.

5. Writers still have the option of using the word 'impact' correctly,
although everyone else will freely use it as a verb outside the realm of
molars and colons.

4. If a writer works a six hour shift, he or she is entitled to a meal at 1/2
price. The opportunity to become an assistant manager in six months is still
there for those who are go-getters.

3. Every producer will go through sensitivity training, in which he will have
to write an original paragraph. That paragraph will then be rewritten
countless times as he watches.

2. A fraction of a gross point on all releases will go toward a new program
which will subsidize copying at Kinko's for new screenwriters. The program,
entitled "Making A Slow Death Even Slower," successfully survived fierce
opposition from the environmental contingency.

1. Every poor writer will receive a free tombstone, written in Courier 12
point. Here the thumb rile will be strictly enforced.

Eric

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------

"That guy doesn't have any nuts. I know...because I reached down and tried to
tear them off."

- Said at contract negotiations?

wth is going on

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)