Writers Guild Demands Online Cut; Studios React Sharply

The ongoing back and forth on getting Hollywood actors and writers compensated for online and other new multi-platform venues continues: the Writers Guild of America have issues a fresh list of demands and are placing a top priority on getting a bigger cut of new-media revenues, as part of the upcoming contract negotiations. In response, the companies’ lead negotiator has characterized the WGA’s wish list as over the top and out of touch with current showbiz reality, reports Variety.
The WGA is asking its 12,000 members to endorse the 25 issues hammered out by its negotiating committee over the past three months, and meant to serve as guidelines to guild negotiators. A big part is new media residuals: “The negotiating committee is comprised of working writers in television and film who know the Internet is the distribution channel of the future,” WGA negotiating committee chief John Bowman said…If they get paid, we get paid. If they don’t, we don’t.”
THR: Topping the list of compensation demands is “coverage and minimums for writing for the Internet and other nontraditional media,” followed closely by a resolve to “increase initial compensation in all areas.”

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