The New York Times a few weeks ago published an article talking about the WGA strikes. It painted a very ugly picture of writers in general and their reasons for going on strike.
Screenwriters on Strike Over Stake in New Media
My favorite line has to be…
All of the trappings of a union protest were there — signs, chanting workers, an inflatable rat and a discarded bag of wrappers and cups from Dunkin’ Donuts. The rat commuted from Queens, where it was borrowed from Local 79, an A.F.L.-C.I.O. laborers’ union. But instead of hard hats and work boots, those at the barricades wore arty glasses and fancy scarves.
“A lot of the public probably feels like we are brats,†said Sarah Durken, a writer for children’s programs. “But I think everyone understands the issue of corporate greed versus the needs of workers and their families.â€
Not very nice at all. And in the words of ‘The Dude’, “This aggression will not stand…man.” Which brings me to Joss Whedon’s very well spoken rebutal to this article. He talks about his reaction to this article, and why this strike is so important for the writer’s future.
Heres Joss’s comment on my favorite line of the NY Times article…
Oh my God. Arty glasses and fancy scarves. That is so cute! My head is aflame with images of writers in ruffled collars, silk pantaloons and ribbons upon their buckled shoes. A towering powdered wig upon David Fury’s head, and Drew Goddard in his yellow stockings (cross-gartered, needless to say). Such popinjays, we! The entire writers’ guild as Leslie Howard in The Scarlet Pimpernel. Delicious.
All of this is a few weeks old, but as we approach the one month mark for the strike, it’s still very poignant. So check it out, it’s a good read. And if talks continue to go well between the WGA and the AMPTP, then hopefully I have to find something to new to post about! Fingers crossed.