Striking Writers Picket 'Lost' StudioUnion Members
Look For Share To Programs On Internet
POSTED: 1:37 pm HST November 19, 2007
HONOLULU -- Striking television and motion picture writers have begun picketing the Diamond Head studio where Hawaii's most popular TV series is in production.
Striking members of the Writer's Guild of America walk back and forth in front of the state's film studio at Diamond Head. Inside, production continued on the ABC show "Lost," using scripts written before the walkout began.
The big issue for the writers is getting a share for programs, including network shows, that are shown on the Internet.
"'Lost' and other shows are seen on the Internet. They're downloaded. They're put onto iPods and the writers get exactly nothing for it," said Neal Israel, of the Writer's Guild of America.
Israel and the union said the majority of TV writers make about $60,000 a year if there is a show that will hire them.
"Most of us are out of work a lot, and so, we're really -- this is a strike for a middle-class lifestyle, not a wealthy one," Israel said.
There are 20 to 25 writer's guild members here in Hawaii, but none of them actually write for "Lost," according to Israel. He said the "Lost" writers, who are also on strike, are in Los Angeles.
Local Writers Guild members are picketing the studio. They are also shooting their own videos on the picket lines to get their story out.
"So we have used the Internet as a tool to inform the public about what the strike is all about because people go to the Internet now," he said.
ABC said "Lost" will return for a new season in February.
How long will that season last if the strike keeps going? According to sources, "Lost" may have scripts for just three more shows for the upcoming season.
Source: www.variety.com
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