Another Day At The Office — Maybe

My current “office” since mid-July has been the sound stages and back-lot streets of a famous old Hollywood film studio. It is here where we create and shoot a somewhat popular new television series for a major network. We are halfway through our 10th episode of a possible 13 show order. If the ratings continue to hold we could get the “back nine” — 9 more shows to complete a full season.

But maybe not — the Writer’s Guild has just called a strike, the first one in over 19 years. There are more than 50,000 people who work in the film and television industry in Los Angeles — we will all be impacted financially over this strike. There will also be a lot of collateral damage to many other people and businesses outside of the film industry — from dry cleaners, set construction companies, caterers, restaurants etc. The last WGA strike lasted over 5 months and resulted in over a $500 million loss to the economy.

It means that we may have to shut down production as scripts for the next episodes will not be able to be written or revised. So suddenly I’ll be unemployed and a fresh new television series may never be seen again. This scenario is a new reality to many other shows around town.

Somehow I’ve managed to survive over 37 years as a freelancer — going from project to project. Tonight, the creator of our show gave the cast and crew a heartfelt and tearful speech saying he hoped we could continue the show. He was talking about his ‘baby’ – this was his inspiration and it all may be snatched away from him and us just as the audience is catching the show’s hook.

Hollywood is a tough town and money is the root of it all. Let’s hope the Writer’s work it out fast so I can keep working.

I’ll update you from the “inside” as soon as there is more news.

Peace, out.

Posted: 0052PT 11/03/07
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