Writer Guild Strike — Day 12 Producers and Writers Agree to Talk

After two weeks of vitriol between the striking Writers and Producers, there is a glimmer of hope as the two sides have agreed to sit down and restart negotiations on Monday, November 26th. Over 25 television shows have shut down production, putting thousands of technicians and office staff out of work. The deadlock was the reason for halting the high-profile movie, “Angels & Demons,” the sequel to the blockbuster “The Da Vinci Code”, scheduled to begin photography in the new year.

Hundreds of businesses that service L.A’s $30-billion entertainment industry saw their businesses take a hit. Both sides are motivated to resolve the dispute before it disrupts next year’s pilot season.

It was unclear which side took the initiative to revive the talks, the decision was mutual. The breakthrough came about as a result of back-channel talks between prominent television writers and senior executives, including News Corp. President Peter Chernin, Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Bob Iger, Warner Bros. Entertainment Chairman Barry Meyer and CBS Corp. Chief Executive Leslie Moonves.

Meanwhile our show was given the “back nine” order today. There was loud cheering on the set for this somewhat symbolic but bittersweet celebration. Without writers, those nine more scripts will not be written and the nine shows cannot be shot.

But hope springs eternal in this town of dreams — maybe the Writers and Producers will come to an agreement before the end of December and the rest of the television season will be saved. Wouldn’t that be a terrific Christmas present to the many thousands of us facing unemployment.

Posted: 0040PT 11/17/07
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