If there are ads in the streaming video, then there's revenue, and the writers should be able to share in it. If the show is being streamed with no ads, or click through thingies, then there's no revenue and it makes sense to treat it as promotional.
According to the article that I read in the Wall Street Journal yesterday, writers make just as much off fee-based new media (e.g., iTunes) as they do off DVD and VHS sales (something like 0.3% for the first 1 million sales, and 0.36% after that). It's only when the videos are being streamed for free (regardless of whether or not there's advertisements) that the writers aren't seeing any money. Writers for "webisodes" are paid on a case-by-case basis.
I think there's just a lot of newness in the whole digital realm, and it has yet to shake out properly. I think it's a good idea for writers to establish that they expect not to be abused in the process of figuring out where the new money trail lies.
I'm going to start calling you Mister Universe, Simon.
x-posted from Natter,
Heh, I'm at a Panera in Studio City, and a softball team of writers just came in, and are talking about where there are all supposed to go picket.
lori, Universal Studios from 9 till 1 tomorrow. The folk from Battlestar, Eureka, CSI and Desperate Housewives will be there. (The location is still undecided like, all the WGA has is 'a Gate on Lankershim').
Kevin, that's not true for everyone. Where you picket depends on what show you're working on and/or where you live. Not everyone is going to the same place.
I was gonna say that, but I'll let the actual writer give the correct information.
None of the guys at this Panera are in Kevin's target group.
Oooh. Apologies, I looked at the WGA site and went for the meeting point.
Also, I wasn't asking, either. But whatever.
