I read an article last week which addressed median salaries and amounts averaged over 10 years and said something along the lines that under those circumstances 90% of WGA members didn't earn over $100k a year and used phrases like "equivalent to a grade school teacher" but of course, I can't find it again now.

I did however, locate these facty links along the search.

The Ins and Outs of TV Series Writer Deals which breaks down the different ways a script can be "paid for" and includes indicative pricing

and

the WGA Contract 2007 - Pattern of Demands

I read an article last week which addressed median salaries and amounts averaged over 10 years and said something along the lines that under those circumstances 90% of WGA members didn't earn over $100k a year and used phrases like "equivalent to a grade school teacher" but of course, I can't find it again now

I have to say, the "equivalent to a grade school teacher" is something that could totally piss me off out of context because (1)I am a grade school teacher (2) the implication is that the level of skill and professionalism necessary to write for TV is greater than the skill and professionalism necessary to teach (3) infers that teachers are less than writers, even though our education and professional credentialling requirements, particularly in california, rival that of other professions that require post-BA/BS work.

I think grade school teachers are commonly regarded as underpaid (for all the reasons you state) or at least not making great money, and Hollywood writers are commonly regarded as raking it in.

I don't know that there is necessarily a value judgment of either profession in the comparison.

I have to say, the "equivalent to a grade school teacher" is something that could totally piss me off out of context because (1)I am a grade school teacher (2) the implication is that the level of skill and professionalism necessary to write for TV is greater than the skill and professionalism necessary to teach (3) infers that teachers are less than writers, even though our education and professional credentialling requirements, particularly in california, rival that of other professions that require post-BA/BS work.

Damn fucking straight.

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...in fact I fear that the frail vehicle of the English language may be inadequate to expressing the strength of my agreement.

Were anyone to suggest that my intellect, education or professionalism were inferior to that of a professional writer, I suspect that I might find myself abandoning decorum and shoving a typewriter into a cavity for which it was not designed.

...

...

I find that I have inadvertently mounted a soapbox, and am in danger of ranting. Rather than subject you to this, though, I shall dismount as gracefully as possible, spit in the general direction of all numbskull disparagers of my profession, and slope off to read some fanfic. Or, you know, go to sleep. (Sleep would be a good plan, really...)

From where I'm standing (as neither a teacher nor a nurse) teaching and nursing are often used as examples of important professions which are direly underpaid. If there's any comparison being made to the worth to society of writers vs. teachers, I'd be very surprised--in either direction, actually.

I read it as "You know who else gets paid crap for no good reason?" and don't see any implied derision.

Yeah, ita, absent the actual article, I'm not sure what the context is. But often when I hear comparisons to teacher's salaries, it seems to be less about look-how-we're-underpaid-just-like-teachers and more this profession which should make more makes something comparable to teachers.

And registered nurses? The NICU nurses make great money, deservedly so. More than average screenwriters, possibly. And they probably have better job security too. Life flight nurses make even more.

I took the quote to mean underpaid. Though comparing screenwriters to teachers is like comparing apples and toasters.

I took the quote to mean underpaid. Though comparing screenwriters to teachers is like comparing apples and toasters.

This is true, but to expand, I took the quote to mean underpaid, especially considering the amount of money the industry makes.

This is true, but to expand, I took the quote to mean underpaid, especially considering the amount of money the industry makes.

Exactly how I took it, victor.

I have to say, the "equivalent to a grade school teacher" is something that could totally piss me off out of context because (1)I am a grade school teacher (2) the implication is that the level of skill and professionalism necessary to write for TV is greater than the skill and professionalism necessary to teach (3) infers that teachers are less than writers, even though our education and professional credentialling requirements, particularly in california, rival that of other professions that require post-BA/BS work.

Regardless of how it was meant, I had exactly this reaction. But I am so sick in general of the use of the terms "schoolteacher" and "grade school teacher" because they are almost always used in a condescending manner. Teacher or educator, kthxbye.

I know that the statement is probably meant simply to emphasize how little writers, like teachers, make, but I can't help how it makes me feel.