The idea actually originated from Whedonesque I believe. United Hollywood isn't an official WGA blog, if I recall.

I think part of the problem is that Fans 4 Writers don't have access to the actual meetings, what's happening on the ground, the show runners or anything else. They're getting nearly all their information from United Hollywood and the like.

I need to say it somewhere: I think the pencil push going through United Hollywood is a PR misstep.

Also, doesn't it seem like even if the pencil campaign reaches its ultimate impact potential, it would still only generate a shoulder shrug from the intended recipients?

Fox's stationary budget will be coming down.

I've been extremely involved with new media this past year. I'm confident I know as much about it as anyone and that's no exaggeration. I'm trying to position myself as a web content producer. I may even have my own web serial online now. ;-) I know the guys who make lonelygirl15. If anyone follows, the 12in12 format for the season finale was my idea. They've been blazing the trail in this new medium. BTW they are big fans Buffy and the Buffy community. They dropped the ball when they let Quarterlife carry the banner for internet programming that they held for the past year. There's not doubt QL went after it. The lead used to be a cast member of lg15. QL is a not an internet show, it's a TV show that aired on the internet. There is a huge difference between the TV audience and the online audience. The TV audience is passive whereas the online audience is interactive. Most shows made for the internet intentionally break the fourth wall. Who didn't QL sell out in this move with NBC?

bebo just launched an Open Media platform: [link] It's a system letting content owners publish videos from their shows using their own players and advertising, from which they keep all ad revenue. This means anyone can start their own lonelygirl15 or Quarterlife. The drawback is still that people will have to find you.

I'm also involved with sites currently in beta built around a viewing community where there is one central location to view, interact with and talk about web serials. Internet entertainment is like the California goldrush-right now it's really open to everyone. I expect to see a lot of crap-especially now that people will pattern themselves after QL and not lg15 but I guess that's good news for someone like me.

Geez. I lost 29 pounds.

That's AWESOME. FTR, while the photo was unflattering, you look good.

I support the writers, and I know that not all of them are sitting in the lap of multimillion-dollar luxury. However, I think writers pulling the strings of what should be a show of support from the fans is a misstep that lacks the spontaneity of previous, solely fan-generated campaigns. At the very least, I think Fans4Writers should have been the conduit for this, rather than United Hollywood.

That's been my feeling on the subject as well. I've been amazed and touched by all of the various fan efforts (including the lovely Buffista gift bags) but I've tried very hard to not participate or comment during the planning stages. It seemed weird to butt in and also? It felt inappropriate to say, "Here are the ways in which YOU can help ME."

ETA: Thanks, Polgara and Kat! I'm almost halfway to my goal. Happily, my weekly Friday morning picket line cheat doesn't seem to have derailed me.

In other strike related news, I love this blog post by Sera Gamble.

It reminded me of a conversation I had with Polgara once. I think it was probably last year between the time Tim said he wanted to hire me and when I finally started work. There was some big lottery jackpot and Polgara was going to buy a ticket. And I said that I couldn't buy a ticket because I'd rather have a job and I didn't want to use up all my luck.

This is also a story about how awesome Polgara is because she didn't tell me that I was overly superstitious and, also, insane. Even though I totally am.

I just finished a red scarf - done while watching SG: Atlantis and House. Now I'm wishing I had a cute little fabric tag that says "Lovingly Made By: A Fan Who Supports The Writers" or something equally maudlin.

I just posted a letter to Joss at Whedonesque. I think I made an ass out of myself, but I was thinking about what Monique was saying, and I think she's right about it being a weird situation.

I asked Joss that he and his fellow showrunners match the fans, dollar to dollar, and send it on to the solidarity fund for crew people. I mean, they're really fucking rich, and if they're asking us to open our pockets on their behalf, then...you know?

It's different when we think up crazy shit and do it on our own.

And, I think that it's way more encouraging to send a box of pencils when you know that you're also making the holidays a bit better for out-of-work crew people.

Still, I think I made an ass out of myself and expect to be tossed out of fandom on my ass.

I really like that idea a lot, Allyson. I hope they do it.