It's having every effect on the AMPTP, I suspect. They sent that statement to the companies they represent. The fact they're sending letters going on about pencils, mock exorcisms and a parody website to those companies is just hilarious.

The companies getting that statement are going to be sat around going 'What the fuck is going on?'.

I promise, it really isn't. That letter was sent out in a, "look how clownish and unprofessional these people are" way.

Or, see ND for independent verification of studios = don't give a shit.

That letter was sent out in a, "look how clownish and unprofessional these people are" way.

I know that Allyson, but the point is the AMPTP are supposed to be sorting it out. Which, you know, they aren't.

Studios give a shit about their bottom lines. The longer this goes on, the more of a shit they will give. I'd imagine having an update on progress which is no update, but instead is laugh out loud funny? Not the best thing ever.

It's the whole concept of protest. Why bother picketing outside a studio? It fucks them off and keeps you in their faces, which is exactly what people are trying to do - and apparently are.

The companies getting that statement are going to be sat around going 'What the fuck is going on?'.

More likely they are sitting around damned near shitting themselves laughing. The simple truth is they can put non scripted show on the air for well over a year and still turn a profit. Sure, viewer may get tired of it, but they will still tune in. They may even turn a bigger profit. They will just laugh their asses off, and then hire a very expensive PR firm and a team of lawyers to spin everything. These people make career politicians look like amateurs.

Okay, that's an argument I can buy into NoiseDesign. But there are companies who are already skiddish about the thing - movies, in particular, will be an issue in terms of profit.

Studios give a shit about their bottom lines.

Yes, they do. And the total collective effect these actions will have on the studios' bottom lines is best described by the phrase "hamster fart in a hurricane."

I'm not saying dumping pencils on the sidewalk costs NBC $345204592309. Or $3, for that matter. What I'm saying is it keeps the thing immediately visible to them. The writers could just go home and drink tea if they wanted - it'd have the same financial impact.

Look, That money? For pencils? That were THROWN AWAY? Could have gone to the BTL people, and carried with it FAR more goodwill and PR.

And you know, actually helped people, who are getting angrier and angrier about talks breaking down, and in some cases, are just as angry at the WGA as they are at the AMPTP.

THAT would have accomplished something. THAT is something that can't be spun. And it can't be treated like a clownish stunt. And it would have gone a lot further to create solidarity between the unions, especially IASTE, who never got a vote, but are expected to shut up and toe the line.

movies, in particular, will be an issue in terms of profit.

Movies may have an impact but there is over a 12 month lead time on films. The writers will have to be on strike for at least a year before the studios even begin to feel a pinch on movies.

And you know, actually helped people, who are getting angrier and angrier about talks breaking down, and in some cases, are just as angry at the WGA as they are at the AMPTP.

THAT would have accomplished something. THAT is something that can't be spun. And it can't be treated like a clownish stunt. And it would have gone a lot further to create solidarity between the unions, especially IASTE, who never got a vote, but are expected to shut up and toe the line.

I heard something to the effect that IATSE's position is that they would like both sides to resolve the issues at stake as soon as possible, as they would like for their people to get back to work. Pointedly not taking sides.

But yes, I think all that pencil money would have been better spent on supporting those taking the financial brunt of the strike.