Hi Michael. Shawn Ryan here. One of my regrets after I did the podcast was that I didn't bring up the problems for feature writers in today's business model. In many ways they have it worse than TV writers. Jobs in features are scarcer and scarcer, original screenplays are less in demand, a lot of free work is required to pitch for jobs, and one step deals have become the norm (no chance to rewrite). Of course, any features made for the internet/streaming have the same residuals issues as TV writers. We hope the companies offer a fair deal to the WGA to avoid a strike, but if they don't, then yes, feature writers, TV writers, Comedy-Variety writers, etc., would all be affected.
This addresses the TV writers. Would a strike negatively impact feature film writers?
Hi Michael. Shawn Ryan here. One of my regrets after I did the podcast was that I didn't bring up the problems for feature writers in today's business model. In many ways they have it worse than TV writers. Jobs in features are scarcer and scarcer, original screenplays are less in demand, a lot of free work is required to pitch for jobs, and one step deals have become the norm (no chance to rewrite). Of course, any features made for the internet/streaming have the same residuals issues as TV writers. We hope the companies offer a fair deal to the WGA to avoid a strike, but if they don't, then yes, feature writers, TV writers, Comedy-Variety writers, etc., would all be affected.
Please do a show on The Shield. I bought the show on DVD as soon as it came out and am still impressed with the quality of the series.
I certainly agree re The Shield.