Comments on: Inform Yourself: Why are our Writer’s Striking?

By: A Matter of Opinion: Buying DVDs During the WGA Strike? | Sofa Chip

A Matter of Opinion: Buying DVDs During the WGA Strike? | Sofa Chip — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 07:04:34 +0000

[...] If you, yourself, have stumbled upon this not knowing what the WGA strike is, let me direct you to a previous article I wrote. [...]

By: JessicaRae

JessicaRae — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:11:08 +0000

VDO Vault, and Amanda - I would like to include your opinions/quotes in an upcoming post I’m making on this blog.

I already have Amanda’s info, but VDO - if you can provide me with your first name, last initial, state, and age - that would be great.

I have gotten some other quotes, and I am hoping to maybe get this post up tomorrow.

Thank you for sharing your opinions!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:07:30 +0000

Agreed with VDO Vault. Personally, I believe that it’s better to “make” the writers take a bit of a hit right now to prove to the networks/production companies that we find their work to be important. If we continue buying DVDs like nothing has changed, I don’t think it sends a clear message like a boycott does. They don’t see “oh, look, the fans are buying to help the writers get what residuals they can”, they see, “money! Hooray!”

That’s a good point on reruns. I also made a point of un-subscribing to the shows that are now in reruns from my Windows Media Center (it’s like Tivo). I want to make sure I send a message that I’m not willing to just watch any show that pops up at 7pm on a Tuesday or whatever. I’m not sure how much they track traffic on WMC, but I figure it can’t hurt.

I totally don’t want to steal Jessica’s spotlight, but if people want more info or to see what other groups are doing, the WGA Supporters community on Livejournal is an excellent source of information.

By: VDO Vault

VDO Vault — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:09:18 +0000

As far as new DVD purchases are concerned I am not making any.

I have been fortunate enough to speak with members from both the WGA East and WGA West and they have told me that they would prefer people not buy any new DVDs until the new Minimum Basic Agreement is completed. If there is any chance at all of the writers receiving more residuals for DVDs that won’t happen on any DVD bought while there is no contract in place nor do they believe that the studios and networks will award them an increased payment retroactively for DVDs already sold. So I am waiting on buying any new DVDs.

I know a lot of other people think they are doing the writers a favor buying DVDs now because 4 cents out of $20.00 is better than nothing (especially if they have been either watching streaming media or downloading TV episodes & movies online rather than buying DVDs), but instead I am making a special effort to watch reruns of my favorite shows and movies on broadcast & cable networks…there is no dispute that the writers are paid fairly for TV reruns, so that is my way of supporting them.

I’m holding off on my DVD purchases waiting for the writers to get (ideally) four more cents per $20.00 DVD sold.