The twelve writer-producers for America's Next Top Model have lived up to their threat to strike. They are protesting management's refusal to allow them to unionize. On Friday, the writers picketed outside Top Model production offices in Los Angeles. They all wore red shirts and carried signs that said things like, 'Reality Needs a Rewrite' and 'Tyra is union. Why not me?'The writer-producers are demanding healthcare, residuals, pension, better pay and writing credits (they're currently credited as producers). The writers argue that they should receive similar treatment as writers in other genres, such as dramas and comedies.
So far, executive producers are steering the writer-producers toward government mediation, but the writers say that's a stall tactic to get them to conclude the next two seasons and then can them all. Americans Next Top Model is currently in the middle of season seven, so this could get real interesting.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-24-2006 @ 6:24PM
gwangi said...
So without writers the next season will be just like all the other ones.
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7-25-2006 @ 3:30PM
Emily said...
I am really curious as to what "writing" these folks do. I have watched ANTM, and I can't believe anyone would admit to writing it. (I enjoy the show, but high drama it ain't)
If they are responsible for setting up the shoots and the contests, then they would be more of a producer than writer - wouldn't they?
I can understand their desire to get into the guild with all the benefits but I don't really see where they qualify as a screen writer for this type of work.
Anyone out there know if other writers for reality/unscripted tv have gotten into the union?
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7-27-2006 @ 9:31PM
storygeek said...
Story editors and post producers sit around the office cutting and pasting logs together to shape a story out of the footage. They are not writers. they might write the occassional ADR/loop line for the the show hosts but anybody could do that.
I work with story editors all the time and they are mostly surfing the internet and milking their job - hoping no one will can them. Picture editors do all the real work and they could do it themselves, schedule allowing.
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7-28-2006 @ 10:10AM
scott mcdonald said...
If you think these shows aren't written, you are foolish. Where do you think Tyra, Jay, and all the other assorted buffoons get their pithy little comments? Additionally, the writers produce treatments, craft story arcs and so on. They just want health insurance and residuals. It's funny to see comments posted by people whose only exposure to the industry is sitting in front of the tube.
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