Re: Totally SucksahedoniaJanuary 23 2008, 06:13:00 UTC
Weren't you kind of expecting this?
Oh, I was totally expecting this. But I was surprised at how galled I felt at this explanation, spinning it like it's such a good thing for all of us. So fucking condescending. "It's called 'bailing,' dickwad, or 'leaving a large percentage of people high and dry and keeping them second class citizens.'" Don't try to pretend it isn't.
Any of you that have children, make sure to tell them when they're watching cartoons "I made sure that the person who wrote this isn't making as much money as mommy/daddy does, and they don't get insurance. Or a pension. Isn't that neat?"
Honestly, what is it going to take for you guys to stand up to the AMPTP? Short of actually being in the position of having to make a living writing animation.
I'd help you, but I have to go find a cheap insurance plan that I'll be paying for out of my own savings. Wait, maybe I can set aside the time that I won't be spending opening envelopes with residual checks.
Recently I've been playing the role of "self-correcting blogosphere" at the webjournal of screenwriter John Rogers. I relayed your complaint to him. We'll see what kind of response it gets.
Did you include what I said below in the comments, about how my main objection was the condescending spin they put on it? "Yes, yes... ::pats our heads:: Someday you'll have your nice grown up writers' rights. But right now Mommy and Daddy have to do real, serious stuff, so you run along and play in your ghetto for a bit, okay?"
I mean, if they'd just come out and said "Look, I know this sucks dead rats in hell, but there's no way we're getting anywhere with these assholes unless we back off of something, and they're totally not taking you seriously, let's just say it out loud. But we are. We're going to have to wait till a less volatile time to sneak up on 'em with it -- kinda like how you don't ask your dad for a raise in your allowance after he's just had a fight with your mom. There's no point beating our -- and your -- heads against a wall when all it's going to get us is bloody heads. We promise we'll pick this up at the very first opportunity, and seriously try to gain some ground at a time when the whole town isn't unemployed
( ... )
I didn't express what you said in the comments. I did say you feel as if you're being treated like you're not 'a real writer.'
Here's what I could add, if you approve --
"Just heard again from my friend. She was expecting the animation stuff to be taken off the table, but now she feels like she's being conscended to. That this move is being presented as something other than a capitulation; that the higher-ups won't just come out and say it's easy to throw her group under the bus. She can accept the realpolitik, but not dishonesty."
Very close. I might add that it's not only easy to throw us under the bus, but sort of politically inevitable (although I suppose you touched on that with the "realpolitik" note). And I would like to hear that they're going to do more than just these token "Hey look, we put you on the table (just to throw you off)!" gestures every time the contracts come up for negotiation. I have been involved in one such independent effort before, but that was a while ago, and it's the only one I've ever heard of happening.
Comments 12
Reply
Oh, I was totally expecting this. But I was surprised at how galled I felt at this explanation, spinning it like it's such a good thing for all of us. So fucking condescending. "It's called 'bailing,' dickwad, or 'leaving a large percentage of people high and dry and keeping them second class citizens.'" Don't try to pretend it isn't.
Reply
Sucks
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Congratulations. You've sold us out. Again.
Any of you that have children, make sure to tell them when they're watching cartoons "I made sure that the person who wrote this isn't making as much money as mommy/daddy does, and they don't get insurance. Or a pension. Isn't that neat?"
Honestly, what is it going to take for you guys to stand up to the AMPTP? Short of actually being in the position of having to make a living writing animation.
I'd help you, but I have to go find a cheap insurance plan that I'll be paying for out of my own savings. Wait, maybe I can set aside the time that I won't be spending opening envelopes with residual checks.
Reply
Reply
Reply
I mean, if they'd just come out and said "Look, I know this sucks dead rats in hell, but there's no way we're getting anywhere with these assholes unless we back off of something, and they're totally not taking you seriously, let's just say it out loud. But we are. We're going to have to wait till a less volatile time to sneak up on 'em with it -- kinda like how you don't ask your dad for a raise in your allowance after he's just had a fight with your mom. There's no point beating our -- and your -- heads against a wall when all it's going to get us is bloody heads. We promise we'll pick this up at the very first opportunity, and seriously try to gain some ground at a time when the whole town isn't unemployed ( ... )
Reply
Here's what I could add, if you approve --
"Just heard again from my friend. She was expecting the animation stuff to be taken off the table, but now she feels like she's being conscended to. That this move is being presented as something other than a capitulation; that the higher-ups won't just come out and say it's easy to throw her group under the bus. She can accept the realpolitik, but not dishonesty."
Reply
Yeah, in general, what you wrote sounds fine. :)
Reply
Leave a comment