Stephen Gallagher has written a post about how the freelance writing process works in US TV.
And there’s a promise of another post on the Writers’ Room system coming soon.
Well worth your time.
SAG negotiations
I don’t have a horse in this race, unlike the WGA strike.
But the members of the Screen Actors Guild are now deciding whether or not to accept a proposal squeezed through by 53% of the SAG Board. So, not exactly a roaring endorsement.
You can take a look at the highlights, together with arguments for and against, in the SAG Referendum Packet.
Time for the members of the SAG to decide. I wish you all good luck.
Adaptation
Earlier this year I wrote an article for the Spring 09 issue of the Writers’ Guild magazine about how I adapted A Christmas Carol for the stage.
Should you be tempted to give it the once-over, the Guild has just made it available online.
Special Offer
I’ve blogged before about why I think you should join the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain.
But I think it’s worth going through it one more time.
- They have a very good pension scheme
- They will have their lawyers look through your contracts in order to prevent you from being fucked
- There is a welfare fund to assist you should you fall on hard times.
- They negotiate minimum rates for theatre, television, film, and radio
- They will give you advice and help on all aspects of writing
You could say: Well, I’m doing all right on my own, why do I need them?
Because your position becomes more powerful, not less, when you are part of a group. Because – and I hate to have to be the one to break it to you – producers and directors do not have your best interests at heart. They have their own. And that’s as it should be.
Anyway, this Wednesday, 13th May 2009, the Guild is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. So there’s going to be a special offer.
If you want to join the Guild for the first time, either as a Full Member (must have sold something) or a Candidate Member (still working on that), you can do it for just fifty quid this year.
To become a member you need to call the Guild’s Membership Team on 01952 214 063 between 9.30am and 5.30pm on 13th May 2009 and quote the WGGB Anniversary Offer. The offer’s strictly limited to 50 people, though. You know. Being a 50th anniversary deal and all.
It’s a good deal.
Grinding slow but exceedingly fine
There’s been no blog posting this week due to a combination of script revisions and working out of Elstree, travel to and from which took a big chunk out of my time for the last fortnight.
Instead, here’s something I was actually supposed to do almost a year ago, which is: list seven songs I’m into Right Now.
Of course, Right Now is Right Now Almost A Year Ago, but, hell, better late than never.
All the Strange, Strange Creatures – Murray Gold, Doctor Who Original Music from Series Three
Warm Sound – Zero 7, When It Falls
Knock ’em out – Lily Allen, Alright, Still
Oh My God – Mark Ronson feat. Lily Allen, Version
What We Need More Of Is Science – MC Hawking, A Brief History of Rhyme: MC Hawking’s Greatest Hits
The Dozens – MC Hawking, A Brief History of Rhyme: MC Hawking’s Greatest Hits
Don’t Know Why – Norah Jones, Come Away with Me
One Final Effort – Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori, Halo 3
Tagses for Christine, William, Lara, and Stuart based on the fact a quick google didn’t turn up any evidence that they did this the first time round either.