Spring Break
Writers strike affects Aggie graduates in TV industry
By: Kenny Ryan
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: News
For some, the writers strike that began Nov. 5 is a mere nuisance. Their favorite shows fall back to reruns, and their plasma TVs go to waste. But for some Aggie graduates who have worked their way into the film industry, the effects of the strike are more real.
Robert Barros, a Class of 1991 anthropology major, now works as a documentary director-producer. He often works with writers to help perfect his scripts.
"I produce documentaries independently and also work for FOX Sports North," Barros said. "It doesn't really affect sports, so in the sense of that aspect of my job, No. Does it affect the documentaries? Yes. I'm working on a feature now that it affects. I send all of my work to writers for what they call 'polishing.'?"
Leslie Malitz, a Class of 2001 theatre arts major, now works as an independent contractor costume designer in Los Angeles. Malitz explained why not every show has disappeared from the air yet.
"Some shows are still continuing to shoot; they were shooting that TV show Numbers right across the street yesterday. That's because they still have x numbers of scripts that have been approved … there's no problem shooting until those scripts run out," Malitz said.
Not every TV show will be affected by the strike. Malitz estimates that about 65 to 70 percent of writers belong to the union. The rest are unaffected by the strike.
When asked if current students who hope to be writers should worry, Malitz said they should not be concerned. Any Aggies who come to L.A. to start work have to earn their way into a union before they can be affected.
The strike may last for months, but eventually a deal is expected to be reached.
"I expect there to be a negotiated settlement for the writers to get their fair share," Barros said. "I would guess three to four months based on past history. The networks, when their revenue stream becomes crippled or pressured, at some point they will have to give in."
Barros gave some words of advice for Aggies who think that writing is only for writers.
"Be a good writer. The better the stories you can create [the better work you can produce.] It doesn't matter if you're a cameraman, a director, a producer; it all begins with a good script."
Robert Barros, a Class of 1991 anthropology major, now works as a documentary director-producer. He often works with writers to help perfect his scripts.
"I produce documentaries independently and also work for FOX Sports North," Barros said. "It doesn't really affect sports, so in the sense of that aspect of my job, No. Does it affect the documentaries? Yes. I'm working on a feature now that it affects. I send all of my work to writers for what they call 'polishing.'?"
Leslie Malitz, a Class of 2001 theatre arts major, now works as an independent contractor costume designer in Los Angeles. Malitz explained why not every show has disappeared from the air yet.
"Some shows are still continuing to shoot; they were shooting that TV show Numbers right across the street yesterday. That's because they still have x numbers of scripts that have been approved … there's no problem shooting until those scripts run out," Malitz said.
Not every TV show will be affected by the strike. Malitz estimates that about 65 to 70 percent of writers belong to the union. The rest are unaffected by the strike.
When asked if current students who hope to be writers should worry, Malitz said they should not be concerned. Any Aggies who come to L.A. to start work have to earn their way into a union before they can be affected.
The strike may last for months, but eventually a deal is expected to be reached.
"I expect there to be a negotiated settlement for the writers to get their fair share," Barros said. "I would guess three to four months based on past history. The networks, when their revenue stream becomes crippled or pressured, at some point they will have to give in."
Barros gave some words of advice for Aggies who think that writing is only for writers.
"Be a good writer. The better the stories you can create [the better work you can produce.] It doesn't matter if you're a cameraman, a director, a producer; it all begins with a good script."
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