tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post108550896046143474..comments2024-03-22T07:38:11.573+00:00Comments on Sitcom Geek: The Business of Not Getting PaidJames Caryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01315185952705396144noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-53873842344883800862013-02-22T14:41:25.036+00:002013-02-22T14:41:25.036+00:00Well said. In USA writers get paid for development...Well said. In USA writers get paid for development work. It should be the same over here. With regard to the Writers Guild of GB, I'm not 100% sure what they do, that an agent doesn't do already. Plus I already pay 10% of my income to my agent, 30% to government. If I paid another 15% to WG there's not an awful lot left. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-3804363238205011912012-09-29T10:12:23.803+01:002012-09-29T10:12:23.803+01:00Even though content is important I still don't...Even though content is important I still don't think its the most important factor, if your site has 0 inbound links it still wont perform well<br /><i>My web site</i> - <b><a href="http://www.trimarksolutions.com/inside/internet-marketing/quick-list-of-seo-internet-marketing-blog-topics/comment-page-1" rel="nofollow">small business</a></b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-2821199351084420842012-04-06T02:18:14.478+01:002012-04-06T02:18:14.478+01:00Hi James.
Excellent post which got my blood up to...Hi James.<br /><br />Excellent post which got my blood up too. I am not a writer. I run a dance business and every day people expect dancers to do gigs and make their events successful "cos they love it". I have to laugh lightly on the phone and say, "Yes, we love it, but here are the costs to make it happen". When they pull the "but its great marketing for you; we're doing you the favour" line, I say we don't rely on these events for our marketing and we have a budget for that. It's taken years and years and the culture change has been slow but it HAS happened.<br /><br />Banding together and gradually doing it through the writers union with a list of recommended fees for each stage of the process might be a starting point. If more of you take up the opportunity to use that process then gradually the expectations and thoughts of your employers will change. Yes, its hard and it takes a long time. But its worth it.<br /><br />We now have a two tiered system. If there is no budget then A. If there is a budget, then B. No budget doesn't mean we CAN'T do the gig but if you chose B, you get student dancers and its more loosy goosy. If there is a budget then the performance troupes are employed with costumes, full routines etc. No contracts. Just an understanding. For some gigs we're now being paid for rehearsals leading up to the event. Not often, but sometimes. UNHEARD OF 5 years ago. Still chipping away. Culture change is very hard and always a long-burn.Claudia Funderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04004284860646947858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-78030815497161804102012-04-05T16:14:56.650+01:002012-04-05T16:14:56.650+01:00Thanks James-great post.
My hubby wrote a script o...Thanks James-great post.<br />My hubby wrote a script on the request of a very well known exec producer. That was two years ago- no money and not even the decency to reply to various e-mails regarding the script. Even though she'd asked for it and they'd worked together before. Can't decide which i'm more pissed at- lack of contact or lack of money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-54172612042964508712012-04-05T15:33:47.260+01:002012-04-05T15:33:47.260+01:00Re. Anonymous: heard of the Writers' Guild of ...Re. Anonymous: heard of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain? Can't solve all problems but have done a huge amount for writers. And of course the more writers who join, the stronger the Guild is.<br /><br /> www.writersguild.org.ukTom Greenhttp://www.writersguild.org.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-7933967949434487902011-01-18T18:58:55.940+00:002011-01-18T18:58:55.940+00:00Great post, and thank you - it's always reassu...Great post, and thank you - it's always reassuring to be reminded it's not me personally that they feel is not worthy of payment, but writers in general they hold in such contempt... which is just great.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03834547095612951725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-42101857569299519732011-01-18T16:08:13.372+00:002011-01-18T16:08:13.372+00:00Hmm, I think the treatment is perhaps where you ha...Hmm, I think the treatment is perhaps where you have to draw the line. Or just get on and do a spec script, which you can then take anywhere you want...James Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604261370633794445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-89794521623562166872011-01-05T19:25:12.480+00:002011-01-05T19:25:12.480+00:00Yes, good blog. It is such a shame that simply tel...Yes, good blog. It is such a shame that simply telling the unadorned truth about how the industry works vis-a-vis paying writers reads like an indictment. No hyperbole necessary.<br /><br />What's more, this happens to you despite your very good track record in the industry.<br /><br />Writers will always want to write just as actors will always want to perform - yet they're protected by Equity. Isn't it time we all banded together? Properly. "Sorry. I'm a member of the Writers' Union. You'll have to option it / pay me for development." <br /><br />Perhaps those at the top of the comedy writing world could set an example and get the ball rolling with an incipient union. They can afford to knock the odd nose out of joint for the greater good.<br /><br />Writers of the United Kingdom unite, you have nothing to lose but your... but your... you have nothing to lose!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272008603641292743.post-9524458334945046592011-01-05T10:49:33.759+00:002011-01-05T10:49:33.759+00:00Very good blog. Matches my experience exactly. For...Very good blog. Matches my experience exactly. Fortunately I have enough paid work to keep me going and don't have time to spend on spec scripts. <br /><br />A few of my own blogs which might be of interest.<br /><br />http://underthreehundred.blogspot.com/2009/01/no-reply.html<br /><br />http://underthreehundred.blogspot.com/2009/01/mr-writer.html<br /><br />http://underthreehundred.blogspot.com/2009/11/miranda.html<br /><br />http://underthreehundred.blogspot.com/2009/12/best.html<br /><br />http://underthreehundred.blogspot.com/2010/12/year-of-jet-packs.html<br /><br />http://underthreehundred.blogspot.com/2009/02/its-knockoff.htmlJonny Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08376145372318937306noreply@blogger.com