DEAL REACHED IN WRITERS STRIKE, BUT HOW ABOUT THE LACK OF MINORITIES???

Like ABC's The Bachelor, Is This Thing Only About White Boys Getting Off

According to the Writers Guild of America website, the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have ironed out the details of a tentative deal. As to the lack of African-Americans, Latinos, Asians and women who make up the guild, oh well, we'll deal with that later. Right?

The next step toward ending the writers' strike: The Guild's board will present the terms to its membership today, followed by an official vote to ratify the contract. While I still say we need to take on this ole boys club in Hollywood, here are some of the details of the tentative deal:

-- In the third year of the contract, writers will receive 2 percent of distributor's gross receipts for ad-supported streaming of television after a promotional window.

-- On permanent downloads, writers will get .36 percent of distributor's gross receipts for the first 100,000 downloads of a television program and the first 50,000 of a feature film. After that, pay is increased to .7 percent and .65 percent, respectively. [Details]

THE END OF THE WRITERS STRIKE: ARE WE THERE YET?

WILL CREATE FOR FOOD

BET held what they termed as a "job fair" last month in Beverly Hills. I went, with shoes shined and resumes in hand. I sat in front of a rep from New York named Wayne Brooks who looked like a football player. He seemed like a nice guy as we quickly exchanged pleasantries.

He read my resumes while I talked about myself as a writer waiting for this Writer's Guild Strike to end. "Well, we definitely need strong writers," Wayne said, "And from the looks of things you certainly have the experience. I'm going to pass your resume on to Robin [a BET exec who works in the LA office] and hopefully she'll give you a call." A few more kind words were swapped, then a handshake and I was gone. I've never gone on a speed date but I would imagine it feels something like that.

Avery's Desperate People story continues...

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Day 23 of The Writer's Strike: What's A Non-Union Black Writer To Do???

From Civil Rights To Silver Rights, We Shall Overcome ... Someday?

This Thanksgiving I went back home to Chicago. Amidst the turkey, dressing, mac & cheese, sweet potato pies, collard greens and other calorie laden holiday delectables, I was frequently asked, "Are you on strike?"

That question puts me in an odd position. On one hand, I totally support my fellow writer's and their cause to such a degree as going out marching myself and possibly leading them in a good old Negro spiritual inspired civil rights marchin' song:

Ain't gonna let no 'ducers turn me 'round, turn me 'round, turn me 'round Ain't gonna let no studio turn me 'round, Keep on a marchin', keep on a writin' , wit all my residuals in hand...On the other hand, "being on strike" means that you are refusing to work until certain employment conditions are met. But what if you weren't working before the strike was called? The WGA brass would answer that being on strike also means that you refuse any work offered while the strike is in progress. Okay, that's sort of a positive approach, but with 48% of the Guild's membership not working at any given time, how realistic is it that writer's will be given "offers"--especially now? I'll tell you... Read more about Am I On Strike?

Writers Guild Strike: You May Not See Us On The Picket Lines, But Trust Me -- Black Writers Do Exist!

Confessions Of A (Non Union) Struggling African American Screenwriter

In 2000, a sharp, aggressive and very good-natured first time director/producer named Laurence Kaldor needed a screenwriter to whittle down some early drafts and write a script for a movie idea that he had been struggling to create.

Day 10 Of The Writers Strike: Is This About Rich White Boys Complaining?

The story, which was originally called "Project: Indie," is inspired by Kaldor's personal dealings with his own filmmaking sister and his efforts to make a feature film. I think Kaldor tried to write the script himself. When that wasn't working he hired some "Hollywood" writer to script the film, but that failed too (and he lost a lot of money.) After repeated failed attempts to get the story right, he called NYU to ask for their recommendation for a screenwriter. They suggested me.I interviewed with Kaldor and his producer. We never discussed it, but I think the young Jewish director and his crew were just a wee bit surprised when this young black man walked into the room. Several other writers were interviewing also but I got the gig.

At The Heart Of The Writer's Strike Lies A Tangled Web

Over the next several weeks, Laurence Kaldor worked closely with me as I rewrote the script. In October of that year (the same year I moved to Atlanta) Laurence filmed the movie, which was called "Directing Eddie." The first cut of the film was completed in early 2oo1. It stars Valerie Perrine, Jaid Barrymore (Drew's mom) and Deidre Imus (yep, his wife) and it was completed in time to screen and go on to win "Best Comedy" in the New York Independent Film & Video Festival 2001. Distributors were lining up to take it nationally, THEN 9-11 STRUCK ... (More)