I went to a rally in Washington Square Park yesterday in support of the Writers' strike. Currently, writers only get 4 to 6 cents per DVD sale. They are asking for up to 8 cents per DVD and 2.5% of the profit studios make off the writers' work on the Internet or digitally (like when a video is streamed or downloaded).
There were about 300 people at the rally (they were hoping for 1,000), many of whom were media hungry reporters and lookie loos. I went because I support the writers' strike and believe in what they are fighting for. Because of my weak bladder, I snuck into one of the NYU buildings to use the facilities so unfortunately I missed John Edwards 3 minute speech (I didn't know he was going to be there and actually I don't think anyone knew he was going to be there). Aasif Mandvi of the Daily Show was the MC and he was quite funny. The Executive Director of the Writers Guild of America East, Mona Mangan (!!) spoke as well as representatives from PSC/CUNY (Professional Staff Congress City University of New York) and UFT (United Federation of Teachers). SAG was present as well.
Gilbert Gottfried, who, in my opinion, is like nails on the chalkboard, observed the audience and said, "I haven't seen this many Jews since Schindler's List". Danny Glover and Tim Robbins spoke and several celebrities were present: Joe Pantoliano from the Sopranos (Tony whacked him but he really deserved it!), Richard Belzer (Law and Order and Homicide) Julianna Margolis, Anthony Edwards, Tina Fey and Kristin Davis.
I hope the strike ends soon and the writers get what they are asking for-they deserve it. Good tv and movie writing is hard to come by and as Tim Robbins pointed out-these are not millionaire writers that are striking-they're middle class just like the majority of us! For more information please go to: http://www.wgaeast.org/ or http://www.wga.org/.
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