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24 November 2007 @ 05:46 pm
[PLEASE READ: Phone Call Biltz]  
On Monday the WGA and AMPTP will recommence negotiations. The FFWGA wishes them Godspeed. However, our support cannot waver. I must stress: we will not stop campaigning on the writers’ behalf until the contract is signed, sealed, delivered, and serenaded by Stevie Wonder.

That is why on Monday and Tuesday, during normal business hours (9AM to 5PM) we are asking EVERY ONE of our members to call one or all of the following numbers:

1.818.560.1000
Anne Sweeney, ABC, ABC Family, Disney

1.310.369.1000
Kevin Reilly, Fox

1.818.954.6000
Bruce Rosenblum, Warner Bros.

1.212.258.6000
Phillipe Dauman, Viacom

1.818.777.1000
Jeff Zucker, NBC Universal

1.212.975.4321
1.212.975.4545 (This is a direct line)
Les Moonves, CBS

And, for the Cable-TV Fans: See Comments Below.

We want to stress that the whole thing shouldn't take more than thirty to forty-five seconds (depending on how slow you speak). No one that answers the phone-call will yell or scorn you. Hopefully, it will go straight to a voicemail box. These numbers work. Please leave a polite but firm message that includes the following points:
  • Your name, your demographics (age, sex, state and/or local affiliate), and your favorite television show.

  • List of CW Affiliates
    List of ABC Affiliates
    List of CBS Affiliates
    List of FOX Affiliates
    List of NBC Affiliates

  • Tell them: “You hope the contract negotiations are successful. You want the writers to receive fair compensation for their work and for production on your favorite show to continue.”


  • Stress that: “You hope for a swift resolution because until the writers receive a fair contract you will not download any episodes from official sites. You will not watch streaming “promotional” video online. You will not watch any replacement television, unscripted reality or game shows, and nightly news programs. And when the new episodes stop airing, you will turn off your television. Period.”


  • When you call make sure to:
    1. do not threaten
    2. use formal/business English
    3. address them as Mr./Ms. Or Sir/Madam
    4. do not use fan-speak, slang, or four-letter-words
    5. speak clearly and be brief
    6. conclude with “thank you” or “sincerely”
    7. do not threaten

If you are still confused, here’s a script:

Hello Mr./Ms. [their name]

My name is [insert name]. I fall into the [insert demographic information] bracket and my local affiliate is [insert local affiliate’s name].

I am calling on behalf of the writers of my favorite show, [insert show].

I wanted you to know that I intend not to download any episodes from official sites; and, not to watch streaming “promotional” video online; and, not to watch any replacement television, unscripted reality or game shows, and nightly news programs until the WGA writers receive fair compensation for their work.

When the new episodes stop airing, I will be joining my local book club. I hope this week’s negotiations are successful. I really want production on [insert favorite show] to continue.

Thank you for your time,
[your name]


This will really work. It is essential that the AMPTP does not assume the fans will go away because they started talking again. We need to show them we are serious, committed, and professional.

The Fandom Liaisons are already spreading the word throughout the livejournal and internet. If you still want to help, leave us a comment there. And please feel free to pimp this own your own f-list, blog, or e-mail circle.

Thanks,
Pen
 
 
( Post a new comment )
Emily: House/Cuddy Movie[info]mdemvizi on November 24th, 2007 10:57 pm (UTC)
I will be calling and posting on my own blog. This is a great idea because after numerous people call the offices I think they will get it.
penelope: [house] cuddy wtf[info]savemoony on November 24th, 2007 10:58 pm (UTC)
Your icon is so full of love.
bebopgirl: Moonlight 2[info]bebopgirl on November 24th, 2007 11:09 pm (UTC)
*off to post at Moonlight*
I love yu longtime~: Television {Sylar's going for Presidency[info]scribbles123 on November 24th, 2007 11:32 pm (UTC)
Seriously will do! This is absolutely awesome. Thank you so much for gathering all this info ♥


( also, for credit for the Sylar icon you have for this post, it's yellowlolli rather than [info]lolli :) )
penelope[info]savemoony on November 25th, 2007 05:17 am (UTC)
(Lolz! That's embarassing. I will change that)
denny[info]denny_dc on November 24th, 2007 11:45 pm (UTC)
well stated and I hope folks will follow your instructions - I know I will...except I can't think of a show I watch on The CW...oh, yeah, Supernatural:)...
Barbara Desmond[info]gloomybardgirl on November 24th, 2007 11:51 pm (UTC)
I reposted this at my Vox blog and my Moonlight website/blog.
sl_podcast[info]sl_podcast on November 25th, 2007 12:03 am (UTC)
Posted on the blank_dolls LJ comm and Whedonverse_nb

Also my own LJ, Joss'd Podcast and http://www.fans4writers.com/forum/
Esther-Channah: jokerbunny[info]dragonbat2006 on November 25th, 2007 12:54 am (UTC)
Would you happen to know whether any of the toll-free numbers work from Canada? I can't call long distance from work unless it's toll-free.
Esther-Channah: Oy[info]dragonbat2006 on November 25th, 2007 12:55 am (UTC)
Forget it! Just realized that 1-818=/=1-800!

Okay. I'm on Eastern time. If I get home before 8 pm, I'll call! Sorry!
The Drachwolfe Collective (workng title)[info]norokrex on November 25th, 2007 01:34 am (UTC)
sadly can't do tues day, but i will on monday you bet your butts.
Captain Jonesy![info]twaingirl on November 25th, 2007 01:48 am (UTC)
Thanks. I'm preparing my battle station as we speak (read: charging cell phone)
Nudel: wgamoonlight[info]bakednudel on November 25th, 2007 01:48 am (UTC)
Can you let us know which of these are on the West Coast and which are East Coast? I'd like to call when someone is definitely there.

Thanks!!
Aaron[info]xiaomi on November 25th, 2007 02:16 am (UTC)
818 and 310 are in LA, Valley/Westside respectively, 212 is Manhattan.
Nudel: wgafans[info]bakednudel on November 25th, 2007 04:24 am (UTC)
Thanks so much!
[info]peaceful_kiwis on November 25th, 2007 04:50 am (UTC)
I was wondering if cable networks were involved in this at all? Or just the big networks?
Court: Veronica pout - liz_guerin[info]wordsleadmeon on November 25th, 2007 05:01 am (UTC)
This is one of those times where I wish I paid the phone bill rather than my mother. I may be in University, but if she sees American numbers that she doesn't know showing up on the bill no matter how short the call is I'll never hear the end of it. But maybe can repost the list/script in my own LJ for people who might not be members here?
penelope[info]savemoony on November 25th, 2007 05:19 am (UTC)
Absolutely.
steve98052[info]steve98052 on November 25th, 2007 12:39 pm (UTC)
I'd add something about "and telling everyone I know not to download online video or replacement shows either." I'll call as soon as I get a chance, and figure out my favorite shows on each network.
(no subject) - [info] on November 25th, 2007 02:25 pm (UTC)
greycoupon[info]greycoupon on November 26th, 2007 03:48 pm (UTC)
Re: Numbers for USA Network & Sci-Fi Channel
Just to clarify as I have been asked over on fans4writers, are these public phone numbers?
penelope[info]savemoony on November 26th, 2007 04:59 pm (UTC)
Re: Numbers for USA Network & Sci-Fi Channel
Yes. :)
ayumidah[info]ayumidah on November 26th, 2007 05:28 pm (UTC)
Re: Numbers for USA Network & Sci-Fi Channel
awesome, thanks for sharing. Psych writers deserves some love too!
(no subject) - [info] on November 26th, 2007 05:53 pm (UTC)
ayumidah[info]ayumidah on November 26th, 2007 09:11 pm (UTC)
Re: We USA network fans...
yeah I feel you there! I'm a wanna be author myself (Though writing a book and writing a show is two different beast) so I hope they get all they want out of this
(no subject) - [info] on November 25th, 2007 03:13 pm (UTC)
penelope[info]savemoony on November 25th, 2007 05:33 pm (UTC)
Re: Lifetime Network Contact Numbers
I just added them :) (Do you have USA's?)
crowleyangelcrowleyangel on November 25th, 2007 07:59 pm (UTC)
I support the strike and do what I can!
sunfiremarie[info]sunfiremarie on November 26th, 2007 05:16 pm (UTC)
Phillippe Dauman's secretary
Okay, I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this (kind of humorous) trend or if it's just my head drawing conclusions.

The only shows currently on air that I really watch are The Office, The Daily Show, and The Colbert Report, but I'm an AVID fan of these shows and have called, of course, all 3 numbers listed here.

It's obvious that the networks have been prepared for us, which is to be expected, but has anyone else gotten the impression that their office's sweetest-voiced females are answering the phones today?

Thanks again for passing on this vital information! I'm sure we're making an impression with our call-deluge.
(no subject) - [info] on November 26th, 2007 05:56 pm (UTC)
sunfiremarie[info]sunfiremarie on November 26th, 2007 06:01 pm (UTC)
Re: Phillippe Dauman's secretary
I got a real person when I called Jeff Zukor, but I asked to be transferred to his voicemail. This may not have been the wisest move, because the machine I left the messege on promised to "forward your messege to the appropriate parties." Sounded pretty amorphous and uncertain.

Did you get a more direct voicemail?
penelope[info]savemoony on November 26th, 2007 06:10 pm (UTC)
Re: Phillippe Dauman's secretary
Voicemails are better!
sunfiremarie[info]sunfiremarie on November 26th, 2007 06:22 pm (UTC)
Re: Phillippe Dauman's secretary
I know. I asked to be tranferred to his voicemail and she said, "well, I retrieve all his voice messeges anyway, so you might as well leave it with me." Persistantly, I said, "well, there's some specific information I have to--" and, sweetly, she cut in with, "is it about the strike? because we're recording all comments." So, basically, she refused me the voicemail, obviously our calls have made some kind of impression.
greycoupon[info]greycoupon on November 26th, 2007 08:37 pm (UTC)
I have been advised on fans4writers by Terry Moore (wife of BSG showrunner Ron Moore)

Hey guys-
Make sure you are calling the right people. Bonnie Hammer for example, is NOT negotiating with writers, neither is Dawn Ostroff.

If you want these calls to count, research who is doing the negotiating as part of the AMPTP !!!!!!!!!
C.A. Coleman[info]pariah164 on November 26th, 2007 09:40 pm (UTC)
I'm confused about the demographic. Do I say I'm 'Generation Y' or whatever?
penelope[info]savemoony on November 26th, 2007 10:06 pm (UTC)
You say:
I am [male / female]
I am apart of the [ 14-18, 18-49, 25-45, 55+] age bracket
I my local affiliate is...

If you want to supply anymore information, then you can say your marriage status, kid, and income.
ronia: Claire - like the sun [by me][info]roniabirk on November 26th, 2007 11:43 pm (UTC)
Called ABC for Pushing Daisies. Next! (Got Disney people ... I called the right place, yes?) ;-)
ronia: Dean - don't know face [by me][info]roniabirk on November 26th, 2007 11:52 pm (UTC)
Called Warner Bros. The lady I talked to was sweet and kind of funny. When I told her I supported the strike and hoped it could come to a resolution so our shows could go back into production, she said "We do, too! Your vote is counted." Hee.
[info]20_year_writer on November 27th, 2007 05:03 am (UTC)
Thanks to all fans from WGA writer!
Your phenomenal support has a huge impact on the AMPTP Companies, but I can tell you it also charges the batteries of we picketing writers. You are awesome! You remind us we're the front line of a much bigger battle... THANK YOU! Off to bed now, as I am picketing a location shoot in LA at 7AM.
penelope[info]savemoony on November 27th, 2007 05:34 am (UTC)
Re: Thanks to all fans from WGA writer!
You're welcome :)

It's the least we can do.
tamar the great[info]50thousandtearz on November 27th, 2007 05:36 am (UTC)
anybody know exactly which numbers lead straight to voicemail? i freely admit i'm too chicken to talk to real ppl.
penelope[info]savemoony on November 27th, 2007 05:38 am (UTC)
Fox.
Live Brave: Fans support the writers[info]hbpen on November 27th, 2007 12:25 pm (UTC)
I'm off work today.... Sounds like a good use of a few minutes of my time. :)
RayRay[info]morethanexist on November 27th, 2007 01:31 pm (UTC)
Will do. I'll figure out fandoms and such during the day today and will make the calls as soon as I get off school.

I was wondering, would it be better to combine the list of all my favorite shows on a network. I'm kind of thinking that that would be better than making a couple phone calls to one place.
Laura[info]theatreotter on November 27th, 2007 05:20 pm (UTC)
I just called ABC, and the woman I talked to was like, "...Okay? Thanks for calling?" - sounded kinda like she was laughing at me.
Nikki: ~tamtu [kiss :D][info]nikki_wright on November 27th, 2007 07:21 pm (UTC)
Oh, dear.

When I called NBC so as to leave a message for Mr. Zucker, I was greeted by a real person which, to be honest, threw me off guard; I didn't expect it, and I was a bit nervous. Despite this, I think I got the message across pretty clearly and professionally. :)
 

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