This Thursday, the WGAe has invited students and future members (eg, anyone who ever, ever plans on writing for film or TV) to join them on the picket lines from 10-2, outside Viacom. Details are below. The idea is to welcome everyone and to teach curious folks more about the WGA and what its aims are, and what the strike is all about. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet the people who create your favorite TV shows and films, and to show them (and the AMPTP) that you care how writers are treated.

If you live in the New York area, please please come up to midtown for a couple of hours. It really is worth it. Even if you're not a writer--the AMPTP is trying to pressure the WGA to take a crappy deal right now, but the DGA is next...and then SAG. This affects each and every one of us who thinks they might someday work in film or television...or who simply thinks it's wrong for workers to get screwed out of fair pay for their labor.

Please pass this to anyone you think might attend Thursday's picket.

***From the WGAe website***
Thursday, December 13
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Viacom
44th and Broadway
Students and future members of the Writers Guild will join us to march with us, learn about the issues of our strike and show their support.

Minnesota's Frostbite for Fairness went extremely well, even though it was INSANELY COLD. keloheyata came out on behalf of the fans, despite the -4F temperature and the wind. The writers were touched by her thoughtfulness and her help. Seriously, fans coming to help means a LOT to us.

Earlier this week, we were all discussing, in this forum, how we were annoyed by the idiots around us who just didn't get that most writers were average folk. I hope I'm not re-posting it! Enjoy.

And again, a GREAT big thanks to the fans. You guys done good. :)

We've had a CHANGE OF VENUE. PLEASE HELP PASS ON THIS INFORMATION.

Dress warmly, it will be a cold one!

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WE HAVE CHANGED LOCATIONS FOR THIS RALLY!

We will be rallying at Hennepin and Lagoon in UPTOWN MPLS from 5:00-8PM today, December 8, 2007.

We will meet in front of the UPTOWN THEATER. Depending on numbers, we will cover both the Uptown and the nearby Lagoon theaters.

We will remain on the public sidewalks and not block the sidewalks or theater entrances or interfere with moviegoers other than to talk to them and hand them our leaflets.

THANK YOU! :)

There is a rally on Sunday at Hollywood and Highland to support the BTL crew that are affected by the strike. (the riggers, the caterers, the gaffers, the scripty)

"Why should I care?" you ask?

Because the people who work below the line are the people affected now by the strike, and though I really support the writers in their cause, there is massive amounts of collateral damage happening in the industry.
Right now.
In December.
Before the holidays.

I support the strike, but something's gotta happen to keep the crews going too, or the dissension in the ranks will break us all.  We need to support the crews, too.  This rally is to encourage both sides to stick with it, and work like Trojans (Spartans?) to get the deal done. 

Post to other blogs, please, because this isn't being covered by United Hollywood or Nikke Finke, and I think it's important for the fans to see everything that's going on. 

We're Walkin' so They'll Keep Talkin' Rally

The more fans, the better.  See you there, rain or shine.

Awesome news for Heroes fans! The Heroes writers just announce an impromptu Fan Day.

Date: Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Location: GATE at UNIVERSAL CENTER DRIVE and LANKERSHIM (The one that leads up to the theme park parking.)
Time: Noon
In attendance: The nearly the entire writing staff along with Jack Coleman, Ali Later, Adrian Pasdar, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Christine Rose, and possibly a few more.

They're giving away t-shirts and comics. It should be a blast! I'm so jealous! I wish I was in LA!

( FFWGA Disclaimer )

Criminal Minds writer Deb J. Fisher and her dog Brodie walked the picket line together on Monday. Criminal Minds fans feed their writers on the picket line. We are going to add dog biscuits to our shopping list. Brodie wants his mom to have a fair contract so she can continue buying him biscuits. More pics of Brodie can be found on the Criminal Minds Fanatic blog.

December 14th. Joss Whedon will be in Boston.

Oh, that's not incentive enough?

How about my hero Rob Kutner and his Daily Show crew?

RSVP TO THE BOSTON RALLY <-- Pass This Around Facebook!

RSVP HERE TOO!

What we REALLY need is College Liaisons. If you attend college in Boston -- or attends collge in New England -- and wait to help out please EMAIL me at fansforwga@gmail.com. Or you can leave a comment with your e-mail address.

It's going to be an awesome day.
Thank you!
Pen

This was in the Los Angeles Times and deals with how actors and directors are towing the line. ( full text below )

Hey everyone,

For those of you in NYC who've been out picketing with us (and for those who want to join), here is the updated schedule for picket lines for the week of December 3. We hope to see you there!



Tuesday, December 4
NewsCorp
6th Avenue and 48th Street
10 AM - 2 PM

Wednesday, December 5
Rockefeller Plaza
49th Street, west of the ice skating rink
10 AM - 2 PM

Thursday, December 6
HBO
6th Avenue, between 42nd and 43rd Streets
10 AM - 2 PM

If wishes were...

I can't make the solidarity picket that's on the day after tomorrow in Central London (Great Russell Sq, to be exact, from midday) & the Writer's Guild of GB have just announced on their blog that All are welcome, whether Guild members or not.

So whose going to go freeze their whatever off? Meet, greet and chant picket slogans?

The Writers Guild of GB has posted the details of a picket that will take place this Wednesday at midday in Great Russell St as part of the international day of solidarity.

Details here:
http://writersguild.blogspot.com/2007/11/call-for-action-support-us.html

I've e-mailed the guild to ask if aspiring Guild members or members of the general public are invited to walk the picket line. And I'm damming the fact that even if they say yes, I can't go this Wednesday but I thought it might be worth publicising a little if they do say yes.

There will also be pickets in Ireland, Canada and Australia.

London info taken from the blog linked to above:

The demo, which is part of an International Day of Solidarity, will take place at 12 noon outside the Trades Union Congress HQ in Great Russell Street, central London

Ireland:

The Irish Playwrights and Screenwriters Guild, are holding a demonstration on Wednesday at 3pm, at the Guild Office in Temple Bar, Dublin.
Details here

Australia article/info:
http://www.awg.com.au/artman/publish/article_477.shtml

The Australian Writers’ Guild will hold a demonstration in Sydney Square, Sydney Town Hall, George Street, Sydney at 4.30pm (meet from 4.15pm). Action in other states will be advised as it becomes available.

Brisbane - Queen’s Gardens, cnr. Elizabeth and George Sts, Brisbane, from 5.00-5.30pm

Perth - Entry Forecourt, Perth Railway Station, Wellington St, opposite Forrest Place. From 5.15pm to 6.00pm

Note: Please RSVP to let them know you are planning to attend - They'll be delighted to hear fans are also supporting them. Please email wa@awg.com.au with “Solidarity” in the subject header

Here's the AWG release

There should be more than one picket in Canada but what I do know that the protest in Toronto will be held at:

The Sony Centre (formerly the Hummingbird Centre)
@ the corner of Yonge and Front Street

from 10am to 12pm, Wednesday,
November 28, 2007

On his Dead things ON Sticks blog Denis McGrath writes:

Look for the WGC members in Red Hats -- they'll have signs for support. Tell family, friends, and fans. Come out and stand in solidarity for writers striking for a fair deal in the digital future.

eta: ammended to include Dublin & further Australian details