Help End the Strike!!!

Written By Rick Ellis, Friday, November 16th, 2007

In the days since the members of the Writers Guild Of America (WGA) went out on strike, I've heard from hundreds of readers all asking the same question. What can TV fans do to help bring this strike to a conclusion?

Like the majority of the people I've heard from, I'm sympathetic to much of the WGA's position, and I certainly don't want to argue that the union should settle before coming to an equitable deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). But at this point, getting everyone talking seriously again might require some encouragement.

TV fans have been very vocal in their support of the writers of their favorite shows, and much of the discussion about the strike has centered around the television wing of the WGA. Primarily because the TV side will feel the effects of the strike much quicker.

The consensus until now has been that the motion picture industry can weather a six month strike without any horrific consequences. Between films that have already been completed and ones in the pipeline (plus scripts that are in shape to shoot), movie theaters will have new product for months to come.

And that's a challenge to people trying to force AMPTP back to the bargaining table. How do you impact their bottom line sufficiently to make negotiation the most reasonable choice for economic health? When you're dealing with a multinational studio, simply taking some TV shows off the air isn't enough. You need to hit them across the board.

That's why I'm suggesting that each and every one of you pledge to stay away from the movie theaters over the long Thanksgiving weekend. That weekend is vital to the motion picture industry, and those box office numbers are watched and reported by every media outlet. If enough people stay away to impact that number even slightly, it will send a message to all sides that its time to sit down and negotiate a fair deal.

This plan isn't some empty PR stunt, it's not something that can be easily ignored like online petitions or the mailing of four cents to studio heads.

This strike is about the bottom line, and the only thing that bring it to a close is an economic cost. As consumers, we need to show the powers that be that we have an interest here. And that we are willing to exercise our leverage if necessary. A Thanksgiving weekend boycott will hit the studios in the pocketbook, and will be impossible to ignore.

So I'm asking all of you to refrain from visiting your local movie theater between Wednesday, November 21st and Sunday, November 25th. If you want to encourage other people to do the same, that's great. But just the act of skipping a movie or two--particularly if you're planning on going already--will be an action that can truly make a difference in this strike.

I do want to be clear about something. While I have written extensively about the strike (including in our writers strike blog), this idea came strictly from myself and the rest of the staff here at AllYourTV.com. I didn't coordinate this idea with anyone, including the WGA.

Now go out there and share the word.

And have yourself a happy movie-free Thanksgiving.