The WGA has opted not to give writing waivers to this year's Oscars and Golden Globes according to
the WGA.
In letters to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, WGAW President Patric M. Verrone described the Guild’s respect and admiration for both organizations, explaining that:
“Writers are engaged in a crucial struggle to achieve a collective bargaining agreement that will protect their compensation and intellectual property rights now and in the future. We must do everything we can to bring our negotiations to a swift and fair conclusion for the benefit of writers and all those who are being harmed by the companies’ failure to engage in serious negotiations.”
The signatories producing the Golden Globes and the Oscars are West Coast signatories. The WGAW’s Board of Directors concluded, reluctantly, that granting exceptions for the Golden Globes or the Academy Awards would not advance that goal.
While I support the writers I think there are some things that above the strike and these two awards shows are two of them. These shows are not about the writers but honoring Hollywood for the work they accomplished over the year and the fans. The fans are the ones that are getting screwed by this waiver and with the loss of their shows and now their awards shows how long do you think they will support the writers? Do you think middle-America understands why they are losing their shows and now their awards shows?
Not only is it the fans that are affected by this decision, but so are all the people that depend on these awards shows like the designers, jewelers and hair dressers to name a few. These are people who will suffer financially because of this decision.
Seriously what have the Hollywood Foreign Press and AMPAS done but honor you and your work and this is the thanks you give them. Think back to when you were a kid and you wanted to be giving that acceptance speech for your script, well that chance might be taken away from another writer. Not only that what about that kid who will miss out from having that dream because the GG and Oscars did not go on as is. Who exactly is The WGA hurting by not granting the waivers? Seems like a lot more people than the studio and network heads.
I understand that The WGA is trying to make a point and screw the studios (which they will) but they are screwing us too and so many others. I really hope they reconsider that this strike is not only about them and they grant the waivers.
