Where’s our 21st Century Teddy Roosevelt? No, it will take a movement, a tsunami of determined people and enforcement of newly elected laws to turn this ocean of greed, amorality and powerlust and its abettors. We’ve already allowed them to manipulate the system on a massive scale.
Rigged system? Who knew? Former Manhattan Asst DA, former Law & Order writer/producer, here. Came up in the golden age of TV: 22, sometimes 24 eps per year; summer re-run residuals; lifetime healthcare; first class travel; expense accounts…. I picket with kids who’ve never seen a $100k residual check, or even heard of one. Have never written 22 eps in a year, and can never afford a house in LA. Have never worked 48-50 weeks while fully compensated. The system is indeed rigged.
The studios view this as a zero-sum game: that there’s a finite pool of money derived from the revenues from their operations, and that everything they have not already reserved for themselves, meaning their top executives and shareholders belongs to, in the case of writers and actors, “talent” (what’s called in the movie business “above-the-line,” meaning the aforementioned writers, actors and directors because they are considered creators of intellectual property; everybody else, from cinematographers to gaffers, grips, makeup artists and secretaries are “below-the-line,” and considered by the Olympian moguls to be largely interchangeable, replaceable and expendable), is immutable.
If the writers and lower echelon actors want more, up front or in the form residuals, royalties and benefits, then the studios decree it must come from the stars’ share. But, since the studios are loath to offend stars, they simply adopt an ostensibly hands-off, let-them-eat-cake stance, which they hope will goad the rank-and-file to turn on the wealthy stars instead of the studios, who’ve already gamed the system to guarantee their “nut” (as the percentage of box office receipts allocated to neighborhood theaters used to be called). Outside of their own secure bubble, then, the Law of the Jungle rules, as determined by the studios.
As Secretary Reich says, this is merely symptomatic of government of, by and for the rich and corporations.
When we see Supreme court judges get 'bought' by billionaires, is it any surprise that the 'entertainment' industry is dominated by wealthy CEO's? The antitrust laws are not being enforced. I wonder how any judges are 'persuaded' to be 'reluctant' to enforce these laws?
The inequities suffered by the writers and actors that give us the entertainment we all enjoy so much are being overshadowed by the turmoil surrounding the 2024 presidential race. Nikki Haley has suggested that President Biden should undergo a competency test to prove his ability to lead. Let's go one better, add a lie detector test and administer it to Trump as well. It would be very interesting to see how he really perceives the results of the 2020 election and all the other crap he is embroiled in. Miss Haley just might have a good idea, probably her first. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. Give the writers what they deserve, a living wage.
This takeover by the top management/ownership class is happening everywhere & at all levels - example : I just had some plumbing work done - estimate for the job was $1400 - "that is high" I thought, but then I had not had any such work done for several years so assumed it was my not keeping up with recent price rises in such things. Job was 'completed' & bill paid, and then 2 days later I suddenly realized I still had a leak within the area of said 'completion' - I called up the company - plumber came, found the problem & fixed it - then tried to give me a bill for another $300 !!! I screamed at him - he 'called the boss' & it was finally agreed 'no charge'. What transpired was that it was a manager guy sitting in an office doing the 'charging' - I explained to plumber I was supportive of him, but furious that his work had to be 'managed' by somebody who's job was merely to get as much out of me as possible, and sorry that he was not available as a working plumbing business of his own - why should I be paying for his manager's salary (what % of my bill was for HIS salary?) when said manager likely only sits in a chair all day & contributes nothing to the plumbing work at all ?
As a member of SAG/AFTRA since 1979 I fervently hope that you will all support us in this strike. As Robert Reich so vividly points out it is a paradigm of what is happening in the world today and we must stop it!
Add to that, the mission of the Republican party to establish a Christian illiberal nation, and we're going to be cooked. No mention at all of the consequences for this concentration of wealth and power for climate change.
What happened to truly conservative bankers? Careful philanthropy? Stewardship? We have an embarrassment of slumlords ruling the planet. Who now own the highest court in our land! In ' the richest nation in the world' !!!?? The 'land of the free and home of the brave!??'. Our planet is overheating at the moment, and there is no 'doctor' to call! They take food for granted while they force women to bear children they cannot house or feed. Idiots!!!!
At this juncture where the American experiment is threatened by authoritarian rejection of democracy we need to put on a sober face and pragmatically deal with our nation's problems. If we do that and hold down a job we don't have time for entertainment or wallowing in internet fantasy. We don't NEED the entertainment industry. We NEED antitrust legislation and windfall profit taxes so we can afford to live, and we need to stay focused on serious objectives.
A thought experiment: what if we got rid of money? What if everyone does what he/she wants without having to worry about paying rent...as long as his/her choice adds value to the society? What would you do if you were free to pursue your heart's desire? Personally, I would like to teach. Imagine the quality of arts including music and movies if money wasn't a factor. There certainly wouldn't be these bloodsuckers that try to influence how we govern ourselves. Unfortunately, with the human race being what it is, I fear we are doomed. We're too greedy and too selfish to care about others. Even if we add rules and create new laws to prevent this type of disparity in Hollywood (or in any industry for that matter), people will find a way to get around those rules. I think it's time for the animals and plants to take over what was once a beautiful planet. We've done enough damage.
Still and all, there seems to be more union activity ongoing, Starbucks, a possible (likely?) UPS strike amongst others. There's real rage out there for working conditions vs. the CEOs, So maybe union membershiip will begin to rise. Let us hope.
Most of these mega corporations provide products that we want, not need. Cancel your subscriptions today and maybe the big boys will listen. I cancelled my Netflix account today and suspended my Facebook. Maybe I'll go for a walk instead
Where’s our 21st Century Teddy Roosevelt? No, it will take a movement, a tsunami of determined people and enforcement of newly elected laws to turn this ocean of greed, amorality and powerlust and its abettors. We’ve already allowed them to manipulate the system on a massive scale.
Rigged system? Who knew? Former Manhattan Asst DA, former Law & Order writer/producer, here. Came up in the golden age of TV: 22, sometimes 24 eps per year; summer re-run residuals; lifetime healthcare; first class travel; expense accounts…. I picket with kids who’ve never seen a $100k residual check, or even heard of one. Have never written 22 eps in a year, and can never afford a house in LA. Have never worked 48-50 weeks while fully compensated. The system is indeed rigged.
The studios view this as a zero-sum game: that there’s a finite pool of money derived from the revenues from their operations, and that everything they have not already reserved for themselves, meaning their top executives and shareholders belongs to, in the case of writers and actors, “talent” (what’s called in the movie business “above-the-line,” meaning the aforementioned writers, actors and directors because they are considered creators of intellectual property; everybody else, from cinematographers to gaffers, grips, makeup artists and secretaries are “below-the-line,” and considered by the Olympian moguls to be largely interchangeable, replaceable and expendable), is immutable.
If the writers and lower echelon actors want more, up front or in the form residuals, royalties and benefits, then the studios decree it must come from the stars’ share. But, since the studios are loath to offend stars, they simply adopt an ostensibly hands-off, let-them-eat-cake stance, which they hope will goad the rank-and-file to turn on the wealthy stars instead of the studios, who’ve already gamed the system to guarantee their “nut” (as the percentage of box office receipts allocated to neighborhood theaters used to be called). Outside of their own secure bubble, then, the Law of the Jungle rules, as determined by the studios.
As Secretary Reich says, this is merely symptomatic of government of, by and for the rich and corporations.
As ever, leave it to Mr. Reich to put the most salient issues into the most pertinent context.
When we see Supreme court judges get 'bought' by billionaires, is it any surprise that the 'entertainment' industry is dominated by wealthy CEO's? The antitrust laws are not being enforced. I wonder how any judges are 'persuaded' to be 'reluctant' to enforce these laws?
The inequities suffered by the writers and actors that give us the entertainment we all enjoy so much are being overshadowed by the turmoil surrounding the 2024 presidential race. Nikki Haley has suggested that President Biden should undergo a competency test to prove his ability to lead. Let's go one better, add a lie detector test and administer it to Trump as well. It would be very interesting to see how he really perceives the results of the 2020 election and all the other crap he is embroiled in. Miss Haley just might have a good idea, probably her first. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander. Give the writers what they deserve, a living wage.
This takeover by the top management/ownership class is happening everywhere & at all levels - example : I just had some plumbing work done - estimate for the job was $1400 - "that is high" I thought, but then I had not had any such work done for several years so assumed it was my not keeping up with recent price rises in such things. Job was 'completed' & bill paid, and then 2 days later I suddenly realized I still had a leak within the area of said 'completion' - I called up the company - plumber came, found the problem & fixed it - then tried to give me a bill for another $300 !!! I screamed at him - he 'called the boss' & it was finally agreed 'no charge'. What transpired was that it was a manager guy sitting in an office doing the 'charging' - I explained to plumber I was supportive of him, but furious that his work had to be 'managed' by somebody who's job was merely to get as much out of me as possible, and sorry that he was not available as a working plumbing business of his own - why should I be paying for his manager's salary (what % of my bill was for HIS salary?) when said manager likely only sits in a chair all day & contributes nothing to the plumbing work at all ?
As a member of SAG/AFTRA since 1979 I fervently hope that you will all support us in this strike. As Robert Reich so vividly points out it is a paradigm of what is happening in the world today and we must stop it!
Thank you for helping me understand the situation more clearly.
Add to that, the mission of the Republican party to establish a Christian illiberal nation, and we're going to be cooked. No mention at all of the consequences for this concentration of wealth and power for climate change.
What happened to truly conservative bankers? Careful philanthropy? Stewardship? We have an embarrassment of slumlords ruling the planet. Who now own the highest court in our land! In ' the richest nation in the world' !!!?? The 'land of the free and home of the brave!??'. Our planet is overheating at the moment, and there is no 'doctor' to call! They take food for granted while they force women to bear children they cannot house or feed. Idiots!!!!
At this juncture where the American experiment is threatened by authoritarian rejection of democracy we need to put on a sober face and pragmatically deal with our nation's problems. If we do that and hold down a job we don't have time for entertainment or wallowing in internet fantasy. We don't NEED the entertainment industry. We NEED antitrust legislation and windfall profit taxes so we can afford to live, and we need to stay focused on serious objectives.
Better start like reading books! If Trump gets into office again, those may become hard to find! STOCK UP!!!
A thought experiment: what if we got rid of money? What if everyone does what he/she wants without having to worry about paying rent...as long as his/her choice adds value to the society? What would you do if you were free to pursue your heart's desire? Personally, I would like to teach. Imagine the quality of arts including music and movies if money wasn't a factor. There certainly wouldn't be these bloodsuckers that try to influence how we govern ourselves. Unfortunately, with the human race being what it is, I fear we are doomed. We're too greedy and too selfish to care about others. Even if we add rules and create new laws to prevent this type of disparity in Hollywood (or in any industry for that matter), people will find a way to get around those rules. I think it's time for the animals and plants to take over what was once a beautiful planet. We've done enough damage.
Still and all, there seems to be more union activity ongoing, Starbucks, a possible (likely?) UPS strike amongst others. There's real rage out there for working conditions vs. the CEOs, So maybe union membershiip will begin to rise. Let us hope.
Most of these mega corporations provide products that we want, not need. Cancel your subscriptions today and maybe the big boys will listen. I cancelled my Netflix account today and suspended my Facebook. Maybe I'll go for a walk instead