USA: Hope is high at the Sundance Film Festival that the 12-week-old writers strike can finally be settled

Record ID: 339266

  • Title: USA: Hope is high at the Sundance Film Festival that the 12-week-old writers strike can finally be settled
  • Date: 24th January 2008
  • Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF WRITERS ON STRIKE
  • Embargoed: 8th February 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Employment
  • Reuters ID: LVA3BSDK1MVMD5W8A9VBA2HOY3YM
  • Story Text: With word that the striking writers and the major studios are heading back to the bargaining table, Hollywood veterans at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival said they're very optimistic that the 12-week-old strike can be settled. The informal talks between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and a select group of studio CEOs are set to take place this week in an effort to resume formal negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, the studios' bargaining arm.
    The hope of a breakthrough comes after the Directors Guild of America sealed a new labor pact late last week.
    At the Sundance premiere of "What Just Happened,"
    writer/producer Art Linson and Academy Award winning director Barry Levinson feel confident that agreement can be reached.

    "Well, if it really is over, than it is a minor bump in the road," said Linson. "If it isn't, than it could be really serious.
    I'm hoping it's over."

    "The directors have resolved it, so I assume that the writers are next in a week to ten days," added Levinson. "I hope."

    "What Just Happened?" producer Todd Wagner told Reuters that the work stoppage has hurt everyone.

    "I run a production company," said Wagner. "Clearly, there are projects that we would love to get started. I have one on the Korean War that I'm desperate to want to get across the finish line. I'd be delighted. Let's face it, as you well know, it impacts a lot of people besides the writers and I would be thrilled if it is over with."
    The main stumbling block in the negotiations has centered on the issue of future earnings generated from the internet.
    The informal talks are expected to take place this week. In the meantime, the striking writers said they'll continue picketing on both coast this week, coinciding with Tuesday's (January 22, 2008) announcement of the Oscar nominations. The hope is that the strike can be settled in time for the Academy Awards, which take place on February 24.
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