The US screenwriters' union has called a strike starting next Monday to demand a fair share in royalty payments from DVDs and new media sales.
The US screenwriters' union has called a strike starting next Monday to demand a fair share in royalty payments from DVDs and new media sales.
About 12,000 members of the Writers Guild of America are being asked to cease work and set up picket lines from 0001 local time (0701 GMT).
About 12,000 members of the Writers Guild of America are being asked to cease work and set up picket lines from 0001 local time (0701 GMT).
The last such action, nearly 20 years ago, lasted 22 weeks and disrupted the autumn television season.
The last such action, nearly 20 years ago, lasted 22 weeks and disrupted the autumn television season.
The studios and the union will meet on Sunday morning for last-ditch talks.
The studios and the union will meet on Sunday morning for last-ditch talks.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) said the talks to try to avert the strike would take place at a neutral venue.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) said the talks to try to avert the strike would take place at a neutral venue.
'DVD roadblock'
'DVD roadblock'
The strike deadline was issued by WGA leaders on Friday on the recommendation of their negotiators, after talks with producers broke down.
The strike deadline was issued by WGA leaders on Friday on the recommendation of their negotiators, after talks with producers broke down.
There is no backlog of scripts Amy PoehlerCast member on Saturday Night Live
There is no backlog of scripts Amy PoehlerCast member on Saturday Night Live
"The Writers Guilds will go on strike Monday, November 5th at 1201 AM," a statement said.
"The Writers Guilds will go on strike Monday, November 5th at 1201 AM," a statement said.
"At that time, all Guild-covered work under the MBA [Minimum Basic Agreement] must cease."
"At that time, all Guild-covered work under the MBA [Minimum Basic Agreement] must cease."
Talks between WGA negotiators and the AMPTP broke down on Wednesday, hours before an existing agreement was due to expire.
Talks between WGA negotiators and the AMPTP broke down on Wednesday, hours before an existing agreement was due to expire.
Writers are demanding an increase in the fees they receive when their work is reproduced on DVDs, and a fair share of revenue derived from content on the internet, mobile phones and other electronic devices.
Writers are demanding an increase in the fees they receive when their work is reproduced on DVDs, and a fair share of revenue derived from content on the internet, mobile phones and other electronic devices.
Producers reject their demands as unworkable.
Producers reject their demands as unworkable.
Michael Winship, president of the WGA on the East Coast, said there was still time for producers to avoid the action.
Michael Winship, president of the WGA on the East Coast, said there was still time for producers to avoid the action.
"We urge the studios to come back and bargain fairly," he said after the strike announcement.
"We urge the studios to come back and bargain fairly," he said after the strike announcement.
Nick Counter, president of the AMPTP, said the studios were ready to meet and finish negotiations over the weekend.
Nick Counter, president of the AMPTP, said the studios were ready to meet and finish negotiations over the weekend.
Earlier, Mr Counter had said no progress was possible at the talks "for overriding business reasons" as long as writers insisted on increasing royalties from DVD sales.
Earlier, Mr Counter had said no progress was possible at the talks "for overriding business reasons" as long as writers insisted on increasing royalties from DVD sales.
"The DVD issue is a roadblock to these negotiations," he added.
"The DVD issue is a roadblock to these negotiations," he added.
Gradual effect
Gradual effect
Some of the most popular shows on US television could be forced off the air if writers go ahead with the strike.
Some of the most popular shows on US television could be forced off the air if writers go ahead with the strike.
Writers have been taking their protest to the street already
Writers have been taking their protest to the street already
Late-night talk shows are expected to stop almost immediately since they rely on a daily supply of topical jokes.
Late-night talk shows are expected to stop almost immediately since they rely on a daily supply of topical jokes.
Television host David Letterman described producers as "cowards, cutthroats and weasels" on his CBS show on Thursday.
Television host David Letterman described producers as "cowards, cutthroats and weasels" on his CBS show on Thursday.
The comedy show Saturday Night Live could also suffer immediately.
The comedy show Saturday Night Live could also suffer immediately.
"Boom - our show just shuts down," Amy Poehler, a member of the cast, told LA-based newspaper Daily Variety.
"Boom - our show just shuts down," Amy Poehler, a member of the cast, told LA-based newspaper Daily Variety.
"It's just done. There is no backlog of scripts."
"It's just done. There is no backlog of scripts."
While it could be months before the TV networks run out of programmes that have already been made, Hollywood analysts expect the supply of shows such as Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty and CSI to fizzle out by next spring.
While it could be months before the TV networks run out of programmes that have already been made, Hollywood analysts expect the supply of shows such as Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty and CSI to fizzle out by next spring.
Many writers fear the TV networks will simply turn to more repeats and reality programmes to fill the gap left by scripted shows.
Many writers fear the TV networks will simply turn to more repeats and reality programmes to fill the gap left by scripted shows.
Are you a Hollywood writer affected by this story? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
Are you a Hollywood writer affected by this story? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
As one of the very few British members of the Writers Guild of America (West), I'm saddened by the Producers' attitude in this negotiation. This is a New Century, and a different world we live in. The Internet has helped change the fabric of our existence, and the WGA Membership are seriously taking new distribution methods for our created material into account now...our livelihoods depend upon it. I believe our Guild have the grim resolve to push this unfortunate strike, until we're finally given a fair piece of the pie we're so instrumental in baking. Be warned, Mr Counter: we're unlikely to cave as readily today as we did nearly two decades ago. Fool us once, shame on us. Fool us twice: shame on you.Peter Briggs, Los Angeles, California & London, England
I have screenplays registered with the Writer's Guild of America West, so I can have the additional protection when pushing my work overseas, mainly in Japan as a backdoor, so I can get into the USA. I think the MBA (Minimum Usage Agreement) is a poor man's farce, plus what a writer has to do just to achieve entry into the Guild is nearly beyond belief. But on the other side, the amount of cut-throat dishonesty that exists among leading industry producers is much worse. Without the Guild's protection we really would have nothing. Given the global economy in which all mediums compete with everything, a larger royalty belongs to the writers. And let's not forget the overcost of for-profit health care in America that the Guild provides to writers as a benefit. This is always left out of the equation. It's not a "benefit", when in reality we are fighting for our lives against a for-profit health care system that's against all of us. I fully support all the writers' efforts as one. But as a free agent, I will continue.Alan Colosi, Boston, Ma
As one of the very few British members of the Writers Guild of America (West), I'm saddened by the Producers' attitude in this negotiation. This is a New Century, and a different world we live in. The Internet has helped change the fabric of our existence, and the WGA Membership are seriously taking new distribution methods for our created material into account now...our livelihoods depend upon it. I believe our Guild have the grim resolve to push this unfortunate strike, until we're finally given a fair piece of the pie we're so instrumental in baking. Be warned, Mr Counter: we're unlikely to cave as readily today as we did nearly two decades ago... Peter Briggs, Los Angeles, California & London, England
