Writer's Guild Strike of 2023 - Fuck these people

[Anonitolia]

If you don't have your Google web activity history turned on, the YT homepage just won't work at all.
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It's the same on PC btw.

why do I even ask when I already know every change will be for the (much) worse

 

[Thiletonomics]

modern Studios are obsessed with playing safe to get money. Ironically that desire is killing them. Nobody wants to see the same shit everyday. They go to the movies to see the unexpected.

Unfortunately, the unexpected stuff that does come out (which is most of the time based on the said same shit), ends up alienating fans, just for the purpose of PUSHING THE MESSAGE and SuBvErTiNg ExPeCtAtIoNs.

 

[Ghostse]

The entity you contract with will never make a profit. The guy who wrote the book Forrest Gump was based on sold the rights to adapt it for $350,000 and 3% of profits. He only* got the $350,000, because the legal entity that made Forrest Gump lost over $62 million, despite making a movie that cost $55 million to make and grossed around $678 million.

*He later sued Paramount, and they reached a settlement where Paramount paid him seven figures for the rights to his sequel novel.

Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski got shafted by WB for the better part of a decade. Because it was either bend over, or the show wouldn't ever get a DVD release. He had a blog post saying how WB would explain that because some movie posted a loss, it meant there was no profit to pay out from selling a few tens of thousands of B5 boxsets.

 

[Random Internet Person]

modern Studios are obsessed with playing safe to get money. Ironically that desire is killing them. Nobody wants to see the same shit everyday. They go to the movies to see the unexpected.

Unfortunately, the unexpected stuff that does come out (which is most of the time based on the said same shit), ends up alienating fans, just for the purpose of PUSHING THE MESSAGE and SuBvErTiNg ExPeCtAtIoNs.

And people wonder why Japanese IPs and the stuff that comes from Comicsgate supporters is surging in support these days.

Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski got shafted by WB for the better part of a decade. Because it was either bend over, or the show wouldn't ever get a DVD release. He had a blog post saying how WB would explain that because some movie posted a loss, it meant there was no profit to pay out from selling a few tens of thousands of B5 boxsets.

Hollywood Accounting, man. The minute that creators find a way to completely cut out Hollywood middlemen is the day that the studios shit bricks.

 

[DeadwastePrime]

If you don't have your Google web activity history turned on, the YT homepage just won't work at all.

its just watch history, but that isnt much better anyway. plus, im not turning that shit on. ive seen what people put in on movie night. i dont want that stuff recommended to me

 

[Xenomorphs Are Cute]

its just watch history, but that isnt much better anyway. plus, im not turning that shit on. ive seen what people put in on movie night. i dont want that stuff recommended to me

No, it's all Google related web history. Google search history, YT history, etc. You can't even use directions on Google Maps & Google Earth without turning it on, & that's an issue even before the YT update, Example below.


Note: I don't actually live in Sneedville, I actually live in Batman, Turkey.

This is purposefully done so Google can take your information, Homepages used to work fine before. The whole YT algorithm is useless for you now unless you turn on your web activity history in your Google account settings, so you can see your homepage, except it's still bad if you used to run it without turning on history before, cause it'll be the same for a while.

In some ways, it's actually related to the strike topic too. One of the things said about this strike is that there's enough content on YT for satisfaction when Hollywood is on break, but this hits very hard for the "getting good shit from the random YT algorithm" types.

 

[Anonitolia]

No, it's all Google related web history. Google search history, YT history, etc. You can't even use directions on Google Maps & Google Earth without turning it on, & that's an issue even before the YT update, Example below.
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Note: I don't actually live in Sneedville

This is purposefully done so Google can take your information, Homepages used to work fine before. The whole YT algorithm is useless for you now unless you turn on your web activity history in your Google account settings, so you can see your homepage, except it's still bad if you used to run it without turning on history before, cause it'll be the same for a while.

In some ways, it's actually related to the strike topic too. One of the things said about this strike is that there's enough content on YT for satisfaction when Hollywood is on break, but this hits very hard for the "getting good shit from the random YT algorithm" types.

>give us your address or you can't use our site

 

[Falcos_Commisar]

If there was a Supreme Being and he was merciful the roof would collapse on their heads the moment they shut the door to the recording studio.

Or the alligator/chimp they have on for a stupid bit goes berserk and eats them.

I just wanna say thank you to the strikers for giving John Cena an excuse to come back to WWE.

I haven't even seen him on TV

 

[Roland TB-303]

modern Studios are obsessed with playing safe to get money. Ironically that desire is killing them. Nobody wants to see the same shit everyday. They go to the movies to see the unexpected.

Then why are carbon copy capeshit movies so popular then? People absolutely love watching the same old dreck on repeat.

 

[The Grognard]

Then why are carbon copy capeshit movies so popular then? People absolutely love watching the same old dreck on repeat.

You see, the capeshit consoomer learned to love the product when they grew up as a child in the 80's/90's and still insists on buying anything with the logo from the cartoon they liked from those years. Thus, they gladly will go watch Punchfist McSpandex movie number 4356 for the sake of wanting to be the superfan who has indeed consoomed every possible Punchfist McSpandex thing. They will tolerate even the worst comic books ever made because they want to have that complete collection of Punchfist McSpandex comics because that's what they wanted as a 14 year old nerdy kid and that's where their development got arrested. These people exist in enough numbers that they are a sure-fire demographic as long as they have a pulse going thru their struggling grease-filled heart.

The other major demographic are just people who have always gone to the movie theater because they have been doing so every weekend since always and are willing to watch anything as long as it's presented on the silver screen and came from Hollywood. They don't have much going for them but at least they occasionally wonder where all the films made for actual adult human beings have gone to. Then again, the theater prices and usual old man problems have resulted in these people becoming the declining demographic of the past.

 

[Michael Wade]

Then why are carbon copy capeshit movies so popular then? People absolutely love watching the same old dreck on repeat.

It worked for a while but it's time is running out. People are starting not to give a dam anymore. Everything has 15 to 20 years of popularity before it dovetails and it's time is running out.

And that's assuming the quality is consistent.

 

[Zbk3VmLfujjzjxBd43tL]

You see, the capeshit consoomer learned to love the product when they grew up as a child in the 80's/90's and still insists on buying anything with the logo from the cartoon they liked from those years. Thus, they gladly will go watch Punchfist McSpandex movie number 4356 for the sake of wanting to be the superfan who has indeed consoomed every possible Punchfist McSpandex thing. They will tolerate even the worst comic books ever made because they want to have that complete collection of Punchfist McSpandex comics because that's what they wanted as a 14 year old nerdy kid and that's where their development got arrested. These people exist in enough numbers that they are a sure-fire demographic as long as they have a pulse going thru their struggling grease-filled heart.

This is the same model Disney uses--get kids hooked young, and they'll be surefire consoomers the rest of their lives and probably even turn their kids into the same consoomers they were. No surprise Disney owns Mahvel when it works the same way.

Fortunately it doesn't seem to be working as well given the declining box office returns for Disney's dreck as of late.

 

[Random Internet Person]

Another one. At least I was able to buy Ghost of Tsushima before this.

 

[dustbuster]

The main sources for "AAA" shovelware are going to be without actors and likely have project delays.

Party time!

 

[Anonitolia]

Another one. At least I was able to buy Ghost of Tsushima before this.

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Ohhh nooo, not the videeoooo gamesss.

This is a good thing lol. Maybe if this stupid shit goes on for long enough companies will realize video games are meant to be played with instead of watched.

 

[Glowie]

I've read better sonic fanfition written by literal children. Entitled cocaine fueled writers do not have any passion or put effort to their scripts. Children got them beat.

I can't wait when AI written story and script wins an Oscar.

 

[Kari Kamiya]

Another one. At least I was able to buy Ghost of Tsushima before this.

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They're only just now catching on that players are listening to moonspeak more than their drivel.

Everything needs to be reformed in this industry. Acceleration is a-go.

 

[Terrifik]

Hopes are not affected
Coropo always wins

Same as always

https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-national-board-votes-unanimously-send-interactive-media-video-game-strike-authorization

In addition to AI protections, SAG-AFTRA is seeking the same wage increases for video game performers as for those who work under the film and television contracts: 11% retroactive to expiration and 4% increases in the second and third years of the agreement — necessary for members’ wages to keep up with inflation.

The union is also asking for on-camera performers to have the same five-minutes-per-hour rest period that off-camera performers are entitled to. Also needed: a set medic present when stunts or hazardous work is performed, just like on a film or television set; prohibitions against stunts on self-taped auditions; and vocal stress protections.

September 1, 2023
SAG-AFTRA’s National Board has voted unanimously to send a strike authorization vote to SAG-AFTRA members in preparation of the union’s forthcoming bargaining dates with signatory video game companies, which include:

Activision Productions Inc.,
Blindlight LLC,
Disney Character Voices Inc.,
Electronic Arts Productions Inc.,
Epic Games, Inc.,
Formosa Interactive LLC,
Insomniac Games Inc.,
Take 2 Productions Inc.,
VoiceWorks Productions Inc., and
WB Games Inc.
It has been nearly a year since SAG-AFTRA’s video game contract, the Interactive Media Agreement, was extended beyond the original expiration date as we negotiated with the companies for critical terms SAG-AFTRA members need. Unfortunately, throughout the negotiations, the companies have failed to address those needs. For this reason, the negotiating committee and National Board unanimously agreed that the union should have a member-approved strike authorization in hand when bargaining resumes on Sept. 26.

Although key issues like wages that keep up with inflation and protections against unrestrained use of artificial intelligence are common sticking points in negotiations, the Interactive Media (Video Game) Agreement is a separate contract from the TV, theatrical and streaming contracts against which SAG-AFTRA members are currently striking.

“Here we go again! Now our Interactive (Video Game) Agreement is at a stalemate too. Once again we are facing employer greed and disrespect. Once again artificial intelligence is putting our members in jeopardy of reducing their opportunity to work. And once again, SAG-AFTRA is standing up to tyranny on behalf of its members,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “The overlap of these two SAG-AFTRA contracts is no coincidence, but rather a predictable issue impacting our industry as well as others all over the world. The disease of greed is spreading like wildfire ready to burn workers out of their livelihoods and humans out of their usefulness. We at SAG-AFTRA say NO! Not on our watch!”

Work under the Interactive Media Agreement also includes a great deal of “performance capture,” where trained professionals, many of whom are stunt performers, provide digitally captured performances used to give expressive movement to video game characters. Unregulated use of AI poses an enormous threat to these artists’ professions.

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland explained, “The voice and performance capture artists who bring video game characters to life deserve a contract that reflects the value they bring to the multibillion-dollar gaming industry. Voice and performance capture AI are already among the most advanced uses of AI: the threat is here and it is real. Without contractual protections, the employers are asking performers to unknowingly participate in the extinction of their artistry and livelihoods.”

In addition to AI protections, SAG-AFTRA is seeking the same wage increases for video game performers as for those who work under the film and television contracts: 11% retroactive to expiration and 4% increases in the second and third years of the agreement — necessary for members’ wages to keep up with inflation.

The union is also asking for on-camera performers to have the same five-minutes-per-hour rest period that off-camera performers are entitled to. Also needed: a set medic present when stunts or hazardous work is performed, just like on a film or television set; prohibitions against stunts on self-taped auditions; and vocal stress protections.

A successful strike authorization vote doesn’t initiate a strike. Instead, the strike authorization permits the National Board to declare a strike if the video game companies fail to negotiate fairly with SAG-AFTRA for the benefit of its members. The union is fighting for protective language in the contract that will require informed consent and appropriate payment for the creation and use of digital replicas and for training AI systems with our members’ performances.

Voting information postcards will be mailed to eligible voters on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. Voting will close at 5 p.m. PT on Sept. 25, 2023. Members are also invited to learn more at informational meetings set for Thursday, Sept. 7 and Tuesday, Sept. 12, both from 6 - 8 p.m. PT / 9 - 11 p.m. ET. For voting instructions, meeting information and more, please visit sagaftra.org/videogames2023.

 

[Anonitolia]

prohibitions against stunts on self-taped auditions

do they mean requiring stunts for certain auditions or any stunt work on auditions in general? The latter seems excessively harsh and more like something the auditioner should be deciding for him/herself, so I’m guessing they mean that, but I’m still curious.

 

[Thomas Talus]

do they mean requiring stunts for certain auditions or any stunt work on auditions in general? The latter seems excessively harsh and more like something the auditioner should be deciding for him/herself, so I’m guessing they mean that, but I’m still curious.

If I had to guess, I think they mean that the companies can't require the auditioner to set up a stunt with their own resources as part of the process. That could easily end up with a bunch of people injuring themselves for no good reason because they can't afford the sort of safety gear or helpers a proper studio would use, all as part of a shot that only has a chance of paying off. If the company wants people to engage in physical risk, it makes sense that they should set up the environment where the risk will be taken. So no "we need someone to jump off a three-story building onto a moving vehicle, send us clips of you doing that" postings.