Hollywood writers to strike over royalties

Hollywood television and movie screenwriters are to go on strike for the first time in nearly 20 years in a dispute over royalties.

Four writers said that Writers Guild of America president Patric Verrone made the announcement in a closed-door session today, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

“There was a unified feeling in the room. I don’t think anyone wants the strike, but people are behind the negotiation committee,” said Dave Garrett, screenwriter for the film 'Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo'.

Writers said the guild board would meet later today to formally call a strike and decide when it would start.

Nick Counter, president of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, said in a statement the alliance was not surprised by the action.

“We are ready to meet and are prepared to close this contract this weekend,” he said.

Officials had called a meeting of the union’s 12,000 members last night. Guild members recently authorised their negotiators to call the first strike since 1988, if necessary.

Writers said the line of questioning inside the meeting was not whether the group was going to strike, but how it would be carried out. The mood was subdued as writers filed out of the building.

Janis Hirsch, a veteran TV writer, was among the 10% against striking.

“It’s sad, but I’ve got to support my union. At this point it makes sense,” she said.

Many writers said that beyond royalties, respect was at stake. They said they had never commanded the same clout in the entertainment industry as actors and directors.

The first casualty of the strike will probably be late-night talk shows, which are dependent on current events to fuel monologues and other entertainment.

The strike will not immediately affect film or prime-time TV production. Most studios have stockpiled dozens of film scripts and TV shows have enough scripts or completed shows in hand to last until early next year.