Hollywood awards ceremonies usually have plenty of drama -- who shows up with who, who's wearing what, celebrity feuds and, to a lesser extent, who actually wins the awards.

But the 65th annual Golden Globe awards slated for January 13th could take on a whole new level of controversy. As Hollywood's elite make their way onto the red carpet, there could be thousands of striking writers there holding signs, chanting and just generally making things very awkward. There is even speculation that the award show's broadcast could be canceled or shifted to a webcast. But labor officials say they would picket even a webcast version because Dick Clark Productions is set to produce the event.

According to the New York Times, "Panicked at the prospect of having to confront strikers as they waltz up the red carpet, celebrities have sent what Hollywood publicity executives describe as a near-unanimous signal: If striking writers show up, the stars won't."

Going for a classy private affair devoid of television cameras seems like a great way to go for the ceremony. Hollywood could avoid the potential disaster of a televised protest and an awards ceremony that isn't broadcast into every home would be kind of nice -- might actually restore some of the glamor and intrigue of the cinema.

Writers' strike could add drama to Golden Globes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Yes it's true -- just like you and me, the writers want more money, and since they did not get it they are walking out. Actually having some keen familiarity with Hollywood, I would find it hard to believe that after not striking since 1988, writers could actually come to any agreement with producers without one now.

First of all, the world is changing rapidly and whatever agreements they settled on in the past is most assuredly not attuned to the media landscape of today. The writers feel they negotiated a borderline contract before, and do not want to give up any revenue opportunities now.

Producers have made more money from the internet and DVD sales than they have in the past, but they have seen weaker box office attendance and are getting burned badly by DVD pirates burning cheap discs for sale at great discount to the legitimate copies.

The last time there was a strike, we are told the industry lost $500 million. I have no way of verifying the legitimacy of that figure because in Hollywood (as those in the know can attest), the most creative talent is found in the accounting department, not on the screen.

Continue reading Writers strike over more money, searching for equal pain

Writers strike over more money, searching for equal pain originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Writers strike, poop joke shortage feared originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.