How many of you eagerly tuned in last Thursday to *The Office *only to deal with the harsh reality of the writers strike? Yes, the ban on writing new television episodes has started to claim victims and it looks like it's going to be a very boring 2008.
Three Saturdays ago, the writers and actors from Saturday Night Live took some of its already written material and performed it live, though without cameras, at New York's Upright Citizens Brigade theater. Arrested Development's Michael Cera played host and Yo La Tengo was the evening's musical performance. The event, while sorrily missed by yours truly, did light up a bulb over my head.
How much of an impact does walking around in circles outside a network's building actually make? Could the majority of television's creative team be doing more than holding up signs? Sure a few supporters have brought it upon themselves to make witty YouTube videos to get attention, but how much propaganda can the average viewer take? If you've got star power like Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, and Julia Louis Dreyfus willing to give their time to your cause, make them do something that will force viewers to turn away from your TV reruns and to your online vids.
What I suggest to the Writers Guild of America is to use the Web to show networks, producers, and TV audiences what they're missing (rather than what they'll be getting if the strike doesn't let up). You've got a huge creative team who refuses to cross your picket lines, along with massive crews who have nothing to film, adjust sound for, or edit. Take advantage of these out of commission groups and produce your own shorts, sitcoms, and dramas and "air" them online. Once more Offices go black and the viewers' only option is Crowned* they'll be happy to pay or sit through online advertisement to watch well crafted fictional content. Hell, you could make money off this thing! *
Obviously I'm not in the TV business, so I don't know how feasible this all is, but I do know that the WGA could be doing more with its time. It's a shame to think there are hundreds of writers with closeted ideas in their heads with no where to broadcast them. Couldn't the WGA be doing more with the Web than streaming propaganda? Why not practice what you preach creative union?
