Screenwriters Deal Looking Good

The Washington Post and other papers are carrying news that screenwriters are strongly in favor of the tentative agreement with studios:

On the key issue of compensation for work streamed over the Internet, both sides gave a little. The studios and their network allies originally asked the guild for time to study the issue and declined to offer any residuals for digital media when talks broke off in early December. The guild, in turn, held fast, arguing that writers had to share in the profits of what may become the preeminent way to view filmed entertainment.

Under the proposal's terms, the studios would have a "window" to display programs over the Internet or other digital media without having to pay writers residuals. The window for an established show would be 17 days; the window for a new show would be 24 days. In the deal's first two years, writers would get a maximum fee of $1,200 for streamed programs.

Those windows were the biggest point of contention in Los Angeles on Saturday night. "Everybody thinks this is going to set a bad precedent," Galvin said.

In the third year, things get interesting, because writers actually get a small percentage of the gross revenue - something that the directors did not get in their recent negotiations. This sets a precedent for everyone. I hope to be able to take down the banner at the left of this window shortly on a ratified agreement.