What It’s Like

I’m back.  And yes, I had a lovely vacation, thanks for asking.  The only glitch was that, for some reason, my TiVo didn’t record “30 Rock” while I was gone.  Now I have to wait 17 frakking days to download that episode so the writers can get their cent and a half in residuals.

I’m getting excited about the “Crime Pays Saturday” event at the WGA tomorrow.  Our RSVP list just hit 70 (!).  Even if only half that number actually shows up, it should be a good crowd.  What I’m really hoping to accomplish is giving writers a chance to meet new people in a casual, no-pressure kinda way.  If anybody ultimately ends up working together, so much the better.  I’m looking forward to having some interesting conversations about crime (fictional, of course) myself.

I was also happy to see the official announcement from SciFi/Virgin Comics about our project, now called “Superbia.”  Not that I seriously feared that they were going to back out at this point, but it’s nice to have a public commitment nonetheless.  So far, it seems like the ongoing creative challenge will be finding just the right tone - fun, but not spoofy.

In previous posts, I’ve mentioned some writers’ training programs.  The Disney/ABC program is currently accepting applications for writer’s assistants.   Fox is also taking scripts for its Diversity Writers’ Initiative.   And NBC is reading for its Diversity Initiative.  I’ve also just learned about something at CBS called the Writers’ Mentoring Program, which is taking apps now.  I can’t personally vouch for any of these programs, but I don’t see how participating in them could actually harm your career, so why not check them out?  The WGA group I’ve joined is also continuing to search for ways to revive the official, Guild-sponsored version.

Speaking of the Guild, I wasn’t especially pleased to see the public list of members who went “fi-core.”  It’s a legal, Guild-created option - so why shame the members who use it?  When, exactly, was it designed to be used anyway?  I do understand the desire to stop the rumor-mongering by revealing who did and did not go fi-core, but the finger-wagging statement that accompanied the list was a bit much.  I’d be more interested in exposing the members who didn’t even have the guts to openly go fi-core, but snuck around and scabbed under pseudonyms.   Those people should be flat-out expelled from the union.  This practice of allowing the fi-cores to stay in, but holding them up for public ridicule, seems pretty icky.

Now stop reading this blog and go watch some TV.  Ratings are down for most scripted shows coming back after the strike, which will only encourage the networks to program more reality crap and the already-dismal staffing situation will only get worse.  So for the sake of your own future careers, run to the TV and turn it on right now.  Seriously.  You don’t even have to watch.  Just turn on something scripted and go do your laundry or whatever.  Unemployed TV writers of America will thank you.