The New York Times >Add 'Cut' and 'Bleep' to a DVD's Options from the NY Times (free reg. required.)

HIS column is rated PG-13. It contains salty language, dripping sarcasm and descriptions of some really gross movie scenes.

All that is unavoidable, really, because the topic is RCA's new DRC232N, a DVD player that automatically skips cinematic violence, sex, swearing and drug use.

Hollywood's response?

Hollywood begs to differ. Actually, it sues to differ; eight movie studios and the Directors Guild of America have taken ClearPlay and a group of similar companies to court. "ClearPlay software edits movies to conform to ClearPlay's vision of a movie instead of letting audiences see, and judge for themselves, what writers wrote, what actors said and what directors envisioned," the Directors Guild says.

SWS doesn't support the use of yet another system that butchers the filmmakers original intent. But more lawsuits? Hollywood is as about as original in its response to technology as it is to creating content.

The Laughter Is Fading in Sitcomland From The NY Times

Just when you thought you'd written the best Happy Family spec ever, this article comes along and bursts your bubble. It seems that TV comedy writers are persona non grata around Hollywood these days. Reality TV, with its low-cost production and bigger return on investment, has taken a huge bite out network sitcom programming.

The article gives many reasons for the lack of comedy on the networks, but the ones I'm gonna go with are crap writing and a lack of originality - two problems that plague Hollywood in both TV and film. How many more old sitcoms are going to be turned into features before the development execs actually buy an original idea.

Its a big problem and the current state of the network sitcom, the staple of American TV since Lucy and Desi, is only the tip of the iceberg.

Defamer

"LA is the world's cultural capital. Defamer is the gossip rag it deserves."

For Screenwriters, Inspiration Smells Like French Roast
From The NY Times (registration required)

Many of us have seen this story play out at our favorite coffee shops all around the country. In fact, many of us are this story.

Mr. Kessler will never hurt for company. In the cafes he frequents, many of the people sitting around are screenwriters. The person who serves coffee is quite likely working on a screenplay; so is the dishwasher in the kitchen. After all, the Writers Guild of America alone registered 50,000 scripts last year.

So three cheers for your local java joint. You may just find inspiration on the same day that you find the perfect latte.

Homer's Hollywood - www.theage.com.au

From Cold Mountain to Ulee's Gold, filmmakers turn again and again to Homer and his savage warrior tales for inspiration. And now for Troy. Classicist Mary Beard explains Homer's appeal.

WGA: Question of Time from Hollywoodreporter.com

Hollywood's writers return to the bargaining table today for a showdown over their proposed one-year contract -- something the industry opposes because it only postpones a full airing of hot-button issues like DVD residuals.

From Hollywood Reporter:

WGA talks stall; 1-year contract eyed

The WGA and the producers' alliance suspended their contract talks last Wednesday so Hollywood's writers could explore a potential one-year contract rather than strike over the industry's unwillingness to hike DVD residuals or extend union jurisdiction to reality and animation production. Negotiators for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, ABC, CBS and NBC said they are still focused on reaching a full, three-year Minimum Basic Agreement since essentially postponing these thorny issues for 12 months does little to ensure the long-term stability of the industry. The two sides are scheduled to meet again Wednesday, allowing WGA West and WGA East to see if members want to pursue a one-year deal, much as SAG-AFTRA did in February. WGA West will hold its member meeting Monday in Universal City.

Script Journal Newsletter: Nashville Calling

Producer Karen Murphy and screenwriter Les Bohem talk about their annual Nashville Screenwriting Conference.

Yahoo! News - Contract Expires for Writers, Producers

The contract has expired and there are few signs of deal being reached.

Writers have indicated a willingness to negotiate past the deadline. But producers would have to agree, and without serious discussion of the DVD issue might instead choose to make a last, best offer, a source familiar with the talks said.

And just why is there no talk of the DVD issue? This seems to be eerily similar to the last round of negotions which ended with the WGA giving up on issues very important to its membership. Right now, there is no bigger issue than the DVD market. Producers and studios are making billions while writers get less than a fraction of one percent.

Where is the representation? Certainly no one was happy about the strike, but playing nice in an attempt to avoid the "S" word doesn't help the membership at all. Not gettin a bigger piece of the DVD pie in this round of negotions would be nothing short of utter failure by the negotiating team.