Jane Espenson

While public opinion is still very much in favor of the WGA, there are always dissenting voices. Some reasonable. Some concerned. And some unconcerned and making anti-labor statements that suggest the little rich kids (writers) should get back to work for the big rich kids (AMPTP) and shut up. Everyone is, of course, entitled to their opinion. They should, however, base those opinions on fact and not hearsay and conjecture.

As for the idea that the writers hit the lines with ease or without care for others collaterally affected by their actions, it is even more callous than the actions it claims to criticize in the first place. A look at any of the blogs listed to the right show the WGA to be filled with conscientious professionals who not only value the work they do but also the toll this strike is exacting in all communities.

Jane Espenson writes the following in her excellent Jane in Progress blog:

But know that we're not dancing as lightly as we seem to be. We're cold. We're tired. Our feet hurt. We're concerned about the future -- the future of our shows, the future of our careers, the future of the business, the future of the whole darn American middle-class, and the future of any personal sense of security we might have built up. We're concerned about our relationship with executives whom we like, who aren't really part of the mogularchy. And we're greatly concerned about those people who find themselves affected by the strike although they never even got a vote in this action. We may look like we're laughing, but we're serious.

If you support the WGA then you probably already know these words to be true. If you don't or are sitting on the fence, then read these words and understand the sincerity with which they were written.

Thanks, Jane.

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