Royal Purple

Issue date: 11/20/07 Section: Arts & Lifestyle

Media Credit: Rose Wolf

The writers strike in Los Angeles has halted the production of popular TV shows like "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Office," and until negotiations take place, new episodes of many TV shows will be unavailable.

Jackie McKinley, who lives in Los Angeles and is a writer and producer of TV shows like "The Bernie Mac Show," "All of Us" and "Smart Guy," is participating in the strike. McKinley said many writers are not receiving money from Internet downloads and DVD sales, and she lives off of residuals when she is not working.

"I think that the studios believe that it's still a new media, and they don't want to discuss it now," McKinley said. "They want us to go with our old contract, and then in three years, we'll discuss it some more. They've told their shareholders that they've made millions in profit over the Internet, but we're not seeing any of that."

McKinley said the writers are pretty energized about the strike.

"They don't want to strike, but they do feel that they're right," she said.

UW-Whitewater assistant professor Danielle Stern, who teaches Mass Media Writing, supports the writers and their efforts to earn money from the alternative media that use their work.

"They do so much to bring us quality television and film, and they should get a piece of what they're asking for," Stern said. "Most of the concern has to do with residuals from sales on the Internet and advertising online. There's so much television that's being downloaded."

At this time, no one knows for sure when the strike will be resolved.

"I would like to think that it would be settled before the next television season," Stern said. "But at this rate, I just don't know because the producers and executives of television can turn to reality shows and game shows in the meantime and still make money."

Stern thinks the public should write to the networks and studios to show their support.

"I think a letter campaign in support of the writers would show the executives just how important the writing is to the TV and movie industry," she said.

McKinley hopes the companies will negotiate soon so the writers can get back to work.

"I wish it were over," McKinley said. "It's kind of keeping me from working."

McKinley would love to start working on shows from the pilot season.

"There are new shows on the burner that I'd love to work on, but until the strike is cleared, there's no movement in my career," McKinley said.

When McKinley is writing for a show, she said one of the best parts is hearing a line she wrote on the air.

"The best part of my job is the finished product, when you actually hear a line that you wrote said on the air," McKinley said.

McKinley's least favorite part of the job are the political games involved when working with co-workers to write a story.

"It sometimes can be combative," McKinley said. "You have your idea of what you want, but other people have their ideas of what they want."

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