Teaching for the Future: TftF 83: Screenwriters on Strike/Call to Action

Screenwriters on Strike Over Stake in New Media from NYTIMES.com

Hollywood writers are now officially on strike over issues surrounding how the revenues from new media and repurposed media will be shared with writers. This is more than just a strike over workers rights and compensation, this is a large part of the main stream media refusing to produce content.

Highlights from the article:

"[C]ompanies were prepared to use alternative programming like reality shows, reruns and movies to fill broadcast and cable networks during a walkout that might last," [..] "9 or 10 months. Late-night talk shows have immediately turned to repeats, but most prime-time comedies and dramas have about half a dozen episodes already filmed."
"The guild said the companies had dug in their heels by, among other things, refusing to grant the unions jurisdiction over most writing directly for new media, and insisting on the right to offer promotional showings of movies and television shows in new media and elsewhere without paying an additional fee."
"The companies have also insisted on pegging residual payments for downloaded movies and shows at the same rate historically used for DVDs and videocassettes — a formula writers have regretted almost since the moment they negotiated it two decades ago. In effect, the sides finally got down to what they were really fighting about: who will get what from the media of the future. "

What does this mean to you the media consumer?

1. Cultural Shifts:
a. Entertainment/Fictional media is a huge part of American culture.
2. More Reality TV:
a. With out writers entertainment will focus on reality television, where often people who do not share our values are elevated to star status.
3. oppourtunites for new media producers:
a. More focus on independant content producers
b. A chance for you to become a content producer.

MY CHALLENGE TO YOU:
In the comments post any links to content you are going to be watching or creating to fill the media void. The content does not have to be educational, but it should be work safe.

Make sure to post your name and write a sentence or two about the link so that I can sort through the links and give you credit for the link. I will discuss some of the shows in the next episode of Teaching for the Future, and I will put the rest of the links in the show notes.

Web video content I recommend:
Rocketboom.com: Internet Culture and News.
System: A do-it-for-yourself and hacker podcast
BoingBoing.tv : Internet Culture and News (Possilbly Not Safe for Work)
Galacticast:
Something to Be Desired
Drive Time: Internet Culture and News
Epic-FU: Internet Culture and News from the team behind the JetSetShow. (Possilbly Not Safe for Work)

If you want to help out or participate with Teaching for the Future you can leave a comment on the homepage or link to us on your blog or podcast. If you want to get in touch, feel free to email at teachingforthefuture@gmail.com.

Tags: Dave LaMorte, teaching for the future, technology, education, podcast, teaching, media literacy, visual literacy, new media literacy