Strike update: More from the showrunners’ meeting

I posted a bit earlier today about the stand the showrunners are taking, but Deadline Hollywood Daily comes through with yet more detail about what people are thinking. (I’m linking to the homepage, as the permalink goes to an older version of Ms. Finke’s story.) The latest, my emphasis added:

Networks/Studios vs TV Showrunners: Why They’re Now On A Collision Course; Showrunners Pledge Solidarity Response To Breach Of Contract ‘We’ll Sue’ Letters

. . .

The Disney gate show of strength by the 150 showrunners Wednesday, organized by the WGA, was a news-making event. The their [sic] confab started at The Smokehouse, but then they feared they’d be overheard because diners were in the next room. So they decided they could have a more open and candid conversation at the WGA headquarters a few hours later during which a few dozen showrunners dropped out so 115 met.

This was, by no means, a polite conversation between colleagues. It was heated and vociferous, but it ended in hard-fought, heavily argued agreement. The WGA would have everyone believe the showrunners are 90/10 in support of everything strikewise. The AMPTP would have everyone believe it’s the other way around “in their hearts and minds” because the showrunners are fearful of really speaking their minds. Bulls#!t by both sides. Last night’s very open forum showed very clearly that the showrunners there were overwhelmingly in support of the strike, but then they were 60/40 split on the best way to conduct it. The meeting broke down like this: 60% voiced absolute support for a 100% work stoppage by showrunners as a way to shut down the shows and hurt the networks and studios, and 40% wanted to stop all writing but continue their producing duties.

If you haven’t figured it out yet (although I think most of you have), I’d recommend visiting that site often, as Ms. Finke typically adds detail and updates throughout the body of her existing posts.

I’m not sure what a lot of these details mean with respect to the overall tactics and strategies being pursued by the WGAE (DHD is obviously going to focus on the doings out in L.A.), but I’m encouraged and impressed by the show of solidarity from the showrunners so far. Let’s hope they can keep it up and that the pressure on the AMPTP leads to everything being resolved swiftly and satisfactorily.