James Evison asks: "Does the writers strike mean that there will be a 'dark age' at some point later this year where there will be no films in production or being shown?"
Good question, James. The answer is not entirely clear. The studios knew the strike was coming and were desperate to get as many scripts ship-shape and ready to shoot before the strike hit. 2008 will be largely unaffected in cinemas; any impact will really be felt in 2009. Here's what Michael Apted, president of the Directors Guild of America (DGA), had to say: "Already, a number of feature films have been cancelled or postponed."
Of course, the impact has already been felt in TV: all the US TV series are shot on the hoof, for want of a better word. Apted again: "We are now perilously close to losing both the 2007-2008 television season and the 2008 pilot season — a loss that would have a devastating effect not only on DGA members but on the industry as a whole."
The impact, as I've previously pointed out, has reached other film industry workers: the BBC reports that $325m has been lost in wages, while the wider economic impact is estimated at $500m.
James E also states, post-cancellation of the Golden Globes: "I would love it if there wasn't an Oscars ceremony this year, but I can't believe it would happen, or that studio bosses would let it happen...but you never know!"
Let's assume the Globes and the Oscars add circa $1bn worldwide in box office receipts and DVD and ancillary sales to the films that are nominated and win each year. Is it worth the studios losing a substantial chunk of that revenue if they can protect future revenues by not agreeing to the writers' demands..?
Nobody seems to have run the numbers on that one; if anyone finds anything, let me know!
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