tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59535122395033936302007-12-12T01:08:37.415-08:00Thomas FordBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5953512239503393630.post-72734971741721565152007-12-12T01:08:00.001-08:002007-12-12T01:08:33.916-08:00And so, it is day number I don't want to count the number of days between November 1st and today because I'm not sure what today's date is(It's 40 days and counting) of the Writer's Guild of America Strike against the AMPTP, which I think is called the American Movie Pictures and Television ... Production? Promotion? Something with a P, I know that because it's how it's spelt, but I really could care less.<br /><br />Regardless, the WGA vs. the AMPTP seems to be holding as strong as Jake LaMotta, and seems to be continuing into the Christmas season.<br /><br />So what do the Midgets think of this? Well, speaking for myself, I'm definitly pro WGA. It seems a lot of the Public is Pro WGA at this point in time, being that the AMPTP has hired a PR firm to correct the situation. Three studies were released, but I forget where they were from. That's why I'm not a journalist, but still, three studies each showed public support in the mid 60's, even with their countless rhetoric being thrown toward the public's earshot by all these corperations news media holdings.<br /><br />It's amazing, really, that the AMPTP HAS to hire a PR firm to win a PR war, when they just about control what we see and hear on a daily basis anyway.<br /><br />The fact is, the AMPTP and the corperations that back it can easily purchase radio stations and TV stations, at least much easier than they can purchase and maintain Internet stations. Sure, they can buy an internet web site(or a piece of it), but if they screw up and homogenize everything like most modern media seems to suffer from, we the public have an enormous amount of alternative servies. It's easier for the public to pay 45 bucks for a year's web hosting or use Youtube completely free of charge than for them to go out and buy a Television Transmitting antenna.<br /><br />Land is a commodity. Material is a commodity. The internet is almost like electricity, free flowing, constantly changing. It's a scary endevour to put anyone's entire stock of future into.<br /><br /><br />I've probably completely gone off pace and have horendously butchered whatever arguement I may have been trying to have with myself(or doug or john or the 6 other people who may stumble across this), but there's really no point to all this mamby-pamby bickering.<br /><br />Studios. You're going to have to give in to the Internet Demands. People are switching their mode of viewing, just like they are when the home video market emerged. And while you can totally undercut us when it comes to DVD's and VHS's, and we'll let you, you've got to give us more than 250 dollars for a year's worth of broadcasting a show on television. I mean, seriously. If my show is going to be free on the internet for a year, I should be paid enough cash that could maintain an internet connection for that entire year.<br /><br />The current proposal leveyed by the AMPTP wouldn't pay writer's enough for a year's worth of BROADBAND.<br /><br />The WGA has given up the hope of seeing additional funds from DVD purchases, which is astonishing difficult to give up. Right now, if a DVD sells 8 million copies, you're liable to make between 80,000 and 120,000 in residuals. 8 Million copies. Times that by 20, hell, times that by 15 and see how many million the studios are making in gross profit, and then realize how small of a piece of pie that is.<br /><br />Sure, the Studio's pay residuals to Writers and Directors(4 cents a DVD), Actors(12 cents a DVD) and Other Crew(20 Cents a DVD). But if you discount the manufacturing price, even the five dollar dvd's at the walmart make up 3 dollars in profit!<br /><br />Granted, I am no mathematician. Sure, I like to pretend I am when some child has simple algebra to do, but it's clearly not me.<br /><br />Basically, on Friday, the AMPTP demanded that the WGA take SIX items off the bargaining table before they would even CONSIDER listening to anything else. SIX items.<br /><br />A month ago, the AMPTP demanded the WGA take DVD residuals off the table, and the AMPTP would then levey a "fair and balanced offer." The WGA showed their intentions to negociate and took the DVD residuals off the table completely. The AMPTP's fair offer in response was 250 dollars to broadcast a year's worth of Law and Order on NBC.com or whatever the hell it is, and fuck off on the rest of your demands.<br /><br />So now, I suggest that the WGA should put DVD residuals BACK on the table, and strike from here until 2010. I want to be a writer, but if there's no television and no film to help me out, fuck it, I'll write me some novels. I'll write some songs, some parodies. I'll dance around on Youtube instead of network television.<br /><br />No one likes you Network television. You're like the Government. We accept you because we have no power over you. At least with the Government, we get to pretend we have a vote.Thomas Fordtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5953512239503393630.post-8137240463277339802007-05-30T03:07:00.000-07:002007-05-30T03:23:06.057-07:00Hey everyone. I've recently moved to Los Angeles and am in the process of gaining employment. I've been writing a bit on the side, but they've been for newer side projects. Still, Episode 20 of Gen LMNOP is at about the seventh page count. Of course, I need to figure out an awesome prank for Laura to pull on Midus... but there's time enough to think of something worthy.<br /><br />Until then, the website has been updated slightly, in the sense that genlmnop.net now points to our .com servers. And .com has been renewed until the year 2010, so no one else is gettin' a handle on it, that's for sure.<br /><br />So be prepared for years more of Gen LMNOP goodness. I mean, I paid 35 bucks. I feel I'm commited now. :-)Thomas Fordtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5953512239503393630.post-89724424911441662042007-02-19T23:10:00.000-08:002007-02-19T23:16:19.169-08:00On various message boards, I've seen a new fad in signatures. And as such, I figured Gen LMNOP should join in on the fun, if there are any Gen LMNOP fans as nerdy as myself.<br /><br /><img src="/genlmnop-userbar.gif" /><br /><br />For those looking for an AIM buddy icon, here's JACKSON!<br /><br /><img src="/genlmnop-aim.gif" /><br /><br />And a newly designed Credit Sequence. Or well, the concept.<br /><br /><img src="/written-new design.jpg" />Thomas Fordtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5953512239503393630.post-87510165245300133322007-02-19T22:47:00.000-08:002007-02-19T22:52:01.215-08:00So, I've gotten some help on the redesign, because I seem to have a loss for creative artistic ideas. I feel that that side of my brain is stunted slightly. Organization is also something I'm not found of and all of my pages feel extremely cluttered and text based.<br /><br />I went to a friend, Ike Chapman. He makes quite a few stylistic organizational choices and keeps things sparce, while making elements truly jump out of a page. He was starting, when his computer restarted abnormally. It then restarted again... and again... and again...<br /><br />So... seems there's a slight hold.<br /><br />Of course, perhaps I can push ahead with my initial design. Of course, I feel it sucks major arse, so we'll see where to go from there.Thomas Fordtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5953512239503393630.post-75620428933130955962007-02-10T23:27:00.000-08:002007-02-11T19:52:28.998-08:00This is a test of the National Emergency Broadcast System. What you heard was a test. If this were an actual emergency, you'd be screaming and running for the hills.<br /><br />Scream and Run For the Hills.<br /><br />GEN LMNOP : OH YES IT SHALL GIVE CHASE!Thomas Ford