Reality TV in the wings

Boot Camp for reality TV producers?

By Maggie Shiels

No business in showbusiness could become a reality in Hollywood later this week as thousands of movie and TV scriptwriters threaten to strike for the first time since 1998.

With contracts between the Writers Guild of America and the American Federation of Television due to end at midnight on 1 of May, the prospect of action looks increasingly likely.

But that does not mean TV screens will go blank or cinemas will run out of films. At least not for a while.

In what is being described as the first labour-management showdown in the era of the media megaconglomerate, TV and film companies have been stockpiling.

Ellen de Generes (right) - rumoured to be set to front a daytime version of The Weakest Link

In anticipation of a strike by writers, and later by actors when their contracts end on 30 June, the studios increased the pace of production.

Key films, particularly potential blockbusters such as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, have already been shot.

The networks, meanwhile, are set to blitz viewers with reality TV programmes and quiz shows to fill the gap left by scripted dramas like ER, The West Wing, CSI and the Practice.

And with the Weakest Link presented by Anne Robinson already pulling in record viewing figures, there have been rumours that NBC will launch a daytime version of the quiz show to be presented by Ellen De Generes.

Most people feel that with a recession looming this is not the time to fight for either economic or status issues

Peter Bart, Variety

Peter Bart, vice president and editor in chief of Variety magazine, laments the likely onslaught of a reality TV fest if the writers and management cannot resolve their differences.

"Scripted shows would fade," he warns. "It happened as a result of the last strike and I think it would be a shame if the programming was given over to quiz shows and Survivor clones rather than to the quality shows like ER, Law and Order and stuff like that."

The major sticking point for writers, and for actors when their contracts expire next month, is something called residuals.

That is the money paid when shows are sold overseas and for cable, DVDs and the internet.

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For most writers it might not add up to a fortune, but the Guild says it will make a difference given that at any one time more than half its members are unemployed.

The median income for a scriptwriter is just over $80,000 (£55,800).

Adam Rodman admits that after 20 years in the industry, the last few years for him have been good but that does not mean he can rest on his laurels.

"I cannot afford not to work but I will. I've known this was coming for a long time.

"I've spent the last 18 months setting money aside I would like it to be towards a downpayment on a house but if needs to be, it will be a strike fund."

A daily diet of reality programmes, quiz shows and endless re-runs may force viewers to switch off

There are some who feel the timing for a strike is wrong with much of the industry and the country experiencing an economic downturn.

Peter Bart believes most in the industry agree now is not the time for war.

"There are a lot of emotional issues here. There are also money issues of course too.

"But I would say if you ran an opinion poll in and around the industry, I would say most people feel that with a recession looming this is not the time to fight for either economic or status issues."

And he maintains any strike will only play into the hands of management.

Internet

"You know there are a lot of people on deals, producers, directors, writers, actors and so forth, and some management would not mind an excuse to "force majeure" people as its called, which means to suspend their contracts.

"So there is a big cost saving there."

More worrying is that a daily diet of reality programmes, quiz shows and endless re-runs may force viewers to switch off, according to a report commissioned by Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordon.

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Ross De Voll of the Milken Institute says if that happens, the internet will cash in.

"Once people take an opportunity to turn of the TV when they're watching Gilligan's Island for the third time, they might try out these new formats.

And do you open up a new business model and give it an opportunity to develop and become profitable? I think that's one of the big issues."

But Adam Rodman says that is a risk he and fellow writers are willing to take given that the internet could benefit them in the future.

"The internet is so important there's just no way you can say to companies you can broadcast my material for free on the internet. That would be like giving away my livelihood."