The writer’s strike is over

Billy jumped over the 6 foot crevice which fell 50 feet down to sharp rocks. Keeping pace right behind him was a tall man who must have been in his 50’s. Billy could not believe the man made the jump and was still keeping pace with him. What did this guy eat for breakfast? Steroids! But Billy could not keep concentrating on the man behind him, but what was in front of him. He was in a dense jungle with trees and branches protruding from every where. He had to be careful or he would get knocked out by a branch. Before Billy knew what was happening, he was falling. When he looked down he saw the most beautiful lake he had ever seen. He braced himself for the impact, Splash!

When Billy opened his eyes he was on a bed, dry and his clothes had been changed, he was in a sterile room with a bed and wash basin. He got up and went to the door it was locked. He banged on the door and the large glass windows. Slowly a curtain was revealed behind the large glass window. The man chasing Billy was staring back at him:

Man: Hello Billy, we meet again

Billy: What, I don’t know you? Who the hell are you ?

Man: Come on Billy, do we have to keep playing this game

Billy: What game ? Where am I ? Who are ?

Man, whispers into a microphone. He hears something over the speakers, only he can hear it.

Man: Jessica says hello

Billy: My mother ? Where is she...

Man: So you do remember

Billy: I know who my mother is, I don’t know you!

Man: Bolivia 1962, where were you ?

Billy: What are you talking about I wasn’t born until 1977.

Man: You have no recollection of the past 60 years ?

Billy: Are you crazy, I’m only 30!

Man presses a red buzzer, there is a loud siren noise, the lights dim and emergency red lights are turned on. The door to Billy’s room bursts open with 4 men entering. They tackle Billy and put him onto gurney that is wheeled in by 2 doctors. Billy is strapped onto the gurney and injected with a sedative. The Man walks into the room:

Man: It’s alright Billy, we’ll send you back to 99 and fix everything. Don’t worry mate, you’ll be fine.

Billy is wheeled away, and passes out. A much older, distinguished man comes into the room now.

Distinguished Man: Where is the device, Tagart ?

Tagart (Man): We’ll get it, don’t worry Mr. Smith, your past is secure in the future. I know where it is, all we need is….

End Scene

The above was my (poor) attempt at being a writer for a movie or television series. Over the past 3 months writers in the entertainment industry (both Movies and Television) in America have been on strike. Their contract was up and the demands they asked for were not met. The 2 primary issues the writers were asking for are:

1) Compensation for new media: the Internet – streaming and downloadable content, mobile phones and PDA devices with Internet/Television access.

2) A better formula for sharing profits on DVD, Pay-TV and television re-runs

A deal was struck this past week and now writers are going back to work. As for the details, it has not yet been released. Not sure if it will be released to the public.

With no writers for the past 3 months new television episodes could not be filmed or movie projects in development could not be written. But now that the writers are back at work, most television shows will air new episodes starting in the April – May/June period. All the big favourites like CSI, Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives will be back.

The start of a new TV season in North America brings new shows. But because of the strike many new shows were not able to film more episodes. So a lot of new shows fate are undecided. If you liked shows like Women's Murder Club, Lipstick Jungle and Moonlight their fate is undecided.

Some new and old televisions shows that were renewed for a whole season won’t be finishing this season but starting again in the Fall season (Sept/Oct 08). You can expect to see shows like Heroes, Chuck, Pushing Daises, Life, Private Practice, Dirty Sexy Money and Prison Break start-up again then.

Other shows are being cancelled outright, most likely because of low ratings. Gone for good are Bionic Woman, Cane, Carpoolers, Cavemen, Journeyman and K-Ville.

Two shows that start airing in the January and February period - 24 and Lost have changed their schedules. 24 have now been pushed back to January 2009. And Lost has cut its episode from 16 to 13 episodes.

I hope the writers got what their asked for and deserve. Millions of people around the world derive pleasure from Television. The entertainment and escape it offers give people much enjoyment.

I myself look forward to seeing new episodes of Lost, Scrubs and How I Met Your Mother. As well as looking forward to new episodes of Chuck and Pushing Daises later in the year.