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Gofundme: Heavy Metal Writers Strike Picket Taco Truck

[image ID: a two-part graphic advertising the WGA STRONG Metal Picket. The left side has a black background and red text that reads "WGA STRONG - THE METAL PICKET. 2 PM June 15th. Heavy metal, glam metal, death metal, doom metal, thrash metal - free tacos." In the middle of the graphic there's an illustration of a hand in the "devil horns" gesture with the pointer and pinky finger raised. The right side of the image is an illustration of a taco with lettuce, tomato, and meat filling over a black background, and text below that says "Tacos". end ID]

Another way fans can show solidarity for the WGA strike! Donate to provide the June 15th Heavy Metal picket with a taco truck! The fundraiser is currently at $805 out of $2000 needed.

From the Gofundme: "Judas Priest put it best — Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had. If you think I'll let it go you're mad. You've got another thing comin'!

Under corporate leadership beholden to Wall Street speculation above all else, our worth as writers has been increasingly devalued. This is the inflection point. The time to stand up and say, enough is enough!

And as you well know, headbanging requires fuel... taco fuel. Please join me in supporting the "wind of change," our fellow union members and sympathizers alike, by chipping in a couple of bucks to buy striking workers a taco or two as they continue their fight against the AMPTP.

Powered by the spirit of heavy metal, on June 15th the metalheads of the entertainment industry descend upon Paramount Studios to bang our heads and demand fair pay."

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[image ID: group of supporters/WGA members picketing outside of Amazon studios, led by writer Kira Snyder in a green gown that looks similar to Eowyn's green dress from the Lord of the Rings movies. Many other picketers are in costume as hobbits and other Tolkien characters. Many are holding picket signs that say "Writers Guild of America on strike!" end id.]

image source from Jess Carson

Lord of the Rings picket day at Amazon

[first image id: two WGA picket signs that both say "Writers Guild on Strike!" with pictures below. The first sign has a picture of Pippin from the Lord of the Rings movies played by Billy Boyd and says, "Second breakfast!? Sigh. I can hardly afford the first" and the second has a picture of the dragon Smaug from the Hobbit movies and says "Rings of Power per episode: $57M. WGA Amazon ask, per year: $32M. Smaug approves!"

second image id: outdoor table setup with boxes of food fundraised by fans for the picketers. There's a printed sign that says, "The beacons have been lit. Ringers around the world stand in solidarity with writers. Second breakfast and Elevenses is on us! The Lord of the Rings fandom." end ID]

Thanks to everyone who boosted, shared, and donated to the Lord of the Rings picket event! Food delivery was a success! (images from Chelsea Schwarts on Twitter)

[fans4wga]

Lord of the Rings picket day at Amazon

[first image id: two WGA picket signs that both say "Writers Guild on Strike!" with pictures below. The first sign has a picture of Pippin from the Lord of the Rings movies played by Billy Boyd and says, "Second breakfast!? Sigh. I can hardly afford the first" and the second has a picture of the dragon Smaug from the Hobbit movies and says "Rings of Power per episode: $57M. WGA Amazon ask, per year: $32M. Smaug approves!"

second image id: outdoor table setup with boxes of food fundraised by fans for the picketers. There's a printed sign that says, "The beacons have been lit. Ringers around the world stand in solidarity with writers. Second breakfast and Elevenses is on us! The Lord of the Rings fandom." end ID]

Thanks to everyone who boosted, shared, and donated to the Lord of the Rings picket event! Food delivery was a success! (images from Chelsea Schwarts on Twitter)

[fans4wga]

This is a great primer on how writers' rooms work and why the WGA is striking! Only 10 minutes long, highly recommend.

If you want a concise, more visual breakdown of a writers job is on and off set and why they’re on strike, watch this.

I’m sure by now many people have an idea of why the writers are on strike but,for those who may not be this is a good way get the gist of the writers strike. I think Vox did a great job at breaking down the writers roles as well as how that has changed over time. And more importantly why they are on strike. Give it a watch when you can!

[fans4wga]

Again, this is the anticipated broadcast network TV (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, etc.) fall season timeline, given the possible SAG-AFTRA + WGA strike on July 1st.

Late night shows will return first.

If writing resumes in September, shooting might begin early/mid October. Episodes will most likely air starting in Jan 2024.

Networks can't afford a strike until December. The longer [the] strike goes, the more it will benefit deep-pocketed streamers who are trying to put the networks out of business. If networks don't cut a deal on mini rooms, and streaming $, they'll lose a season, and streamers will replace them.

[fans4wga]

[image ID: gif from The Two Towers movie where Gandalf and Eomer save the day with extra riders at the hilltop over the Helm's Deep battlefield. end ID]

Solidarity! 🫡

Lord of the Rings fans for the WGA

LOTR fans are bringing Second Breakfast and Elevensies to the WGA Strike Fellowship on Friday, June 9th. For those unable to make it to the picket line, here's your chance to stand in solidarity. Donate here to meet the goal in time! Any amount helps.

[fans4wga]

Lord of the Rings fans for the WGA

LOTR fans are bringing Second Breakfast and Elevensies to the WGA Strike Fellowship on Friday, June 9th. For those unable to make it to the picket line, here's your chance to stand in solidarity. Donate here to meet the goal in time! Any amount helps.

[fans4wga]

Thank you for your solidarity, Tolkien fandom!

We'll post pics from the picket on June 9!

Lord of the Rings fans for the WGA

LOTR fans are bringing Second Breakfast and Elevensies to the WGA Strike Fellowship on Friday, June 9th. For those unable to make it to the picket line, here's your chance to stand in solidarity. Donate here to meet the goal in time! Any amount helps.

[fans4wga]

[image ID: screenshot of a Tweet by Alex Sherman @/CaptainWLD that says, "It's no secret that #OurFlag has the greatest fans out there. The support you've shown us writers these last few weeks has meant so much. We'd love to invite you out to join us on the picket line for a very special Flag Day (6/14)! Costumes encourageddd!!! #WGAStrike #WGAStrong"

Attached is a poster of the rainbow pride flag including a black cat silhouette and a bone. Beneath that is the OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH logo text, but "Death" is crossed out and replaced with "Strike!"

Beneath the logo it says, "Come join the OFMD writers for an afternoon of PICKETING, PRIDE and POLITE MENACE! Costume competition! Special guests! And a food truck! June 14th, 1-5pm, WB Lot: 3772 W Olive Ave, Burbank, CA. 91505 (Check in at gate 4). end ID]

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Final push! Can we make that last 8% before Friday morning's event?

Lord of the Rings fans for the WGA

LOTR fans are bringing Second Breakfast and Elevensies to the WGA Strike Fellowship on Friday, June 9th. For those unable to make it to the picket line, here's your chance to stand in solidarity. Donate here to meet the goal in time! Any amount helps.

[fans4wga]

Please boost the update; the London protest isn't prepared for public attendance and we don't want to cause police problems! Unless you're a European screenwriters union member and can RSVP with your union, please do not plan on attending.

London fans: 14 June solidarity protest in Leicester Square!

"A Global Day of Solidarity will take place in London’s Leicester Square next week as writers from around the world join together to show support for striking scribes in the U.S.

The Writers Guild of Great Britain, International Affiliation of Writers Guilds and Federation of Screenwriters in Europe are joining together on Wednesday 14 June and have called on writers from across the globe to join.

The protest will kick off at the William Shakespeare statue in London’s Leicester Square at 1 p.m. GMT (5 a.m. PT) and writers are being urged to bring placards."

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[fans4wga]

Important Update!

The London solidarity protest needs to inform the police of numbers in advance and therefore is union members only. Please do not plan on attending unless you're a member of the British or European screenwriters guilds and can RSVP via your union. Apologies for not including that info in the above post; the WGGB (Writers' Guild of Great Britain) has since clarified in an email!

Please pass this info around! As always, you can continue to stand in solidarity via social media and donations to the Entertainment Community Fund. If there are future protests that are open to the public, we'll inform you!

London fans: 14 June solidarity protest in Leicester Square!

"A Global Day of Solidarity will take place in London’s Leicester Square next week as writers from around the world join together to show support for striking scribes in the U.S.

The Writers Guild of Great Britain, International Affiliation of Writers Guilds and Federation of Screenwriters in Europe are joining together on Wednesday 14 June and have called on writers from across the globe to join.

The protest will kick off at the William Shakespeare statue in London’s Leicester Square at 1 p.m. GMT (5 a.m. PT) and writers are being urged to bring placards."

[fans4wga]

London fans: 14 June solidarity protest in Leicester Square!

"A Global Day of Solidarity will take place in London’s Leicester Square next week as writers from around the world join together to show support for striking scribes in the U.S.

The Writers Guild of Great Britain, International Affiliation of Writers Guilds and Federation of Screenwriters in Europe are joining together on Wednesday 14 June and have called on writers from across the globe to join.

The protest will kick off at the William Shakespeare statue in London’s Leicester Square at 1 p.m. GMT (5 a.m. PT) and writers are being urged to bring placards."

[fans4wga]

Michele Mulroney (Vice President of the WGA West) posted some sample picket signs, focusing on the specific issues WGA is striking about and the specific things writers are asking for from the AMPTP.

The WGA is keeping focused with their strike messages—these are their very reasonable demands, and it's good to keep reminding ourselves of these! Studios will keep up the pressure (we've seen them threaten shows already), and with the DGA seeming to reach their own separate deal, it's important to remember the reasons writers are striking specifically, even as we make cool & clever fandom memes and digs at studios.

[fans4wga]

Lord of the Rings fans for the WGA

LOTR fans are bringing Second Breakfast and Elevensies to the WGA Strike Fellowship on Friday, June 9th. For those unable to make it to the picket line, here's your chance to stand in solidarity. Donate here to meet the goal in time! Any amount helps.

[fans4wga]

[image ID: a gif from the Peanuts animated movie where Lucy tricks Charlie Brown into trying to kick a football she pulls away at the last minute. Charlie Brown fails and then falls into the dirt with an unhappy expression. end ID]

MY 2c ON THE DGA DEAL*

So, the DGA cut a deal with the AMPTP. There are definitely some writers who are upset about this, but TBH I'm not one of them. Because...

DGA gonna DGA. I always knew they'd use our strike as leverage to cut a deal. The question was if the WGA can use that deal to establish pattern bargaining for what we needed, and they actually seem to have addressed 3 of our big issues so good on them. 2 more than I thought!

For all intents and purposes, the DGA is structurally incapable of striking, so they were always going to play good cop to us "crazy writers" to maximize their gets. They got foreign streaming residuals, AI, and some gains in comedy and variety.

In all likelihood, the WGA can get all of the above now with pattern bargaining (once SAG is either done or on strike). They also got some gains against free work, which is promising. That leaves only a few things we need on the table, which is good for us.

In a lot of ways, this is the best-case scenario, even though it probably stings for some who hoped they'd go out with us. That was never going to happen. Because, like I said... DGA gonna DGA.

And at this point in my life and career, there are some mistakes I think I know better than to make.

*Might not even be worth 2c to be honest.