The Energon Pub

News Credits: 665 · by **Skowl** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:22 pm

Variety has posted an article about Hollywood's reaction to the tentative deal made with the Directors' Guild, see here, and goes into detail about how directors are dealing with the still-unresolved Writers' Guild strikes, that have been going on since November 5th of last year.

The article ends by quoting Transformers Movie director Michael Bay, who gives us some insight on how he prepared the Transformers Movie sequel for the WGA strikes as well as the potential Actors' Guild strikes in the future.

Read the article by clicking here

Director Michael Bay said he was cautiously optimistic, but that he has been preparing to get a "Transformers" sequel into production, strike or no strike.

"We knew from early on that the writers strike could get ugly, and this has got to bring a little sanity to the situation," Bay said. "I can't do the movie without my writers, but I have been prepping. I'm not in the guild, but I've been writing every day. This strike (is) insane, and a director's responsibility is to the 50 crew members who depend on you for their livelihoods. We've got battle plans ready for the possibility of an actors strike. Somehow, you've got to keep the ball rolling."

by **Lord T** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:23 pm

Oh god no!

News Credits: 7 · by **Chaoslock** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:45 pm

Well, that could be interesting... I mean the writers of TF 1 didn't made much work for their money... Even Bay could write a better story.

News Credits: 1 · by **SmokeStack** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 3:53 pm

Ok, I can see the reason behind the writers' strike, but what do the actors have to strike about? They get paid a butt load of money to act like someone else. What am I missing here?

News Credits: 1 · by **Heavy B** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:06 pm

this writers strike sucks. i want this sequal to get underway alredy

by **Sarri** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:18 pm

SmokeStack wrote:Ok, I can see the reason behind the writers' strike, but what do the actors have to strike about? They get paid a butt load of money to act like someone else. What am I missing here?

Probably you are missing all the actors who don't get a butt load of money. There are many, many more nameless poor actors, than there are Johnny Depps and Tom Hankses.
Same like the authors. Just like the majority of the authors aren't making oodles of money, neither are teh majority of the actors.

News Credits: 8 · by **Megatron Wolf** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:27 pm

Not only is this writers strike slowing down TF2 but its really messing with TV shows. How many shows are being delayed right now? Thee better not be an actors strike. That would really suck. If they want to strike do it next year.

News Credits: 1 · by **Blackstreak** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:31 pm

Whether people think writers or actors are worth what they make, they still make what is negotiated for them through the guild or union. I've always gotten the impression that the difference between the guilds and unions is this: guilds don't allow you to work their field in their area unless you are a member. (But that is beside the point.) I do agree that they do make a butt load of money. If I made the kind of money, or even half of what actors make I'd be set for life. But as things are even high priced occupations have their style of life expectations to uphold. I'm in the sheet metal union and I think striking sucks. I've never been a part of one and I hope I never am. But on the other hand I'm not about to let corporations jip me out of a decent lifestyle just so they can line their pockets. So in this regard I can understand why the striking.

by **Sarri** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:50 pm

I don't think that an average actor makes more than the average money another worker makes.
Usually we only see the high-paying actors in the news. Is there a chart of what a non-star (non-leading role, comparse, etc) makes?

Kay, found a source. You can expect between 36k to 56k per year. Now here we have a graph prepared from official US data.
Actors aren't getting that rich now, are they?

by **Buttz** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:03 pm

Man, what an egomaniac. By "writing" I guarantee you he means jotting down other people's ideas and taking credit for them. Transformers 2 and other movies like it *cough* GI Joe *cough* are not dependent on having a good script, or even a coherent script for that matter. Add to that the fact that whatever script they do have was cranked out before the writers' strike, and you can pretty much expect a slew of blockbusters that are even louder and stupider than the first Transformers.

News Credits: 11 · by **Robinson** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:17 pm

Buttz wrote:Man, what an egomaniac. By "writing" I guarantee you he means jotting down other people's ideas and taking credit for them. Transformers 2 and other movies like it *cough* GI Joe *cough* are not dependent on having a good script, or even a coherent script for that matter. Add to that the fact that whatever script they do have was cranked out before the writers' strike, and you can pretty much expect a slew of blockbusters that are even louder and stupider than the first Transformers.

So because he is putting pen to paper on ideas that he would like in his movie he is an egomaniac? Most directors do start off as writing in some capacity when they make their little films that they have vision for when they are trying to break into the business. I like how people hate him when he is doing what he gets paid to do.

News Credits: 8 · by **Liege Evilmus** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:32 pm

I bet he did plan ahead, even Don Murphy was calling stuff like this long before the strike started, and iminently to it they said that most of the script was already done.

News Credits: 1 · by **ChrisR291** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:15 pm

Sweet! Actors strike means we will get a bunch of extras and a story that focuses on the Transformers!!

YAH!!!

News Credits: 1 · by **Solrac333** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:48 pm

I really don't understand why people hate him.

by **darkqueen01** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:57 pm

Micheal Bay writing?!?!?! I'm not thrilled with this idea, but maybe he can come up with a good story. Choaslock pointed out how poor the story for the first movie was (terrible, actually) so maybe he can come up with something. I'd rather that he stick with what he is good with (car chases and explosions), but at least he is making an effort.

I'm not a huge fan of Micheal Bay, and I find him to be a bit of a pompous git. Still, I'll give him props for trying to give his crew the opportunity to make a paycheck. When you consider that he thought of Transformers as a "stupid toy movie" he really seems to have become overtly eager with the franchise, and that is not a bad thing.

This strike is getting pretty bad. Granted, I'm hoping that it will bring up the numbers for Jericho when it comes back on TV, but the effects will be devastating if the writers don't get back to work. Frankly, I'm not expecting any new episodes for anything this season.

News Credits: 1 · by ***Galvatron*** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:31 pm

darkqueen01 wrote:Micheal Bay writing?!?!?! I'm not thrilled with this idea, but maybe he can come up with a good story. Choaslock pointed out how poor the story for the first movie was (terrible, actually) so maybe he can come up with something. I'd rather that he stick with what he is good with (car chases and explosions), but at least he is making an effort.

I'm not a huge fan of Micheal Bay, and I find him to be a bit of a pompous git. Still, I'll give him props for trying to give his crew the opportunity to make a paycheck. When you consider that he thought of Transformers as a "stupid toy movie" he really seems to have become overtly eager with the franchise, and that is not a bad thing.

This strike is getting pretty bad. Granted, I'm hoping that it will bring up the numbers for Jericho when it comes back on TV, but the effects will be devastating if the writers don't get back to work. Frankly, I'm not expecting any new episodes for anything this season.

Bay is not perfect but who is ?
The first movies script I did not think was terrible, it was not brilliant either for that matter but I still like the movie for various other reasons too and I think it was a good start and hopefully they will learn some lessons from the first movie and make the next movies better, people just need to cut him some slack and this is not meant towards you darkqueen specifically but rather the TF fans over all.

Bay also cut his directing fee by quite a huge amount just to keep it filmed in america and in the locations that the G1 tv series primarily took place in, the pacific north and south west where I live

and to help keep the costs down and make sure his crews got to work on it.

I won't say he's brilliant but he's still a pretty young director, he's only 43 according to http://www.IMDB.com and there's no denying what the movie has done for the franchise so let's give credit where it's due and that's to Bay and his crews and the companies like ILM that made it.

As far as the writers strike goes I think it's already recently confirmed that this season is gone and in the trash can, at least the directors strike is officially over with I just read about that today, we still have an actors strike to deal with coming up in a few more months, June I think.

by **estrelliaes** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 4:00 pm

Strikes of any kinds are pointless.
If they want more money and better deals why dont they just set up a meeting with producers etc and sort it out. I know strikers from that stupid postmans strike that achieved what they would have got without striking.
Some idiots just like causing trouble. Strikers and their leaders are usually very stupid.They can barely get words out that arnt ugh and beer.They cant even give the reason why they are striking.

I hope nothing gets held up by this strike. It willl be a great time to make money while the others are being stupid if you are a writer with a mind.

its not like they will get anything before their money runs out and they have the sense to give up.They wont get anywhere.Nothing will change.
Actors and others are nuts.All image a lot of them.
Blah blah blah, we're going to support of these poor well paid smartasses.Whatever.
i know the striking writers will get the boot one way or another when the bosses get the chance.One foul up, just one time caught taking drugs and drinking in some nightclub its back to adverts (or worse)for them.

News Credits: 11 · by **Robinson** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm

estrelliaes wrote:Strikes of any kinds are pointless.
If they want more money and better deals why dont they just set up a meeting with producers etc and sort it out. I know strikers from that stupid postmans strike that achieved what they would have got without striking.
Some idiots just like causing trouble. Strikers and their leaders are usually very stupid.They can barely get words out that arnt ugh and beer.They cant even give the reason why they are striking.

I hope nothing gets held up by this strike. It willl be a great time to make money while the others are being stupid if you are a writer with a mind.

its not like they will get anything before their money runs out and they have the sense to give up.They wont get anywhere.Nothing will change.
Actors and others are nuts.All image a lot of them.
Blah blah blah, we're going to support of these poor well paid smartasses.Whatever.
i know the striking writers will get the boot one way or another when the bosses get the chance.One foul up, just one time caught taking drugs and drinking in some nightclub its back to adverts (or worse)for them.

This has got to be one of the most ignorant posts I've read in a while, and I've read some doozies. Bluebomber(I think) anyone?

News Credits: 1 · by **sto_vo_kor_2000** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:46 am

Robinson wrote:
estrelliaes wrote:Strikes of any kinds are pointless.
If they want more money and better deals why dont they just set up a meeting with producers etc and sort it out. I know strikers from that stupid postmans strike that achieved what they would have got without striking.
Some idiots just like causing trouble. Strikers and their leaders are usually very stupid.They can barely get words out that arnt ugh and beer.They cant even give the reason why they are striking.

I hope nothing gets held up by this strike. It willl be a great time to make money while the others are being stupid if you are a writer with a mind.

its not like they will get anything before their money runs out and they have the sense to give up.They wont get anywhere.Nothing will change.
Actors and others are nuts.All image a lot of them.
Blah blah blah, we're going to support of these poor well paid smartasses.Whatever.
i know the striking writers will get the boot one way or another when the bosses get the chance.One foul up, just one time caught taking drugs and drinking in some nightclub its back to adverts (or worse)for them.

This has got to be one of the most ignorant posts I've read in a while, and I've read some doozies. Bluebomber(I think) anyone?

You know I was thinking the same thing.I was trying to find a way to not say it so harshly but words fail me right now.

News Credits: 11 · by **Robinson** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:07 am

sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:
Robinson wrote:
estrelliaes wrote:Strikes of any kinds are pointless.
If they want more money and better deals why dont they just set up a meeting with producers etc and sort it out. I know strikers from that stupid postmans strike that achieved what they would have got without striking.
Some idiots just like causing trouble. Strikers and their leaders are usually very stupid.They can barely get words out that arnt ugh and beer.They cant even give the reason why they are striking.

I hope nothing gets held up by this strike. It willl be a great time to make money while the others are being stupid if you are a writer with a mind.

its not like they will get anything before their money runs out and they have the sense to give up.They wont get anywhere.Nothing will change.
Actors and others are nuts.All image a lot of them.
Blah blah blah, we're going to support of these poor well paid smartasses.Whatever.
i know the striking writers will get the boot one way or another when the bosses get the chance.One foul up, just one time caught taking drugs and drinking in some nightclub its back to adverts (or worse)for them.

This has got to be one of the most ignorant posts I've read in a while, and I've read some doozies. Bluebomber(I think) anyone?

You know I was thinking the same thing.I was trying to find a way to not say it so harshly but words fail me right now.

Ehh, you say Harsh, I say "sweet as apple pie".

News Credits: 1 · by **sto_vo_kor_2000** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:13 am

Robinson wrote:
sto_vo_kor_2000 wrote:You know I was thinking the same thing.I was trying to find a way to not say it so harshly but words fail me right now.

Ehh, you say Harsh, I say "sweet as apple pie".

I'm not saying you were harsh just that I couldnt find anything to say that was as nice as what you said :lol: