No progress seen in Hollywood writer talks

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_7105157

The Associated Press
Article Launched: 10/06/2007 01:16:21 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES—Hopes of avoiding a strike by Hollywood writers dimmed Saturday after contract talks abruptly broke off for the weekend.

Talks lasted only about an hour on Friday and were not scheduled to resume until Tuesday.

The Writers Guild of America has been in talks since July with studios represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

In statements Friday, each side accused the other of intransigence and expressed frustration at the sluggish pace of negotiations.

The writers' contract expires on Oct. 31. Studios and TV networks have accelerated filming of shows and movies and begun stockpiling scripts in case of a strike.

The last strike in 1988 lasted 22 weeks. Losses to the industry were put at $500 million.

FULL story at link.

[valerief]

1. Are they outsourcing writing to India now, too? nt