Writers, DVD, and Residuals

Writers, DVD, and Residuals

One can say that the recent writer’s strike ended. It all started with the VHS residuals. The writers only receive 0.3% for the first million of the reportable gross, and 0.36% thereafter. When the DVD became the standard format, the percentage writers received are still the same percentage in the VHS residuals. As a result, the writers feel shortchanged. Moreover, the writers want extra residuals for new media such as video streaming online. The strike ended February 12.

It seems that the writers are becoming the alter ego of the major corporation’s greed. Moreover, everyone wants their share of the big pie. When people hire services of a gardener, the customer-gardener relationship ceases after the service is done. Unlike the gardener, it seems that the writers want constant fee. Some might say that the gardener/writer situation is a false analogy. What the analogy suggests is that after the services are rendered (writing a script for a show/movie and a fee was paid), it is reasonable not to look for another job to keep up with the livelihood.

One can say that the victims here are the customers who are couch potato and do not consider reading a book as entertainment. Ostensibly, these are the lugubrious consumers with short-attention span and rely on television as the primary source of entertainment. One must introduce them to the activity called “living your own lives.” Reading books, going to plays, and spending time with family and friends are the time-tested activities that survive the sedentary era of the tube. As a side note, HD –DVD format is already on the respirator. Blu-ray seemed to conquer the market and major studio support. Hail to the individuals who waited to buy either format.

In a different note, sometimes, it is safe to conclude that political correctness is overrated. It is another form of euphemism, and when one would use it incorrectly, and then havoc would rein in. As a result, it can be another form of lying. For instance, one might say that it is racist to call a Mexican, a Mexican. They say it would be better to call this ethnic group as Latinos. Oftentimes, people wonder that political correctness equals deception, equals lies, and equals confusion. One possible solution is that individuals should express what comes to their minds, so long as it is under the rules of civility. The rules of civility are enough; people do not need political correctness.