THE dispute between Tinseltown’s writers and producers went into round two yesterday.
Almost two months after talks collapsed, the Writers Guild of America and Hollywood producers returned to the bargaining table amid tight security in an attempt to avert a potentially damaging strike.
The WGA’s current contract expires May 2, and the talks are expected to last right up to the 11th hour.
On March 1, talks between the writers’ union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers fell apart. The WGA suspended six weeks worth of negotiations to consult with its 11,500 members and set new ground rules for the next round.
Although both sides insist they do not want a strike, neither looks inclined to compromise on the current $100 million gap in the value of their offers.
Screenwriters want more “creative rights” and a bigger slice of the earnings studios and producers now get from video sales and rentals, and from reruns on cable TV.
The Screen Actors Guild, whose contract is up July 1, says it won’t enter negotiations with producers until the WGA is finished.