Holiday Schedule
We’re taking a break for the holiday. Barring the unlikely event of the AMPTP playing Santa and us noticing that they did it, we’re all putting union activity aside, and heading for family activities.
We hope you’re all doing the same, and that your holidays are a lot better than this past year!
All the best-
from the SAGWatch crewÂ
SAGWatch Crew,
You have all brought an enormous amount to a very difficult, tumultuous year for us all, regardless of which side of the fence we fall on.
I, personally, am eternally grateful to you, not only for the information and the forum, but for re-firing up in me that old 60s-70s spirit.
You’re the best, and I truly appreciate it. Peace and prosperity on you all for ’09.
Matt Mulhern’s favorite idiot (and damn proud of it),
Neil Hassman
Yeah guys great job on always having all the scoop. I monitor articles on this drama so very closely but every now and then you guys whip out stuff I hadn’t even seen and it’s always informative and helpful, so thanks for all the hard work.
Here’s to hoping a deal is struck soon, so next Christmas is filled with less jeers and more cheers!
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays. Great website. I’ve been reading regularly for about six months.
SAGWatch also introduced me to the Steve Diamond and Jonathan Handel sites, which I consider the three “must reads” for SAG analysis. You also have Matt Mulhern which saves me having to wade through 50 identical comments on Nikki Finke.
Happy holidays everyone!
Happy Holidays SAGwatch! You cheered up my year, even when relaying bad news. Thank you for all your great work.
Season’s Greetings,
and thank you for being.
Some of the greatest compliments paid to us
are the intense, constant, and desperate imprecations of the Monkeys Flying
for us to sit down, shut up, be quiet, and go away.
Congratulations, SAGWatch, on having been of enduring service in the past year in bringing out the truth.
A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO SAGWATCH.NET:
There’s this newfangled social networking site (carried over them thar tubes and wires) called FACEBOOK.
I did a search and came up with this very interesting little tidbit…at the bottom of Mr. Mulhern’s page (easily findable) under work he states:
“Employer:Fayette Street Productions
Position:Head Honchoidâ€
Correct me if I’m wrong, but that would make Matt a PRODUCER.
Hohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohohoho…….
Fayette Street Productions is my s-corp’s name, and, on my first film which cost 300k, “walking to the warterline,” I was one of the producers, and I used my s-corp’s name since, it’s me, because I can’t stand, “a film by” or one guy’s name everywhere on a film (spike lee etc)
that’s hardly what we’re talking about here – don’t you think?
hee hee hee hee ho ho ho ho
Neil
“re-firing up in me that old 60s-70s spirit.”
I wasn’t aware bucking labor and caving to the man was what the 60′s was about.
———————–
and editor
I’m reading all these snarky or heartfelt “thanks for matt mulhern” notes.
I think you should run ads and cut me in. seems the traffic is going up when this site isn’t an echo chamber.
see? dissent is good!
happy holidays
Gee, Matt, if dissent is good and builds traffic, why don’t we publish some dissent on the official SAG organs? You know, like publish what the New York Board thinks right alongside what MF thinks?
I certainly agree dissent is good. And if we had proper dissent and representation within the guild, this site would never have been opened.
DC, a perfect response, which condenses what an awful lot of people have been saying for a long time. Good on ya!!
Matt, [first re #8], if it walks, quacks and smells like a duck….
And [second] you’ve got it bass ackwards and too lengthy, as usual. It was all about bucking “the man”!! (In this case that would be DA/AR/MM/MF/etal).
Finally, dissent is good; lunacy is not.
Neil – so you’re an old hippie? I got that ole 60/70′s spirit OMing with Stephen Gaskin at the Family Dog in Frisco and doing anti-war theater and demonstrations in Berkeley.
I read a political/economic commentary last week about the giant financial mess, that ended with the conclusion, “so the hippies were basically right.” Now, is it too late to start a commune?
Thanks to all the guys/gals at SAGwatch for your willingness, your tenacity and your dedication to the members, and to getting the facts out there.
I appreciate appreciate all reasoned posters of every stripe, especially VG and Neil, Charlton, Doc, et all. Thanks to all.
Regarding the internal strife at SAG:
May we all have the wisdom, the opportunity and the compulsion to – ultimately – ‘do the right thing.’
Happy New Year to all …
VG
Matt, was your production done under a union contract?
Kathy SAG low budget
———————————
Neil
The AMPTPis “the man”
not factions(s) withing SAG you do not like.
It’s like you’re saying:
“the man” wasn’t the war and its perpetrators – it was the… weather underground.
Step1 – identify the man, Neil.
———————————————————–
david cooper
I have touched on this many times, but what makes you think, if a particular philosophy within SAG wins control for a while (“moderate,” UFS, or “tough negotiations” with producers, MF) that either one is obligated, beyond a certain point to promote the views of the other? That’s called “politics” david.
When Meissa Gilbert and her group ran the show, it was, merge, merge, merge. There were accusations by the opposition of being mainpulated and abused.
Now, MF (which isn’t even really in charge anymore) is there as a result of the democratic will of the membership. I see “hello from the SAG NY president” and “Hi from the RBD commander” columns in every SAG monthly I get. And I read them, and can see the subtle digs at the leadership.
But, what you are saying is – “a democratic majority in the US congress? The republicans have equal say becasue – ‘it’s about ALL of us!!’ – and I don’t see that in SAG and if we had it we might not be in this position!!”
Which is just a deeply silly argument. Stop telling the faction in power that they need to represent “all of SAG.” Do they have to provide services to all of SAG? Absolutely. Should they be respectful? Sure, unless and until the dissent starts to behave badly (I think we passed that point long ago in SAG), but outside of that – MF is there to carry out the agenda of the members who put them there, and that means, very specifically, right now – don’t sign this dog of a deal, and try everything you can from allowing the crazies to take away YOUR right to govern.
Again – it’s politics. Stop whining.
“With great power there must also come – - great responsibility!”
Stan Lee
“Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton
“The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis. ”
Dante Alighieri
Matt, you do realize these votes used to go out with minority reports? That gagging the opposition is not part of SAG’s long tradition? And your comparison is plain dumb, does government own a huge chunk of media that it denies to the party out of power? Nope, not a valid comparison at all.
Tell me, did Melissa Gilbert forbid MF officers from writing a column in the magazine we all pay for? Nope. Did Masur? Did Barry Gordon? Nope, nope & nope.
Matt,
You do the same infuriating thing in this last post you’ve always done: state YOUR OPINION as if fact, and diss any and all contrary views… To you, this is not a discussion, it’s you imparting your ultimate wisdom on those of us “less informed”, or in YOUR OPINION, wrong. You need to stop this Matt.
To me, in the late 60s-early 70s, at the height of my hippie-protest days, President Richard Milhous Nixon was THE MAN. His administration was the enemy of free thinkers everywhere. He blasted into office with a commanding win, which he then took and manipulated to suit his agenda. He threw us, full tilt, into a war there was NO CHANCE we could win. He did not listen to any opposing opinion claiming he was right, and there couldn’t possibly be an opposing opinion. He mounted “witch-hunts” against the opposition. He had an enemies list, which he pursued through overt AND covert campaigns, legal AND illegal. He even stated that if, as president, he did it, it WASN’T illegal.
Sound like anyone? To me, (and I hate the political comparisons, but…), this is Alan Rosenberg and Doug Allen. Sorry you don’t see that, Matt, but it’s because you choose not to. You have your opinion, shared by many, I have mine, also shared by many. Yours is the one your union president has chosen to listen to to the EXCLUSION of all others. This is clearly what has led to the “high body count”.
Quite Nixonian. In fact, I’d love to see the same outcome of AR/DA’s presidency we saw from Nixon, as would many on both sides of this. The more benign man who came in after him, Chevy Chase, er, Gerald Ford, made HUGE strides towards the middle ground and began an enormous healing period in our country without the main issues really changing much. IT CAN BE DONE.
FIGHT THE MAN!!!!
I agree with all the kudos here for SAGWatch; in fact, I would hope that the entire staff – every last man and woman of you – gets a significant holiday bonus and a sizeable permanent raise in pay! EVERYONE!
Wendell
15., 17.: To me, the comment in #15, and its comparison of SAG to everything BUT other organized labor, is telling. Those who would lead us do not know organized labor, can not make common cause, and will not negotiate for steady incremental contract improvements. So what IS their agenda? Pissed off is not a strategy. Demands are not tactics.
Wendell,
I understand SAGWatch management told the staff “When we make money, you’ll make money.” No idea where they picked that up from.
I sent Christmas cards to SAGWatch at all the addresses Matt proved were theirs. They all came back today undeliverable. Clearly, the conspiracy spreads.
Happy Holidays to all.
Fred W
Wendell (one of yout TRUE whackos)
“to all the addresses Matt proved were theirs?”
see? I don’t even know what they MEANS.
————————————
davidcooper
” And your comparison is plain dumb, does government own a huge chunk of media that it denies to the party out of power?”
You ARE kidding, right?
Goverment, among other things, influences (just a little…) the FCC, which has, last time I checked, a fairly powerful influence over the media.
Other than mentioning that, I’ll just let my argument stand that SAG is a democratic union, and you can bitch and moan till the cows come home, but, unless rules are broken, charges are filed and proved, you’d be better served placing your whining towards something more productive.
And, please, Melissa Gilbert? Mike Farrel? Richard Masur? James Cromwell? I’m not going to bother trying to explain to you how they manipulated the union when they were in power – because then, I’d be whining.
——————————————–
Neil
comparing Alan Rosenberg to Richard Nixon, is similar to the Rosenberg = Bush taking us to war based on lies comparison.
It springs from a simple mind, which, ruled by resentment, anger, and grudges, apparently does not recognize the incredible inappropriateness of comparing the president of SAG fighting to get members a livable contract, with two men whose edicts directly caused the deaths of tens of thousands of people.
I assume you’re an educated man, so, in your own words “you should stop.”
Ok, Dr. Phil, er Matt,
You’re right. I’m (we’re) completely wrong.
Your leaders have done a fantastic job. Every contract they’ve negotiated has been ideal -from the agency agreement right through the current commercial, interactive and work contracts. Not one actor (who wants to work) is out of work. They’ve brought tremendous respect to the guild through their outreach programs to sister unions, embraced opposing viewpoints, and, especially pleased the “bosses” – the AMPTP.
The pension’s thriving; health plan has never provided so much to so many; in fact, harmony rules the union in general and we’re experiencing the most prosperous time for SAG, ever, in spite of the recession!!
But most especially, not one actor has been harmed in the making of their dynasty, er, administration.
When you’re right you’re right. My simple mind was just misguided.
Putz.
Oh, Dr. Matt, I almost forgot to ask:
What do you know about megalomania?
I notice you didn’t point to one censored column in any of those administrations.
Neil
Did you pull a hammy dodging away from the insipid Nixon=Rosenberg comparison?
Matt,
Nope. It was right there. Guess you missed it, because as they say, you gotta be smart to be sarcastic and smarter to get it.
You want it in plain English?
“…incredible inappropriateness of comparing the president of SAG fighting to get members a livable contract, with two men whose edicts directly caused the deaths of tens of thousands of people”.
Mr. Rosenberg, his regime, and his policies, have caused the “death” or permanent injury to thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of working actor’s (and as many in peripheral jobs) lives and livelihoods through the misguided, arrogant, intractable way they’ve gone about systematically destroying, oh, excuse me, LEADING this union.
Nothing evasive, inappropriate, angry, resentful, grudging, or hamstring-injury-inducing about that.
Well, not that I didn’t aready know this Neil, but, you have re-confirmed, that you are an idiot.
Look at my quote, then, look at your pathetic response to it.
“Mr. Roseberg, his regime (“regime” I love it. Neil – Pinochet had a regime. Alan has a non-paying job trying to protect the rights of actors) and his policies (his “policies” – again, love that – “unilateralism” – that’s a policy. “trying to save residuals” – that’s… well, a good idea) have caused the death or permanent injury to thousands, perhaps TENS OF THOUSANDS, (“oh, the humanity!”) of working actors lives…”
Jesus. Please.
Ironic that in quoting me you not only left out my very intentional quotes around the word “death”, but also chose to conveniently end the quote there instead of including the complete phrase “lives and livelihood”. The intent was clear.
Many people’s lives have been ruined and careers have “died” from the (in)actions of this regime (intentional use), forever changed for the worse by the inability of MF to conclude a successful negotiation or contract.
And I’m pathetic?
Hassman
You gotta do better than that if you want to be taken at all seriously Rosenberg and Allen have not “died” ANYBODY’S career or “ruined” lives.
Are you out of your mind? What are you talking about?
One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to not be sucked into your vortex anymore Matt, so this’ll be my last attempt at a reasonable reponse to you.
You do not live in Hollywood, which is still the preeminent major production center. I do. I get the Breakdowns (legally), every studio’s production reports, every major agency’s “upcoming” reports, speak to 15-20 casting directors daily, and read 2 newspapers and the trades daily.
It is not anecdotal, second hand, hearsay or like most of what you rant about when I tell you production is down in this town DRAMATICALLY (caps intended) since late spring, with the exception of a few spurts, like right after AFTRA ratification.
Simply put, the work has dried up. Gone, like dust in the wind, or facts from your keyboard.
Smaller agencies and management companies are folding, or if they’re lucky, merging. Mid level and large agencies are down to skeleton crews. Two of the biggies, alphabet soup-ers both, who used to have two assistants on every agent now have 2 agents for every assistant.
Major casting directors are freaking out, taking shows at half what they got paid for the same work last year, with 1/3 the staff, in the hopes of keeping it IF and WHEN things pick back up.
At the markets, dry cleaners, coffee shops, restaurants, clothing stores, bookstores, etc, where, without fail, you used to run into a lot of people you know actually buying things, you could now have a roller derby without hitting a soul. And those are the businesses that have been able to stay open.
Vacant retail space on Ventura Blvd, The 3rd St Promenade, and all the rest of those “recession proof” neighborhoods has dropped in price by as much as 60% and that still isn’t helping. Residential vacancies in every area of town have soared.
This is an Industry Town, Matt, and the Industry’s dying, and it’s not solely the bad economic climate because the beginning of most of this pre-dates the “November Crash”, but post-dates SAG’s contract expiring, and the ensuing mess MF’s made of the negotiations.
I’ll remind you of David Clennon’s own, admitted dire situation months ago, and tell you that can now be mutiplied by the thousands. I’ll also tell you not everyone has a wife, or husband, who can pick up the slack, Matt.
Wake up. Smell the desperation. Rant and rage all you want about how your view is the salvation, but consider this:
A bit longer and there’ll be nothing to save.
Happy New Year, Matt, and All. May we all look back on this holiday season next holiday season from a much better place.