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Directors Guild Cuts Deal With Producers

Agreement could put pressure on striking Hollywood writers

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 17, 2008 4:46 PM CST
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(Newser) – The Directors Guild of America has cut a deal with the major Hollywood studios, the Wall Street Journal reports, ratcheting up pressure on the striking Writers Guild either to accept a similar contract or risk alienating its members. The DGA ironed out a 3-year agreement to compensate members for work presented over the Internet—a prime sticking point for writers.

The DGA’s lead negotiator called the tentative contract, finalized after just 5 days of formal negotiations, “groundbreaking and substantial.” If the writers reject the terms for its own contract, the strike could last through June, when the Screen Actors Guild’s contract expires. Such a move could elevate strike tensions and split the guild into warring factions, the Journal says.

Writer, comedian and actress Tina Fey, center, checks out personal messages on the sign of a friend as Saturday Night Live actress Amy Poehler, far right, looks on as they join Writers Guild of America picketers in front of Viacom headquarters in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy...
Writer, comedian and actress Tina Fey, center, checks out personal messages on the sign of a friend as Saturday Night Live actress Amy Poehler, far right, looks on as they join Writers Guild of America...   (Associated Press)
  (Index Stock)
Writer, comedian and actress Tina Fey walks the picket line with members of the Writers Guild of America as they picket in front of Viacom headquarters in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Writer, comedian and actress Tina Fey walks the picket line with members of the Writers Guild of America as they picket in front of Viacom headquarters in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy...   (Associated Press)
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Variety

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Los Angeles Times

Some writers blame DGA for blocked DVD residuals
Reuters

 
Hollywood • Writers Guild of America • Hollywood writers' strike • Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers • Directors Guild of America

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