BuzzSugar

Do You Think Product Integration Should Stop Trying to Be So Sneaky?

BuzzSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:30:16 -0700

The Writers Guild of America is sick of having to write storylines in TV shows solely to feature a product or brand, so much so that the group is bringing the issue to the FCC. The WGA is hoping to make it so that any kind of advertisement is blatantly disclosed, and writers don't have to sneakily work products into a plotline where they maybe don't make sense.

geeksugar has questioned the product integration on Gossip Girl, noting that the show is clearly required to use Verizon products, but the gadgets used by the characters don't make sense for their characters.

WGA West president Patric Verrone explains that with product integration, "the hope is that consumers, not expecting to find a commercial within their program, will fail to realize they are actually being advertised to. This practice exploits the emotional connection viewers have with shows and their characters in order to sell a product." He goes on to claim that audiences are alienated by these sneaky tactics, though "an industry source" counters that "product placement has not been an issue for viewers."

What do you think? Should shows stop trying to work in products, sometimes at the expense of consistency within the story? Or does it not bother you?

Photo courtesy of the CW

Strike Update: Hollywood Optimistic as Some Producers Plan to Return to Work Monday

BuzzSugar — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:58:01 -0800

Update: According to Variety, "WGA West president Patric Verrone confirmed at a Sunday news conference. . . that scribes who also have producing responsibilities on their shows will be allowed to return to work on Monday." The general assumption is that Tuesday night, when the 48-hour voting period ends, the vote will be overwhelmingly in favor of the deal and writers will be back to work on Wednesday.

In today's news conference, Verrone "proclaimed that the deal's the best that the WGA's negotiated in the last 30 years and that the strike was the most successful work stoppage in the United States during the 21st Century." Meanwhile, John Bowman, the negotiating committee chairman, said the strike "was necessary to achieve key gains in jurisdiction over new media and tying new media residuals to distributors gross."

It sounds like they're so confident about the strike ending, they're taking this opportunity to remind people why it was necessary in the first place. It's still not over-over until the votes are counted Tuesday night, but things are looking good (knock on wood)!

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WGA Members Have 48 Hours to Vote on Deal

BuzzSugar — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 22:03:08 -0800

Here's the latest on the writers strike meetings that have taken place today:
Nearly 3,000 people attended the L.A. meeting this evening, the result of which was that WGA members will have the chance to vote on whether to end the writers strike under an expedited 48-hour voting process.

So, basically the WGA members were presented with a deal and will have 48 hours to vote on whether or not the deal is acceptable. According to Variety, "The WGA West board of directors and the WGA East Council will meet Sunday to formally endorse the contract," and from there the 48-hour ratification process will begin.

I'll keep you updated as I learn more, but until then, as always, fingers crossed!

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Today's the Big Day for the Writers' Strike

BuzzSugar — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 09:00:00 -0800

Want to see your movies back in production, series back on TV, and writers back at work? Then cross all your fingers and toes today: Members of the Writers Guild of America are meeting to chat about the status of negotiations in the writers' strike. Word as of yesterday was that an agreement between writers and producers was being drafted, and if it's done -and the WGA membership supports it today - the union's board could approve it on Sunday and writers could be back at work on Monday.

Of course, nothing's over till an agreement is signed - but all signs point to a resolution. And by "all signs," I mean Disney's Michael Eisner and Fox's Peter Chernin, both of whom have been telling their buddies (and reporters) that the deal is done. Even United Hollywood, the pro-writer blog, has been sounding more optimistic lately - and one of its founders is is being recognized as a key peacemaker.

Would the end to the strike bring TV back right away? Not exactly. Most shows will take between four and six weeks to get new episodes on the air, and some - including Heroes and Pushing Daisies - probably won't return till fall. TV Guide has a handy chart of when shows could return, and how many episodes they might complete, if the strike really does end this weekend.

The East Coast WGA meets this morning, while the West Coast meets at 7 p.m. With any luck, we'll get news shortly after that. Until then, I mean it: fingers and toes.

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