Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005
mytelus
The Writers Guild of America started a drive this week to unionize the writers who work on reality shows.
Although they are sometimes called "unscripted" programs, the reality of reality shows is that the storylines and dialogue are carefully crafted, say those in the know.
"The secret about reality TV isn't that it's scripted, which it is," Daniel Petrie Jr., a WGA official, told Reuters. "The secret is that reality TV is a 21st-century telecommunications sweatshop."
According to Petrie's organization, writers on reality shows often work longer hours, for less pay, than those who work on sitcoms and dramas.
They also do not get residual payments for programs that are rerun, says the union.
The WGA says it has received nearly 1,000 signed authorization cards from writers, producers and editors who want the guild to seek a labour contract for them.
Reality shows like "Survivor" and "The Apprentice" have proliferated not only because they are popular with viewers, but also because they can be produced quickly on the cheap.
One reality-show veteran, Dave Rupel, has worked as a story producer and show-runner on several reality shows. He told Reuters he routinely works 18 hours a day, seven days a week, for months at a stretch -- and does not get benefits.
"It's running people into the ground," Rupel said. "Every project I've ever been on for a reality show, the first thing they say to me is, 'There's no time and there's no money."'
It's standard practice for someone like Rupel to sift through hours of footage in an attempt to create a coherent storyline for a reality show. Writers will even graft one soundbite to another, creating what's called a "Frankenbite" -- a clip that sounds real, but was never actually uttered.
They will also set up interactions between contestants in an attempt to make dramatic or funny moments.
While not denying that reality shows are staged, the networks and studios disagree that reality productions are "sweatshops."
"That's just inflammatory and simply untrue," Nick Counter, head of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, said.
The union says it is willing to call for a strike, if necessary, to make sure a contract is put in place
