Up your solidarnose

For those who've been following the writers' strike (or just wondering why 24 didn't come back on), the DGA just signed a deal with the AMPTP. It gives them a significantly better deal on internet broadcasts than the producers were offering the WGA, and, perhaps more significantly, calculates those fees based on something called "distributor's gross". In short, that means the AMPTP will have to open their books up to the DGA's accountants, since the percentages are based on what the AMPTP actually takes in, instead of what they say they took in. This is potentially big news, since cooking the books has been a Hollywood tradition since forever.

Now, the AMPTP have politely invited the WGA back to the table, and the widespread expectation is that the DGA deal will be the minimum starting point for the WGA. Conventional wisdom says that the DGA got a good deal swiftly because the WGA strike put them in a strong negotiating position, and because the tide of public opinion turned against the AMPTP so decisively; if the WGA can sign a similar (or slightly better) deal now, Hollywood might be back to work soon. It's too soon to do the dance of joy, but this is the first sign of dawn after a long night. Keep fingers crossed.

(I've been getting my news here, which is unabashedly pro-union but does offer solid news fast.)