To Michael Eisner: STFU
Disney’s former head honcho Eisner, though, said today that the fault isn’t with the studios, but rather with the new distribution models. They’re not profitable, so why are they complaining about not getting their fair share?
Mr. Eisner, listen: the point is, when it becomes profitable, which it will, they want to make sure they already have a slice, lest they must pitch a harder battle at that time. Sounds reasonable to me.
To make matters worse, Eisner pointed fingers directly at current Disney board member Steve Jobs, saying the strikers should really be going after Apple. Again, Eisner, you’re wrong: it’s not Apple’s job to make sure the studios are profitable, but it’s your job to make sure the writers are rightly rewarded for the work they do.
Writers in Hollywood are treated as third-class citizens by most studio brass, but in reality it’s their creativity and insight that make or break a story, so let’s relax a little on the penny pinching and make sure things are equitable, then everyone can get back to work. Okay?
Eisner’s advice to striking writers: Blame Steve Jobs, not the studios [C|Net]