PR in Entertainment

At the same day of Oscars feast, about 80 Chinese screenwriter gathered in Beijing to attend the “2008 screenwriters’ rights-protecting convention.” On the meeting, many writers claimed that their basic rights and interests had been invaded, and their pay had been defaulted. Some writers said even their life was threatened when they just required a fair treatment. 

It seems there is a delicate connection between the right-protecting meeting and American writers’ strike. Sometimes you must cry then others will hear you. Though Chinese writers denied their intention of relying on American fellow’s efforts, they admitted that the strike gave them a huge impact to encourage their standing up. 

At the ending of the right-protecting meeting, delegates brought three appeals forward to The State Administration of Radio Film and Television: first, they claim their signature right; second, the administrators should regulate those unreasonable agreements between writers and producers; third, they claim the dividend besides the play. I think these appeals are very reasonable. However, it will be quite difficult for the Chinese screenwriters to win the “fight.” 

China is so different from America in many aspects, including the radio film and television industry. Chinese writers are paid less money than American fellow, especially those nameless. I heard that some famous writers got more than those leading actors in America. And the system is running well with the American writers and producers, while there is no administration to manage the Chinese writers’ rights. Furthermore, China has no lack of people as well as screenwriters. If the producers can not satisfy a writer’s demand, they can find a replacement immediately. Chinese screenwriters are in the situation of buyer’s market. 

Another interesting thing I found after I came to America is that those hot TV series such as “desperate housewives,” (I like desperate housewives!) are kept updated with producers and audiences. They would even change the play according to the responses of audiences. So the writers are playing a really important role on it. When they strike, the producers have to stop. But in China, the TV series came to audiences after the producers finished the entire shooting. And Chinese audiences think the recent TV plays are more and more slouchy, far away from the welcome of those classical old TV series. So if Chinese writers stop writing new plays, TV programs will show those old plays. 

Let’s just keep an eye on this.

Thanks to the end of the writers’ strike, Oscars could finally celebrate its 80-year old birthday. Although at age 80, the Academy Awards still brought us something surprisingly new. 

First, the host, Jon Stewart, played his iphone and Wii tennis game on the stage. It never happened in the past 79 years. I guess Oscars wanted to let the world know that it is keeping up with the fashion, so don’t say it is old. But I am just curious about how much did Apple and Nintendo paid to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences? How could any agency make a better commercial for Wii? 

Second, the Actress in a leading role was awarded in ahead of schedule, which usually was the last suspense. Then it put both Adapted Screenplay and Original Screenplay together with Directing and Best Picture in the final. It seems that Oscars was intent on flattering those screenwriters who just rested after the strike. Was that a prerequisite for ending the 14-week strike, ha? 

Third, the Actor and Actress, either in a leading role or in a supporting role, are all belonging to Europeans. This is a new page in Oscars’ history book. Oscars goes international. 

Another “new” thing I’d like to mention is that according to the Nielsen Co. reports, this year’s Oscars broadcast set a record low for both rating, with 18.7%, and viewers, with 32 million. Although Bruce Davis, executive director of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said it was pretty natural and had nothing to do with the strike, I still doubt it. The Strike not only knocked the entire entertainment industry down over 3.2 billion dollars, but also made audiences distracted to other places. Besides, this year’s Academy Awards was short of traditional Hollywood films in the list, which apparently could not grasp audiences’ interest. I didn’t see the advertisements for Oscars as well. 

P.S. With the American writers ended their strike, Chinese writers are going to stand up for their rights.