One of the big bones of contention in the stalled contract talks with the Screen Actors Guild and Hollywood producers pertains to profit-sharing over web content and the rich media proliferating in its wake.
In spite of reports flying out of newsrooms around the country that producers are adamant about not yielding on this contract issue, a couple of creators of a Web TV show ignored the call-to-arms and proceeded to sign their actors under a SAG "experimental" contract.
Part of the reason they firmed up the talent this way was due to the uncertainty of the potential to realize a profit online.
"We signed agreements with our actors that stipulate a share in the profits when the series goes into the black."
I laughingly noted to one of the writers when we crossed paths at the upbeat Chalk Rep Theatre launch the other night - that in the old days - "deferred pay" meant "no pay".
Although he and his partner chuckled at the joke, both were dead serious about following through on their commitment to the actors.The made-for-the-web TV Show has a few episodes in the can in spite of tough financial times the industry has been facing in recent days.
The project - "Welcome to Lost Angeles" - focuses on a young man who moves out to California to pursue his dreams which run afoul when interrupted by unemployment, a troubled relationship, and few unexpected mishaps around the lower mainland along the way.
Of course, the fictionalized storyline appears to be a take-off on the old idea that the West Coast metropolis - once known as the City of Angels - has been relegated to the status of "City of Lost Angels".
Yeah, it's tough-going getting a break in the sprawling third-world city - which I have cynically christened - the "big bad orange".
While the concept of the weekly series seems a bit cliche, I'm holding judgment; especially since the creators are still "tooling" around with ideas for the next season.
Check it out.
Info: http://www.lostangeles.tv/
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