TV Writer: Star Trek: Prodigy, He-Man MOTU, Wu Assassins, The 100.
DC Comics Writer: Batgirl & the Birds of Prey, Green Arrow.
Insty/Bsky/Threads: juliebenson
Ted Bundy worked as a crisis hotline volunteer. Jeffrey Dahmer worked in a chocolate factory. So I really don't care if that radicalized 17yr old removed some graffiti once.
My brain:
1970 was 30 years ago
1990 was 10 years ago
1995 was 10 years ago
2000 was 10 years ago
2010 was 10 years ago
2016 was a couple years ago
2017 didn't happen
2018 was 2 years ago
2019 was last year
2020 was last year
2021 it's only January
Every time self taping comes up in SAG-AFTRA discussions I just remember that Lukas Gage clip where an unmuted director complained about having to look at "poor people in their tiny apartments"
‘Arrow’ actor Stephen Amell says he doesn’t support the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strikes:
“I do not support striking. I don't. I think that it's a reductive negotiating tactic, and I find the entire thing incredibly frustrating.”
Super sorry ways sexual harrassers have apologized so far:
1. Also I'm gay
2. Christmas cinnamon roll recipe!
3. You weren't there
4. I asked before I whipped it out
5. Look at those other guys
Risk. Risk is reading an entire trilogy of books, writing a pilot, outlining a 5 yr arc, pitching the project, only to sell it & be immediately let go by the buyer because they “want to go in another direction” & receiving nothing but a small script fee over the course of 3 yrs.
Having written the comic (for everyone not just men)
@shawnabenson
& I requested the artists keep their costumes realistic in terms of movement for fighting/running/etc. The BoP's sex appeal is in their confidence, courage & camaraderie, not their cleavage.
#BirdsofPrey
You know why
#BirdsOfPrey
is going to bomb just like
#CharliesAngels
did?
They've removed any sex appeal these characters had to appeal to a female "girl power" audience instead of the core male comic book audience.
They literally don't know who they're making this movie for.
Shocked to be denied WGA strike fund help because they believe I have sufficient funds. Sure maybe in my RETIREMENT ACCOUNT I can’t touch w/out penalty! I have blown through most of my checking & savings. Wow. Picketed for MONTHS and told to apply for help. Devastated.
Wild that the AMPTP had 145 days to make a deal but we have to hurryupandrush to one before a holiday Monday why again? Oh, Q4 starts Oct 1st which IS NOT OUR PROBLEM.
@TerryRossio
@erikburnham
I'm pretty open minded and ready to be proven wrong, but all the scientific research I've read about this topic doesn't support that viewpoint. Feel free to show me otherwise, but please never come on my feed with the n word again.
Friendly reminder I'm avail for staffing & I'm losing my WGA health insurance in Dec. I've written for The 100, Wu Assassins, Star Trek: Prodigy, etc. & comics Batgirl & the Birds of Prey & Green Arrow. I'm an idea generator who needs to create and write. Thank you for your time.
I KNOW my ppl need to hear this: Disney+ has ambient noise/soft music on Star Wars landscapes and ship fly thru videos like some calm dot com up in here. Goodnight!
While writing a Star Trek animated script I'm reminded how it's THE SAME as writing a live-action script & frustrated these writers aren't in the WGA (ATA), get no residuals/script fees & have trouble transitioning to live action. Here to say it's wrong & someone needs to fix it.
Ooh so, we’re calling the CW a network now? Someone notify the WGA, I’d like that backpay of network money instead of the below basic cable money they pay writers.
Writing Teams are finally recognized as two humans sharing one paycheck but who both need healthcare!!!
@shawnabenson
can’t believe it! Finally!!! Thank you
@WGAWest
Negcom!!!
@TerryRossio
@erikburnham
Terry, I have a lot of respect for you and your career but twice now you've come on my Twitter to insult me. What gives? Or am I reading this incorrectly?
Y’all realize we’re taking this strike to San Diego Comic Con in July if we’re still at it, right? Studios pay big money to promote their shows/movies at our nerd gathering. It’s the least we can do.
#wgastrong
I don’t always play a superhero, but when I do... I care about those around me & if there was the slightest chance I could spread a highly contagious deadly virus to my loved ones/strangers without my awareness, I’d wear a mask.
Protecting fellow citizens honors the
#AmericanWay
.
Just listened on TV to a young Santa Fe high school girl talk about running from "an active shooter" in her school and calling her mom while running to the nearby gas station like they planned.
Like they planned.
Like a family earthquake survival plan.
I never thought I'd see the day where Studios paid Staff Writers get a much deserved script fee. This is going to change lives. I'm so happy for anyone up and coming. Congratulations!
Apparently, many of you are sleeping on Birds of Prey. It's really fun and action packed. Record/Tape/TiVo the Oscars tonight and get out and support movies.
#BirdsOfPrey
If the A-listers really want to help, maybe they could supply a food trucks to the picket lines (thx to Showrunners who continue to supply), or better yet, show up & picket for their union. Glad they're TRYING to do something, but take the fight to the studios where it belongs.
DGA sent us to war with a “we’re right behind you” then made a deal behind our backs. We should add to our list of demands & include “writers must go to set” to remind them of our hard won battle scars that they claimed heel spurs or whatever instead of joining us on the lines.
So
@shawnabenson
& I pitched/sold a series BUT the Streamer wants to re-envision so we're no longer showrunners/credited on a 3yr labor of love passion project. Contract w/Studio didn't protect us for this curveball. Might be the straw that breaks me from this industry forever.
It’s been 30 years and I still can’t hear Stealers Wheel Stuck in the Middle with You without thinking of Reservoir Dogs. Are there other songs that remind you of moments in TV/Films?
Open letter to the sales guys at the con who laughed & were condescending when I inquired about buying All Star Comics 58: Yeah, I know people collect "these things". I'm aware it's Power Girl's 1st appearance. I did find a copy for less than $2200. Oh & I write comics, jerks.
Absolutely gutted. Star Trek Prodigy was an utter joy to be a part of creating with
@brothershageman
and the
@TrekProdigyRoom
.
@shawnabenson
and I hope this beautiful show finds its way across the universe to another platform to boldly go into hearts and minds forever. LLAP💔🖖
Had an interesting "devil's advocate" convo with someone about the WGA's mandates for writers' room staff. Their position: If a WGA member running a show doesn't want/need a staff and can do it alone, shouldn't they? My positions to this "auteur" solo Showrunner business:
Sure, we all write because it's our calling, dream, and career of choice, but we also would love "f*ck you" money. Today, Greg Berlanti spent some hard-earned FU money to say FU to the AMPTP. Now I have new goals...
People not wanting to eliminate college debt for others because they had to pay reminds me of the women in our industry who had to "claw" their way to the top only to mistreat women under them so they have to struggle like they did. 🤔
I don't know who needs to hear this but our industry has been sick for years, imploded May of 2020, and has been on life support ever since. Whatever happens tonight is just giving it another chance to live. Together we will save the film & TV industry from pulling its own plug.
Today, I got a new library card, that gives me the ability to not only borrow books for free, but audiobooks, DVDs, comics, stream movies and audiobooks, etc... They also gave me 6 free Covid tests! I'm wild with power!!
No picketing today so I had meme time this morning! Thank you negcom
@WGAWest
&
@WGAEast
for your hard work. Thank you strike captains. Thank you fellow union members for holding strong with us. Thank you ppl who honked. Thank you snack supporters.
@sagaftra
you're next...!
By the sheer numbers of how many of you agree, I think somebody owes us answers.
Be kind, it's chaos.
Stop Asian Hate.
Black Lives Matter.
Believe Women.
Special sauce lettuce cheese pickles onions on a sesame-seed bun.
@TerryRossio
Ok, Terry, sorry you were insulted. It appears you and I aren't going to agree on this topic, so I'm tapping out. Have a great Thanksgiving.
‘Squid Game’ creator Hwang Dong-hyuk wrote the show in 2009 but was rejected by studios for 10 years.
He once had to stop writing the script + sell his $675 laptop due to money struggles.
Today, it’s
#1
in 90 countries + set to become the most-watched show in Netflix history.
Risk is following your dreams. Reward is benefiting either financially or emotionally from the hard work. Writers have taken nothing but risks their whole careers. Studios reap nothing but rewards. They should take more risks & trust audiences crave ingenuity over regurgitation.
Been a rough week for
@shawnabenson
& me. Mom was diagnosed with early stages of breast cancer on Monday and her brother (my uncle Bill) suddenly passed away Friday afternoon. I don't know if thoughts and prayers work, but can't hurt if you wanna toss them our family's way.
They pushed my procedure an hour. Good times. I'm hooked to IV's, no friends or family allowed inside because of covid so I'm alone but able to use my phone AMA or send cute animal videos. ♥️