So unless you have been living under a rock these past few weeks, I'm sure you've heard about the Hollywood writers strike. Not to be left behind, Broadway stagehands have also been striking, causing many NYC theaters to remain dark for over a week.
Now, let's use this as an opportunity to combine two of my favorite things: Musicals and Social Media.
One of the things that I love about social media is that it is such a humanizing force. Does this idea ring a familiar bell? This strike is all about giving the writers / stagehands what they deserve. (Isn't that what every strike really is about?)
Personally, I think the writers have an interesting perspective in their demands. Because so many TV networks have begun to put their content online, by using on-demand websites, even YouTube or buying episodes with iTunes, now people can go directly to those sites and seek out what they want.
And as a active consumer, I love that!
But, for all these online views and sold content on iTunes, the writers are getting nothing... Sounds to me like they are getting screwed.
No wonder they are on strike!
This whole situation really makes me think about user generated content -- I mean, it seems like the networks are happy to increase their viewers, and they are successfully doing just that -- It started with ABC, but now almost every network needs to put episodes online to compete. But remember, these shows would be nothing without the writers! An actor can only be funny when he has good lines to recite.
They must find a way to compensate the writers.
Things can not continue as they have in the past. Look around, things are changing and TV needs to follow in this crazy, mixed-up world!
I really thought about a way to connect the Broadway strike and New Media. After a few minutes it hit me: Both the strike and the Internet give power to the people. Blogs are the perfect tool for people to use empower themselves.
I've taken a look at the blogosphere and it seems that Broadway actors, stagehands and even fans are using blogs to make their voices heard. This is just one of the many reasons I LOVE blogs. It's been very cool to check these out and hear what everyone is saying about this situation and what it means both for theater-goers and shows themselves.
So please get out there, (especially if you live in NYC), and continue to support the arts, restaurants and other local businesses being hit hard by this strike.
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