Today on Variety’s website, I noticed that the Writer’s Guild has signed an interim agreement with The Weinstein Company so they could continue producing some movies that they already had in the process before the strike started; 
the deal even permits The Weinstein Company to work on new material as well. One of the obvious benefits is this gets more screenwriters back to work, and it also allows the below the line people involved with the aforementioned movies to get food on the table.
I think it’s great that people are getting back to work, because no one likes a stagnate film industry, but this is not the first interim deal that’s been made. Worldwide Pants, David Letterman’s production company, and United Artists have signed interim deals as well. In my opinion, this begs the question of the Writer’s Guild faith in the strike.
On one hand, these interim deals can place some pressure on the majority of producers to get back in action, since now there are some companies working, while the majority isn’t. However, too many interim deals, and you’re not going to really have a strike anymore.
Going on a strike should be similar to going on a diet. The only way you’re going to lose weight on a diet is if you refrain from cheating. For instance, you may say you won’t eat any sweets for a month. A week into the diet, you may say…
Well, it’s alright to have ice cream on Sundays, but I’ll stay strong for the rest of the week.
Of course, after another week, this mindset will more than likely lead you to say…
Ooh, it’s Wednesday, and I want some ice cream. I’ve done well on my diet, I deserve some!
So on, and so on, until finally you’re not longer on the diet you originally intended.
I believe the strike is a noble cause, and I certainly hope the writer’s get what they deserve. I just don’t want to see the Writer’s Guild get too comfortable with so many interim deals, that their interest in their cause wanes and the next thing you know, the interim deals have become the permanent deals.
BTW, I hate diets. I eat what I want, when I want.
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