It’s not often in Hollywoodland that you hear of any project that actually gives all the control over content to the creators of said content. If that did happen, Hancock’s third act probably would have made a lot more sense. that’s why we’re psyched at the announcement of Strike.TV.
The site was conceived during the WGA strike that killed TV production last winter, and it looks like the creative minds of Hollywood (the real creative minds, the ones you barely hear about) are fed up with all the union bitch-fighting of late.
And it sounds really freaking cool…
The official press release covers the tenants Strike.TV is founded on:
Strike.TV challenged their WGA peers to go out and do what they do best and asked them to create original pieces of entertainment for the Internet, and in return promised to do three things:
Strike.TV’s first promise was to build and launch a 21st century social network for WGA writers and their creative counterparts around the world. Not just writers, but also directors, actors, and all of the other crafts and crew that create and contribute to a modern production. The first working meeting attracted over 400 pioneers who wanted to create during a time of turmoil. This working meeting was covered by The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and over 70 formal proposals were received. Through its online social network and community Strike.TV guided 40 projects into development with many more coming in following the strike. Strike.TV continues to incubate the creations of this thriving community, while aiding in the development, delivery and eventual distribution of each.
The second promise was to assemble the best partners and technologies into a cutting edge broadband video distribution platform. One that supports HD quality streaming and downloads. One that allows friends and family to share the content through social networks, blogs, iPhones, iPods and other digital devices.
The third promise was to demonstrate that it was possible for Hollywood professionals to coexist and flourish with the studio system that has supported them for so long while bringing their talents to an emerging medium and doing so in a way that helps everyone. Strike.TV chose to be on the forefront as the industry goes through the necessary changes that inevitably arise with any new technology. Every industry and economy is impacted by change. And change is sometimes painful or difficult.Strike.TV was conceived during the Writers Strike, and their most important goal has been to help the very people harmed by that strike – the below the line crew members – by giving the profits made from advertising revenue to a charity that benefits them. This was one of the reasons so many people stepped up and donated their time, energy and talent to Strike.TV.
The first three months of ad revenue from Strike.TV will be donated to the Entertainment Assistance Program of The Actors Fund, the group that gives out stipeneds to below-the-line employees affected by the work stoppages of the bigger fish who can’t figure out what contract they want.
So watch some original shit!
