LOST Missing Pieces: Modeal Deal for Writers?

Webisodes of ‘Lost’: Model Deal for Writers? - New York Times

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 19 — On the picket lines, striking television and film writers adamantly claim that studios are refusing to pay for the use of writers’ scripts on the Internet.

But ABC Studios is doing just that. Over the next three months fans of the hit show “Lost” can go to ABC.com to view weekly episodes of “Lost: Missing Pieces,” a series of new two- to three-minute shorts that reveal background information and previously undisclosed details about the stranded inhabitants of the show’s mysterious island.

The “Missing Pieces” episodes were produced under an agreement with the writers’ union that provides for much of what the writers say the studios have been refusing to offer.

Payment for the use of material on the Internet will be a central issue keeping the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers apart when they head back to the bargaining table on Monday.

But as the “Lost” example shows, the two sides have found common ground before, and both have shown interest in giving some ground on the issue.

The “Missing Pieces” episodes were written by the regular writers of the television series, a group that includes Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, executive producers of the series, who also oversaw production of the webisodes. They also feature the show’s regular actors and characters, including Matthew Fox, who plays Dr. Jack Shephard. Mr. Fox appears in the first installment, released last week. The writers, actors and others involved in the production were paid specifically for their work on the Web episodes and will earn residual income, just as they do for the broadcast show.

In an interview Mr. Cuse said that while it took five months to reach an agreement, he believes the “Missing Pieces” deal could serve as a template for resolving at least some of the dispute over payment for online use of material.

“I think it is a pretty good model,” he said last week. “What it shows is that there is

basically room for a partnership between writers and the studios in a new medium. It’s where I wish we were headed instead of being stuck in this standoff.”

Have you seen LOST in theaters?

Watch with Kristin - Lost Ads Coming to the Big Screen:

"This just in: Lost is coming to the big screen! Oh, how I wish I could tell you our beloved Evie, Matthew and Josh are starring in a movie version of the show we so adore, but this is pretty much the next best thing: Sources tell me ABC has secured a deal to air promos for the upcoming fourth season of Lost (with new footage!) before all movies rated PG and above in Screenvision and NCM chains in December. Hear that? It's the sound of this die-hard couch potato running out to buy my tickets! And by the way, this also means ABC thinks the new season of Lost is so good, it warrants such play. I've heard from Alphabet-net insiders that the upcoming eight episodes filmed so far are 'crazy good' and will 'even satisfy the haters.' So, if you're already starting to feel the fourth-season fever, sound off below, will ya? And if you're headed for the aforementioned theaters, don't you dare think about hitting the bathroom before the show..."

Missing Pieces - The Deal

Spoilers: Lost Mobisode 4 - Missing Pieces - The Deal

This will be released with full quality next Monday ABC.com, but you can get a preview now. This is the first time we've seen Juliet and Michael on screen together. This is a cool missing piece, I think, and when you think about it. Thirteen 3 or 4 minute clips roughly equals 45.5 minutes of LOST, that's like a whole new episode when you think about the big picture.

Kristin's LOST Scoop - 11/26/07

Watch with Kristin - Spoiler Chat: Office, Lost and Grey's Scoop!:

"Heather in Miami: My sincerest condolences that your Hawaii trip was canceled. Is there no justice in the time of the strike?! Anyway, why don't you make it up to yourself by telling us some Lost scoop.

Thanks, Heather. Anyone wanna help me drown my sorrows with some mai tais? As you may know, the Lost production office is an impenetrable fortress of secrecy these days, but I was able to dig up a little scoop that I certainly found fascinating! Sources tell me the series most definitely flashes backward and forward in this season—and until the series ends...yeee! I'm also hearing we get quite a few new characters courtesy of Marsha Thomason's character, Naomi. Word is, Naomi summoned them via walkie-talkie before Locke busted that knife in her back. So, newbies are a-comin'!"

Talks Begin Again in WGA Strike

Strike forecast: Cloudy with some chance of sunshine - EW.com:

"Since the latest talks will be kept under wraps (both sides called for a press blackout), it's unlikely the press will get any progress reports until a deal is made. Though many shows remain in production, hundreds of people have already lost their jobs because of the strike. As of this morning, 464 people have indicated they are now standing in the unemployment line on http://getbackinthatroom.blogspot.com/."

LOST Season 4 Missing Pieces Promo

Check ABC.com later today for the next Missing Piece, "King of the Castle."

The Adventures of Hurley and Frogurt

Lost - Missing Pieces Home - ABC.com

Last Monday, ABC.com posted the latest missing piece. It's nice to see some new LOST material since it has been so long. This is a sad one though, since Libby was getting killed by Michael at about this same time, just before the picnic that never happened.

Neil Frogurt - "well played Hurley, well played."

LOST Season 1

I watched all of LOST season 1 again this week. From Tuesday Evening - Saturday Morning. It wasn't a constant marathon, but I watched a lot of LOST, about 18 hours of it or so. It had been some time since I last watched the first season, I had forgotten a lot of important things and happenings. It was fun to see all the old gang together since several have fallen since those early days on the island. anyway, just thought I'd share.

The New Cloverfield Trailer

Empire: Movie News - The New Cloverfield Trailer

It's been a long time coming, but we now bring you the second trailer for Cloverfield, the none more top secret monster movie, directed by Matt Reeves and produced by JJ Abrams.

Was the wait worth it? We think so. We get a much stronger sense of the story – monsters attack New York and knock most of it over – and a proper look at how the hand held style will work while still retaining the big bang blockbuster quality, i.e. brilliantly.

Writers and Studios to Meet Again

Scribe Vibe: Variety's WGA Strike Blog: THEY'VE AGREED TO TALK!

"THEY'VE AGREED TO TALK! Writers and studios have agreed to resume negotiations on Nov. 26. The Friday night announcement came on the 12th day of the strike in the form of a joint statement from the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers. The two sides indicated that they have agreed to a news blackout."

Ausiello's on LOST (11-14-07)

Ausiello on Grey's, Lost, Pushing Daisies, Life and More!!

Question: This strike has me worried about the future of Lost. Since it looks like ABC will go ahead and air the eight completed episodes in early '08, what happens to the other eight? — Conor

Ausiello: It all depends on when the strike ends. If it ends in the next month or so, there's a good chance all 16 episodes will still air this season. If it goes on longer than that, the back eight would most likely be grouped in with next season's 16. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Question: How will the strike affect the return of Harold Perrineau (Michael) and Cynthia Watros (Libby)? — Conor

Ausiello: They both made the prestrike cut — but just barely. Sources confirm that (Major spoiler alert) Watros and Perrineau will show up in Episode 8. And I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they're both somehow involved in the mini-cliff-hanger that Team Darlton's been teasing.

Question: I'm absolutely lost without Lost. Can you please pass along any details on Season 4 to tide me over? — Mike B.

Ausiello: Episode 6 is Juliet-centric and features the return of three deceased characters: *o*****, **h*n, and **. *r*e*d**.

Ausiello's on LOST (11-07-07)

Ausiello on Lost 11-07-07

Question: What does the strike mean for Lost? Any idea how many episodes they finished pre-strike? Is it still scheduled to air some time in February?

Mike Ausiello: Why do I suddenly feel as if I'm talking to myself, Mike? Why do I also suddenly feel like I'm not going to like what I have to say? At least I know the answer to that second part — it's because I don't like what I have to say. If the strike extends into the new year and beyond, there is a chance ABC may opt to delay the new season until the fall. Or worse yet, February 2009. Another scenario has the network simply airing the eight episodes already in the can this February as originally planned — something Team Darlton would not be in favor of. Says Lost cocreator Carlton Cuse, "Damon [Lindelof] and my concern about running the [eight] episodes we will have made is that it will feel a little like reading half a Harry Potter novel, then having to put it down. There is a mini-cliff-hanger at the end of Episode 8, but it's like the end of an exciting book chapter; it's not the end of the novel. Damon and I didn't write [the ending of Episode 8] differently [with the looming strike in mind]. We wrote it to be the ending of Episode 8." In any case, he concedes that the decision to hold or air the episodes isn't ultimately theirs. "It's really [ABC honcho Steve MacPherson's] call," Cuse notes, adding, "No one was happy with the six-episode run last season."

Question: Now that the writers are on strike, whatever will I do to get Lost scoop? — Maribeth

Ausiello: You can ask, for starters. Have I ever let you down? Whenever the current eight episodes air, keep an eye out toward the end of the run for Zoe Bell, whom Carlton Cuse calls "the stuntwoman extraordinaire, from the Tarantino flicks [Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Grindhouse]. She definitely will make a splash."

Lost Mobisode 2 "Hurley and Frogurt" @ Dark UFO

Spoilers: Lost Mobisode 2 - Missing Pieces - Hurley and Frogurt

You can watch the next Missing Piece right now (11/19) the official version will be up at ABC.com. Thanks to Dark UFO and "Susan." Neil Frogurt finally has a face, and sadly all this was going on about the same time that Libby was being killed by Michael. How will Hurley react to him when he pops back up in the show?

LOST Missing Pieces "The Watch"

Lost - Missing Pieces Home - ABC.com

"Episode 107 - The Watch" is now streaming at ABC.com

Mourning TV

Mourning TV - New York Times

Damon Lindelof wrote about television's demise, in today's edition of The New York Times. This is an interesting read. Thanks for you thoughts, Damon.

"Cheap Skates!" Campaign

The Fan Union - "Cheap Skates!" Campaign:

"The 'Cheap Skates' campaign is on! The Fan Union is the Rally point for this campaign! In the spirit of the very successful 'Nuts!' campaign that moved CBS to resurrect Jericho, The Fan Union proposes that fans let the networks know that we think they are a bunch of 'Cheap Skates!' To accomplish this, we ask supporters to send the network of their choice one of these inexpensive, ie 'Cheap,' Roller Skate charms."

ABC to Air Partial Season of Lost

STRIKE COVERAGE: ABC to Air Partial Season of Lost - 11/7/2007 11:46:00 PM - Broadcasting & Cable:

"ABC said that as of now, it is sticking with its plan to air the eight episodes it has of Lost -- this coming on the day that Fox announced that it will bench its own serialized midseason thriller, 24. Lost Lost executive producer Damon Lindelof said Wednesday that the final episode that has been written ends in a cliffhanger that will not be resolved for viewers until after the strike."

Cloverfield Clues

Cloverfield Clues

J.J. Abrams latest movie project due out next year, has already generated a lot of internet buzz. Cloverfield Clues is an awesome source of news on Mr.s Abrams new movie.

The Title is "Cloverfield"

Cloverfield Title Finally Revealed!? Movie Trailer Description Online | /Film

Devin over at CHUD has seen the trailer for the upcoming JJ Abrams-produced monster movie code-named Cloverfield/1-18-08. The trailer which runs 2 minutes and 16 seconds will debut in front of Beowulf and will feature the final title for the movie (we reported this earlier in the week). So what is the title?

Cloverfield

That’s right, the reel marked as Trailer #1, V.17, with “Newest FX Shots” features the titlecard “Cloverfield“. Keep in mind this could just be a placeholder until the real title is announced, so things could change. Alex and FirstShowing seems to believe that mainstream audiences know the film better under the date title 1-18-08, and that it would be stupid to call the film Cloverfield. And I think he has a point because Cloverfield has nothing to do with anything that happens in the movie (at least from what we know). So while the audience online knows the film as Cloverfield, the brand recognition doesn’t translate to mainstreat audiences. And that’s why I don’t believe this is the actual title of the movie.

Damon Explains the Strike

Damon Lindelof is explaining why he is on the picket line in front of the ABC/Disney lot.

LOST on Facebook

I Watch LOST - Facebook

If you're on Facebook, you can join iwatchlost. There is a fun trivia challenge, as well as LOST quotes and pictures that you can add to your profile.

LOST's Missing Pieces - Mobisodes

Lost - Missing Pieces - ABC.com:

Lost Mobisodes will be availble starting Monday 11/12. Does this mean Monday will be the day for the new LOST season?

"Lost Missing Pieces are 13 two-to three-minute stories of compelling new never-before-seen moments from LOST. These newly-created scenes not deleted scenes from previous episodes reveal answers and new details about your favorite characters. For each story we leave it up to the you the fans to figure out where these pieces fit into the overall mythology. Watch new episodes on ABC.com

Mondays beginning 11 12.

Episode 1: 'The Watch'
Starring Matthew Fox
Guest Starring John Terry
Music by Michael Giacchino
Edited by Robert Florio A.C.E.
Director of Photography: Michael Bonvillain A.S.C.
Executive Producers: J.J. Abrams Damon Lindelof Bryan Burk Jack Bender Carlton Cuse
Co-Executive Producers: Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz Drew Goddard Stephen Williams Jean Higgins
Supervising Producer: Elizabeth Sarnoff
Producers: Ra uf Glasgow Pat Churchill
Co-Producers: Richard Peter Schroer Brian K. Vaughn Samantha Thomas
Executive Story Editor: Christina M. Kim
Associate Producer: Kaleen Yamase
Costume Designer: Roland Sanchez
Created by Jeffrey Lieber and J.J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof
Written by Carlton Cuse
Directed by Jack Bender"

"Lost" writers: "Like putting down a Harry Potter book in the middle"

"Lost" writers: "Like putting down a Harry Potter book in the middle":

"“Lost” exec producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse joined other writers picketing in front of the Walt Disney studio’s front gate, holding up “WGA on Strike” signs and joining a few pro-union chants. “Everybody’s a little saddened and surprised and shocked to be out here,” Lindelof said. “A lot of these people weren’t here in 1988 and don’t know what the word ‘strike’ feels like.” Lindelof and Cuse hit the picket line at 8:30 a.m. with plans to spend several hours. The scribes said the spent much of the weekend putting the finishing touches on episode eight of “Lost,” submitting the script to the network on Friday and tweaking it over the weekend. “We finished writing by mid-afternoon yesterday,” said Cuse, who noted the script was ready to be shot. Disney_strike Lindelof and Cuse said the episode happens to include a small cliffhanger – although not enough to end a season on, should the strike progress and the show not resume production this year. “It will feel like an incomplete season,” Lindelof said. “It will be like putting down a ‘Harry Potter’ book in the middle, at the end of a chapter.”"

How will the strike affect Lost?

How will the strike affect Lost? | Strike, TV Biz | Hollywood Insider | EW.com:

"So far the news about what the strike will mean for Lost s return to ABC this winter isn t all that bad but it could get worse if the picketing persists. According to Lost executive producer Carlton Cuse — who was walking the picket line Monday in front of Burbank s Disney lot with fellow EP Damon Lindelof — ABC will soon have eight episodes in the can that it can begin airing after the first of the year ABC has yet to announce a start date though it seems likely the show will return in February . If the strike is prolonged and the scribes can t get back to work writing the rest of the episodes fans are going to be stuck with the kind of stunted season they were forced to endure last year. 'It will feel like buying a Harry Potter book reading half of it and then having to put it down for many months ' explains Cuse. 'There is a cliffhanger at the end of the eighth episode. It will only be frustrating for viewers to have to step away from the show and not see the second half of the season.

Lost Wiki is No Longer "Official"

Lost Wiki: Fan Site for the TV Show Lost - LOST

First off, you may have noticed the downtime about a week ago and started noticing some changes on the site. Yes, ABC has decided not to renew their contract to keep this site the Official Lost Wiki. While it's a bummer, it doesn't actually change how great this wiki and the people that contribute to it are. I don't think it's anything to be upset with ABC about, either... they just don't want to be in the wiki market. This wiki will stay up and running and since we're free agents now, we get to have a bit more fun!

Writers Guild of America Daily Variety Ad

pencils down means pencils down

In this Daily Variety ad, 100 showrunners put their names on the list. LOST is included.

“You guys will still break stories, right?” “Your people can still write scripts. I mean, who would know?” We would. We would know that doing so undermines the very cause for which we’re fighting. We would know that it sends the wrong message to those who honor our picket lines

We would know that it only serves to prolong a strike. So, just to be absolutely clear: In the event of a strike, we, the following showrunners, will do no writing and no story breaking — nor will any be asked of our writing staffs — until we get a deal.

"Carlton Cuse Damon Lindelof (Lost)"

The Writers Strike Back

Watch with Kristin - Hold on to Your Couch Cushions: The Writers' Strike Is Here:

"From all appearances, Lost may have the best advantage of all series, given that it has been stockpiling new scripts since June and not a single episode has aired. At this point, 14 of 16 episodes have been written. And if the strike does last long enough to seriously impact other series, Lost could very well be the only quality scripted drama on television in February (along with perhaps 24, though it's far more behind in scripts due to an overhaul of location and storyline)."