Thursday, June 11, 2009

Changes in Reality TV in Europe, Next Up the States


Working in Reality TV has brought up some big issues on the Production side as employees (Producers, Writers & Story Producers) and also on the Contestant side (TV Reality Stars).  

"In the past three years the WGA has tried unsuccessfully to play hardball by demanding that network and studio CEOs no longer make deals with Reality TV producers like Mark Burnett Productions, Fremantle, Endemol etc unless those companies become signatories of the WGA. This is part of the WGA's continuing campaign to ensure that Reality TV writers -- often referred to as the story editors or story producers of the shows -- start to receive the same benefits and pay and protections as guild members." (taken from http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com)

This past week In a ground-breaking ruling, the supreme court in France awarded three contestants on the French version of the programme Temptation Island compensation of about €11,000 (£9,500) each. The judges ruled that the trio were entitled to full employment contracts — including overtime, holidays and even damages for wrongful dismissal upon elimination from the show.

These decisions will in fact bring Reality TV to a new cost level.  First in Europe, next in the States.  I believe that our Producers, Writers and Story people that have been fighting to get what scripted TV writers and producers have been getting all along, will come to fruition.  Its only a matter of time that our savvy Reality TV Stars, will too get paid for taking time out of their schedules to be paid for entertaining our audiences.  

They said Reality was going to die...that was over 10 years ago.  Its not going away.  What do you think?  

1 comment:

Marilyn Brock said...

If we start seeing scripted reality TV parodies would be the signal that the genre is dying. For now, I don't think the ruling will have enough bearing to change the trend unless the demand decreases dramatically at the same time. I think reality TV has many more years.