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The WGA West just issued this surprising news release:
Los Angeles – The Writers Guild of America, West is taking on the fight for justice of writers who were fired when they tried to get a union contract with Tyler Perry’s production company, House of Payne, LLC. The Guild today filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging that House of Payne unlawfully fired four writers in retaliation for their union activity. The charge also alleges that the company bargained in bad faith with the Guild, which is seeking to negotiate a contract covering the writers on Perry’s cable television series House of Payne and Meet the Browns.
The four writers, Kellie Griffin, Christopher Moore, Teri Brown-Jackson, and Lamont Ferrell, as well as supporters from the Writers Guild and the community, will be picketing during Saturday’s opening of Perry’s new studio and they’re asking invited guests to respect their picket line. Together, these writers have written over one hundred episodes of House of Payne. Since April of this year they have been involved in a union organizing campaign with the Writers Guild of America, West so that their work on that show and the upcoming Meet the Browns would be covered by a Guild contract. Despite the enormous success of House of Payne, Perry has refused to agree to a contract that would give the writers health care, pensions, and residuals. On Tuesday of this week he fired the writers, after warning them some weeks ago that they should “be careful about pushing the WGA deal or you could be replaced.”
“We’re asking all those who had planned to attend the opening of Tyler Perry’s new studio not to cross our picket line,” said writer Christopher Moore. “It’s very disheartening considering that this is a studio run by African Americans. What Tyler Perry is essentially saying to us is that ‘you’re black and there’s not a lot of opportunities for you so you’ll take what I give you’ – whether it’s fair or not.”
“I feel like I was slapped in the face, like we were used” said writer and WGAW member Teri Brown-Jackson. “We were good enough to create over a hundred episodes, but now when it comes to reaping the benefits of the show being syndicated and having other spin-offs from it, he decides to let us go unless we accept a horrible offer.”
“Disrespected, betrayed, saddened…it’s hard to describe,” said writer and WGAW member Lamont Ferrell. “The actors and a majority of the production crew on the show were working under union contracts and they received the pay and benefits that you need to survive on in this business. But after all those episodes and success when it came time for us to get a fair contract, we’re told on a conference call ‘sorry, you’re fired.’”
The show’s head writer, Kellie Griffin, added, “A lot of people who fought for civil rights and social justice never really saw what eventually came out of their work. While I’d like to see something positive come out of this for us, if this fight helps future black writers get what they deserve, that’s a good thing.”
The writers and their supporters will be picketing at the grand opening of Tyler Perry Studios on Saturday, October 4, starting at 4 pm, and on Sunday, October 5, starting at 9 am.
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Just a little confusion on my part, isn’t Tyler Perry based in Atlanta, which is east of the Mississippi, which makes this a WGAeast problem?
And if those writers signed on a non-union show–they can’t reasonably expect to be covered after the fact, can they?
for shame, tyler perry.
Seriously, Tyler Perry.
Considering your story & how hard it was for you to break into the business, the idea you could fire writers just because they want to be treated fairly?
I certainly hope there’s more to this dispute.
If not–
Shame on you!
PS: It may have been tough to climb to the top, but the real pain is when there’s no 1 to catch you on the way down.
Ask William Friedkin.
I see that all the recent success has made Tyler Perry think like a mogul. Maybe someone should tell him that the “screw everyone” business model only barely works for the big studios, and that’s only because they can afford to pay the large up front fees to attract writers with a commercial track record.
Perry may find it easy to replace everybody, but series television requires a certain amount of continuity in the talent department, and if he keeps this up, he may find it harder to retain the good ones.
I do want to hear his side of it, but if this is true..I’m not surprised. hate to say it, but, as a black actor, the worst treatment I ever got was from other blacks in the industry..there really is a mindset of, “since you’re black, and I’m black, we don’t have to have the same standards of behavior as others(whites)”..so, less respect, less professionalism overall….seems like certain black folks get some success, then see themselves as the conduit for other black talent to the wider industry…they think they can treat us any kind of way with no consequence.. they’re usually dead wrong….(right now thinking of a certain black casting director who shall remain nameless).
Shame on Tyler Perry. He’s a wolf in women’s clothing. From what I have read he had a very rough life before hitting the jackpot with his writing and (I guess you could call it) acting. Of all people, he should treat his employees with respect and fairly compensate them for the work that they do.
It is important for all writers to get behind this protest because if he is allowed to continue using non guild writers then other sitcoms and episodics are next. It’s the same thing with game and reality shows and companies like Fremantle who refuse to cover their writers. All writers should be upset when any writer is denied a fair deal.
Perry’s actions are outrageous.
And they should send a cold shudder through the bowels of every television writer.
Remember when we were warned that today the Companies would make the reality shows non-union writing and then tomorrow they’d do it to dramas and half-hours? Well, turns out tomorrow is already here.
Non-union SITCOMS.
This combined with the treatment of the Sit Down Shut Up writers earlier in the year really makes me think it’s open season on half-hour writers.
And that shit’s got to stop.
Wow. That’s amazing. I guess greed has no color except green. I can say I’d support them. Everyone needs benefits especially if you generate millions of dollars.
no one forced you to work there. and in america, you can’t force something down your employers throats. sorry, they do not want the wga. there is no law that says they must have them. it is simple.
“Together, these writers have written over one hundred episodes of House of Payne.”
…how? There have only been 40 something episodes of that show. Do they have the next three seasons written and scripted already?
I’m really not trying to stir things up, but can someone please explain how in the hell Tyler Perry gets things made?
I saw 20 minutes of his first film and haven’t considered going near another.
Seems like a good guy, but the final product…
Serious?! Better working conditions on a Tyler Perry show?! He gave you better working conditions by FIRING you. YOU. CAN. DO. BETTER!!! Get on a show worthy of a writer’s talents. PLEASE.
Disgusting — when someone who has fought the establishment BECOMES the establishment, and doesn’t see the irony.
Not surprising as everyone knows Perry is a jerk..
I’m sorry but, good for him. He’s worked outside the system so far and it’s paid off. What has the system done for him so far in his career? He’s made it so far completely bucking the status quo of how to succeed in media.
I don’t associate any of the entertainment unions as being anything other then part of the problem with media today. It’s more about crushing the independent visionary versus keeping a comfortable status quo. Perry, for as much as I kind of despise his work, is notable for completely staying outside of this as much as he can while also making money.
If he can create a self-sustaining production company, untouched by unions that no longer represent anyone but themselves and only in debt to the Hollywood system as much as they have to cowtow to him as it’s become clear his product, which they’ve rejected, is profitable, then good for him.
And, by the way, there are many writers waiting at the doors to replace them. The only way most entertainment unions survive now a days is to have strangle holds on production. If you can survive outside the studio system, then hurray to also survive without the entertainment unions. They hardly stand up for the little guy.
Tyler Perry’s lawyer, hired and paid by Tyler Perry, issued “Tyler Perry’s no comment” from Tyler Perry.
It’s nice to see the bloom finally off this rose…
With the stereotypes he pushes — you’d think he was writing for True Blood.
This is interesting. I would like to hear his side of the story too. This show may have had very humble origins, i.e., no one expected to ever have this problem when they first began it.
However, I must correct the “I’m just saying” poster above. True, there is no law that House of Payne must accept the WGA. However, there IS a law that says they can’t fire people for union organizing activity.
If Tyler is smart, he’ll go WGA for the simple reason that he’ll get better writers.
assorted–
Wow. You fundamentally don’t understand the system you are commenting on. Yes, the Writers’ Guild (and SAG, for that matter) DO stand up for the little guy. It is the big money writers and actors who are not really being represented by their unions because the big money people MAKE MORE THAN THE UNION MINIMUMS.
Minimums are just that — minimums. The bare minimums someone can make for doing a certain job. Remember that even if it sounds like a writer or actor gets paid a lot, you are not taking into consideration how long they go between jobs. If you figure out what the average writer or an actor makes — on average — per week, you would be SHOCKED how little it is compared to what you think they are making.
And don’t forget that the TOTAL amount the Writers’ Guild was asking for in the last negotiation from ALL THE STUDIOS TOGETHER, over the LIFE of the contract was about ONE TENTH of Les Moonves’ compensation package for just last year — which was over 67 million dollars!
The unions aren’t the problem. The problem, like on Wall St., is executive compensation and the outright pillaging of the wealth of the American people for the insane enrichment of the very very few.
Perry’s bufoonish films and plays are a disgrace to African Americans. I personally boycott him after seeing only one.
He is guilty of the very behavior that Barrack Obama said had to cease in order for blacks to achieve.
While black filmmakers struggle to advance story-telling and change stereotypical images, Perry continues to show why the effort never seems to get very far. He has set back black entertainment 20 years with his “lack of quality as culture” crap.
While Hollywood transforms into the “big movie” business, minority films have been ignored. The dearth of black film and TV shows has left Perry and Lions Gate free the empty their adult diaper of product for a hungry audience.
Perry can now add tyrant to his other accomplishments of buffoon, hack and drag queen.
I’m sorry but, good for him. He’s worked outside the system so far and it’s paid off. What has the system done for him so far in his career? He’s made it so far completely bucking the status quo of how to succeed in media.
I don’t associate any of the entertainment unions as being anything other then part of the problem with media today. It’s more about crushing the independent visionary versus keeping a comfortable status quo. Perry, for as much as I kind of despise his work, is notable for completely staying outside of this as much as he can while also making money.
If he can create a self-sustaining production company, untouched by unions that no longer represent anyone but themselves and only in debt to the Hollywood system as much as they have to cowtow to him as it’s become clear his product, which they’ve rejected, is profitable, then good for him.
And, by the way, there are many writers waiting at the doors to replace them. The only way most entertainment unions survive now a days is to have strangle holds on production. If you can survive outside the studio system, then hurray to also survive without the entertainment unions. They hardly stand up for the little guy.
Comment by assorted — October 2, 2008 @ 8:48 pm
Thanks for such an ignorant assessment, John Ridley!
Always fun to hear your Union hate after you went Fi-Core (you talentless chickenshit you!) then lied about Frank Pierson’s treatment of you re: minority hiring.
You’re sorry all right!
House of Payne is NOT self sufficient. Lionsgate & TBS foot the bill, so not only could Perry afford to pay competitive salaries to his writers w/ the appropriate benefits if he chooses the “buck the system”, as you euphemistically label screwing his writers; or he could afford for his workers to unionize, which he was also dishonest about by bargaining in bad faith.
You’re applauding a man who is imposing a stranglehold on writers who are already being discriminated against.
You’re disgusting.
Did I also mention you’re talentless?
Serious?! Better working conditions on a Tyler Perry show?! He gave you better working conditions by FIRING you. YOU. CAN. DO. BETTER!!! Get on a show worthy of a writer’s talents. PLEASE.
Comment by Really?!
Really, you’re either ignorant or deluded. Signs point to both. Do you know how many black writers were employed w/in the network system in 2008? 60. Less for other minorities (6% overall). Do you think it’s because that’s the maximum # that applied for jobs & got them? And statistically, minority writers are paid less than white writers.
Check out Nikki’s own post from 2 years ago to get some semblance of a clue. Not much has changed in 2 years.
http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/we-are-not-that-hard-to-find/
William Friedkin is doing fine. His oeuvre is secure, his money’s in the bank. He’s a tough, mean son of a bitch and he’s infamous for being a tough, mean son of a bitch. Hurricane Billy would rather explode on the sidewalk than have anyone “catch” him on the way down.
Although in comparing him to Tyler Perry, you’ve probably insulted him deeply.
There is nothing new here people. This is where all professional writers live, day in and day out… Fighting to be treated and paid like professional WGA memebers or wanting to be members of an organization that will protect us against others even fellow writers. Last year I called Tyler Perry’s office directly (I was John Singelton’s partner, who created CRASH and has a deal at Universal Pictures, as well as being the Chairman of Jesse Jackson’s Operation PUSH Film Committee) and was told that Tyler doesn’t use any one else ideas but his own. That he generate material under his name only.
I thought to myself, kind of like Walt Disney did to the architect who designed Disneyland. They were permanently barred for getting any credit from their creation.
Also, last year I was fired by a star for showing her my WGA card when she insisted that I keep doing free rewrites. I told her from the beginning that I was a WGA member and though I needed the option money I couldn’t keep writing for free or for the little money she was paying me to drive to her 800 acre ranch in Santa Barbara. (She know lives on an 8000 acre ranch after marrying one of the 400 founders of Goldman Sachs)
The star said that I was extorting money from her after I FedEx her a copy of my WGA card and the fee schedule what she should be paying me. She had her attorney at Christensen, Glaser, Fink, Jacobs, Weil & Shapiro, LLP who I might add was the Head of the motion picture division send me a pink slip saying his client was terminating the contract with me because I stood up for my rights as a professional writer.
The star just kept telling me that I blew it! I blew it! My feelings were deeply hurt as I am sure the writers on House of Payne feelings are hurt.
Just because Tyler Perry is black, starting a new studio for black creative people doesn’t make it right or even legal for that matter. The ability to organize is one of our fundamental rights as Americans. Maybe Tyler should read the Federal labor laws instead of going on a shopping spree with Oprah in Paris.
It’s bigger than you all know. Only a few employees have health benefits. Interns are used to work full-time hours, but only get a $6 lunch stipend. No one has a retirement plan. Productions assistants are used to do actual construction work. Tyler Perry is at the top because he is standing on the backs of his staff. He’s worth 500 million dollars! Why wouldn’t all of his staff at least have heath insurance?
Chris Jackson wrote: Last year I called Tyler Perry’s office directly (I was John Singelton’s partner, who created CRASH and has a deal at Universal Pictures..
Dude: Neither you, or john singleton created CRASH. I’m in a position to know. Stop lying, you delusional idiot.
I am an agent who can attest to the truth of this article. About a year ago a writer called and said she needed an agent to look at her deal for the “House of Payne”. (She’s not one of the folks listed here however) I was horrified to see the terms of the agreement. It was clearly a non-union contract that was disturbingly unfair. I tried explaining why the deal was so bad but when it was clear she did not care to listen I told her that I couldn’t help her. I can’t believe it’s taken the WGA this long to go after them.
How easily we jump on the band wagon!
It seems to me that the 4 of you do not understand the art of patience. Instead of attempting to knock Mr. Perry down, (as you think he has so deliberatly done to the four of you); maybe you should have waited until after he has gotten things established with this new facility, let the smoke settle, and then go in and sit down and handle this matter like true professionals, which you claim that you are. Once you openly display your frustrations with people that have nothing to do with the situaiton you cause discourse and confusion that never should have existed among people.
Now even if you get what you are asking for. After demonstrating in this manner it will be difficult for you to have any type of genuine cohesiveness with anyone that you are working with. Sometimes it’s better to let your pride get hurt and do things that are outside of the box to resolve disagreements. The four of you are acting out of hurt pride and not good judgement. There is a better way for you to get what you are asking for. A way that does not include tarnishing another man’s reputation and asking others to agree with you. We as blacks have to learn how to get our points across without all of this follishness.
Notice how many people just jumped all over a man that they barely know all because of what you are saying. A wise person waits to hear the whole matter… Yes waits and never judges before that time. Be the “Bigger Man (Person)” if that is more your speed. If what you are saying is true then yes there is room for disappointment. However; rethink the way that the four of you are trying to handle the situation. There is more to this than meets the eye.
Christians on more that just Sunday.
db: “…how? There have only been 40 something episodes of that show. Do they have the next three seasons written and scripted already?”
Wrong:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Tyler_Perry%27s_House_of_Payne_episodes
To the writers affected by these tactics,
Thank you for your support of independent media. Based solely on the articles I read here on DHD, my sense is that the faith and spirit of your previous business dealings with Tyler Perry’s production company is not being honored. If my understanding of the situation is correct, my fear is that these events reflect negatively on all independent producers and on independent media at large. Certainly, there are plenty of independent producers who, in the wake of success, have taken undue advantage of talent’s willingness to work on a budget.
Without more information, I can’t comment on the specific situation you’re facing. I will say that especially in the wake of the strike and the blooming complications between SAG and the AMPTP, there are many of us out here working to bring our industry into a future of financial and creative solidarity and liberty.
Again, thank you for taking a chance with independent production. My prayers are with you for a fair deal, and I hope all independent producers take this opportunity to renew their commitment to their content, their talent, and to a Hollywood that inspires and nurtures our global creativity and culture.
Remember, we live and work in the single greatest creative community in the world. To those who think that priviledge comes without ethical and creative responsibilities, I implore: Consider the long-term consequences. Shape up or ship out.
Sometimes it seems like our entire industry has lost track of the line between deserving and feeling entitled. If you ask me, entitlement is at the root of our nation’s current financial crisis. Deserving is what will get us out of it – and I’ll tell you, we deserve good, healthy, creative business relationships just as much as we deserve the huge mounts of wealth our work produces.
News like this saddens me the most – we are the theater folk and the carnies, guys. In college, we wouldn’t have thought twice about helping a friend out with production for free, or on the other hand dipping into a paycheck to make sure our friends made some beer money for their work. From people whose lives are focused exclusively on numbers, this kind of behavior strikes me as easier to excuse… but dammit! Most of us were raised in a damn theater one way or another, and we God damn well know better!
Remember, please: We are priviledged just to be here. That’s not to say that we don’t deserve success and wealth. It’s just to say that the show comes first, and secondly, we need to be taking care of our own.
Nikki, sometimes your posts really do get my dander up!
So, Obama’s best friend hates unions. Say “Nope” to the man from “Hope”.
@ DB
Yes, TPS generally has all the scripts ready before the series season even starts.
I personally feel that you all should learn the whole story and not just go on what the media says. You all are acting like a bunch of “turn-coats” I mean you have supported what Tyler has done this long and you know that he means no harm to his own people, and I don’t think that he will be that quick to forget where he comes from. From my understanding these people have been writing for years and they know the ins and outs of the business and they are the ones who took these positions knowing that they were not backed by the union. We have to remember that Tyler has a business to run and he can not do that on principles of friendship. So before you are so quick to change your opinion about Tyler why don’t you get the full story before expressing your uneducated thoughts.
“It was clearly a non-union contract that was disturbingly unfair.”
Then if she signed it anyways, it’s her own dumb fault and she shouldn’t have the nerve to start whining about being underpaid. And again, these writers need to prove that they were fired specifically because they were trying to get WGA benefits. If all the writers were asking for it and only four of them were fired, then just maybe they were even crappier writers than are generally employed on that awful show.
The two stories put together are an interesting blend of Hollywood politics. IMHO Perry has a right to work non-union. He has built up his business, owns the company, and he may hire non-union and even forbid people to engage in union activities or proselytizing on site. But what he can’t do is to forbid them to participate in union meetings or activities off site because they enjoy a first amendment freedom of association. While a contract might have some sort of confidentiality clause (or a morals clause) it can’t prevent them from meeting with or associating with other industry people, union or not.
The Obama connection is interesting because Obama enjoys a lot of union support (though G_d knows why – public teachers unions love him even while he shuns the public schools to send his kids to $20k private schools). And alone, it wouldn’t have much traction, but when cumulatively added to the Rev. Wright association, the Bill Ayers association, the Tony Reszko association, the Odinga cabal, it does make you wonder what sort of associates he will cultivate when he no longer needs the vote of the American people.
**** WGA is asking everyone, fans, writers, friends of writers to write Tyler Perry and let him know how you feel.
GO UNION!!!
http://www.tylerperry.com/_MessageBoard/
#Chris Jackson wrote: Last year I called Tyler Perry’s office directly (I was John Singelton’s partner, who created CRASH and has a deal at Universal Pictures..
Dude: Neither you, or john singleton created CRASH. I’m in a position to know. Stop lying, you delusional idiot.
Comment by VOguy — October 3, 2008 @ 7:46 am
Please feel free to call my CRASH lawyer at (310) 300-8441, his name is Mr. Krintzman, maybe you can be enlightened by the truth instead of writing insults and libelist remarks.
That’s horrible and he should be ashamed. Or maybe this public outcry will force him into being shamed. Either way…
Perry’s bufoonish films and plays are a disgrace to African Americans. I personally boycott him after seeing only one.
He is guilty of the very behavior that Barrack Obama said had to cease in order for blacks to achieve.
While black filmmakers struggle to advance story-telling and change stereotypical images, Perry continues to show why the effort never seems to get very far. He has set back black entertainment 20 years with his “lack of quality as culture” crap.
While Hollywood transforms into the “big movie” business, minority films have been ignored. The dearth of black film and TV shows has left Perry and Lions Gate free the empty their adult diaper of product for a hungry audience.
Perry can now add tyrant to his other accomplishments of buffoon, hack and drag queen.
Comment by Cinefile X — October 2, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
YAY!!!!!!!!!
Brilliant assessment.
With his most recent abortion, “The Family That Preys”, Perry is now officially an equal opportunity
hackmeister.
Poor Kathy Bates.
You can just picture her Oscar melting…
It’s not fair to sing a song that belongs to someone else and make millions and then say it was your total creation and vision. Songwriters suffer the same injustices that Guild writers suffer when dealing with greedy and selfish producers. Knowing how difficult it is to make it by using your gifts these days Tyler should understand the pain and frustration these writers feel. Everyone has to eat. The king needs others to legitemize his throne. Martin Luther king legacy would not be anything if it was’nt for the people who supported him. The thousands who marched with him and believed in his vision. You are nothing with out your soilders.
idiots. they signed non union contracts and now want them to go with the wga. it seems that is a choice thing. and if they don’t want to hire people under a wga contract, they don’t have to.
nevawulhavmadit wrote:
“It seems to me that the 4 of you do not understand the art of patience. Instead of attempting to knock Mr. Perry down, (as you think he has so deliberatly done to the four of you); maybe you should have waited until after he has gotten things established with this new facility, let the smoke settle, and then go in and sit down and handle this matter like true professionals,”
The WGA has been patient. The Guild has been negotiating with Mr. Perry’s company for months and months. At every turn, when a deal was reached, Mr. Perry’s attorney would take the deal to Mr. Perry and he would knock it down, insisting on even more concessions. Finally Mr. Perry broke off negotiations, fired the four WGA writers (not the other writers), and came back to the Guild with an even more lowball offer.
The art of patience has gotten the writers dick. Now it’s time to try the art of firm persuasion.
(And as an aside: When will people realize that “making nice” to wealthy conglomerates (and mini-congloms like Mr. Perry) is merely an invitation to be abused?)
There are union abuses, but in general, unions protect workers, for history shows (and currently we are seeing this once again, people don’t care when their 401k is rising, they even defend big business and turn a blind eye to the things these corporations do that are illegal and immoral, but when their 401k drops, all of the sudden they “get religion” and are “morally outraged” complaining about these “crooks”. Hypocrites, I’ve *always* said that big business is filled with greedy, self-centered immoral thieves… but nobody cares or wants to do anything as long as they are also getting rich. These people are almost as bad as the corporate execs!), again, history shows that power corrupts. Unions protect their workers and enable them to get what they deserve. That’s a good thing. (If a union becomes corrupt, it should be cleaned up just like corporations are… well, better than corporations are! The previews I saw for house of Payne looked so stupid I vowed I’d NEVER watch that show… Bernie Mac is a GREAT example of a good “black” show, and that old, old show that
First of all we do not have the entire story. All of you making comment on what you THINK you know!!! Now in my profession, when you work on contract you are responsible with making your own contract with includes benefits if any. Most of the time you pay your own taxes and benefits from the rate you negotiated on the front end not the back. Now sometimes when you renegotiate you loose. This happens on soaps with actors and writers al the time. This is business. By the way how many black writers are in the writers union? There may be a reason why he hired tem from the jump. He wanted to hire black writers. Something to think about.
The writers should have been fired, I force myself to watch the show on a regular basis to support the greater cause effort (support our people) and don’t find the show to be remotely interesting nor and most importantly for a sit-com funny! I blame the writers for the terrible dialog and lousy punch lines and the actors for their uninspiring performances.
I applaud Tyler on his success with his plays and movies and the journey to get to that place, truly inspiring, but understand, like any product that continues to break the odd and bust the charts (His Movies), you market that success by selling the lunchboxes and action figure dolls and from my chair that’s all the House of Payne is, cashing in on the cash cow! The show sucks and its number one, only in America!
Tyler Perry’s 15 minutes are up. That guy is and always has been, a stone cold hack. Tell me why any of his work should see the light of day? Because he’s willing to wear a dress and act like a sassy grandmother?
What real man wears a dress onstage, when he writes, directs and produces the show? Especially when there are literally hundreds of actresses who would make that role really come to life.
Black people are starving for intelligent films and plays, but what do we get? We get Tyler Perry.
Taking a non-union job and then trying to organize is like getting married and thinking you can change your spouse! FORGET IT !! Its not like this is a company that has been around for years and you are just tired of dealing with it. You Took A Non Union Job 12 months ago!
The low down side of making a buck. I wonder if the studio is in Atlanta because some smart lawyer advised Big Bucks Perry that Georgia is a right to work state.Turn that fact over in your mind for a moment. He is no dummy. He makes films for the masses that don’t require thinking abeit e n t er tain ment. Keeping in mind that in Georgia Raw wrestling can fill an arena. He’s a mogul now and behaving like one. Some have risen with him and that’s great but know who your dealing with if your looking to ride the Perry train. True talent will always show and even better with a lawyer or good agent before a contract is signed.
Why doesn’t everyone just sit back and watch the truth come to light. No one should be verbally attacking Mr. Perry based on what is being voiced by others. Eventually the entire story will be told but it may be too late to right the wrongs that negative words have created. I don’t know Mr. Perry personally I’ve seen and enjoyed every movie and play he’s ever written and I try to watch “House of Payne” now that it is on UPN. I pray that all things work out for the best for everyone concerned.
I think you should all wait until you hear Tyler Perry’s side. Every fired worker is always disgruntled and won’t have anything good to say about the employer that fired him. And to all those who don’t like his movies, plays, etc. There are MILLION$ of dead presidents that do. Don’t talk about making better black films and they blacks are starved for something better. Who do you think the majority of movie goers that make him wealthy?, it’s blacks. So I guess they’re not that hungry. Tyler Perry didn’t need the 4 writers to be wealthy or famous, he already was. His movies before House of Payne had already made him very rich. You just can’t please all of the people all of the time, and when it comes to us, we can’t be pleased none of the time. Judging from the photos of the Grand Opening, EVERYBODY crossed the picket line (even Oprah). As the bible states,(paraphrased) “It is foolish to answer a matter before you hear it.”
I don’t know about all this WGA stuff, I’ll admit. But the storyline didn’t seem at all cohesive to me for the past season and aren’t they the ones that wrote it? Maybe half of the reason is that they weren’t that good. Then you’re gonna have some demands when you’re doing mediocre work? I mean, apparently some of the major points in the episodes were missed. A divorce happened outside of our presence — one day we tuned in and dood was divorced and had a chic. MANY things on this show just popped up out of the blue that could have created great story lines and it seems as though some things were brought up, got our interest, and then dropped. Does anybody remember that dood is adopted? Hello? Should that not have gotten more than 10 minutes of attention? The two in the barbershop were dating, and then….what? They weren’t? I don’t know anything about writing a sitcom, but seriously, it could have been done MUCH better. Ask the writers over at The Game. Bet they’re still working.
In reading some of the comments on this website, it is interesting to try to understand who is right and who is wrong. No matter what, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
Tyler Perry did not notify any of his SW Atlanta neighbors of all of the street closings, therefore making a lot of us angry! Not a good opening act Tyler. A lot of us black folk made it possible for you to build “in our neighborhood” GIVE “YOUR” FOLKS SOME RESPECT!!! Live in the positive not the negative!
Man what in the world are you guys thinking!!! I mean look at his track record, every person that worked the chitlin circuit with him, is still with him. Doesn”t that stand for anything, something has happen but I can almost promise you he didn’t do anything wrong!! If he was as bad as you guys say, wouldn’t people been said something like David and Tamela Mann!!!
Keep up the good work Tyler we are very proud of you, we don’t care how the white media try to tear you down!!!!
I am an aspiring writer who grew up blocks away from TP’s new digs. There are so many little details that make this situation more involved than anyone who has posted on this site will ever know. Let’s just talk about a few, shall we?
Georgia is a Right To Work state. Know what that means? Your boss has the right to work you to death or not. There has never been a pro-union climate in this town in any trade. Ever. That’s one of the reasons the black music industry has been able to thrive here. If you don’t know the rules, you will get taken advantage of with no questions asked. It’s almost a right of passage at this point. That, apparently, was what happened to these writers when they signed a non-union contract without blinking an eye in the first place. They got hazed. Welcome to Atlanta, brothers and sisters. We hope you enjoy your stay.
The talent in this town is excellent but they have few true voices advocating on their behalf. There are pro-trained, technically proficient dancers who do hip-hop videos but are treated worse than Magic City pole dancers. The attitude toward unionizing in this entire state, not just in the entertainment industry, stands to be improved if these writers win even the tiniest of concessions. So, this isn’t just a TP thing; it’s an all-encompassing labor rights issue.
When was the last time folks went through stuff like this around basic worker’s rights? Like, the Industrial Revolution? Uh, no. The TV writer’s strike. So, maybe you guys in the field can clear this up for me. Where were these writers then? At work because they weren’t unionized or did they stay at home? Anybody? Anybody? Buehller? Madere?
The building that houses the TP Studios sat vacant for at least a decade. It’s a sprwling “campus” of a facility located in what was once a solidly middle class black neighborhood. It is now, to say the least, the ghetto.
Understand that even the janitors in this place are blessed to be able to work there given the location and current job market in this town. To hip you to that, the GA Dept. of Labor has just extended their business hours to deal with the onslaught of unemployment claims. The business of unemploment is big business around these here parts right now, especially in this neighborhood.
TP stands to bring much needed jobs and life back into the area and I am so excited about the prospects IF he plays his cards right. Bruh better get as many good dealers as he can find and tip them with big chips. If not, and that neighborhood turns on him, WGA West or East will be the least of his worries and we can all look forward to purchasing props and lights out of the backs of Cadillacs. If you like that couch on The House of Payne, I know a guy who knows a guy who……….
I am not a fan of Tyler Perry’s but I SO want to be. He’s at a juncture in his career where he can innovate a new business model that respects the communities that raised him, the artisans and trade workers who made him and the audience that sustains him. But we all know the saying, “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” Look out below, folks. Wide load comin’ thru. Maybe.
I’m not surprised about this happening. I’ve always though Tyler Perry have forgotten about his struggle and who helped him reach the top. He will be in my town this weekend with his play and it’s not selling worth a crap right now, and this is a place where he usually sell out. Perry is very arrogant and thinks the world owe him something!!!!!!!!!
Greetings Everyone:
I would like to know why?do we always turn on each other, as one who have climb out of the barrael we like to take each other down for some reason. I am sure their have been white directors who have done the same thing as Mr. Perry is said to have done. Have we acted that way towards them also, you see I am not a actor, however I am a cosmetic inventor who have a opition.
Thank you
Sounds to me like things were made very clear in the beginning. Race has nothing to do with it. The writers knew from the beginning where Tyler Perry stood on this and they tried to buck the system and they lost.
Well I just hope it does not discourage other black writers from pursuing their dream
I agree with Mr. Perry regardless of how much money he’s made and the problems he encountered with starting his career, he has worked very hard for what he has. A Black man who own 100% of the company and can call ALL the shots, period!! He can manage it as he like as long as things are legal and morally sound. I been an actor for 5 years now and learned the hard way, that in this very competitive business you can rock in the boat softly but please don’t rock the boat or you’re out the door! There are plenty of people just waiting to take your place and would work without a union, trust me I have worked many non-union hours and will do it again to feed my family. See these are very hard times now and God Bless PRESIDENT OBAMA on his victory but he WILL NOT bring on a CHANGE in A DAY! Now trying to find work, especially when you have kids to feed, can be very frustrating. So common sense should tell us to flow with the situation and then speak to Tyler at a later date and Thank him for keeping you this long. Because he didn’t have to hire you in the first place! He’s done his part by giving you all an opportunity. Sorry for being so direct but please learn to just appreciate the opportunity and keep the faith and God will fix everything.
GURANTEED!!!
C
Im glad that tyler opened up the new studio. That man is very smart. He could write, direct and do everything thats needs to be done. He gave these writers a job and now he is getting slammed for making a wise business decision. The writers did not build the studio he did him and his vision. This is a business and things cost and he will create more shows that will be a hit the writers should of had patience they got spoiled and trust me they was getting paid very well. So get over it save your money stop partying and bragging to your friends go make a name for your self. Because this man has done what legendary actors wewr not able to do openan black run production studio. peace haters
YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SO TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT THIS THING ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY THAT THERE NEVER TREATED FAIRLY OR WHEN OTHERS OF THE BLACK RACE GET A HIGHER UP POSITION THEY THINK THERE BETTER THAN OTHERS, LISTEN HERE WHAT I KNOW ABOUT THIS BUSINESS OF INDUSTRY IT AIN’T NEVER BEEN ABOUT A RACE THING BUT ABOUT A (MONEY THING) AND THAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE TO IT ALL.SO FOR YOU THAT THINK TYLER PERRY IS NOT A GOOD GUY BECAUSE OF OTHER PEOPLES ACCUSATIONS THEN GET OFF THE VAN WAGON AND MOVE ON YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT WENT DOWN WITH THIS SITUATION AND YES THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO A STORY
NOTE: TO ALL TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND STAY OUT OF OTHERS GET YO OWN SUCCESS AND STOP TRYING TO RIDE SOMEONE ELSE’S COAT TAIL AND YES I’M PROUD TO BE A AFRICAN AMERICAN BE BLESSED, SHANNON MCHENRY
Poor Shannon, if the way you write is any indication of your level of intelligence, then there is no secret why you are in agreement with Tyler Perry!! Go back to school!!