Comments (14)

• I believe in thorough and complete reporting, so in the interest of fairness, it should also be reported that there were in fact blueberry scones as well.

  A writer

  Comment by A writer — November 20, 2007 @ 10:55 pm  Reply to this post

• These were actually really good. I didn’t have one at first because I thought they were being handed out by Scientologists.

  The new CAA trainees must be scholarship kids, their suits were strictly Men’s Warehouse.

  Comment by Norm A. Rae — November 20, 2007 @ 11:52 pm  Reply to this post

• Is this part of the hazing ritual of baby agents?

  Comment by mla28 — November 21, 2007 @ 1:05 am  Reply to this post

• Thank you, Norm A. Rae, for the biggest laugh I’ve had in hours. HOWL!

  Comment by Bon — November 21, 2007 @ 1:27 am  Reply to this post

• I still hate agents. Mine and all others. You are not our friends, just business partners.

  Comment by Ananymous — November 21, 2007 @ 2:37 am  Reply to this post

• From Chile we support the WGA Strike,,,
  We are in the pickett line with you guys…
  Don Give Up….

  Comment by ObesoTv — November 21, 2007 @ 3:59 am  Reply to this post

• I declined… worried that the scones were laced with whatever the churros were laced with. Stuff that made a bunch of us think, “Hey, CAA. They’re not so bad.”

  Glad to see that L. Ron’s… I mean… Santa’s Winter Wonderland is almost up (next to Ripley’s). An annual Hollywood tradition… to be sure!

  Comment by BJS — November 21, 2007 @ 8:29 am  Reply to this post

• Though I completely support the WGA, I often wonder how they reconcile the consumption of pastries being distributed by firms whose first strike-related move was laying off hordes of their hard-working assistants…

  Comment by Cap'n Calamity — November 21, 2007 @ 8:31 am  Reply to this post

• Hang pictures on the interior walls of the Death Star? That building was built to intimidate and humble all that come within it’s view. No pictures or other signs of personality allowed.

  Comment by Anonymous — November 21, 2007 @ 1:51 pm  Reply to this post

• All those writers are going to be so fat with so many carbs. Is that walking enough?

  Comment by BEnjumathi — November 21, 2007 @ 2:53 pm  Reply to this post

• Hey, you can’t go wrong with scones. When cameras are involved it’s hard not to second-guess acts of nicety. I guess the guy in the picture drew the short straw?

  But some of the shit people have to do to make it in this world is staggering. Hopefully the assistants don’t get hit too hard by this bullshit strike situation.

  Comment by Mark. S. — November 21, 2007 @ 5:04 pm  Reply to this post

• In response to “a writer,” I would like to add that mine was Apple Cinnamon, and it was delicious.

  Comment by Non Union Writer — November 21, 2007 @ 6:36 pm  Reply to this post

• Does CAA (or any other agency) really need any more press for doing their JOB? I think not, especially when it’s completely transparent corporate self-promotion masking as altruism.

  While I am elated to see everyone in town actually stepping up to support the writers and help those hit hardest by the strike, there is no need for every event agent trainees arrive at with “tea and crumpets” to become a photo op for said agency.

  I’m an agent (not at one of the Big 5, but well-regarded nonetheless), and I know what people think of us as a group. Both myself and my colleagues hold ourselves to a higher standard. We, meaning ALL of our agents as well as some assistants, are out multiple times every week visiting clients on the picket lines. Bringing them food and drink (not baked goods but stuff that’s actually good for you) or just a friendly face.

  Let’s be honest, walking a picket line is not fun — it’s exhausting, boring, and the last thing anyone wants to do — but it’s necessary in order to get the best deal possible in this negotiation.

  My colleagues and I aren’t out there looking for free press. I certainly don’t just happen to have a camera or a photojournalist around when I’m visiting a client.

  Newsflash, it’s our JOB to be out there supporting our clients because (strike or not) we are all in this together. If after I leave, another writer asks my client what I’m all about sure I’ll take that call but that’s not the reason I’m out there.

  To all those camera-whores out there, client representation is about your clients and THEIR best interests. Take care of them and they take care of you, that’s from where your power derives. Too many agents have forgotten that and that’s why we have a bad name now.

  Comment by TO Agent — November 21, 2007 @ 8:27 pm  Reply to this post

• Amen to “TO Agent.” I agree wholeheartedly that there are some opportunistic agencies/agents out there trying to gain free publicity.

  Additionally, as an agent also, I find it repulsive that writers are on here ripping into their agents for visiting them on the picket lines with, ideally, healthy sustenance to keep them going strong. Newsflash to angry writers, it’s not only the assistants at our respective companies that get hit by this. They have also deferred salaries of many agents around town so that they don’t HAVE to fire our hard-working assistants.

  I try and go out to visit my clients every week, not because I’m seeking a photo-op, but because in addition to our “business partnerships” my clients ARE my friends. If you all hate your agents so passionately, you’re with the wrong agent. I would like to think that many of us are here because we enjoy seeing people succeed and helping them to get there.

  And to put it into perspective for the writers who are sick of picketing and being forcefed churros and scones, the agents are bored out of their minds having to report to the office to sit and stare at the wall all day long. Like you, we have strike rules and find ourselves unable to make calls on your behalf. I would much rather be marching in solidarity than sitting in solitary confinement.

  Comment by 007 — November 22, 2007 @ 11:25 am  Reply to this post