Directors Guild to hold off on talks until '08
The Directors Guild of America announced this morning that it would not schedule negotiations with studios until after the new year. The guild, in a statement, said it would only begin formal talks "if an appropriate basis for negotiations can be established."
The directors have been holding off their talks on a new contract to replace one that expires June 30 in deference to Hollywood's film and TV writers, who are now in their sixth week of a strike.
The decision comes after directors faced strong pressure from writers and their own members not to do anything that would undercut writers as they seek to negotiate their own deal.
Talks between writers and studios broke down last week on Friday. "We are deeply disappointed by the breakdown ... Like everyone else in the industry, we had hoped that the two parties would be able to reach a fair and reasonable deal," said the DGA statement.
-- Richard Verrier
