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Research

Introduction

Public sides with Hollywood writers over royalties

Writers on strike

In a survey of 1,000 American consumers, the Graziadio School investigated how consumers feel about the writer's strike. The majority of respondents agree that studios should share royalties they earn from new media downloads and DVD sales with TV and film writers. More Americans think writers deserve the largest share of the royalty payments than actors, producers or directors.

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Feature Story

Dr. David Smith

Dr. David Smith, associate professor of economics, is available to discuss the entertainment industry writer's labor negotiations. His expertise includes the areas of labor pay and productivity, forecasting, and analysis of specific labor markets, including the entertainment industry.

Majority of Americans think writers deserve largest share of royalty payments, survey finds

For writer/actor George Hertzberg, a Pepperdine MBA graduate best known for the recurring role of the cyborg Adam on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," the three months leading up to the breakdown in negotiations between studios and Hollywood TV and film writers were filled with longer than typical hours. Producers rushed to build a backlog of completed scripts and pushed to shoot as much as possible. Mandatory Friday shoots wrapped as late as 2 a.m., effectively destroying Saturdays at home for all production members because they were exhausted and needed to prep for Monday and the next week's grueling production schedule. More

Media Coverage

The following articles feature the Graziadio School survey and/or quotes and insight from Graziadio School Dean of Academic Affairs and labor economics expert David Smith: